Eagles: On RB Miles Sanders, he was dealing with a grade-2 hamstring strain, which is why it took him 4 weeks to recover. For a running back with that injury, it always takes longer than it would for an offensive lineman. OLs can play with it after just a few weeks because the demands on them are completely different for a running back, who has to run, cut, stop, and start.
Sanders, I'm told, looked outstanding in practice the last two weeks and clearly was ready to go this week. I'm expecting him to have a good enough role in this game in order for you to start him.
He does not even have an injury status on the injury report for this game and took almost all of the first-team reps in practice this week.
As for rookie Jalen Reagor (shoulder labrum), he came out of last week's game well and only is dealing with some soreness. He's not listed on the injury report this week.
Raiders: The team believes that rookie WR Henry Ruggs (knee-questionable) will be in the lineup on Monday night against the visiting Saints.
Ruggs got hit in the knee with a helmet during last week's game against the Panthers and missed a short period of time on the field. However, after getting treatment on the sidelines, returned to finish the game. I'm told he looked fine in Saturday's practice. They purposely held him out of Thursday and Friday's practices and limited him during Saturday's work just to make sure that he didn't have any issues leading up to the game.
Saints: While third-year WR Tre'Quan Smith should see a healthy role in Monday night's game with starting WR Michael Thomas (ankle) out, don't be surprised to see second-year PR//KRWR Deonte Harris have a bigger role than expected.
Harris (5-6, 170), made the Pro Bowl as a rookie as a returner, but the team had him work as a receiver in training camp.
He wowed practice observers with many highlight catches, so the coaching staff wants to expand his role on offense this season. He had 4 catches for 59 yards during last week's win over the visiting Buccaneers.
Seahawks: This team had a plan carrying over from the off-season, I'm told, to come out throwing in the first quarter of games instead of trying to have balance.
Head coach Pete Carroll, through the urging of some within the Seahawks front office and coaching staff, agreed to do this.
On last week's first drive against the Falcons, they had 9 passes and just 2 runs, which would be a pretty good indication that there's a change coming to the offense.
If Carroll doesn't change his mind, he'll join head coaches such as Doug Pederson, Bill Belichick, Andy Reid, and the late Bill Walsh, who all believed that the way to win long-term in the NFL is to throw to score and get a lead in the first half and run to win in the second half.
Titans: The team does not have a viable replacement for WR A.J. Brown (knee-out), so look for TE Jonnu Smith to have an increased role until Brown returns to the lineup.
I'm told that Brown's knee issue got worse "over a period of time” but it was worse coming out of last week's game. So look for them to potentially sit him for another game or two until the knee gets back to 100%.
