Guest of the League
Dunder Mifflin Inc Est. 2020
Dynasty $125 - FFL: Week 3 | NFL: Week 3

Giants sign K Greg Joseph, put Graham Gano (hamstring) on IR

Tue Sep 17 6:39pm ET
Field Level Media

The New York Giants placed kicker Graham Gano on injured reserve because of an ailing hamstring and signed kicker Greg Joseph off the Detroit Lions' practice squad on Tuesday.

The Giants (0-2) also claimed linebacker Patrick Johnson off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gano, 37, landed on the injury report Saturday with a groin problem and then injured his hamstring on Sunday's opening kickoff of New York's 21-18 loss to the host Washington Commanders

The Giants didn't have another kicker on their active roster on Sunday. And the result was disastrous for the Giants, who missed an extra point by punter Jamie Gillan, failed on a 2-point try later in the game and eschewed a short field-goal attempt late in the fourth quarter.

As a result, the Giants became the second team in NFL history to lose a game while scoring three touchdowns and allowing none. The Los Angeles Rams were the first in 1989.

Gano joined the Giants in 2020 after stints with Washington (2009-11) and the Carolina Panthers (2012-18). He was a Pro Bowl selection after the 2017 season with the Panthers and did not play in 2019 due to injury.

Gano connected on two field goals in the Giants' season-opening loss to Minnesota.

The Giants tried out four veteran kickers at the team facility on Monday: Tanner Brown, Randy Bullock, Zane Gonzalez and Riley Patterson.

Instead, they signed Joseph, who was in the Green Bay Packers' training camp and was released before signing with last week with the Lions.

Joseph, 30, kicked the past three seasons for the Minnesota Vikings, making 24 of 30 field goal attempts in 2023, with a long of 54 yards, and 36 of 38 extra-point attempts. He had touchbacks on 61 of 79 kickoffs.

He also played single seasons for the Cleveland Browns (2018) and Tennessee Titans (2019). Joseph has in five seasons made 100 of 121 field goal attempts and 146 of 162 extra-point kicks, with 244 touchbacks in 342 kickoffs.

His career-long field goal of 61 yards set the Vikings' franchise record and clinched the game as time expired in a 27-24 victory over the Giants on Dec. 24, 2022.

Johnson, 26, played in one game for the Eagles this season against the Packers before his release. He played in 48 games (two starts) for Philadelphia from 2021-23, making 35 tackles with one tackle for loss, three quarterback hits, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 3

Player Notes
Irv Smith Jr. Sep 17 5:50pm CT
Irv Smith Jr.

The Houston Texans hosted free-agent tight end Irv Smith for a workout on Tuesday. Smith spent the offseason with the Kansas City Chiefs but was released after final roster cuts. Smith is a hyper-athletic tight end but has never put it all together in his career to enjoy sustained success. Should the Texans sign Smith, it would likely be to add depth to a tight end room that already includes Dalton Schultz and Brevin Jordan.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Matthews Sep 17 5:40pm CT
Jordan Matthews

The Carolina Panthers released tight end Jordan Matthews on Tuesday. Matthews had yet to record a statistic in 2024. Fantasy managers may remember Matthews as the tight end who enjoyed success in Philadelphia from 2014 to 2016 prior to the rise of Zach Ertz. Those days are long gone, however, as Matthews has not been a fantasy factor in several years. The Panthers offense is something that fantasy managers should stay away from anyway, and this move does not affect that assessment.

From RotoBaller

DeForest Buckner Sep 17 5:30pm CT
DeForest Buckner

The Indianapolis Colts placed standout defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (ankle) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. Buckner was injured in Week 2 against the Packers and will now have to sit out at least four games. Buckner has been a game-wrecker for a Colts defense lacking high-end playmakers. He already recorded 1.5 sacks in Week 1 against the Texans. He only had one tackle prior to his exit from the Packers game. The loss of Buckner hurts both the Colts' offense and defense. Buckner's ability to disrupt the backfield of opposing teams helps give the Colts' offense shorter fields to work with. The Colts will certainly hope to have Buckner back sooner rather than later.

From RotoBaller

Robbie Chosen Sep 17 5:30pm CT
Robbie Chosen

The Miami Dolphins released wide receiver Robbie Chosen on Tuesday. Chosen signed with the team after being released by the 49ers after the preseason. Chosen had played in both of the Dolphins' first two games this season. He recorded one reception for five yards in those games. Chosen has bounced around the league in recent years but has seen regular season time with the Dolphins in each of the past two seasons. However, his fantasy impact days are gone. Chosen may very well end up on another practice squad but do not expect much production from him should he see any game action.

From RotoBaller

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