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Jets place DE Jermaine Johnson (Achilles) on IR, ending his season

Thu Sep 19 5:43pm ET
Field Level Media

The New York Jets placed defensive end Jermaine Johnson on injured reserve on Thursday because of a ruptured right Achilles tendon, ending his season, and signed defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes from the practice squad to the active roster.

The Jets also called up linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball for their home game Thursday night against the New England Patriots. Standout linebacker C.J. Mosley is listed as questionable with a toe injury.

Johnson, 25, was injured on a non-contact play while rushing Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis in the third quarter of Sunday's 24-17 road win. He immediately grabbed his right leg and was eventually carted off the field.

"Thank everyone for all the prayers and support!" Johnson, a Pro Bowl selection as an injury replacement in 2023, said in a social media post on Monday. "This is not a dark time for me, although there will be dark days ahead, this is Gods way for me to not only grow as a man, person and player but to also inspire others to as well."

The Jets traded into the bottom of the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft to select Johnson No. 26 overall. In 33 career games (19 starts), he has amassed 88 tackles, 10 sacks, seven pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble.

Holmes, 28, has four tackles in two games for the Jets this season. He played in five games for New York in 2023, totaling five tackles and a sack. He's also spent time with the Minnesota Vikings (2018-20), New Orleans Saints (2021) and Chicago Bears (2022). Holmes has 69 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and two sacks, and six quarterback hits in 41 career games (10 starts).

McCrary-Ball, 25, appeared in two games for the Jets last season, when he spent most of the campaign on the practice squad.

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Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 3

Player Notes
Jordan Addison Sep 19 5:20pm CT
Jordan Addison

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) sat out of practice on Thursday for the second straight day after missing the Week 2 victory over the San Francisco 49ers due to a minor right ankle injury that he picked up in the Week 1 win over the New York Giants. At the very least, Addison is likely heading for a questionable tag for Sunday's contest against the 2-0 Houston Texans if he's able to get in some form of practice on Friday. Justin Jefferson (quadriceps) is also on the Week 3 injury report but fully expects to play. If the 22-year-old Addison is limited or out this weekend, Jalen Nailor would once again have flex appeal for fantasy managers in what could be an offensive contest. The 25-year-old Nailor has been a popular waiver-wire pickup this week with both Addison and Jefferson banged up. He's scored twice already this year and caught three passes for 54 yards and a TD in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Sep 19 5:20pm CT
Aaron Jones

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (hip) was able to practice in full on Thursday after being limited to start the week on Wednesday. Unless Jones has a setback with his hip during Friday's practice, he should be ready to suit up for the Week 3 matchup against the 2-0 Houston Texans. Through his first two games in his first year in Minnesota, Jones has averaged a healthy 5.5 yards per carry on 23 rushing attempts, gaining 126 yards with one touchdown. He's added seven receptions for 51 yards through the air. The Vikings are going to continue to spell the 29-year-old with backup Ty Chandler, making him more of a touchdown-dependent RB2 for fantasy managers. Jones faces a tough matchup against Houston this week, too, with the Texans having allowed the third-fewest half-PPR fantasy points to opposing RBs in the first two weeks.

From RotoBaller

A.J. Brown Sep 19 5:10pm CT
A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) missed his second straight practice of the week on Thursday. Brown suffered a hamstring injury in practice last Friday and was held out of the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. It's an injury that Brown expects to keep him out for multiple games, so fantasy managers should have already been planning not to have the talented pass-catcher for this Sunday's showdown against the New Orleans Saints. Without Brown on Monday night, receiver DeVonta Smith led the Eagles with seven receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. Brittain Covey also benefitted with six receptions, but it amounted to only 23 yards. As long as Brown remains out, expect Smith, tight end Dallas Goedert and running back Saquon Barkley to be targeted more through the air by quarterback Jalen Hurts.

From RotoBaller

Justin Jefferson Sep 19 5:10pm CT
Justin Jefferson

When asked if he plans to play in Week 3 on Sunday against the Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (quadriceps) said, "Yeah, for sure." Jefferson said his quadriceps muscle feels "great" and he's working daily with the medical staff to make sure it feels "fantastic" by Sunday. The All-Pro wideout was listed as limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day. The 25-year-old bruised his right quad in the Week 2 win over the San Francisco 49ers but still managed to go for four catches (seven targets) for 133 yards and his second touchdown of the season. Jefferson has only seen 13 total targets from quarterback Sam Darnold through two weeks, but the efficiency has been amazing, and he'll remain a must-start, elite WR1 for fantasy managers as long as he's active this Sunday in what could be shootout against the Texans.

From RotoBaller

Brevin Jordan Sep 19 4:00pm CT
Brevin Jordan

Houston Texans tight end Brevin Jordan (knee) suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. The 24-year-old will now set his sights on a long recovery process to prepare him for the 2025 season. The former fifth-round selection set a career-high in yards last season with 219. However, Jordan caught just one pass in each of the first two games of the season and was deployed as the No.2 tight end behind Dalton Schultz. Fantasy managers should now expect Schultz to see the lion's share of opportunities at the tight end spot in Houston, while Cade Stover should move up to the No.2 spot and see an increase in work.

From RotoBaller

Mike Gesicki Sep 19 4:00pm CT
Mike Gesicki

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (calf) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status before his matchup against the Commanders on Monday evening. However, seeing him at practice is a promising sign that the injury is not severe. Last week, the Penn State product caught seven of his nine targets for 91 yards. In the season opener, Gesicki caught three of his four targets. The 28-year-old has emerged as a prominent pass-catcher in this offense while Tee Higgins (hamstring) remains sidelined. Even if Higgins makes his 2024 season debut on Monday, Gesicki should still be viewed as a high-end TE2, given his current role in the Cincinnati offense.

From RotoBaller

Tyjae Spears Sep 19 3:50pm CT
Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) returned to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday. The 23-year-old was held out of Wednesday's practice, so this is a promising sign he could suit up for Sunday's match against the Green Bay Packers. Spears reportedly suffered an ankle injury during Week 2's loss to the New York Jets but avoided a significant injury. Fantasy managers should monitor his practice status on Friday as it should provide clarity on his status entering the weekend. Spears has taken the backseat to Tony Pollard through the early part of the season, as he has carried the ball just ten times across both games and saw only six targets. Given his current role in the Tennessee offense, Spears should be viewed as a low-end flex if he can play on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Deebo Samuel Sep 19 3:40pm CT
Deebo Samuel

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) was not seen at Thursday's practice, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. The wideout also did not practice on Wednesday. The 28-year-old is expected to miss some time due to a calf injury but has not been officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams. Fantasy managers should expect Samuel not to suit up this weekend but should monitor Friday's report, just in case. Samuel was once again a focal point of the San Francisco offense through the first two weeks, averaging 18.4 PPR points with 82 yards and 6.5 catches per game. Fantasy managers looking for a potential replacement should consider adding his teammate Jauan Jennings, who should serve as the No.2 wideout this weekend against a vulnerable Los Angeles defense.

From RotoBaller

George Kittle Sep 19 3:30pm CT
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) did not practice on Thursday, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. The 30-year-old was not on Wednesday's injury report and will now approach the weekend with uncertain status. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report, as it should provide more clarity on Kittle's status for Sunday. The Iowa product was lifted from last week's game due to cramping but was able to return as it did not seem serious as he caught seven of his eight targets for 76 yards and a score in this game. If the Iowa product happens to sit out this weekend, fantasy managers should expect Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings to see a significant increase in targets against the Los Angeles Rams.

From RotoBaller

Keenan Allen Sep 19 3:20pm CT
Keenan Allen

Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) did not practice on Thursday, according to Josh Schrock of NBC Chicago. The veteran wideout was also held out of practice on Wednesday and could potentially miss Sunday's game. The 32-year-old was battling a heel injury before the start of the season but was able to suit up for the season opener. However, he has not seen the field since. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report, as it should provide more clarity on Allen's status heading into the weekend. In Week 1, Allen saw a hefty 11 targets his way but could only catch four of them for 29 yards. If Allen misses his second straight game, fantasy managers should expect DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and DeAndre Carter to see an uptick in targets.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Allgeier Sep 19 3:20pm CT
Tyler Allgeier

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (hip) logged a full practice on Thursday and is on track to play in Week 3 when the Falcons play host to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Allgeier participated in Wednesday's practice in a limited fashion but has returned to a regular workload on Thursday. Fantasy managers should monitor his status on Friday, but the BYU product should be a full-go this weekend. Through the first two weeks of the season, the 24-year-old has operated as the clear No.2 running back behind standout Bijan Robinson. Allgeier remains one of the most valuable handcuffs in fantasy football but should not be relied upon weekly, given his limited role in the Atlanta offense.

From RotoBaller

Cameron Dicker Sep 19 3:10pm CT
Cameron Dicker

Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker is a solid choice like usual for Week 3 fantasy lineups when the Chargers face the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dicker has put up 22 fantasy points through the first two weeks, making all five of his field goals and three of his four extra points. The missed extra point was the first of his NFL career. The Chargers-Steelers game is expected to be one of the lowest scoring games of the week, but with touchdowns likely hard to come by, the kicking game could play a big role in the final score. Dicker is a top-12 option in leagues that still start kickers.

From RotoBaller

Russell Wilson Sep 19 3:10pm CT
Russell Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) remained a limited participant in Thursday's practice, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS. Jones further noted that Justin Fields remains in line to start on Sunday when the Steelers face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. Wilson was initially named the team's starting QB back in training camp but suffered from calf tightness in the first week of September, pushing Fields to the top of the depth chart. While the Steelers have won the first two games with Fields leading the offense, he has averaged just 136.5 passing yards and 42 yards on the ground. Fields remains a high-end QB2, given his rushing upside this weekend, if he gets the starting nod.

From RotoBaller

Quentin Johnston Sep 19 3:00pm CT
Quentin Johnston

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston had a big game in Week 2, but he'll draw a much tougher challenge in a Week 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Johnston is currently the overall WR24 in fantasy, fueled largely by his two touchdown performance last week against the Carolina Panthers. He's been the clear WR1 on the Chargers offense and often the first read for quarterback Justin Herbert, but the underlying numbers haven't been pretty. Johnston is showing much better hands this season, but he's still just 78th in separation and 81st in route win rate, both out of just 92 qualifying receivers. He'll draw coverage from either Joey Porter Jr. or Donte Jackson this week, both of whom have been extremely stingy against opposing wide receivers.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey Sep 19 2:50pm CT
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey has a good matchup in a Week 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. McConkey scored a touchdown in his NFL debut in Week 1 but followed that up with a quiet performance in Week 2 in which he scored just 3.6 fantasy points. This week, he'll likely run most of his routes against Beanie Bishop Jr., who has allowed a passer rating of 143.2 when targeted. Either Joshua Palmer (knee) or Quentin Johnston will be shadowed in coverage by Joey Porter Jr., so more throws could end up going McConkey's way. He's a WR3 with some upside, and with a definite boost in value in PPR leagues.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Sep 19 2:50pm CT
Josh Palmer

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee) is not a good fantasy option for a Week 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Palmer missed practice on Wednesday and was working off to the side of the field on Thursday, leaving his status for Sunday's game as questionable at best. Even if he does play, Palmer will likely draw coverage from Joey Porter, Jr. Coming into the season, Palmer was expected to fill the WR1 role in the Los Angeles offense, but he has quickly fallen behind Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey in the first two games. Add to that the fact that this is clearly going to be a run-first offense, and it's hard to have a ton of faith in Palmer as a fantasy starter.

From RotoBaller

J.K. Dobbins Sep 19 2:40pm CT
J.K. Dobbins

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins is set for another strong performance in a Week 3 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dobbins is the overall fantasy RB4 through the first two weeks of the season, and several statistics show that it's not just a fluke. He ranks first in the NFL in explosive run rate and missed tackles forced per attempt. He's 12th in the league in yards after contact, and the Chargers offensive line has been excellent in opening up running lanes, with the Chargers offense tops in the league in yards before contact in the running game. The Steelers defense is solid over all, but has been just about average against running backs through the first two weeks of the season. Dobbins is a high-end RB2 with clear upside.

From RotoBaller

Gus Edwards Sep 19 2:40pm CT
Gus Edwards

Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards is a touchdown-dependent fantasy option in a Week 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Edwards has put up two fairly similar games in terms of production so far this season, and is likely to do more of the same. He has not yet broken out for an explosive play nor has he forced a missed tackle, but the Chargers offensive line is providing him with plenty of room to run. He's played on 47% of the offensive snaps in the red zone, and he's always a threat to punch in a short touchdown at the goal line. Still, his value depends almost solely on finding the end zone, making him a risky FLEX play albeit one with some upside.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Sep 19 2:30pm CT
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) is expected to play this week despite suffering an ankle injury near the end of a Week 2 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Herbert missed practice on Wednesday, but was back in there on Thursday and all signs point to him being able to take the field on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even assuming he plays without setbacks, he's no more than a QB2 option, leading a run-first offense against a tough Steelers defense. Herbert has all the talent of the top tier quarterbacks in the NFL, but the type of offense the Chargers run leave him well out of those rankings for fantasy football. He's just the QB27 so far through two weeks of games.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Sep 19 2:00pm CT
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) missed practice on Wednesday but was back on the field for Thursday's practice. Stanley is dealing with some sort of ankle injury, but his return is good news for his potential Week 3 availability against the Dallas Cowboys. Needless to say, his availability will be important for protecting quarterback Lamar Jackson in a matchup with Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. Baltimore's offensive line has not looked as dominant this season compared to previous seasons as new starters get comfortable in their roles, so the veteran tackle's presence in the lineup is key.

From RotoBaller