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Raheem Morris, Falcons ready to turn the page after big MNF win

Tue Sep 17 6:18pm ET
Field Level Media

Following the Atlanta Falcons' first win of the Raheem Morris era, the group knows it has little time to celebrate.

Trailing by three points with 1:56 remaining in Philadelphia against the Eagles on Monday, Morris' team was given a 0.7 percent chance of winning by the NFL's Next Gen Stats. After forcing a field goal, Kirk Cousins led a six-play, 70-yard scoring drive that was capped with a 7-yard game-winning touchdown to Drake London, giving the Falcons an improbable 22-21 win.

For the second time in two weeks, the Falcons will play on national television, as they host the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on "Sunday Night Football."

"When you play in these big-time moments and big-time games, you've got to be ready to turn the page pretty quickly," Morris told reporters on Tuesday. "You've got to be able to evaluate, and assess what happened the night before. We'll go find out what we can do better and then start to look at our opponent that's coming up in the Kansas City Chiefs, because you better be ready for those guys."

In the first "Monday Night Football" appearance for Atlanta since 2020, and first win since 2018, new faces shined for the Falcons. Cousins threw for 241 yards and a pair of touchdowns to help cement his first win in an Atlanta uniform.

At receiver, offseason additions Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud combined for six receptions totaling 130 yards and a score.

From the brink of starting the year 0-2, Atlanta's comeback has given some relevance to a franchise searching for its first winning season and playoff appearance since 2017. Morris, 22-39 as a head coach in his career, saw a glimpse of what the Falcons can evolve into by year's end.

"For me, it wasn't as emotionally driven as it was for some of the players," Morris said of the win. "But it pumps belief into them. ... It creates an energy for these guys to be able to go out there knowing they can do anything at any time, like they proved (Monday) night."

Atlanta, which will be underdogs for the second straight week, is playing on NBC's "Sunday Night Football" for the first time since 2019. The Falcons host the Chiefs for the first time since 2016, and are searching for their first win over Kansas City since Week 1, 2012.

--The Falcons signed inside linebacker Josh Woods to their practice squad on Tuesday.

Woods, 28, has played for three different teams since entering the NFL in 2019 and started seven of his 11 games with the Arizona Cardinals last season. He put up 61 tackles, one forced fumble and a half-sack for Arizona.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 3

Player Notes
Jalen Reagor Sep 17 5:20pm CT
Jalen Reagor

New England Patriots wide receiver Jalen Reagor was released by from the practice squad on Tuesday. Reagor had yet to play in a game this season and had voiced his frustrations on social media. The former first-round pick spent 2023 with the Patriots but only recorded seven receptions for 138 yards. Now Reagor will have to try to find a new home. Given his complete lack of involvement in the offense, this move has no implications for fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Graham Gano Sep 17 5:10pm CT
Graham Gano

New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (hamstring) was placed on IR on Tuesday. In perhaps a prophetic move, the Giants signed veteran kicker Greg Joseph to their active roster earlier in the day. Gano injured his hamstring in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders. Following his injury, the Giants did not attempt a kick and instead opted to go for two after every touchdown. While Gano had a tough 2023 season for the Giants, he had been solid over the previous three seasons. Joseph has extensive experience and should be able to fill in valiantly for the Giants in while Gano recovers.

From RotoBaller

MarShawn Lloyd Sep 17 3:30pm CT
MarShawn Lloyd

The Green Bay Packers placed rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd (ankle) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday and signed running back Chris Brooks to the active 53-man roster from the practice squad in a corresponding move. Lloyd has quickly developed an injury-prone reputation early in his rookie season after missing most of training camp and the preseason with injuries as well. The 23-year-old will now miss at least the next four games with an ankle injury he suffered in the Week 2 win over the Indianapolis Colts. The explosive third-rounder was the clear front-runner for RB2 duties over Emanuel Wilson with AJ Dillon (neck) out for the year. But now that Lloyd is going to miss more time, Wilson is worth a waiver-wire pickup for RB depth, especially if you also have starter Josh Jacobs rostered. Lloyd was inactive in the season opener but had six carries for 15 yards and caught one pass for three yards in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Greg Joseph Sep 17 3:10pm CT
Greg Joseph

The New York Giants are signing veteran kicker Greg Joseph to their active roster on Tuesday from the Detroit Lions' practice squad, according to his agent. Regular Giants kicker Graham Gano (hamstring) was injured early in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Washington Commanders and will miss a "few weeks," prompting the Giants to add Joseph to their roster this week. Gano's injury ended up being big for the G-Men on Sunday, as punter Jamie Gillan missed his lone extra-point try and the Giants failed on their two two-point conversion tries in what ended up being a three-point loss. Joseph now seems likely to kick for New York in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns and then probably also the following Thursday night in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys. Joseph lost the kicking battle in Green Bay in training camp and has made 82.6% of his career kicks in five seasons. It's best to avoid him in Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Sep 17 3:10pm CT
Tua Tagovailoa

The Miami Dolphins are placing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday in order to give him ample time to progress through the stages of the league's concussion protocol and meet with outside neurologists, according to sources. The earliest Tagovailoa can return now is in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals, but the Dolphins are committed to placing no timeline on him as he works through a deliberate process and eventual return to play. Honestly, nobody knows when Tagovailoa will return to football, and there's even a chance that neurologists recommend he not play football again. The 26-year-old suffered his fourth documented concussion last Thursday, although he's apparently not considering retirement. In the meantime, backup Skylar Thompson will run the offense and start in Week 3 against the Seahawks. It's a major downgrade for all of Miami's offensive skill players.

From RotoBaller

B.J. Hill Sep 17 2:50pm CT
B.J. Hill

Veteran free-agent defensive lineman Lawrence Guy is signing to the Cincinnati Bengals' active 53-man roster on Tuesday after working out for the team, according to a source. The Bengals are already dealing with key injuries to their defensive line after two weeks, so Guy, a former standout with the New England Patriots, should have a chance to make an immediate impact with his new team. Cincy is dealing with injuries to Sheldon Rankins (hamstring), B.J. Hill (hamstring) and Kris Jenkins (thumb). The 34-year-old Guy was originally a seventh-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2011 out of Arizona State. He spent the last seven years with the Patriots and had 38 tackles (16 solo) in 17 games (12 starts) in New England in 2023. Guy has never had more than 4.5 sacks in a single season, so he remains off the fantasy radar in IDP leagues.

From RotoBaller

Kareem Hunt Sep 17 2:43pm CT
Kareem Hunt

Free-agent RB Kareem Hunt (Browns) will reportedly join the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs, according to a source.

Fantasy Spin: It makes sense from a depth perspective, but the 29-year-old Hunt has not been a good running back in either of the last two seasons behind what was a good offensive line in Cleveland. While he is unlikely to be ready to play in Week 3, Hunt's eventual addition to the active roster likely robs any fantasy value every other healthy back in Kansas City (Carson Steele and Samaje Perine, most notably) had during Isiah Pacheco's stint on injured reserve.

From TheHuddle

Jordan Matthews Sep 17 2:43pm CT
Jordan Matthews

Carolina Panthers TE Feleipe Franks was signed off the practice squad on Tuesday, Sept. 17. TE Jordan Matthews was released to make room for him on the roster.

From TheHuddle

Lawrence Guy Sep 17 2:33pm CT
Lawrence Guy

Free-agent DE Lawrence Guy (Patriots) reportedly agreed to terms on an undisclosed contract with the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

From TheHuddle

Kareem Hunt Sep 17 2:30pm CT
Kareem Hunt

Veteran free-agent running back Kareem Hunt is signing with the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad on Tuesday after visiting with them on Monday, according to a source. The Chiefs will bring in a familiar face at the position after it was announced that starting RB Isiah Pacheco (fibula) will miss the next six to eight weeks after suffering a fractured fibula in the Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Hunt was the Chiefs' third-round pick in 2017 and was named to the Pro Bowl his rookie season, when he had a league-high 1,327 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on a career-high 272 carries that year. He has spent the last five years in Cleveland, averaging 4.0 yards per carry while scoring 32 total touchdowns in 64 games. The 29-year-old has familiarity in KC's system and should eventually join rookie Carson Steele and Samaje Perine in the Chiefs backfield. Hunt is worth a waiver-wire pickup if you're hurting at RB.

From RotoBaller

Skylar Thompson Sep 17 2:10pm CT
Skylar Thompson

Updating a previous report, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reports that Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson will start in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The Dolphins are taking it "day by day" with Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) after he suffered another scary concussion in last Thursday night's loss to the division-rival Buffalo Bills. If the Dolphins place him on Injured Reserve, he would miss a minimum of four games, pending him passing the league's concussion protocol. A previous report suggests that Tagovailoa hasn't been ruled out for Week 3 yet, but that seems like only a matter of time. Tagovailoa is back with the team, but his health and well-being are of utmost concern right now. Fantasy managers relying on him in one- or two-QB leagues should have already made alternate plans for the upcoming weeks. Thompson is only worth a waiver pickup as a bench stash in superflex formats.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Sep 17 2:00pm CT
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) has not yet been ruled out of the Week 3 contest against the Seattle Seahawks. During an appearance on 93.3 KJR Seahawks radio, Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports said, "There are some around the league who think he may play in Seattle this weekend." While it seems unrealistic for him to suit up just over a week after a scary concussion on Thursday Night Football, it sounds like it's not entirely out of the question. Needless to say, this is a situation worth monitoring, but it's still more likely that he sits out rather than plays. If he cannot suit up against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, Skylar Thompson is expected to get the start.

From RotoBaller

Tanner Brown Sep 17 2:00pm CT
Tanner Brown

The Los Angeles Rams signed kicker Tanner Browns to the practice squad on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. The 24-year-old went unselected in last year's NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State and has been on and off the L.A. roster since signing with the organization after the draft. Starting kicker Joshua Karty has made all three of his field goal attempts and all three of his extra-point tries to begin the year, so it's unclear whether Brown will be given a chance to earn the starting role. Either way, the Rams offense is likely to struggle with Puka Nacua (knee), Cooper Kupp (foot), and several offensive linemen on the shelf, so he would not be an attractive fantasy kicker option if he plays anytime soon.

From RotoBaller

Quentin Johnston Sep 17 1:40pm CT
Quentin Johnston

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston struggled mightily in his rookie campaign despite veterans Keenan Allen and Mike Williams missing chunks of the 2023 NFL season. Johnston caught just 28 passes for 431 yards and two scores in Year 1. In just two games of the 2024 campaign, the TCU product has hauled in eight of his 11 targets for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Despite all the criticism, Johnston is just looking to build on his strong start. "Everything you're seeing from the first two games and then going through the rest of the season is just a testament to my work," Johnston said. While he's highly unlikely to continue to average one touchdown per game, it's promising that he's tied for the team lead in targets through two weeks. Los Angeles hasn't had to air it out much with two matchups against weak offenses so far, but he could see more volume when L.A. inevitably gets in "come-from-behind" mode.

From RotoBaller

Jadeveon Clowney Sep 17 1:30pm CT
Jadeveon Clowney

The Carolina Panthers are waiving linebacker Eku Leota on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. The 25-year-old went unselected in last year's NFL Draft and appeared in eight games last year and two games this year. Overall, he has tallied eight tackles and three tackles for loss in 10 games. The former Northwestern and Auburn linebacker opened the season backing up Jadeveon Clowney and DJ Johnson, but he will become a free agent if he clears waivers. There could be some interest, but he's unlikely to become a full-time starter anytime soon.

From RotoBaller

Lawrence Guy Sep 17 1:20pm CT
Lawrence Guy

The Cincinnati Bengals are working out defensive linemen Lawrence Guy and Albert Higgins on Tuesday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. Injuries are becoming a problem up front for the Bengals, so Guy and Higgins have real opportunities to be signed this week. Guy, a former seventh-round pick in 2011, has played in 174 NFL games and has 507 tackles, 17 sacks, and two forced fumbles in his career. Huggins went undrafted out of Clemson in 2019 and has been with eight organizations in his career. He has tallied 41 tackles in 27 game appearances.

From RotoBaller

C.J. Mosley Sep 17 1:10pm CT
C.J. Mosley

New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) was carted off the field during the Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans with a toe injury. However, head coach Robert Saleh said Mosley is progressing well, and it sounds like he will be a game-time decision for the Thursday Night Football matchup with the New England Patriots. The 2014 first-round pick has totaled at least 152 tackles in the last three seasons with New York, and he is one of the leaders of the defense that was elite in 2023. The Jets defense appears to have a great matchup against New England, and its fantasy outlook is brighter if Mosley can suit up on Thursday.

From RotoBaller

Lawrence Guy Sep 17 1:03pm CT
Lawrence Guy

Free-agent DE Lawrence Guy (Patriots) worked out for the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

From TheHuddle

Brandon Aiyuk Sep 17 12:20pm CT
Brandon Aiyuk

With San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) set to miss a couple of weeks with a calf strain, Brandon Aiyuk is now set up to serve as the team's WR1 heading into a divisional matchup in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams. Aiyuk played only 60% of the offensive snaps in the Week 1 win over the New York Jets after a lengthy contract hold-in during training camp this summer. He played 87% of the snaps in the Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but through two games, Aiyuk has been a fantasy disappointment with six catches on 10 targets for 71 yards and no scores. Despite the poor start, fantasy managers need to keep the 26-year-old locked into starting lineups for Week 3 with Samuel sidelined. In addition to Aiyuk being more involved, receiver Jauan Jennings should operate as the WR2, while tight end George Kittle will also have a safer target floor for as long as Samuel is out.

From RotoBaller

Dalvin Cook Sep 17 12:20pm CT
Dalvin Cook

When asked if Dallas Cowboys running back Dalvin Cook will be called upon to boost the running game in Week 3 versus the Baltimore Ravens, owner Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan, "I don't necessarily see a change that would involve Cook this week." Cook was signed late in training camp to give the Cowboys more running back depth behind Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn. The 29-year-old is currently on the practice squad and will likely have to wait at least another week before Dallas considers adding him to the 53-man active roster. Cook says he's much healthier than he was last year, when he averaged a career-worst 3.2 yards per carry on 67 rushing attempts for the New York Jets in 15 games, but as of right now, he doesn't offer much of an upgrade to what the Cowboys already have in their backfield.

From RotoBaller