NFL Player News

Coach Mike McDaniel noted Friday that Waller (hip) will be out for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

With Waller slated to miss his second consecutive game, Tanner Conner (four targets in Week 1 on 28 snaps on offense) and Julian Hill (28 snaps, zero targets Week 1) are in line to continue to lead Miami's tight end corps this weekend. Waller's next chance to see game action will arrive next Thursday against the Bills.

Sanders could be part of the active roster for Week 2 against the Ravens due to the unsettled status of Quinshon Judkins, who is still on the Commissioner's Exempt List.

Sanders, who was active in the 17-16 loss to the Bengals in Week 1, played only three snaps, but one of those was a one-yard touchdown plunge. He finished the game with three carries (two in the red zone) for three yards. Judkins missed all of the preseason and didn't sign a contract until the day prior to the season opener. He got on the practice field Thursday for the first time since mandatory minicamp in June and may not be up to speed for Sunday's game at Baltimore. The Browns were granted a two-week roster exemption for Judkins, so he won't count toward the roster if he remains held out Week 2.

Wicks brought in four of six targets for 44 yards in the Packers' 27-18 win over the Commanders on Thursday night.

Wicks appeared to benefit from Jayden Reed's first-quarter exit due to a shoulder injury, as the former finished second across the board in receptions, receiving yards and targets to Tucker Kraft. The third-year pro outpaced both Romeo Doubs and Matthew Golden by one- and four-target margins, and it remains to be seen if he'll remain a primary beneficiary beginning with a Week 3 road matchup against the Browns on Sunday, Sept 21 after Reed was diagnosed with a broken collarbone that's expected to land him on injured reserve, per Zach Jacobson of 247Sports.com.

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.