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Fantasy football daily notes: Jeff Wilson Jr. to IR, out for first four games

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Each weekday throughout NFL training camps and the preseason, our ESPN Fantasy team will have you covered with the latest news from around the league as you prepare for your fantasy football drafts. We will provide fantasy context off of the news and deliver the latest developments in camps that could impact rosters around the league.

All notes from ESPN Fantasy analyst Eric Moody, unless noted otherwise.

Friday notes (updated at 5:30 p.m. ET)

Jackson expected to be Colts starting RB

With Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor on the physically unable to perform list and out for at least the first four games of the season, RB Deon Jackson is expected to start Week 1 against the Jaguars.


Thursday notes

Wilson Jr. to IR, out for first four games

Jeff Wilson Jr. was placed on injured reserve by the Miami Dolphins, which means he will miss the first four games of the 2023 season. Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane are in a position to play prominent roles in a good Miami offense during the season's first month.

Other news:

  • Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said WR Kadarius Toney would not start the season on injured reserve.

  • Saints RB Kendre Miller is dealing with a hamstring injury. Head coach Dennis Allen declined to say whether Miller would be able to return in time for the Titans' home opener.

  • Saints WR Michael Thomas said his body failed to respond to surgeries. He has played in only 10 regular season games due to toe and ankle injuries over the past three seasons. The Saints have liked what they've seen from the 30-year-old receiver so far, but whether it translates to the regular season remains to be seen.

  • Cardinals QB Joshua Dobbs feels "extremely prepared" for the opportunity to start Week 1 against the Washington Commanders.

  • Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson signed a four-year, $68.5 million extension with Minnesota. Following a midseason trade to the Vikings in 2022, his performance soared, averaging 8.6 targets and 6.0 receptions in 10 games. Hockenson is firmly on the TE1 radar for fantasy managers.

  • 49ers RB Elijah Mitchell returned to practice on Thursday. An abductor strain has kept him out over the last several weeks.

  • Rams head coach Sean McVay mentioned WR Cooper Kupp has had a setback with his hamstring.


Wednesday notes (updated at 5:30 p.m. ET)

  • RB Kareem Hunt, who has reportedly received offers from four teams, says he is still waiting "for the right one" before agreeing to any deal.

  • The Minnesota Vikings have signed RB Myles Gaskin, who had been released by the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday.

  • The Packers were one of the teams who reached out to the Colts about RB Jonahtan Taylor. It was also reported that "no trade was close" for Taylor before Indianapolis placed him on the PUP list. It is most likely that the situation between Taylor and the Colts will extend into the regular season.

  • Jets head coach Robert Saleh said that the Jets would "be smart" about Breece Hall's workload. The Jets signed Dalvin Cook to share the load since he's coming off an ACL injury. Hall and Cook are projected to share touches in New York's backfield fairly evenly.

  • Bengals QB Joe Burrow returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since injuring his calf in July.

  • The Broncos plan to sign free agent WR Phillip Dorsett.


Tuesday notes (updated at 5:25 p.m. ET)

Taylor not traded, out for first four games

The Indianapolis Colts were not able to find a trade that satisfied them before today's 4 p.m. ET roster deadline, and thus RB Jonathan Taylor remains a member of the team. What's more, the fact Taylor was not taken off of the PUP list means he must miss the first four games of the 2023 season. That will put a further dent in his fantasy draft value, as fantasy managers who select Taylor must face the possibility that he is not traded at all this season.

Notable cuts, according to reports

WR Jamison Crowder (Giants)
RB Melvin Gordon III (Ravens)
QB Bailey Zappe (Patriots)
WR Cole Beasley (Giants)
RB Royce Freeman (Rams)
RB Myles Gaskin (Dolphins)
RB Malik Davis (Cowboys)
RB Trey Sermon (Eagles)

NOTE: These players could still wind up on the team's practice squad or be added to the active roster once injury-related moves to the original 53-man roster are made on Wednesday.

Notable trades

K Wil Lutz traded to Broncos, means Blake Grupe will be Saints' kicker.
K Nick Folk traded to Titans, means Chad Ryland will be the Patriots' kicker.
TE Albert Okwuegbunam traded to the Eagles.

Other news

  • The Seattle Seahawks are expected to have rookie WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba on their active roster. This doesn't mean he'll be able to play against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1, but it's a good sign as teams begin trimming down their rosters. Smith-Njigba is recovering from wrist surgery.

  • Jets RB Dalvin Cook participated in his first practice with the team Tuesday. He'll form a running back-by-committee with Breece Hall, who is returning from an ACL injury. Cook currently projects for around 14 touches per game.

  • Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy (hamstring) is not being placed on injured reserve to start the season.

  • The New York Giants have indeed activated WR Wan'Dale Robinson from the PUP list. He tore an ACL in Week 11 last year. As a result of Robinson's return, the Giants released WR Jamison Crowder.

  • Panthers WR Terrace Marshall Jr. (back) returned to practice Wednesday. Rookie Jonathan Mingo has had the opportunity to shine as a result of Marshall's absence and is projected to receive the third-most targets for Carolina.

  • Panthers WR DJ Chark Jr. (hamstring) feels good about his chances of playing in Week 1 against the Falcons.

  • Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon has not yet named a starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Washington Commanders. The options? Either Joshua Dobbs, just traded to the team last Thursday, or fifth-round rookie Clayton Tune.