Christian Elliss Fantasy Overview

The Patriots have placed LB Jahlani Tavai on IR to open the season, with the designation to return. Tavai suffered a calf injury back in spring minicamp that recurred after just four days of training camp. His IR placement means he'll miss at least the first four games. We'll see beyond that.

Patriots S Kyle Dugger is inactive for today's game against the Titans, marking the second straight game he'll miss with an ankle sprain. That leaves Jaylinn Hawkins and Marte Mapu as the starting safeties. LB Christian Elliss -- who was also questionable -- is active vs. Tennessee.

The Eagles have agreed to a one-year deal with LB Shaquille Leonard. That gives the veteran LB a strong opportunity to reach the starting lineup. Philly already has LB Nakobe Dean (foot) on IR and missed LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring) in Sunday's loss to the 49ers. That left Nicholas Morrow as the position's only full-timer and Christian Elliss next at 75% snap share. We'd guess that opportunity was a key to Leonard choosing the Eagles, and we'll watch for word on his immediate role. Of course, Leonard hit the open market in part because his performance -- and fantasy production -- lagged well short of past seasons in Indianapolis. So don't get too excited about the veteran in your IDP league. But he's OK to pick up in deeper formats.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo showed Eagles LB Nicholas Morrow wearing the green helmet dot during warmups for tonight's game against the Vikings. That indicates he'll take over play-calling duties in the defensive huddle, vacated with Nakobe Dean's injury. That matters because it points to Morrow likely staying on the field most among LBs. We've knocked Christian Elliss -- who wore the dot last Sunday after Dean left -- out of the LB rankings and installed Morrow in LB4 range. Morrow was just elevated from the practice squad earlier this week, when Dean landed on IR.