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Panthers LT Ikem Ekwonu had appendectomy, Week 1 status in jeopardy

Thu Aug 28 10:11am ET
Field Level Media

Carolina Panthers left tackle Ikem Ekwonu had an appendectomy last weekend and is in jeopardy of missing the season opener at Jacksonville.

Head coach Dave Canales said he isn't ready to make a rash decision on the status of Ekwonu, who has started all 49 of his games since being drafted sixth overall in 2022 -- including 15 last season.

"We've seen these things turn around in a little over a week," Canales said on Wednesday. "It can be longer. It just depends on each individual's body, on how you respond to the surgery, how your body heals the right way. So, it's going to be day-to-day all the way up until the game."

Yosh Nijman, 29, would play the left tackle position if Ekwonu, 24, is unable to go against the Jaguars on Sept. 7.

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Player Notes
Bailey Zappe Aug 28 10:10am ET
Bailey Zappe

The Cleveland Browns brought back quarterback Bailey Zappe with a spot on their practice squad, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The fourth-year pro appeared in one game for Cleveland last season, but failed to latch on with Kansas City after training camp and was waived. Cleveland, which traded Kenny Pickett to Las Vegas earlier this week, will keep quarterbacks Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel on its 53-man roster. Zappe, who had his moments as a rookie in New England, is way off the fantasy radar at this point.

From RotoBaller

Malachi Corley Aug 28 10:10am ET
Malachi Corley

Wide receiver Malachi Corley is signing with the Cleveland Browns, according to a report from Adam Schefter. The second-year pro appeared in nine games for the New York Jets as a rookie, mostly as a special teams player, but failed to make the club this year. Corley will join the Browns' practice squad to begin the season, but could work his way onto the active roster at some point this season due the club's lack of depth at the position.

From RotoBaller

Hendon Hooker Aug 28 10:00am ET
Hendon Hooker

The Carolina Panthers came to an agreement with quarterback Hendon Hooker, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The former Tennessee Volunteer is set to join Carolina's practice squad after being waived by Detroit. The Lions selected Hooker in the third round in 2023, but ultimately moved on this offseason after he lost the backup QB competition against journeyman Kyle Allen. Carolina will start Bryce Young and brought back Andy Dalton, but will slot Hooker into their third QB spot heading into the season.

From RotoBaller

Jaxson Dart Aug 28 9:50am ET
Jaxson Dart

Quarterback Jaxson Dart is already gaining momentum within the club to start sooner rather than later, The Athletic's Diana Russini said during a Scoop City Show appearance. The rookie was impressive during the preseason, but New York signed veteran Russell Wilson to be their Week 1 starter. Russini said Dart has been turning heads in New York, which parted ways with Daniel Jones during the 2024 season. The Giants' quarterback room could be a situation to watch this season, especially if Wilson struggles at some point.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Williams Aug 28 9:40am ET
Caleb Williams

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams said he is regaining his enthusiasm during his second year, according to a piece written by Courtney Cronin of ESPN. The Bears plucked head coach Ben Johnson away from the rival Detroit Lions during the offseason, then committed to their offense by spending three picks in the first two rounds on tight end Colston Loveland, left tackle Ozzy Trapilo, and receiver Luther Burden III. Williams spoke glowingly of Johnson, who will be tasked with helping the former No. 1 overall pick turn around the franchise, which has posted just one winning record since 2013.

From RotoBaller

Najee Harris Aug 28 9:30am ET
Najee Harris

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that running back Najee Harris (eye) could play in Week 1, according to the team's official website. The first-year Charger returned to practice on Wednesday and has not been placed on the reserve/non-football injury list, opening up the possibility he is active for the season opener against Kansas City. Harris sustained the injury during a July 4 fireworks accident and had not practiced since June. When healthy, he's likely to split work with rookie Omarion Hampton.

From RotoBaller

Tim Patrick Aug 28 9:00am ET
Tim Patrick

Dynasty | The Lions have traded wide receiver Tim Patrick to the Jaguars. Dynasty Analysis: Patrick was deemed expendable presumably based on not only the availability of Jameson Williams but the preseason emergence of rookie Isaac TeSlaa. Patrick has proven to be a relatively solid veteran and should compete with Parker Washington and Dyami Brown for targets behind Brian Thomas Jr and Travis Hunter. Still, it's hard to see a lot of dynasty relevance for Patrick moving forward.

Isaac TeSlaa Aug 28 9:00am ET
Isaac TeSlaa

Dynasty | The trade of Tim Patrick to the Jaguars moves rookie Isaac TeSlaa up the depth chart. Dynasty Analysis: TeSlaa was a puzzling pick of the Lions in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft this year but did nothing but impress this preseason. With only Khalif Raymond to compete with for WR3 duties behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, this move could create a situation for TeSlaa to have both short and long-term value. In short, TeSlaa has moved from an eyebrow raising selection to a rookie who is quickly experiencing a rise in their ADP.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling Aug 28 8:59am ET
Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Dynasty | The 49ers have signed wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Dynasty Analysis: He'll face the team that cut him (Seattle) in a #revengegame in week one as a result. The 49ers are desperate for receiving help as their corps has been wiped out by injuries. MVS could provide some short-term value until they're back to full strength but the fact he was severely outplayed by Tory Horton doesn't bode well for his future. He doesn't seem a like a player worth chasing in dynasty leagues.

Jelani Woods Aug 28 8:59am ET
Jelani Woods

Dynasty | The Jets have claimed tight end Jelani Woods. Dynasty Analysis: Woods has shown real flashes of talent but injuries have just derailed his career as he hasn't played since 2022. The Jets have Mason Taylor and figure to give him the keys to the position but Woods should at least stay on watch lists at the moment.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire Aug 28 8:59am ET
Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Dynasty | The Chiefs have signed Clyde Edwards-Helaire to their practice squad. Dynasty Analysis: The Chiefs just can't give up on their former first rounder. Still, CEH has really fallen off the map after failing to make the Saints roster this off-season. He's now behind Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco and Brashard Smith at the very least. CEH should stay on waiver wires at the moment unless he's signed by a team to their active roster.

Audric Estime Aug 28 8:58am ET
Audric Estime

Dynasty | The Eagles have signed running back Audric Estime to their practice squad. Dynasty Analysis: Estime failed to make the Broncos roster and will now attempt to resurrect his career with the Eagles. With Saquon Barkley, AJ Dillon, and Will Shipley ahead of him on the roster, it will take an injury or two for Estime to be elevated. While he could be picked up by another team, Estime still looks like a player who needs to be placed on dynasty waivers.

Kyren Williams Aug 28 8:30am ET
Kyren Williams

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams could be in danger of seeing a reduced workload this upcoming season. As reported by Mike Florio of NBC, Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said that "the plan is to split those up a little bit and distribute, whether it's the run or the pass game, and making sure people are involved within the scheme" when discussing the potential for Williams to lose touches to second-year running back Blake Corum. While LaFleur expressed that if anyone could take on a larger workload, it would be Williams, the team appears to focus on keeping their top running back healthy throughout the long season. LaFleur also expressed that Corum has "had a really good training camp" and that "he'll get his opportunities come Week 1." Last season, Williams was deployed as the clear workhorse in Los Angeles, while Corum only ran the ball 58 total times. While fantasy managers should still view Williams as a low-end RB1, he could fall into the high-end RB2 range if he were to see a drop in attempts.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Reed Aug 28 8:20am ET
Jayden Reed

According to Jason Wilde, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (foot) has been diagnosed with a Jones fracture. While this type of fracture is common in athletics, it typically requires surgery. However, the Packers wideout has "no interest" in this extended timeline and plans to play through the injury. Reed noted that he has been focusing on resting his foot to ensure he is ready for their season opener against the Detroit Lions. Throughout August, the wide receiver has been seen wearing a boot on his left foot. While he has recently returned to practice, fantasy managers should expect the 25-year-old's workload to be closely monitored. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor this situation closely in case of a setback. If he were to miss time, rookie Matthew Golden and tight end Tucker Kraft would likely see the most significant increase in targets.

From RotoBaller

Adam Thielen Aug 28 2:13am ET
Adam Thielen

Dynasty | The Panthers have traded wide receiver Adam Thielen to the Vikings. Dynasty Analysis: The Vikings get Thielen, a conditional seventh-round pick and a future fifth-round pick from the Panthers in exchange for a fifth-round pick and a future fourth-round pick. It's a low-cost deal for the Vikings, who he played for the first nine seasons of his career. His return will help soften the blow of losing Jordan Addison for the first three games of the season and give JJ McCarthy a veteran presence moving forward. Thielen will likely have more short than long-term value but he could have some dynasty value for a contender.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Rashee Rice Aug 28 2:13am ET
Rashee Rice

Dynasty | Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will be suspended the first six games of the 2025 season. Dynasty Analysis: Rice will miss the first six games of the season and hopefully turn the corner in terms of his personal conduct. He has the chance of providing WR1 value for the last 11 games of the year and beyond in his career but dynasty managers will need to adjust their short-term plans. If this is the end of his issues, Rice has the pathway for real success in fantasy and reality. The window to buy low is now closing.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Kendrick Bourne Aug 28 2:13am ET
Kendrick Bourne

Dynasty | The Patriots have released wide receiver Kendrick Bourne. Dynasty Analysis: Bourne has spent four years with San Francisco and four with New England, failing to really find much sustained success along the way. It seems the 49ers are hot on his trail to re-sign the veteran but it's tough to see him making too much of an impact outside of the first few games of the season. Bourne is likely best served on the waiver wires regardless of if he ends up back with San Francisco.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Trey Palmer Aug 28 2:13am ET
Trey Palmer

Dynasty | The Saints have claimed for Bucs wide receiver Trey Palmer. Dynasty Analysis: Here's some classic NFC South team-on-team waiver wire crime as Palmer goes to a team within the division. There's some sleeper appeal here as Palmer could push DeVaughn Vele for snaps but he's best served simply as a player on dynasty watch lists at the moment.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Hendon Hooker Aug 28 2:13am ET
Hendon Hooker

Dynasty | The Panthers have signed quarterback Hendon Hooker to their practice sqaud. Dynasty Analysis: Hooker was cut by Detroit earlier in the week but finds a home (kind of) with Carolina. He'll be eligible to sign with any team but Carolina clearly sees something in the former Tennessee Volunteer. While Hooker shouldn't be on any dynasty roster (he's not even on a real NFL roster), dynasty managers would be wise to at least keep an eye on him, especially in 2QB leagues.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Cedrick Wilson Aug 28 1:53am ET
Cedrick Wilson

The New Orleans Saints re-signed QBs Jake Haener and Hunter Dekkers, WRs Kevin Austin and Cedrick Wilson, and TEs Jack Stoll and Treyton Welch to the practice squad on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

From TheHuddle