The Cardinals let LB Jordan Hicks walk in free agency this offseason, clearing the way for LB Zaven Collins to enter the starting lineup in Year 2. He has been working there so far in training camp. According to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, Collins and Nick Vigil have been the starting ILBs in the base defense. Collins has called plays in the huddle at times (green dot) but is also coming off the field in nickel and dime packages. "He's got to be able to diagnose it, see it and go, and not wait on the play to come to him," HC Kliff Kingsbury says. "I think last year he was kind of waiting for everything to unwind. I think he's still learning, but there's no doubt he's reacting faster than last year at this time." There's still time for Collins to earn more of a 3-down role, but we've moved him down our 2022 IDP rankings. The role uncertainty makes him a boom/bust fantasy option. Isaiah Simmons, meanwhile, has shifted to the "star" LB role, which will move him around the formation. Somers writes that he "seems to have a role in every package."

The Vikings have downgraded MLB Eric Kendricks (biceps) to out for Sunday's game against the Lions. Minnesota might also be missing LB Anthony Barr, who is questionable with knee and hamstring injuries that allowed him only a limited Friday workout this week. LB Nick Vigil should get full playing time in a friendly setting for tackle opportunities. If Barr is also out, then Troy Dye looks like the next LB up for significant playing time. The Vikings did activate DT Michael Pierce from IR. That follows DT Dalvin Tomlinson's return from the COVID list to replenish the middle of the Minnesota D-line.

Vikings LB Eric Kendricks (biceps) and LB Anthony Barr (knee, hamstring) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions. Barr looks more shaky for the game after putting in just 1 limited practice Friday. His absence doesn't matter much for IDP purposes, other than that it would likely mean full playing time for LB Nick Vigil. He has been a much stronger fantasy contributor than Barr this season. Kendricks sandwiched limited practices around a missed Thursday workout. We'll update the statuses for all 3 LBs Sunday morning.

Vikings OLB Anthony Barr (knee) is inactive for today's game against the Browns. That leaves Nick Vigil in place as the #2 LB for Minnesota and a strong option or our IDP lineups.

Vikings OLB Anthony Barr (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns. He's not particularly interesting for IDP use, but Barr's status should affect whether Nick Vigil remains a full-time player. Vigil has delivered top 10 fantasy numbers at the position through 3 games with Barr out. We'll check Barr's status Sunday morning.

Vikings LB Eric Kendricks is questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals. He's dealing with a quad issue that kept him out of Thursday's practice, but Kendricks returned to full participation Friday. We'll see about his status Sunday morning. Otherwise, the Vikings ruled out DE Everson Griffen (concussion) and OLB Anthony Barr (knee). Barr's absence means another start for Nick Vigil, who returned to a full practice Friday and is good to go after a limited start to the week.

Minnesota added LB Eric Kendricks to the injury report Thursday, when he missed practice with a quad issue. We'll see whether he makes it back onto the field Friday. DE Everson Griffen also sat out with a concussion, which doesn't bode well for his Week 2 readiness. OLB Anthony Barr looks poised to miss at least 1 more game with the knee injury that kept him out of the opener. That would mean another start for Nick Vigil, assuming he's healthy enough to play. Vigil was limited Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle issue. We'll see about his game status after Friday's practice.

The Chargers have placed LB Kyzir White on IR with a yet-to-be-announced injury. That clears the way for Nick Vigil to join Kenneth Murray as the team's top 2 LBs for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Bengals LB Nick Vigil (ankle) is active for today's game against the Jets. He managed just 1 limited practice this week, so there's obviously risk of re-injury. But Vigil also brings a high tackle floor and ceiling as long as he stays on the field. He belongs in most IDP lineups where he would have otherwise been in line to start.

Bengals LB Nick Vigil (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets. He missed practice Wednesday and Thursday before returning to a limited Friday workout. We'll check his status Sunday morning.

Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict (hip) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens after missing the past 2 games. He put in limited practices all week, and we'd bet on the veteran playing. He's still a risky fantasy option even if active, though. Burfict played just 53%, 84% and 63% of Cincinnati's defensive snaps in his 3 appearances so far this season. Burfict has also averaged just 6.6 total tackles per game since the start of last season. Cincinnati will remain without LB Nick Vigil (knee), and MLB Preston Brown (knee) has also been ruled out.

Bengals OLB Vontaze Burfict put in a limited practice Wednesday for the 1st time since suffering a hip injury back in Week 7. He missed the past 2 games but could be on track to return Sunday against the Ravens. We'll watch his status through the week. Teammate Nick Vigil remained out Wednesday with his knee injury.

The Bengals have ruled LBs Vontaze Burfict (hip) and Nick Vigil (knee) out for Sunday's game against the Saints. That makes a weak run defense even weaker and adds IDP upside to LBs Jordan Evans and Preston Brown.

Bengals LB Nick Vigil suffered a left MCL sprain in the 1st quarter of Sunday's loss to the Steelers and is expected to miss the next month, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. LB Vontaze Burfict saw a spike in playing time -- from 53.1% to 83.6% -- and Vincent Rey stepped in to play 64% of the snaps after Vigil left. He's the best bet to start in Vigil's spot over the next few games.

The league has suspended Bengals OLB Vontaze Burfict for the 1st 5 games of the season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The ban stems from an illegal hit on Chiefs FB Anthony Sherman earlier this month, but the severity undoubtedly comes from previous infractions for Burfict in the same category. He missed the 1st 3 games of last season for a shot to the head of Steelers WR Antonio Brown in the playoffs the year before. Burfict will reportedly appeal the suspension, but IDP owners will have to plan for now as though Burfict will miss the 1st third of the fantasy season. That's a big blow for a high-ceiling fantasy option that had been enjoying perhaps the best camp and preseason of his career. LB Vincent Rey would likely start in Burfict's place and provide a high-upside IDP option. Burfict's absence also adds upside to OLB Nick Vigil and MLB Kevin Minter.

The Bengals are expected to make MLB Rey Maualuga inactive for Monday night's game with the Giants, according to ESPN's Adam Caplan. Maualuga missed practice Thursday and Friday with a leg injury, though his absence Monday night might ultimately be tied more to a defense in need of some changes. DC Paul Guenther reportedly indicated this week that some veterans are on notice after a 3-4-1 start. That apparently includes Maualuga. We might see some of rookie LB Nick Vigil on Monday night. Given the uncertainty, though, Vontaze Burfict's the top LB play among Bengals. Karlos Dansby's in play in deeper leagues. Beyond that, we'll see what happens.