Former Giants S Jabrill Peppers is joining the Patriots on a 1-year deal. Peppers is still just 26 (until Oct. 4) and a former 1st-round pick, but he's likely headed for a reserve/rotational role with New England. His playing time dipped even before an ACL tear and high-ankle sprain ended his 2021 campaign early. Peppers lands in a crowded Patriots secondary. His best path back to IDP relevance would be if New England envisions some sort of hybrid safety-LB role for a guy who has played both and looks better in the box than in deep coverage.
The Browns traded QB Case Keenum to the Bills for a 7th-round pick. Keenum replaces QB Mitchell Trubisky as QB Josh Allen's backup. Cleveland then signed QB Jacoby Brissett, who would be in line to start if QB Deshaun Watson is suspended.
The Titans are signing former Browns TE Austin Hooper to a 1-year, $6 million deal. It's a nice landing spot for Hooper on a roster who's top remaining TE had been Geoff Swaim. We'll see whether Tennessee adds anyone else significant and what they do at WR, but Hooper's a solid option late in current best-ball fantasy football drafting.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Browns are releasing TE Austin Hooper (with a post-June 1 designation). That will send Hooper to a free-agent market that has seen little TE movement in the early days. His departure leaves room for David Njoku to take over the lead TE spot, with 3rd-year TE Harrison Bryant behind him. Njoku has remained a solid value in best-ball drafting since re-signing with Cleveland. We'll see how much his ADP climbs with the Hooper news. Fowler says the Browns planned to keep Hooper but that acquiring WR Amari Cooper and pursuing QB Deshaun Watson changed the cap situation.
The Chargers have agreed to a 5-year, $82.5 million deal with CB J.C. Jackson, with $40 million of that guaranteed in the 1st 2 years, according to multiple reports. Arguably the top corner on the market, Jackson joins a Chargers defense that had already acquired EDGE Khalil Mack from the Bears this month. Jackson has grabbed 17 INTs over the past 2 seasons and 25 in his 4 years since arriving as an undrafted free agent. Both numbers lead the league over their respective spans.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Browns plan to keep TE Austin Hooper around, despite using the franchise tag to keep TE David Njoku of the free-agent market. Hooper has 1 year left on his contract at a $13.25 million cap hit, according to Spotrac. Even cutting him, though, would mean $7.5 million in dead cap space. Having Hooper, Njoku and Harrison Bryant all on the roster once again would make it tough for any to provide consistent fantasy production. Don't overrate any of them in early fantasy football drafts.
Patriots beat writer Khari Thompson writes that the “next step” for RB Rhamondre Stevenson is “getting better as a pass blocker and receiver.” As a 2021 rookie, Stevenson excelled as a rusher, posting 4.6 YPC and excellent broken tackle metrics. But he graded out as a below average pass protector and pass catcher from Pro Football Focus, dropping 1 of 18 targets and fumbling on another. Still, the fact that Stevenson effectively matched Damien Harris in routes per game (7.2) is encouraging. There’s also not a receiving RB currently on the roster, assuming James White, 30, gets to free agency. Look for the 1-2 punch of Harris-Stevenson to continue in 2022.
Patriots S Adrian Phillips (knee) and DT Christian Barmore (knee) are active for today's game against the Dolphins, after entering the day questionable. LB Dont'a Hightower is inactive with his own knee injury.
Washington RB Antonio Gibson (hip) was limited in Wednesday's practice. He came off the COVID list earlier in the day and seems on track to play vs. the Giants this weekend.
Washington RB Antonio Gibson has been activated from the COVID list. He should be back for Sunday's finale vs. the Giants, but we'll have to see what Gibson does in practice this week. He's battled through a bunch of different injuries this season.
Patriots S Adrian Phillips sustained a wrist injury in Sunday's win over the Jaguars. We'll see about his status for Week 18.
Patriots S Kyle Dugger (hamstring), S Adrian Phillips (knee, illness) and CB J.C. Jackson (elbow) are active for today's game against the Jaguars. All arrived questionable but should be ready for IDP use at their appropriate levels.
Washington RB Antonio Gibson was not activated from the COVID list on Saturday and will miss Sunday's game vs. the Eagles. Washington promoted RB Wendell Smallwood from the practice squad. He'll join Jaret Patterson and Jonathan Williams in the backfield.
The Patriots on Saturday activated LB Ja'Whaun Bentley and edge Matt Judon from the COVID list. That should make each available for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
Patriots S Adrian Phillips (knee, illness) and CB J.C. Jackson (elbow) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
Washington RB Antonio Gibson has been placed on the COVID list. He's a long shot to be cleared in time for Sunday's game vs. the Eagles. Gibson's absence will leave Washington with RBs Jaret Patterson and Jonathan Williams on the active roster. RB Wendell Smallwood will likely be elevated from the practice squad. We'd expect Patterson and Williams to split most of the rushing work, with Smallwood potentially playing on passing downs. In other words, it's a situation to avoid in Week 17 fantasy lineups.
Washington RB Antonio Gibson (hip) did not practice on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday. It's unclear if he suffered a setback or just got the day off. We'll learn more tomorrow.
Washington RB Antonio Gibson (hip) was limited in Wednesday's practice. Notably, though, Gibson's toe is no longer listed on the injury report. We'll see about the hip, but it's possible that Gibson is healthier than he's been in a while for this weekend's game vs. the Eagles.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson has been activated from the COVID list. He should be back as the 1B to Damien Harris' 1A in Sunday's game vs. Jacksonville.
The Patriots on Monday placed EDGE Matt Judon and LB Ja'Whaun Bentley on the COVID list. We'll see whether either can make it back onto the active roster -- and into IDP lineup contention -- ahead of Sunday's game against Jacksonville.
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