MIN
Running Back
#27
Player Stats
Vikings placed RB Jordan Mason on injured reserve with a thumb injury. That escalated quickly. On Monday, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Mason’s “sore thumb” was being evaluated. Apparently, it had sustained a small fracture, which has now been “fixed,” ostensibly surgically, given O’Connell’s phrasing.
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Short-term injured reserve placement requires players to miss four games, but the Vikings are on bye in Week 6, so Mason will be eligible to return in Week 7. Mason led the backfield with 15 carries in Week 1, so his absence provides RB Aaron Jones with a touch-count boost. Veteran RB DeeJay Dallas operated as the RB3. Rookie RB Demond Claiborne was inactive last week, but should be active in Week 2 against the Lions. Speculatively stashing him could be worthwhile.
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Mason didn’t appear to have any issues in Week 1’s win, but adrenaline does carry athletes at times.
We’ll likely get an update on this on Wednesday at the latest — we’d consider Mason likely to play in Week 2’s game against the Bears at this point. Mason led the team in carries but only rushed three more times than Aaron Jones, who also found the end zone. Both backs also ran nine routes each, though Jones was targeted once while Mason did not see a look in the passing game.
Mason’s lack of a role through the air will limit his weekly ceiling, but a floor of double-digit carries isn’t half bad. He will sit in the RB3 ranks for his Week 2 date with the Bears.
Jordan Mason saw three more carries and also scored. Jones was only targeted once, but that was one more time than Mason, at least. Both backs logged nine routes. Jones is ultimately the lesser half of the committee, but he should see the ball enough to hang around the back of the RB3 ranks in Week 2. Claiborne was slated for RB3 duties after making the Vikings’ final roster over Zavier Scott, but he’ll have to wait at least one more week. He is not worth holding, even in deep fantasy formats.
Dallas was the odd man out in the backfield after the signing of Chris Rodriguez, ultimately prompting his release. The team will move forward with Bhayshul Tuten, Rodriguez, and LeQuint Allen atop the depth chart entering the regular season.
Also waived or released were LB Yasir Abdullah, QB Joey Aguilar, DT Tommy Akingbesote, DL T.J. Bollers, WR Brady Boyd, WR Chandler Brayboy, LB Amari Burney, OL Jerome Carvin, DE Quindarius Dunnigan, TE Patrick Herbert, CB Preston Hodge, DT Jalen Hunt, OL Ricky Lee, LB Jalen McLeod, OL Timothy McKay, CB Jabbar Muhammed, S Devin Neal Jr., OL Jimto Obidegwu, WR Trebor Peña, S Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, RB J’Mari Taylor, S Trevian Thomas, WR Michael Wortham, OL Kilian Zierer, QB Carter Bradley, DT Kelvie Rose, CB Corey Ballentine, OL Geron Christian Jr., OL Chuma Edoga, WR Tim Jones, QB Nick Mullens, OL Sam Mustipher, LB Baylon Spector, and WR Austin Trammell.
Scott signed his ERFA tender with Minnesota this offseason but was ultimately beaten out for the RB3 job by rookie Demond Claiborne. He is a candidate to sign with the Vikings practice squad after rosters settle.
Claiborne is officially a name to know in deeper leagues, though he remains parked behind Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones for now. The 2026 fifth-round pick currently figures to slot behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, but given how often Jones has spent time on the shelf, he should have some deeper-league value in 2026. Having the offensive coordinator praising you this early into camp certainly isn’t a bad thing. Mason stands 5’11 and his weight is listed between 223-230 pounds depending on the source.
He hits the latter figure on the Vikings’ website. That’s fairly hefty for a running back. The Vikings’ starter, RB Aaron Jones, is 31 years old and took a pay cut to stay with the team this offseason. Mason, 27, might have a chance to challenge for the primary rushing role this year, though Jones will likely remain the primary player on passing downs. Lewis believes that “in the long haul, the Vikings project a potentially game-breaking role.” Thus far, Claiborne’s new teammates have taken to addressing him by his childhood nickname, “Lightning.” And, Lewis, in an admittedly over-the-top manner, describes Claiborne’s lateral movements as “the closest thing you’ll find to real-life teleportation.” Hyperbole aside, beat reporters do not always take the time to write features on sixth-round rookies.
Given Lewis’ short-term stipulations, it sounds as though Claiborne might be given the chance to compete for a role in the passing game this summer. Starting RB Aaron Jones is entering his age-31 season, and RB Jordan Mason, 27, is a one-dimensional rusher. The two veterans are ahead of Claiborne on the depth chart, no doubt, but this is not an elite one-two Bioreports. Keep an eye on Claiborne this summer. A four-year college player, Claiborne is an explosive, shifty running back. He stands 5’10/188 and ran a 4.37-second 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine. Claiborne increased his yards per carry and reception totals each season and consecutively received third- and second-team All-ACC honors over the last two years.
He posted a 229/1,053/11 rushing line and a 22/250/2 receiving line in 2024 before going for 179/909/10 and 28/137/0 in 2025. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler says, “he has the mismatch-creating athleticism and receiving upside to be a diet version” of Dolphins RB De’Von Achane. Operating in a change-of-pace role in Minnesota this year is the most likely outcome, though his high-end potential should not be written off. Rotoworld
PIT
Wide Receiver
#11
Player Stats
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Steelers WR Michael Pittman (foot) was limited on Wednesday. This is a new injury for the Steelers’ leading receiver.
Typically, limited sessions on Wednesday are nothing to worry about, but since it is a new injury and we do not know when it happened, checking in on his Thursday status will be worthwhile. If Pittman is unable to play, it would negatively impact QB Aaron Rodgers’ outlook.
IND
Quarterback
#5
Player Stats
Anthony Richardson (groin) did not practice Wednesday. It’s unclear how Richardson picked up the groin injury after not playing a snap in Week 1.
He earned the backup job during the summer but will now hand that over to Riley Leonard if he isn’t able to suit up this week. IND
Wide Receiver
#14
Player Stats
Alec Pierce (heel) is practicing in full for Week 2 against the Chiefs. The Athletic’s James Boyd noted that Pierce also had his wrist X-rayed after the game, though neither that nor the heel injury is a concern for him going forward. Ashton Dulin missed practice with a hamstring injury.
Pierce was targeted six times in Week 1 despite having his snaps limited. He caught four passes for 61 yards. He will be a boom/bust WR3 for his Week 3 matchup with Kansas City. CLE
Wide Receiver
#3
Player Stats
Browns WR Jerry Jeudy (wrist) is practicing in full for Week 2 against the Buccaneers.
Jeudy is on track to play, but he is seemingly being phased out of the offense. Browns rookie WRs Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion are establishing themselves as impactful starters, and their roles should only grow in the coming weeks.
Jeudy should be left on waivers. NO
Defensive End
#94
Player Stats
Cam Jordan (hamstring) was limited in Wednesday’s practice. Jordan suffered a hamstring injury during training camp and was unable to suit up for the Saints’ 2026 opener. A limited practice today is progress, but it doesn’t guarantee he will be ready for Week 2. The Saints lifer returned to New Orleans for his 16th season this year.
He totaled 10.5 sacks last year. TB
Running Back
#44
Player Stats
Buccaneers RB Sean Tucker (hamstring) is practicing in full for Week 2 against the Browns. The Buccaneers should have their RB3 on hand against the Browns this weekend, though Tucker is not expected to contribute in a fantasy-relevant manner.
He is just a deep-league bench stash at this time. NO
Tight End
#83
Player Stats
Juwan Johnson (illness) did not practice Wednesday. Players rarely miss games because of illnesses, especially when it crops up four days before kickoff. Johnson should be fine, but fantasy managers counting on him as a high-end TE2 will want to check in on Friday.
Fellow tight end Oscar Delp was limited with a hamstring issue. He missed Week 1 because of the injury but has a shot at making his NFL debut versus the Ravens this Sunday.
He will not be on the fantasy radar if active. NO
Running Back
#41
Player Stats
Saints coach Kellen Moore said Alvin Kamara (knee) will play in Week 2 against the Ravens. Kamara was limited throughout practice last week and was ruled out with inactives.
Moore said today that he could have played but needed more time on task, implying that limited preparation was the larger issue, not Kamara’s health. Travis Etienne split work with Kendre Miller last week. Kamara will presumably take on Miller’s role as the backup, though he could also eat into Etienne’s target total. Etienne caught seven balls in his Saints debut. If he loses that work, Etienne could fall out of the RB2 ranks entirely. NE
Running Back
#32
Player Stats
Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) is practicing in full for Week 2 against the Steelers. Henderson is now on track to play in Week 2.
His return comes at a good time. The Patriots’ offense needs an explosive element.
Although veteran RB Rhamondre Stevenson should be expected to remain the starter, the team should be able to get Henderson involved in space. Henderson can be treated as a FLEX this week. JAC
Wide Receiver
#3
Player Stats
Jakobi Meyers (hand) was limited in Wednesday’s practice. LeQuint Allen (hip) was also limited.
Both Jags played through their injuries in Week 2, so the limited designations in practice are simply maintenance. Meyers led the team in routes last week and found the end zone on one of his two targets. He will be a fantasy WR4 for Week 2.
