NFL Player News

Mooney caught one of three targets for 15 yards during Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers.

Mooney operated as the No. 2 wideout, playing 53 of 56 offensive snaps. However, Mooney and Drake London (two receptions for 15 yards) were kept quiet, as Ray-Ray McCloud led Atlanta's wideouts in receiving. Mooney's snap share is promising, but the Falcons' offense will need to find their rhythm for Mooney to generate fantasy-relevant numbers. This was Kirk Cousins' first game since his Achilles injury, as the veteran surprisingly didn't see any action during the preseason. Cousins' comfort level in OC Zac Robinson's scheme will likely be the key factor in Mooney's fantasy value this season.

McCloud caught four of seven targets for 52 yards during Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers. He also returned two kickoffs for 56 yards.

McCloud surprisingly had more targets and receptions than No. 1 wideout Drake London, who finished with two catches on three targets for 15 yards. McCloud played 30 offensive snaps, operating as the WR3 behind London (56) and Darnell Mooney (53). Given his snap share, McCloud isn't likely to lead Atlanta in receiving regularly but should continue to see a handful of targets per game, especially if opposing defenses divert most of their attention to London. McCloud's career-high numbers came in 2021 when playing for the Steelers, totaling 39 receptions (66 targets) for 277 yards. The veteran has caught only one touchdown in his seven-year career.

Olszewski expected to miss "weeks" after sustaining a groin injury during warmups before Sunday's 28-6 loss to the Vikings, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

Olszewski has been dealing with a groin issue since mid-August, and after aggravating it Sunday, it appears he'll miss some time. It's currently unclear how many weeks Olszewski is expected to miss, but until the Bemidji State product recovers, expect Tyrone Tracy and Darius Slayton (concussion) to assume the Giants' kick- and punt-return duties, respectively.

Coach Shane Steichen said Monday the Colts will monitor Downs (ankle) heading into the team's Week 2 road matchup against the Packers, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.

Downs was held out of Indianapolis' 29-27 loss to the Texans on Sunday, but it sounds like he could have a chance to return Week 2 at Green Bay. With Downs sidelined, Alec Pierce was able to translate his increased opportunities into a huge impact, securing all three of his targets for 125 yards and a touchdown. Even if Downs is healthy Week 2, Pierce's impressive performance leaves the Colts with a crowded wide receiver room, with Michael Pittman atop the depth chart and rookie second-round pick Adonai Mitchell having drawn five targets Week 1.

Coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday he's "hopeful" that Addison (ankle) will be available versus the 49ers in Week 2, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

O'Connell said that Addison, who was forced out of Sunday's win over the Giants in the third quarter, is dealing with "significant soreness" in his right ankle. Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports that O'Connell also said the Vikings will be "smart" with Addison and that the second-year wideout's availability will depend on how he responds to treatment. If Addison does have to miss any time, an increased role behind Justin Jefferson could fall to Jalen Nailor, who scored a 21-yard touchdown on his only reception Week 1.

Nailor had one reception (on one target) for a 21-yard touchdown in Sunday's win over the Giants.

Nailor played just 26 of 55 snaps on offense and was out-snapped by Brandon Powell (30 snaps) even though he had clearly won the No. 3 receiver role in the preseason. The Vikings may have capped Nailor's snaps after he had a sore ankle that limited him in practice last week. If he's fully healthy, he could have a much larger role in the offense next week against the 49ers if Jordan Addison misses time with an ankle injury.

Coach Matt Eberflus said Odunze (knee) is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Odunze appears to have picked up a knee injury during Sunday's 24-17 win over the Titans in which he secured one of four targets for 11 yards. The Bears will hope testing on the rookie ninth overall pick's knee injury doesn't reveal a serious issue, though Eberflus said the team is currently unable to estimate how concerning the issue might be, per Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. Chicago will take on Houston on the road Week 2.

Coach Brian Daboll said Monday that Slayton is in the concussion protocol, Patricia Traina of SI.com reports.

Slayton secured three of four targets for 27 yards while playing 72 percent of offensive snaps during Sunday's 28-6 loss to the Vikings, and he'll now need to fully clear the league's five-step concussion protocol before suiting up again. The speedster is entrenched as a starter in three-receiver sets alongside Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson. If Slayton is unavailable Week 2 versus the Commanders, Jalin Hyatt could get an opportunity to step up as the No. 3 WR.

Hill has received two citations, careless driving and a seatbelt violation, due to Sunday's incident in which he was detained by police outside of Hard Rock Stadium prior to Miami's 20-17 win over the Jaguars, Jeff Darlington of ESPN reports.

Hill's citations don't figure to result in any further ramifications, leaving Miami's No. 1 wideout in the clear to suit up for a key Week 2 divisional matchup against the Bills on Thursday Night Football. Kevin Dotson of CNN.com reports that the Miami-Dade Police Department placed an officer on administrative leave and has begun an internal investigation related to Sunday's incident. Hill secured seven of 12 targets for 130 yards and a score during Miami's regular-season opener in a game that also saw Jaylen Waddle pass the 100-yard mark. This Dolphins offense remains willing to funnel the passing game through Hill and Waddle, though it was encouraging to see explosive RB De'Von Achane provide another complement in the receiving game Week 1.

Moore caught one of his three targets for 14 yards during Sunday's 47-10 loss to the Saints.

Moore was on the field for just 19 offensive snaps during Sunday's loss, but he was targeted three times, catching one ball for 14 yards. The Panthers' air attack struggled as a whole in Week 1, as Bryce Young threw for just 161 yards and two picks on 30 passing attempts. Moore ranked fifth among Carolina's wide receivers in offensive snaps played in Week 1, so it appears he'll struggle to be fantasy-relevant in his first season with the Panthers unless injuries occur.