Emmett Johnson a High-End Handcuff as Receiving Role Grows 0mLink copied!

Oct 20, 2026, 1:08 AM ET

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (knee) is feared to have suffered a "significant" injury during Monday's Week 6 loss against the San Francisco 49ers, head coach Dan Quinn told JP Finlay of NBC Sports. This aligns with immediate concerns, as a replay on the broadcast showed that McLaurin seemed to suffer a graphic knee injury near the end of the first quarter. McLaurin was placed in an air cast and quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game. Fans and fantasy managers will now hold their breath, and there seems to be a very real chance that McLaurin is done for the season. That's terrible news for the Commanders, who are 1-4-1 and are at their best only when McLaurin is on the field. His absence should lead to more volume for Stefon Diggs and Antonio Williams, who are both now on the fantasy radar.--Andersen Pickard
Source: JP Finlay

Oct 20, 2026, 12:50 AM ET

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles) seemed to avoid a serious injury during Monday's Week 6 win over the Washington Commanders. Evans exited early with an Achilles issue, but head coach Kyle Shanahan clarified postgame that the veteran pass catcher was simply experiencing the same soreness that he dealt with earlier in the week, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. Shanahan added that Evans isn't expected to undergo any additional testing. Although Evans won't be subjected to additional testing (even as a precaution), his status for Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons is uncertain. Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports is reporting that Evans' Achilles is intact, but he will miss a little time. San Francisco has a Week 8 bye, so it would make sense for the Niners to hold him out until Week 9. If that's the case, Evans would have 19 days to recover while missing just one game. The 49ers avoided the worst-case scenario here, but Evans' injury is the latest in a long list of ailments plaguing the team's wide receivers. San Francisco was already without Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring), Christian Kirk (calf), De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) on Monday night.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Nick Wagoner

Oct 19, 2026, 11:18 PM ET

Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (thumb, toe) was listed as a non-participant in the team's walkthrough practice on Monday. The participation is an estimation. Monangai might be a long shot to return with a short turnaround in Week 7 on Thursday night at home against the New England Patriots. The 24-year-old second-year back has missed the last two games with thumb and turf-toe injuries, so he will need to return to the practice field on either Tuesday or Wednesday to have a shot at playing this week. D'Andre Swift unsurprisingly led Chicago's backfield in the Week 6 win over the Atlanta Falcons and scored two rushing touchdowns, but he was not very efficient on the ground and had only three more carries than Roschon Johnson, who had 13 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown while adding two catches for 34 yards. Swift had just 44 rushing yards on his 16 carries while catching four passes for 26 yards. If Monangai misses a third straight game in Week 7, Johnson will be a worthy RB3/flex option in deeper fantasy leagues against New England at Soldier Field. Monangai should be stashed in the majority of fantasy leagues while he works through his two injuries, as he has 324 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 60 rushing attempts through the first four games of his sophomore campaign.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Bears Communications

Oct 19, 2026, 10:43 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers are planning to sign veteran free-agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to their practice squad. The veteran wideout is expected to begin on the practice squad and work his way onto the active roster. The 32-year-old hasn't done much lately, with 142 total receiving yards over the last two seasons combined. This is noteworthy because Valdes-Scantling and quarterback Aaron Rodgers played together in Green Bay earlier in their careers. They may recreate some of that magic in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are in desperate need of wide receivers right now, so it might not take him too long before he joins the active roster.--Andy Webb
Source: Jordan Schultz

Oct 19, 2026, 10:38 PM ET

Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson saw his smallest workload of the season against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Robinson rushed the ball twice for one yard, while hauling in two receptions for nine yards in the loss. There was a stretch of play where Robinson carried the ball 10 or more times for three straight weeks. His role in the backfield has taken a hit in recent weeks, but Robinson remains someone worth stashing in fantasy formats. He's a top handcuff because he's the primary backup to Bijan Robinson. Also, the Falcons have been using Robinson quite a bit despite having an elite starting running back. The 27-year-old is hopeful for better results against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

Oct 19, 2026, 10:29 PM ET

New York Giants running back Najee Harris was expected to see a larger workload against the New Orleans Saints this past weekend. Cam Skattebo was benched for his fumbling problems, so Harris was expected to get more involved. The veteran back only carried the ball four times for two yards in the loss. Fellow back Tyrone Tracy Jr. saw six carries for 18 yards and a touchdown. Tracy also hauled in a receiving touchdown as well on Sunday. It's unclear what the Giants plan to do with Skattebo moving forward. This could end up being a three-back committee, but Harris could see a larger role if Skattebo remains out of the picture. Fantasy managers in desperate need of a running back should consider stashing Harris.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

Oct 19, 2026, 10:22 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray is coming off his best performance of the season in Week 5. He completed 24-of-30 passing attempts for 229 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions in the win over the New Orleans Saints. The Vikings were on bye last week, so Murray is well rested ahead of the Week 7 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The hope is that Jordan Addison (hamstring) and T.J. Hockenson (concussion) will be available for this weekend. If the Vikings are at full force, Murray is looking like a strong streaming option against the Colts shaky defense. The dual-threat quarterback has done enough to warrant a look, especially for fantasy managers who need someone with their quarterbacks on bye.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

Oct 19, 2026, 10:16 PM ET

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Konata Mumpfield is likely going to have an expanded role in the offense going forward. Fellow wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) is set to miss about two months of action due to a ruptured left hamstring. His absence will likely mean that Mumpfield moves into the No. 2 role in the receiving room. Mumpfield has mostly been quiet this season outside of a four-catch performance where he notched 93 receiving yards in Week 3. Fantasy managers in deep leagues that are looking for help should consider adding Mumpfield with Adams sidelined for the foreseeable future.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

Oct 19, 2026, 10:09 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (thumb) was designated to return from the Injured Reserve on Monday. Mason will have his 21-day practice window opened after missing the last four games while recovering from thumb surgery. The Vikings are hopeful that Mason will be able to return for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. It has been a month-long layoff for Mason, so he might not be quite ready yet from a conditioning standpoint. Once he's healthy, Mason should see a fairly consistent role behind Aaron Jones Sr. in the backfield. Fantasy managers looking for help at the running back spot should consider stashing Mason.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

Oct 19, 2026, 10:04 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles) has officially been ruled out for the remainder of his team's Week 6 matchup against the Washington Commanders on Monday night, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Evans was questionable to play in the game coming in due to Achilles soreness. After making a catch, he limped off the field right before halftime and was seen grabbing at his Achilles once he reached the tunnel. Before getting injured, the veteran wideout recorded three catches for 94 yards on five targets. With Evans sidelined, 49ers wideouts Jordan Watkins and Brandin Cooks could both see increased usage the rest of the way against Washington.--Will Brady
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco

Oct 19, 2026, 9:57 PM ET

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter has seen the majority of his playing time in 2026 on the defensive side of the ball. However, the 23-year-old saw heavier involvement on offense in Week 6 and delivered, recording four catches for 49 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans. Hunter still only played nine snaps on offense against Houston, so fantasy managers should temper their expectations for his production. Still, Jacksonville may slowly be ramping up Hunter's offensive workload as the season progresses. In deeper fantasy leagues, Hunter could be worth stashing off the waiver wire for his potential season-long upside.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 19, 2026, 9:48 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles) is officially questionable to return to his team's Week 6 matchup against the Washington Commanders on Monday night, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. After coming into the game with Achilles soreness, Evans limped off the field right before halftime and was seen grabbing at his Achilles once he reached the tunnel. Before getting injured, the veteran wideout recorded three catches for 94 yards on five targets. If Evans is unable to return to the game, 49ers wideouts Jordan Watkins and Brandin Cooks could both see increased usage the rest of the way against Washington.--Will Brady
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner

Oct 19, 2026, 9:40 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles) gingerly walked to the locker room right before the end of the first half in his team's Week 6 matchup against the Washington Commanders, per Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Evans was questionable to play coming into the game due to Achilles soreness and was seen grabbing at the Achilles area once he got into the tunnel. Before leaving the game, Evans recorded three catches for 94 yards on five targets. If he is unable to return, 49ers wideouts Jordan Watkins and Brandin Cooks could be in line for more targets and playing time in the second half.--Will Brady
Source: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman

Oct 19, 2026, 9:28 PM ET

Houston Texans running back Jawhar Jordan saw his first game action of 2026 in Week 6 and delivered, recording six carries for 43 yards and a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jordan began the year on Houston's practice squad, but he was elevated to the active roster in Week 6 with running back David Montgomery (groin) sidelined by injury. If Montgomery returns in Week 7, Jordan will likely slide back into the RB3 role in Houston behind both Montgomery and Woody Marks. Still, Jordan was productive when given opportunities with Houston last season as well, logging 227 scrimmage yards on 50 touches. In deeper fantasy leagues, Jordan could be worth picking up off the waiver wire just in case Montgomery ends up requiring an extended absence.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 19, 2026, 9:19 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer bounced back from a disappointing outing in Week 5 with a strong game in Week 6, recording seven catches for 95 yards on nine targets against the Buffalo Bills. Mayer has now logged at least seven catches and 80 receiving yards in two of his last three games, and he's racked up 28 catches for 266 yards and a touchdown on 34 targets across six games this season. While Mayer is the TE2 on his own team behind Brock Bowers, Las Vegas' tendency to deploy two tight end formations allows both players to be productive. The Raiders are also lacking high-end production from their wide receiver corps, which should allow for Mayer to keep seeing an elevated target share. In leagues where Mayer is available on the waiver wire, he could be a worthy waiver wire target for fantasy managers.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 19, 2026, 9:08 PM ET

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (knee) was carted off the field after suffering a non-contact knee injury during his team's Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. McLaurin has officially been ruled out for the remainder of the game, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Before getting injured, the veteran wideout hauled in one catch for 27 yards on one target. It's too early to speculate, but losing McLaurin for an extended stretch would obviously be a rough blow for the Commanders' offense. Without him on Monday night, Commanders wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Antonio Williams, as well as tight end Chig Okonkwo, will likely see increased workloads.--Will Brady
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows

Oct 19, 2026, 8:12 PM ET

New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs (shoulder), who was placed on Injured Reserve on Monday after suffering a shoulder injury in Sunday's Week 6 win over the division-rival New York Jets, is not expected to face a long-term absence and is hopeful to return after the team's Week 11 bye, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. It is good news for fantasy managers who will be stashing the first-year Patriots receiver in deeper leagues now that he may only end up missing four games while on IR. The 26-year-old former fourth-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2022 from Nevada caught his only target of the game in the win over the Jets, and it ended up going for 42 yards and his third touchdown of the season. Doubs has averaged a career-high 18.6 yards per catch through six games while hauling in 14 of his 24 targets for 261 yards and three touchdowns, which has been rather disappointing when considering that top wideout A.J. Brown just returned on Sunday after suffering a high-ankle sprain in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He will not be a must-hold in shallower fantasy formats over the next four weeks. Doubs is currently rostered in 67% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler

Oct 19, 2026, 7:57 PM ET

The Cincinnati Bengals officially placed tight end Tanner Hudson (pectoral) on Injured Reserve on Monday with a pectoral injury that he suffered in the Week 5 win over the Miami Dolphins, according to the team's official website. Hudson will now be forced to miss at least the next four games, starting with Cincy's Week 7 contest this Sunday against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. In four games so far in 2026, Hudson was not on the fantasy football radar with only seven catches (on seven targets) for 33 yards and one touchdown. The 31-year-old veteran's pectoral injury will open up more playing time for Drew Sample behind starting tight end Mike Gesicki moving forward, although Sample should remain on the waiver wire in all leagues. Hudson has never been a high-end pass-catcher at the position, and he has accumulated 99 catches for 906 yards and only five touchdowns in 75 regular-season games played (four starts) in his seven-plus NFL seasons. Hudson is in his fourth year with the Bengals.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Bengals.com

Oct 19, 2026, 7:43 PM ET

Arizona Cardinals rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) is expected to do some running on Tuesday, head coach Mike LaFleur told Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. The Cardinals should have a better idea of where he is at and what he will do on Wednesday during the first official practice of the week as the team prepares to face the visiting Denver Broncos in Week 7. A lingering ankle injury kept the Notre Dame product off the field for the Cardinals' surprising Week 6 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams on the road. Tyler Allgeier led the Arizona backfield on Sunday with 18 carries for only 38 yards (2.1 yards per attempt) and caught one of two targets for 10 yards in the passing game. Bam Knight surprisingly had only three fewer carries than Allgeier and was way more productive on the ground, gaining 80 rushing yards and adding two receptions for 18 yards. If Love does enough in practice this week to gain clearance to play in Week 7 versus Denver, he could immediately return and lead the Cardinals' backfield with Allgeier underwhelming. The No. 3 overall pick in April has been a little underwhelming himself through his first five NFL games, averaging 3.7 yards per carry while rushing for 245 yards and a touchdown on 67 carries. Love has added 11 catches for 36 yards and another score. He still has by far the most short- and long-term fantasy value of anyone in this backfield.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake

Oct 19, 2026, 7:36 PM ET

Los Angeles Rams veteran wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) is expected to have a procedure on his left hamstring tendon to clean it out, with hopes that he can return around the time of the team's Week 11 bye or a little after, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Adams suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 6 upset loss to the division-rival Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and is expected to miss anywhere from six to 10 weeks. Fantasy managers need to keep Adams stashed on their rosters, as he could return just in time for the start of the fantasy playoffs. Star receiver Puka Nacua will be targeted even more with Adams out, as will receivers Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield and tight ends Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson, at least until Terrance Ferguson (ankle) returns from Injured Reserve. Running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum should also see more passing-game work with Adams sidelined for a while. The 33-year-old Adams led the league with 14 touchdown receptions in 2025 in his first year in L.A., and he had 30 catches for 480 yards and four touchdowns on 49 targets through the first six weeks of the 2026 campaign before his injury on Sunday.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport