Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) is making strides in his recovery but deferred to the injury report that will come out later on Wednesday after practice. Higgins tweaked his hamstring in practice last Thursday and was ruled out of the season-opening upset loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday. It sounds like Higgins might be limited in practice on Wednesday, which still puts him up in the air to play in Week 2 versus the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs. If the 25-year-old makes his season debut this weekend, he could also be on a pitch count, making him a shaky WR3/flex play. With Higgins out in Week 1, Andrei Iosivas played 100% of the offensive snaps but hauled in only three passes for 26 yards on six targets, which tied for the team lead with Ja'Marr Chase.

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New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said on Wednesday that wide receiver Darius Slayton (concussion) is still in the league's concussion protocol and won't practice. Slayton suffered a concussion in the season-opening blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings and had only three catches on four targets for 26 yards. Right now, he's on the wrong side of questionable as the team prepares for a Week 2 divisional matchup against the Washington Commanders. Even if Slayton returns to practice later this week and clears the NFL's concussion protocols by Sunday, fantasy managers should look to leave him out of their lineups in deeper leagues. He's currently rostered in only 2% of Yahoo leagues. If Slayton misses this weekend's contest, expect Jalin Hyatt to have the best shot at picking up more snaps in a bad offense behind rookie Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson.

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Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (hernia) is "good to go," head coach Shane Steichen said on Wednesday. It's unclear what Gay's practice status is to begin the week, but apparently he will be ready to make his 2024 debut this Sunday at Lambeau Field in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers. Gay recently had surgery to fix a sports hernia and was unable to suit up in the Week 1 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans. With Gay out last weekend, rookie Spencer Shrader made his NFL debut and made all three of his extra-point attempts. The 25-year-old didn't attempt a single field goal. The 30-year-old Gay will be Indy's primary kicker in 2024 when healthy after making 80.5% of his 41 field-goal attempts in 17 games for the Colts a year ago. It's nice that Gay only had to miss one game, but fantasy managers should have better options at the position in Week 2.

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Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said in his opening statement on Wednesday that wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) will be the only player on the team that won't practice. However, Reid said it's still possible for Brown to be in uniform for his Chiefs debut in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. "He won't be out there today," Reid said. Hollywood suffered a sternoclavicular injury to his shoulder in the preseason opener in August and missed the season-opening win over the Baltimore Ravens last Thursday. The former Arizona Cardinals receiver is trending in the right direction and could play this Sunday if he can get back on the practice field on Thursday or Friday, but right now, consider him to be on the wrong side of questionable. With Brown out in Week 1, both Rashee Rice and rookie first-rounder Xavier Worthy feasted as quarterback Patrick Mahomes' primary weapons.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, released a statement on his client's behalf on Wednesday denying recent allegations of more sexual misconduct against him. "Deshaun strongly denies the allegations in the Jane Doe lawsuit filed Monday. We have asked him not to comment further while this matter works its way through the courts, but are comfortable he will ultimately be vindicated," Hardin wrote in the statement. "We will be ready to defend this case in court at the appropriate time, but don't intend to conduct our defense in the media. We would ask that people be patient while the legal process runs its course." In the meantime, the NFL doesn't plan to put Watson on the commissioner's exempt list, so he will be active as a QB2 in fantasy in Week 2 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars after a poor showing in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) will be limited in practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Shane Steichen. Downs suffered a high-ankle sprain back on Aug. 7 and missed the team's Week 1 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans last weekend. However, the 23-year-old continues to make strong progress and said late last week that he felt he was close to making a return. If he can make more progress in practice on Thursday and Friday, there's a chance he could suit up in Week 2 this Sunday at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. When healthy, Downs could be the team's No. 2 wideout behind Michael Pittman Jr., which is bad news for those that just plucked Alec Pierce off the waiver wire after he went for over 100 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. Downs is worth scooping up off the waiver wire if he's available.

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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (ankle) will miss Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to an ankle injury. Njoku suffered the ankle injury in Week 1 and is considered week-to-week. The 28-year-old limped off the field after being rolled up on by an opposing defender in Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys and was feared to have a high ankle sprain. He has a history of foot and ankle issues, which is concerning for his future production. However, there aren't many good options for fantasy at tight end, so he's a must-start when he plays. Fellow Browns tight end Jordan Akins is the only other TE on the depth chart, but he logged just three receptions in 2023, so Njoku managers should look elsewhere for a replacement this week.

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San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) feels like a long shot to play in Week 2, per sources on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

Fantasy Spin: It's not entirely surprising the Niners are being cautious with their star player with it being so early in the season, although it's a bummer for fantasy owners. If you have not already, go out and get Jordan Mason immediately. He's a locked-in RB1 as long as McCaffrey is sidelined.

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Free-agent CB Ahkello Witherspoon is signing with the Los Angeles Rams, per source on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The terms of the contract were not immediately disclosed.

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Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 2, head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

Fantasy Spin: The next man up on the depth chart is Jordan Akins, who does have some history with Deshaun Watson from their days together in Houston. However, with Watson's struggles, and with it being so early in the season, you can probably find a better option on the waiver wire.

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Buffalo Bills CB Taron Johnson (forearm) and DE Dawuane Smoot (toe) did not practice on Wednesday, Sept. 11, and were ruled out for Week 2. In addition, DE Javon Solomon (oblique) was limited and is doubtful, and QB Josh Allen (hand), RB Ty Johnson (knee), TE Quintin Morris (shoulder) and QB Mitchell Trubisky (knee) practiced in full and were removed from the injury report.

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Buffalo Bills CB Taron Johnson (forearm) and DE Dawuane Smoot (toe) have been ruled out for Week 2.

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Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen (hand) will play Thursday, Sept. 12, against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2.

Fantasy Spin: Allen was the QB1 after Week 1, and while there should be some concern about the short week, he's still a top-flight play.

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Miami Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (chest) has been ruled out for Week 2.

Fantasy Spin: De'Von Achane (ankle) is also a game-time decision Thursday night, which means Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jaylen Wright are worth picking up and could both be flex options.

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Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (ankle) will be a game-time decision for Thursday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills. The second-year speedster is dealing with an ankle injury and did not practice on Monday or Tuesday. Veteran running back Raheem Mostert (chest) has already been ruled out. Fantasy managers should pay close attention up until Thursday, as we may not know if Achane will play or not until the team releases its official inactive report 90 minutes before kickoff on Thursday. If Achane is active, he's a risky starter, but the upside outweighs the risk. If he's out, Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jaylen Wright are both intriguing RB3 or flex options. Check your waiver wire now for Wilson Jr. or Wright. Wilson Jr. is likely the "safer" option, but Wright has more upside moving forward.

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Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (chest) will not play on Thursday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. The 32-year-old missed practice on Monday and Tuesday with a chest injury. Mostert did not have a promising start to the season in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, rushing six times for nine yards and catching two passes for 10 yards. De'Von Achane (ankle) was also held out on Monday and Tuesday due to an ankle injury, so the injury concerns in this backfield are already coming to life. McDaniel said Achane's status could be up in the air. If Achane plays, he's a must-start option in all leagues. That said, either or both Jeff Wilson Jr. and rookie Jaylen Wright could see work behind him in Mostert's absence, making them low-end flex plays. If Achane can't suit up, both of Miami's backup running backs are flex dice rolls in leagues of 12 teams or more. Wright was a healthy inactive in Week 1, but he could get involved with injuries already piling up.

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Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said this week that Tutu Atwell is ready to get more opportunities with Puka Nacua (knee) sidelined. McVay noted that with Cooper Kupp and Demarcus Robinson as the outside receivers, Atwell, Tyler Johnson, and rookie Jordan Whittington all have similar skill sets that can complement Kupp and Robinson. While Johnson was the standout in Week 1 against the Lions once Nacua exited, McVay's thoughts hint that it could be Atwell who comes through in Week 2 against the Cardinals. It would be speculative to add Atwell because of these comments but it is a situation that is worth monitoring and could fluctuate each week while Nacua misses time. Right now Johnson is the popular waiver-wire add but maybe Atwell will be next week.

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Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson, Jr., was active in Week 1 as the Dolphins' third running back ahead of rookie Jaylen Wright and rushed five times for 26 yards in the team's win over Jacksonville. Wilson ended up being the team's leading rusher in the game. De'Von Achane (ankle) and Raheem Mostert (chest) have each missed practice time this week ahead of Thursday night's Week 2 matchup with Buffalo. It should be noted that Tuesday's practice was a walkthrough for the Dolphins so even though both were listed as DNP, it doesn't necessarily mean they won't play. If both Achane and Mostert miss the game, Wilson could be the featured runner, but there is also the possibility that Miami chooses to feature their rookie in Wright. There is a lot of uncertainty in the Miami backfield this week, but Wilson figures to see an increased workload should one or two of the running backs ahead of his on the depth chart miss the game.

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Miami Dolphins rookie running back Jaylen Wright was inactive in Week 1 but could make his debut in Week 2 with De'Von Achane (ankle) and Raheem Mostert (chest) banged up ahead of the Week 2 matchup with the Bills on Thursday night. Wright, the talented rookie back out of Tennessee, is likely to make his NFL debut if Achane or Mostert can't suit up. If both are out, Wright could be a fantasy sleeper as most managers might assume Jeff Wilson, Jr., would be the featured back. Wilson is a solid runner, but Wright profiles as a more versatile back who could factor heavily into the game plan without Achane and Mostert available. This all depends on the health of the top two running backs for Miami. Both were listed as DNPs on Tuesday, but it should be noted that the practice was a walkthrough for Miami which doesn't reveal much more about their availability on Thursday. Wright is worth a speculative add for managers who haven't stashed him already for his long-term upside.

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According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) feels like a long shot to play in Week 2. McCaffrey was a surprise inactive in Week 1 and backup Jordan Mason filled in admirably in the team's runaway win over the Jets on Monday night. Mason could be in line for another big week with McCaffrey likely out based on this report. McCaffrey is dealing with a calf issue as well as Achilles tendinitis and the 49ers may be playing it safe early in the season with their star running back. Mason rushed 28 times for 147 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 and added a catch for five yards so he is clearly capable of filling in for McCaffrey. Fantasy managers of McCaffrey will hope he returns in a full capacity in Week 3.

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