Blake Grupe Dealing With Torn ACL 0mLink copied!

Oct 19, 2026, 6:07 PM ET

Houston Texans second-year wide receiver Jaylin Noel has stepped up in the last three weeks as the team's WR2 behind Nico Collins with Jayden Higgins (knee) out for the entire season. Noel had his best game of the season in Sunday's 34-31 win over the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sunday, catching all four of his targets for a team-high 107 yards and his second straight week with a touchdown. The 24-year-old former third-rounder from Iowa State now has 12 catches on 12 targets for 233 yards and two touchdowns in the last three games and is on the rise as a waiver-wire candidate. The one downside to Noel's recent resurgence in the Texans' offense is that they just traded for Marvin Harrison Jr. and appear to be getting Tank Dell (knee) back in Week 7 against the New York Giants for the first time since the 2024 season. Still, Houston's offense is on the rise, and Noel has built strong chemistry with quarterback C.J. Stroud, so he could remain firmly involved in the WR pecking order. Noel is currently rostered in 7% of Yahoo leagues, so he is widely available.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com

Oct 19, 2026, 5:43 PM ET

The NFL officially activated Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs from the commissioner's exempt list on Monday, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Head coach Matt LaFleur said that Jacobs will get in a full week of practice as he returns to the team, but the Packers have not decided yet whether he will be available to play in Week 7 on Sunday against the division-rival Detroit Lions. The NFL was expected to activate the 28-year-old to begin this week, but fantasy managers should not consider him a lock yet to make his season debut against Detroit. Jacobs won't count against the active roster for another week, which lessens the demand to bring him back right away after just one week of practice. The veteran running back did not play in the first six weeks of the season due to off-the-field issues involving the league's personal-conduct policy. A suspension from the NFL is a possibility, but the good news for Jacobs' fantasy managers is that his time spent on the exempt list in the first six weeks could count towards any future suspension the league hands down. If Jacobs makes his debut in Week 7, he could face snap-count limitations, making him a much riskier starting RB. The three-time Pro Bowler and former first-rounder has four 1,000-yard rushing seasons in his seven NFL seasons, and he has a whopping 28 rushing touchdowns in his two years in Green Bay.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman

Oct 19, 2026, 5:06 PM ET

Los Angeles Rams All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett (knee) will not practice this week, according to Nate Atkins of The Athletic. Garrett played in the season-opening loss to the division-rival San Francisco 49ers in Australia but then landed on Injured Reserve. He will now miss six straight games with his knee injury and will not suit up this Sunday in Week 7 to face the Las Vegas Raiders on the road. Garrett's next chance to make his return for a struggling Rams team will be on Sunday, Nov. 1, at home against the Los Angeles Chargers. The 30-year-old's knee was not feeling right after debuting in Week 1, so he had surgery, which is why he is currently on IR. Garrett will need to return to practice with the Rams next week to have any chance of facing the winless Chargers. When healthy, Garrett is one of the top pass-rushers in the league. In his final season with the Cleveland Browns in 2025, Garrett was unstoppable, breaking the NFL single-season record with 23 sacks while adding 60 tackles (43 solo), a league-high 33 tackles for loss, 39 QB hits, and three forced fumbles in 17 starts. Getting both Garrett and Aaron Donald on the field together in 2026 has to be a priority for L.A.'s defensive unit.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Nate Atkins

Oct 19, 2026, 5:00 PM ET

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) has suffered a ruptured hamstring and is expected to miss six to 10 weeks, per Nate Atkins of The Athletic. It's a crushing blow for the Rams, who will now be without their number two wideout for a significant stretch of the remainder of the 2026 season. Across six games before the injury, Adams recorded 30 catches for 480 yards and four touchdowns on 49 targets. Without him, Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua could be in line for a truly monstrous target share. However, removing Adams' downfield presence could shift defensive coverage even more heavily toward Nacua. Rams wide receiver Konata Mumpfield now becomes a potential waiver wire target for fantasy managers, while tight ends Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson could see increased roles as well. Once he returns from Injured Reserve, Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) could be the biggest beneficiary of the Adams injury.--Will Brady
Source: The Athletic - Nate Atkins

Oct 19, 2026, 4:58 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers did not activate veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) from Injured Reserve, and he will not play in the Monday night game against the visiting Washington Commanders, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Kirk was trending towards being activated to make his 2026 season debut to close out Week 6 action, but it is not happening. Meanwhile, there is momentum for veteran Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) to play despite the fact that he did not practice all of last week. If Kirk can return to a full practice at some point this week, he could be lined up to come off IR to make his season debut in Week 7 this Sunday against the hosting Atlanta Falcons. Considering that Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) could miss multiple weeks with a hamstring strain that he suffered in the Week 5 win over the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, Kirk could have a substantial role behind Evans in the Niners' passing attack immediately. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider adding the former 1,000-yard receiver off waivers this week. Kirk is rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows

Oct 19, 2026, 4:45 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (thumb) has been designated to return from Injured Reserve, and there is "lots of optimism" that he will be able to play in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert. Mason has been sidelined since fracturing his thumb in Week 1, but it appears he is on the doorstep of a return to the field. The 27-year-old recorded 15 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 before getting injured, and he tallied 758 rushing yards and six scores across 16 games with Minnesota in 2025. Upon his return, Mason will likely split carries with veteran back Aaron Jones Sr. Mason has typically not seen much involvement in his team's passing game throughout his career, which limits his fantasy upside. However, he profiles as the more physical of the two Vikings backs and could emerge as the preferred option on early downs and near the goal line. Once healthy, Mason profiles as a borderline top-24 running back with significant upside should Jones Sr. suffer an injury at any point.--Will Brady
Source: ESPN - Kevin Seifert

Oct 19, 2026, 4:37 PM ET

New York Jets rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. had the start of his NFL career delayed after he suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 that led to him being placed on Injured Reserve. However, the 22-year-old returned from IR with a bang in Week 6, recording six catches for 103 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. Cooper Jr. nearly had a second touchdown as well, if not for a questionable offensive pass interference penalty on fellow Jets wide receiver Tim Patrick that negated the score. The Jets could get back wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (finger) from a finger injury in Week 7, which could impact Cooper Jr.'s playing time. Still, the rookie wideout looks to have an opportunity to establish himself as the WR2 in New York alongside star Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Where available, Cooper Jr. profiles as a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 19, 2026, 4:28 PM ET

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that running back Josh Jacobs is "in a pretty good spot" and will practice this upcoming week, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. However, Schneidman also notes that LaFleur said it's "TBD" whether Jacobs can play without being fully ramped up and could see a limited workload if he's able to play in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions. Jacobs has yet to play in 2026 due to an offseason arrest, which led to him being placed on the NFL's Commissioner's Exempt List. However, Jacobs is eligible to come off the list as of Monday and will now return to Green Bay. Jacobs has been the Packers' workhorse when available, recording nearly 2,900 scrimmage yards and 30 touchdowns on over 600 touches since the start of 2024. His workload concerns make him a somewhat risky start in Week 7, but he profiles as a must-start running back for fantasy managers once he's fully back in the swing of things.--Will Brady
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman

Oct 19, 2026, 4:25 PM ET

Green Bay Packers All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons (knee) will not return to practice this week, according to Andy Herman. The Packers continue to play it slow with Parsons, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his knee in late December last year in his first year with the team. Herman's best guess is that Parsons will make his season debut in 2026 on Thanksgiving Eve against the Los Angeles Rams. The 27-year-old had his sights set on facing his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, on Sunday night in Week 6, but that did not end up happening. Fantasy managers who have been stashing the five-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro this year must remain patient. Parsons was on his way to a career year with the Packers in 2025 before his left-knee injury, as he had 12.5 sacks, 41 tackles (19 solo), 12 tackles for loss, 27 QB hits, and two forced fumbles in his 14 games a year ago. He still has the potential to be a game-wrecker for Green Bay's defense later this year if he comes back 100%.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Andy Herman

Oct 19, 2026, 4:18 PM ET

New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs (shoulder) is being placed on Injured Reserve due to the shoulder injury he suffered during New England's Week 6 win over the New York Jets, per Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. The 26-year-old will now be sidelined for at least the Patriots' next four games, which run through Week 10. Across six games so far this season, Doubs recorded 14 catches for 261 yards and three touchdowns on 24 targets. New England got superstar wideout A.J. Brown back from the IR in Week 6, which briefly bumped Doubs back into the team's WR2 role. With Doubs sidelined, Brown could see an even larger target share than usual. Patriots wide receivers DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III could all see increased usage as well.--Will Brady
Source: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov

Oct 19, 2026, 4:15 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said on Monday that offensive coordinator Sean Mannion will continue to call plays, according to Zach Berman of The Athletic. Sirianni said that "everything's on the table" when it comes to fixing the offense, but the play-caller/coaches is/are not changing. The Eagles were hoping that the move to Mannion as the offensive coordinator would spark an improvement in an offense that constantly stalled last year. There has not been a notable improvement so far through six weeks in 2026, but there is not much that Mannion can do now with starting quarterback Jalen Hurts out for the rest of the season with blood clots. In addition to Hurts' medical condition, the Eagles have been without star running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) for the last two games and are down to Dameon Pierce as the starting RB. Under Mannion this year, the Eagles have the third-fewest total yards per game (255.5) and have scored the fourth-fewest points per game (17.7). Things do not figure to get much better until at least Barkley returns to Philly's backfield.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman

Oct 19, 2026, 4:11 PM ET

Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) is being placed on Injured Reserve due to a groin issue, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Croskey-Merritt was already ruled out for Washington's Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football and will now miss at least through Week 10. Across five games in 2026, the 25-year-old had recorded 67 carries for 239 yards and two touchdowns while splitting backfield work with veteran Commanders back Rachaad White. Croskey-Merritt's lack of pass-game involvement limited his fantasy upside, but he was largely Washington's preferred option on early downs. With Croskey-Merritt sidelined, Washington's backfield now looks like a true committee between White, Austin Ekeler, and Jeremy McNichols, whom the team activated from the Injured Reserve on Monday.--Will Brady
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

Oct 19, 2026, 4:10 PM ET

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has taken on a bigger role since Marvin Harrison Jr.'s trade to Houston, which makes him another potential PPR option on the waiver wire. Harrison was held out of Arizona's Week 5 game while the trade was pending, and Bourne has made the most of the two games without him, posting 10 receptions for 117 yards on 16 targets. The 31-year-old followed a 70-yard game against Detroit by catching five of eight targets for 47 yards in Sunday's 18-16 win over the Los Angeles Rams. His eight targets were one more than Michael Wilson saw, though Wilson and tight end Trey McBride are still prominent pieces of Arizona's passing attack. Bourne hasn't scored a touchdown this season, which limits his immediate ceiling, but his expanded slot role gives him a clearer path to steady involvement. Rostered in just 19% of Yahoo leagues, he's worth adding in 12-team PPR formats and deeper as a bench receiver with occasional flex appeal. Arizona hosts Denver in Week 7.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 19, 2026, 4:08 PM ET

Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs (hamstring), who was listed as questionable for Week 6, is trending towards playing on Monday night against the hosting San Francisco 49ers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Diggs was unable to suit up in last week's tie to the division-rival New York Giants, but he appears to be trending in the right direction to make his return on Monday night in primetime in the Bay Area after ending the week with back-to-back limited practices. Fantasy managers should have played it safe and kept Diggs sidelined this week with a Monday night game. If he is officially active, it will be bad news for Terry McLaurin and rookie Antonio Williams in Washington's passing game. The 32-year-old Diggs has caught 18 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns in four games so far in his first season in D.C., and if he returns on Monday, it will be the first time that he and McLaurin have worked with quarterback Jayden Daniels since Week 2, when Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

Oct 19, 2026, 4:01 PM ET

Los Angeles Rams kicker Blake Grupe (knee) has been placed on injured reserve, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, after getting hurt in Sunday's 18-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Grupe made a 44-yard field goal on his first attempt with Los Angeles before injuring his knee while tackling returner Devin Duvernay on the ensuing kickoff. The 27-year-old had joined the Rams just last week after Harrison Mevis was released, but his debut lasted only one quarter. Without Grupe, Los Angeles failed on a two-point conversion attempt in the second quarter, then punter Ethan Evans kicked an extra point late in the fourth with backup quarterback Stetson Bennett IV serving as the holder. Grupe will miss at least four games, leaving the Rams searching for another kicker after consecutive weeks of special teams problems.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Adam Schefter

Oct 19, 2026, 3:52 PM ET

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is expected to make his 2026 season debut Sunday against the New York Giants. According to Aaron Wilson, head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed Monday that Dell is expected to play, saying, "We'll see Tank out there Sunday vs. the Giants. Very excited to see him back." Dell hasn't played in a regular-season game since suffering a severe knee injury against Kansas City in December 2024, which required multiple surgeries and kept him sidelined throughout 2025. The 26-year-old returned to practice earlier this month and logged consecutive full sessions last Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Houston's Week 6 victory over Jacksonville. His return comes with more competition for targets, especially after the acquisition of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jaylin Noel's 107-yard performance against the Jaguars. Dell is worth stashing in deeper fantasy leagues, but his initial snap count and involvement will show how quickly he can regain a significant offensive role.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Aaron Wilson

Oct 19, 2026, 3:45 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers want to see how veteran wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) looks during pre-game workouts, but they are optimistic that he will play to close out Week 6 action against the Washington Commanders, ESPN's Adam Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show. "My guess is we will see Mike Evans," Schefter said. Evans has been playing through fractured ribs ever since Week 3, and he came out of last week's big divisional win over the Seattle Seahawks with some Achilles soreness. The future Hall of Famer did not practice all week, but he is trending in the right direction as a game-time decision. That should be music to fantasy managers' ears who rolled the dice and left Evans in their starting lineup despite his multiple injuries. Despite consistently being on the injury report since training camp, Evans has not missed a game in his first year with the 49ers and has been productive with 24 receptions, 326 yards, and three touchdowns. The 49ers could also get veteran slot man Christian Kirk (calf) back from Injured Reserve for the first time this season on Monday night.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

Oct 19, 2026, 3:40 PM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle remains firmly in the team's offensive plans, with head coach Mike McCarthy stressing the importance of getting both Dowdle and Jaylen Warren involved. Asked about using the two backs on the field together, McCarthy told Brian Batko, "We really like both running backs a lot, and they need to touch the ball." Dowdle returned from a three-game absence in Sunday's 26-19 overtime win over Tampa Bay, rushing seven times for 40 yards and catching three passes for nine yards. Warren handled 14 carries for 50 yards and added two receptions for 28 yards, holding his spot as Pittsburgh's featured back. Two-back formations give Dowdle a way to stay involved alongside Warren, though Sunday's 16-to-10 touch advantage backs up the existing hierarchy. Dowdle has some appeal as backfield depth in deeper fantasy leagues, but McCarthy's comments don't necessarily point to a more even split of touches.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Brian Batko

Oct 19, 2026, 3:35 PM ET

The Athletic's Alec Lewis thinks that the Minnesota Vikings could go after a running back "with home-run burst" at this year's Nov. 10 trade deadline. Jordan Mason looked destined for a big year back in training camp over the summer, but he suffered a thumb injury in the Week 1 win over the division-rival Green Bay Packers and landed on Injured Reserve after needing surgery. Mason could make his return in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts, which will help alleviate the pressure on veteran Aaron Jones Sr., but Lewis thinks that "additional depth would be advantageous." Through six weeks, the Vikings are hovering around the middle of the pack with 3.9 yards per carry, but they also rank 26th in rushing yards over expected, according to Next Gen Stats. Obviously, a trade by the Vikings to add to their RB depth would be bad news for any fantasy managers who have Mason or Jones rostered. Lewis lists the Chargers' Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal, the Titans' Tony Pollard, the Buccaneers' Kenny Gainwell, and the Cardinals' Tyler Allgeier as options.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis

Oct 19, 2026, 3:28 PM ET

Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said that wide receiver Rashod Bateman (shoulder) was dealing with a shoulder issue throughout Sunday's Week 6 loss to the division-rival Cleveland Browns, but he came out of it OK, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. "There's a little bit of optimism that he should be OK," Minter said. Bateman will most likely be on the team's Week 7 injury report and could be limited in practice throughout the week, but it seems like he has a good shot at playing in the team's next game on Sunday, Oct. 25, in a big divisional showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. The 26-year-old caught five of his six targets for 62 yards in the Sunday night win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 5 but failed to bring in his only target on Sunday in the loss to the Browns before he departed in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. It looks as though Bateman avoided a serious injury, and he might not have to miss any time at all, but the return of talented rookie Ja'Kobi Lane from Injured Reserve will be the biggest obstacle to consistent production from Bateman moving forward. Lane caught four of five targets for 40 yards in Week 6 in just his second NFL regular-season game.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec