Fantasy Football News: Robinson and Pacheco Injuries, a Signing, and a Trade

We have some more NFL news to discuss. We'll break things down from a fantasy football perspective.

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Titans' Robinson in Concussion Protocol

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson got evaluated for a concussion after Thursday's joint practice against the Chicago Bears. Head coach Robert Saleh called the hit on Robinson “cheap.”

Robinson was signed in free agency by Tennessee after a breakout season for the Giants last year. Luckily, we are far enough away from the season that even if Robinson does have a concussion, he should be good to go for the regular season.

If Robinson cannot go for week 1, that would open more up for rookie Carnell Tate and Calvin Ridley, the other projected starting wideouts. Elic Ayomanor, Bryce Oliver and Chimere Dike are some other wideout options the Titans could turn to if needed.

Tate is the top-drafted fantasy wideout from Tennessee. Robinson is sitting near pick 140 right now, but I don't see this injury news affecting him much. I like taking Robinson late in standard drafts, especially if you need WR help. Definitely be drafting Robinson in deeper leagues.

Pacheco Battling Back Injury

Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco has a back injury he's dealing with. He also had an MLC sprain earlier. The back injury is one that has him uncertain for week 1.

Pacheco has spent his whole career with the Chiefs, but was signed by the Lions in free agency to be a backup for Jahmyr Gibbs. The Lions have been holding a few RB workouts of late, with Pacheco's old running mate, Kareem Hunt, being the most notable one.

We should get more news on Pacheco soon, but it shouldn't impact your fantasy view on him too much. He's a stash option in case Gibbs were ever to get hurt, otherwise is just a deep-league fantasy asset.

Pacheco's ADP is 206, which shows just what I said. He could drop even further with another injury issue, and his fantasy value could tank if the Lions add another back.

Packers Add TE Smith

The Green Bay Packers signed tight end Jonnu Smith to a one-year deal. 

Smith is 31 years old and has played nine years in the NFL. His best season was two years ago with the Dolphins, when he caught 88 of his 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. Smith tallied just 222 yards and two scores over 38 catches and 54 targets in a full season with the Steelers last year.

With Tucker Kraft coming back from a major injury and Luke Musgrave also banged up right now, the signing makes sense for the Packers. Josh Whyle is another tight end the Packers have.

The Packers' offense has enough playmakers that I don't see a ton available for Smith, although he could carve out a secondary role. Another injury to Kraft could open the door for Smith, so the signing is at least worth mentioning.

Smith is only rosterable in really deep fantasy leagues. He could be a waiver wire add if his role is decent, or if he eventually leads the tight end room, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

Dolphins, Rams Make Trade

The Miami Dolphins got running back Jarquez Hunter, while the Los Angeles Rams got wide receiver Tutu Atwell back.

Atwell is 26 years old and has played in 64 games across five NFL seasons. All of that playing time came with the Rams, so he's back in a familiar place. Atwell signed with Miami back in March, but is right back in LA after the trade.

Hunter is only 23 years old and was a fourth-round pick of the Rams last season. He played in five games last year, but only logged special teams snaps.

Getting Atwell back is interesting for the Rams, who have Puka Nacua and Davante Adams as their top wide receivers. Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith and rookie CJ Daniels are some additional options. Atwell certainly knows the offense, so trading for him maybe means the Rams aren't confident in those other WRs.

Whatever the case, Atwell isn't a big fantasy asset right now. Nacua is a high-end fantasy option, while Adams is a good mid-round pick. After that, I don't see anyone producing consistently enough for fantasy relevance, but it's worth watching at least on a high-end offense like the Rams.

At running back, Kyren Williams is the Rams' top back, and Blake Corum is a more-than-capable backup, so there wasn't much available for Hunter. Ronnie Rivers is likely RB3 now, but that carries no fantasy relevance - only an injury to Williams and/or Corum would change that.

Trading Atwell away doesn't impact much in the Dolphins' wideout room. It leaves Jalen Tolbert, Malik Washington and rookie Caleb Douglas as the projected starters, with rookies Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr., plus Jalen Reagor as backup options.

Nobody in that room is proven yet, so there's no standard league fantasy assets right now. Be watching things closely early in the season in case someone takes off for Miami.

At running back, Hutner is a reserve option. Trading for him is interesting, as Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon are on the roster already. And of course, De'Von Achane is the backfield leader/workhorse.

So don't expect much out of Hunter, unless he emerges as RB2 and has a notable weekly role. Achane should dominate things when healthy though, so don't hold your breath on any other RB factoring in much.