NFL Player News

Ertz brought in six of eight targets for 64 yards and a touchdown in the Commanders' 27-18 loss to the Packers on Thursday night.

Ertz set the pace in receiving yards for the Commanders while finishing as the runner-up in receptions and also tying for second in targets. The veteran tight end also recorded his second TD of the season on an impressive 20-yard catch-and-run early in the fourth quarter, making it an all-around rewarding fantasy performance despite the disappointing team outcome. With 13 target through two games, Ertz looks to be just as in sync with Jayden Daniels as he was in the latter's rookie 2024 campaign, and the duo next will turn their sights to the Raiders defense in a Week 3 home matchup on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Ekeler is set to undergo an MRI on Friday, but the Commanders believe that he suffered a torn Achilles, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Ekeler suffered a non-contact right Achilles injury late in the fourth quarter of Thursday's loss to the Packers. If Friday's tests confirm the team's fears, Ekeler will be sidelined for the rest of the season. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt likely will see an increased workload, with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez vying for depth roles.

Doubs brought in three of five targets for 28 yards and a touchdown in the Packers' 27-18 win over the Commanders on Thursday night.

Doubs was third in both targets and receptions on the night for the Packers, tying with running back Chris Brooks in the latter category. The veteran wideout saw Jayden Reed exit the game in the first quarter due to what was labeled as a shoulder injury at the time, but Doubs saw only one more target than he had Sunday against the Lions. Nevertheless, Doubs managed to record a five-yard touchdown grab in the opening period to give his fantasy production a much-needed boost, and he'll be due for an expanded role beginning with a Week 3 road matchup against the Browns on Sunday, Sept. 21 due to Reed having been diagnosed with a broken collarbone, per Zach Jacobson of 247Sports.com.

Samuel secured seven of eight targets for 44 yards and a touchdown and returned two kickoffs for 78 yards in the Commanders' 27-18 loss to the Packers on Thursday night.

The Commanders' air attack was mostly stuck in neutral for a significant portion of the night, but Samuel was able to offer some solace to fantasy managers by recording 12- and 10-yard grabs on Washington's final scoring drive. The latter play also resulted in Samuel's second touchdown in as many games in a Commanders uniform, and he's now encouragingly logged 18 targets through his first two games with Jayden Daniels. Samuel next takes aim at the Raiders defense in a Week 3 home matchup on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Croskey-Merritt rushed four times for 17 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Commanders' 27-18 loss to the Packers on Thursday night.

After an eye-catching NFL debut Week 1 against the Giants, Croskey-Merritt came into Thursday night's matchup with some enhanced expectations. However, game script conspired against the Commanders' ground attack, as Green Bay already owned a 14-3 lead at halftime. Croskey-Merritt ultimately saw four fewer carries than Austin Ekeler, who exited late in the third quarter with an Achilles injury, and three less than Jayden Daniels as well. With Ekeler's injury of the non-contact variety, it's certainly possible a tear may be the ultimate diagnosis, a development that would brighten Croskey-Merritt's long-term outlook even further. Under any circumstance, the rookie seventh-round pick should be in line for more opportunities during a Week 3 home matchup against the Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Reed suffered a broken collarbone in the first quarter of Thursday's game against the Commanders, Zach Jacobson of 247Sports.com reports.

Reed fell hard on his right shoulder in the end zone in the first quarter of Thursday's game and was quickly ruled out. Coach Matt LaFleur said that Reed will miss "a lot" of time, and that he'll land on injured reserve. Reed is expected to return at some point during the regular season, but he'll be sidelined until at least late October and almost certainly longer.

McLaurin secured five of nine targets for 48 yards in the Commanders' 27-18 loss to the Packers on Thursday night.

McLaurin finished third in receptions and second in receiving yards on the Commanders for the night, while also setting the pace in targets. As a whole, his collection of numbers certainly represented a nice boost from his 2-27-0 line on four targets Week 1 against the Giants, but through two games, the Commanders' passing game has been relatively conservative. McLaurin and Jayden Daniels will have some extra time to reestablish chemistry ahead of a Week 3 home matchup against the Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Kraft secured six of seven targets for 124 yards and a touchdown in the Packers' 27-18 win over the Commanders on Thursday night.

Kraft led Packers pass catchers across the board in receptions, receiving yards and targets while authoring his first career 100-yard game, and Jayden Reed's first-quarter exit with a shoulder injury undoubtedly created some extra opportunity. The third-year tight end also had a game-high 57-yard reception on the third play of Green Bay's second drive of the night, and he struck for his second touchdown in as many games via an eight-yard scoring grab with just under nine minutes remaining in the contest. Kraft displayed plenty of field-stretching ability during a breakout 2024 season as well, so he'll remain a highly appealing play in all formats in a Week 3 road matchup against the Browns on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Jacobs rushed 23 times for 84 yards and a touchdown and wasn't targeted during the Packers' 27-18 win over the Commanders on Thursday night.

The workhorse back was the only Packers running back to log a carry, and Jacobs worked hard for his yards all night considering he had a game-long run of just 10 yards. Jacobs also went in for his second touchdown in as many games on a two-yard run just before the midway point of the second quarter, rounding out his fantasy performance in solid fashion. After logging 43 touches in the first five days of the new season, the veteran back now will get some extra time to ramp up for a Week 3 road matchup against the Browns on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Daniels completed 24 of 42 passes for 200 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions while adding seven rushes for 17 yards in the Commanders' 27-18 loss to the Packers on Thursday. He also threw a two-point conversion pass.

Daniels' final line was serviceable from a fantasy perspective, but the second-year signal-caller compiled a portion of his numbers against a Packers defense playing to protect a relatively comfortable lead. He managed to avoid any turnovers and made matters somewhat interesting by helming a 10-play, 65-yard march that he capped with a 10-yard touchdown toss to Deebo Samuel in the latter portion of the fourth quarter, while adding a two-point conversion toss to Luke McCaffrey on the following play. Daniels previously also connected with Zach Ertz from 20 yards out for his first scoring pass of the night early in the fourth quarter, and he was a bit more productive when targeting Terry McLaurin (5-48-0) than in the opener against the Giants. Daniels and the Commanders now get some extra time to prepare for a Week 3 home matchup against the Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 21.