📝 News & Notes

Wednesday's joint practices banged up a top tight end and lifted a few risers, and Deepak Chona is here with the data read on the whole injury board.

Tyler Warren (IND, TE) pulled up grabbing his groin in Wednesday's joint practice with the Falcons and watched the rest of the day in street clothes, but Steichen and Jordan Schultz's sources framed it as a minor abductor strain with a return expected as soon as next week.
My take: A week ago Tyler Warren was one of my favorite TE targets. Now with the addition of Keenan Allen, positive news on Alec Pierce, and this injury, I’m likely not drafting him unless he falls a half a round past ADP.

Drake London and Bijan Robinson (ATL) had a rough joint practice, with Tua Tagovailoa taking a sack, Bijan dropped for a loss, and a pick-six thrown on a short ball to London, all while Michael Penix keeps working back from his ACL.
My take: I am still very bullish on both Robinson and London but Tua’s struggles cannot be ignored. Michael Penix’s return cannot come soon enough.

Jaylin Noel (HOU, WR) is back at practice and ramping up from a hamstring, walking into a wide-open No. 2 job now that Jayden Higgins is done for the year with a torn ACL.
My take: I’ve been bullish on Noel even before the Higgins injury because he’s shown the ability to produce in limited touches. The problem is this team hasn’t shown any interest in giving him the opportunity. We’ll see if they do here or continue using players like Xavier Hutchinson.

Wan'Dale Robinson (TEN, WR) caught at least five balls again Wednesday and is being used as Cam Ward's every-down safety valve in Brian Daboll's timing offense, the same role that made him a target hog in New York.
My take: Robinson just posted a 92-catch, 1,014-yard season and he's going at WR49 (10th round) on Underdog. Carnell Tate is the more valuable WR but I think Robinson can compete for being the highest volume option in this offense.

Elsewhere… DK Metcalf (PIT) sat Wednesday but says he's "100%" past his camp injury, so no concerns at WR35, and Tetairoa McMillan (CAR) had the best day of any Carolina pass catcher, hauling in two touchdowns from Bryce Young.

⚕ Injury Corner w/ Deepak Chona

Dr. Deepak Chona is here with a data-driven read on the injuries shaping draft boards. His full rundown:

Tyler Warren, TE, Colts - Groin. Avg 2-3 wks. No indication of severity, but most would allow return by Wk 1. Re-injury risk ~5%/wk missed.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Buccaneers - Suspect turf toe. Data suggests production is preserved. Most would allow return by Wk 1.

Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs - "Cleanup" implies a cartilage issue. Short-term data means a return to pre-injury performance by Wk 1. Long-term data means a shorter prime plus missed games.

Mike Evans, WR, 49ers - Suspect re-aggravation. Either way, HIGH injury risk given age plus a severe hamstring history.

Daniel Jones, QB, Colts - Data strongly favors mobility limitations. Suspect a short-medium passing game emphasis plus heavy run utilization. Strong Comeback Player candidate (+1400).

Tyler Biadasz, C, Chargers - ACL. Likely return by camp '27. O-lines tend to bounce back w/o a dip in yr 1.

Chris Bell, WR, Dolphins - Avg 10-11 months. Wk 1 is realistic, but data favors ~Wk 4 as more likely. Young WRs typically take 4-6 games to ramp up touches.

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints - Severe MCL. Suspect a return ~Wk 4. Data favors a rapid ramp up within ~2 games post-return.

Jayden Higgins, WR, Texans - Data is favorable for a return by '27 camp. Youth plus elite athleticism predict a strong '27. Buy low in dynasty if rebuilding.

Tank Dell, WR, Texans - Likely playing Wk 1 w/o restriction. Data strongly favors a major dip thru '26 w/ return near baseline in '27.

Cam Skattebo, RB, Giants - Data shows a dip in stats ~12 months (late-Oct). Suspect short yardage role is less affected. Najee off Achilles is likely not pre-injury strength.

Deepak Chona is an Orthopedic Sports Surgeon by day, data-driven injury analyst by night. You can follow more of his insights at @SportMDAnalysis.

🔗 Around the Web

A watch and two reads to sharpen your board:

📆 NFL Countdown

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