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Rico Dowdle Dealing With Knee Injury, Limited on Wednesday
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (knee) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday with a new knee injury, according to Jeff Nowak. Dowdle missed three games with a dislocated toe on his right foot, but he managed to return in the Week 6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing 27% of the offensive snaps while carrying the ball seven times for 40 yards. He added three catches for nine yards. Meanwhile, Jaylen Warren handled 14 rushing attempts for 50 yards and caught two passes for 28 yards. Dowdle apparently picked up a knee injury in his first game back, but it might not be serious enough to keep him out of playing again in Week 7 in Paris against the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Mike McCarthy envisioned a pretty even split between Dowdle and Warren before the start of the regular season, but Dowdle's toe injury opened more opportunities for Warren, and he took advantage. Warren has earned a larger share of the backfield pie than Dowdle. Dowdle is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers, but he is averaging just 3.5 yards per attempt on his 22 carries through three games in Pittsburgh, and he will be relegated to RB3/flex status if he is active in Week 7 in France.
Source: Jeff Nowak
Source: Jeff Nowak
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Alvin Kamara Limited With Back Injury on Wednesday
New Orleans Saints veteran running back Alvin Kamara (back) was listed as limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to Jeff Nowak. Kamara has been dealing with a back injury for the last three weeks. The 31-year-old actually tweaked his back in Sunday's win over the New York Giants, but he was able to return to the field and finish out the contest. He finished the 34-27 victory with seven carries for 34 yards while catching two of his four targets for 35 yards and his first receiving touchdown of the year. Kamara's workload was disappointing, considering that Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) is still on Injured Reserve. If Kamara is active in Week 7 in Paris against the Pittsburgh Steelers, it could be his last time with an elevated workload with Etienne on the sidelines. The five-time Pro Bowler is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry through five games for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries. Kamara has added 15 receptions for 76 yards and another score. If Kamara plays this weekend, he'll be more of an RB3/flex play in PPR leagues while sharing backfield touches with Kendre Miller and C.J. Donaldson.
Source: Jeff Nowak
Source: Jeff Nowak
Justin Jefferson Still Dealing With Ankle Injury, Limited on Wednesday
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) is on the Week 7 injury report with an ankle injury and was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Jefferson tweaked his ankle in Week 3 in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was held out of the Week 4 victory over the Miami Dolphins. The 27-year-old All-Pro wideout returned for the Week 5 win over the New Orleans Saints and caught six of seven targets for 79 yards and his third touchdown of the season. Jefferson has not ditched his ankle injury after having a week off during the Week 6 bye, but the fact that he is limited could just mean that the Vikings are giving him a little more rest as the team prepares to play the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday. If Jefferson upgrades to a full practice on Thursday or Friday, he could be removed from the final injury report entirely. The four-time Pro Bowler has 19 catches for 258 yards and three scores through four games this year and should be a must-start in all starting fantasy lineups if he gets the green light to face the Colts.
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Addison a Full Practice Participant on Wednesday
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (hamstring) was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice as the team comes out of their Week 6 bye. A sore hamstring kept Addison out of the team's Week 5 win over the New Orleans Saints, but with the bye week to rest up, it looks like the 24-year-old will be ready to return to the starting lineup for a Week 7 tilt at home versus the Indianapolis Colts. Meanwhile, star receiver Justin Jefferson is still nursing an ankle sprain and was listed as limited in practice on Wednesday. Depending on Jefferson's status as the week progresses, Addison could take on a bigger role this weekend as the Vikings look to remain undefeated in 2026. The former 23rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from USC has played in four games so far in his fourth year in the league and has hauled in 11 of his 22 targets for 163 yards and one touchdown for the Vikings. Addison is trending as a WR4/flex in fantasy this week as he puts his hamstring injury in the past.
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Mason Practicing in Full Ahead of Week 7
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (thumb) is still on Injured Reserve, but he managed to put in a full practice on Wednesday. Mason underwent surgery for a small fracture in his thumb that he suffered in the Week 1 win over the division-rival Green Bay Packers, but all signs point to the 27-year-old making his return this weekend in Week 7 at home against the Indianapolis Colts. While Mason could be eased back into Minnesota's backfield, he is eventually expected to take over lead-back duties from veteran Aaron Jones Sr. Fantasy managers should be checking their league's waiver wire to see if Mason is available following his IR stint. He had 15 carries for 59 yards and his first touchdown of the 2026 season in Week 1 before he fractured his thumb, although he was not targeted in the passing game. At the very least, Mason should be back in play as an RB3/flex for fantasy managers in Week 7 if he is activated from IR before the deadline on Saturday.
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Tank Dell Practicing in Full on Wednesday
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) practiced in full on Wednesday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Monday that Dell was on track to make his season debut in Week 7 against the New York Giants, and his return to a full practice on Wednesday supports that report. The 26-year-old will return to a much more crowded WR picture in Houston now that second-year pass-catcher Jaylin Noel is emerging. The Texans also went out and acquired struggling former first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr. from the Arizona Cardinals, and they have plans to get him more involved than he was in his time with the Cardinals. Dell, a former third-rounder in 2023 from Houston, is still an interesting waiver-wire target now that he is on the verge of a return in 2026. He missed all of last year after tearing multiple ligaments in his left knee in 2024. Before his injury, Dell was a big-play threat downfield and caught 98 of 156 targets for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in his 25 games played (18 starts) in two seasons. If he makes his season debut against the G-Men this weekend, fantasy managers who have Dell stashed should not be looking to start him immediately.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Quentin Johnston a Drop Candidate Going into Chargers' Bye
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston, like the rest of the Chargers' offense, has failed to produce through the first six weeks of the 2026 season. The 25-year-old former first-rounder from TCU has caught just eight of his 22 targets for 165 yards in five games and has not found the end zone yet. Los Angeles' struggles on offense have offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel on the verge of getting fired. For the second straight week, Johnston caught just one pass on three targets for a season-high 57 yards in Sunday's 22-6 loss on the road to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. He has seen only five targets in his last two games after seeing a combined 17 targets in the first three games of the season. Johnston had eight touchdowns each in 2024 and 2025 for the Chargers, but he has yet to get on the board and has not improved his chemistry with struggling quarterback Justin Herbert at all. The Chargers are considering simplifying their offense during their Week 7 bye, but Johnston just cannot be trusted in starting lineups until further notice. Johnston is currently rostered in 39% of Yahoo leagues, with that number continuing to drop.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jonah Coleman Returns to Practice on Wednesday
Denver Broncos rookie running back Jonah Coleman (ankle) returned to practice on Wednesday, according to Mike Klis of 9 News. The Broncos have designated the fourth-rounder from Washington to return from Injured Reserve, and the 23-year-old could officially be activated later this week if he looks good during practice from Wednesday through Friday. Fantasy managers must remember that Coleman was a hot waiver-wire pickup coming out of the Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, when he had 10 rushing attempts for 39 yards and his first career touchdown, adding three catches on three targets for 19 yards, with both J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey banged up at the time. Both Dobbins and Harvey are healthy now as the Broncos head into a Week 7 matchup on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, so if Coleman is back this weekend, he will likely have to settle for RB3 duties as he is eased back into the offense. However, Coleman has intriguing upside as a stash candidate for RB depth in a Denver offense that is searching for answers after a slow start. Coleman is currently rostered in 29% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: 9 News - Mike Klis
Source: 9 News - Mike Klis
MarShawn Lloyd's Role in Green Bay Could Be Fading Quickly
Across six games so far in 2026, Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd has collected 177 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on 58 touches. With star Packers back Josh Jacobs sidelined through the early portion of the season due to an offseason arrest, Lloyd has operated as Green Bay's lead back at times this year. However, Jacobs has been removed from the NFL's Commissioner's Exempt List and could return to the field as soon as Week 7 against the Detroit Lions. Lloyd has also been highly inefficient as a rusher, averaging just 2.5 yards per carry. Once Jacobs is fully ramped up, he could completely dominate the Packers' backfield touches. In all but the deepest of leagues, Lloyd's window of fantasy relevance appears to be drawing to a close.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Marvin Harrison Jr. Worth Holding Following Trade to Houston?
In his first game as a member of the Houston Texans in Week 6, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. recorded three catches for 34 yards on four targets. Harrison Jr. got off to a nightmarish start to the season with the Arizona Cardinals, hauling in just five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets across four games. The 24-year-old has also largely been a disappointment for fantasy managers since being selected by Arizona fourth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, Harrison Jr. may have new life now that he's been traded. With star wideout Nico Collins operating as the primary X receiver in Houston, Harrison Jr. could be freed up to play a more versatile role in the Texans' offense. Harrison Jr. remains tough for fantasy managers to trust, but he may be worth holding until his role in Houston becomes clearer.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josh Jacobs Not Listed on Packers Wednesday Injury Report
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs was not listed on the team's Wednesday injury report, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky. Jacobs has yet to play in 2026 due to an offseason arrest, which landed him on the NFL's Commissioner's Exempt List for the first six weeks of the season. However, the star running back was removed from the list on Monday and is eligible to play in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions. It's not yet clear if Jacobs will be ramped up and ready to play right away, or whether he will face some sort of workload restriction. Still, the 28-year-old has been a workhorse back for Green Bay when healthy, recording 1,211 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns on 270 touches across 15 games in 2025. Based on his full participation on Wednesday, Jacobs could be trending toward a return against the Lions.
Source: ESPN - Rob Demovsky
Source: ESPN - Rob Demovsky
Deebo Samuel Sr. Not Expected to Practice on Wednesday
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) is not expected to practice on Wednesday, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Samuel Sr. suffered a hamstring injury in Week 5 that sidelined him in San Francisco's Week 6 win over the Washington Commanders on Monday night. The initial diagnosis for the 30-year-old was a multi-week absence, so Samuel Sr. may be unlikely to play in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons as well. Across five games before getting injured, the veteran wideout collected 16 catches for 206 yards and three touchdowns on 20 targets and nine carries for 78 yards. The 49ers may also be without WR1 Mike Evans (Achilles) in Week 7, which would leave the team very shorthanded at wide receiver. If Samuel Sr. remains sidelined, San Francisco wideouts Brandin Cooks, Jordan Watkins, and Jacob Cowing are all candidates for larger workloads.
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Baker Mayfield Practices in Full, Could Return in Week 7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, his first since dislocating his right thumb against Minnesota in Week 3. Head coach Todd Bowles was encouraged by the veteran's performance and noted that his throwing improved as the session went on. Mayfield wore a glove on his injured throwing hand and said he felt comfortable with it, although the coaching staff still needs to see how his thumb responds to the increased activity. Rookie Jalon Daniels has started three consecutive games in Mayfield's absence, going 1-2 while struggling with turnovers and passing efficiency. Bowles hopes to decide on Sunday's starter against Carolina by Friday, which makes Mayfield's full participation an important development without guaranteeing his return to the lineup.
Source: Scott Smith
Source: Scott Smith
Mike Evans Not Expected to Practice on Wednesday
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles) is not expected to practice on Wednesday, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Evans has been battling lingering Achilles soreness and was forced to exit early from San Francisco's Week 6 win over the Washington Commanders after reaggravating the injury. The 33-year-old has been highly productive when on the field for the 49ers this season, hauling in 27 catches for 420 yards and three touchdowns on 39 targets across six games. However, Evans has battled myriad injury issues throughout the year and has been forced to leave early from several games already. The 49ers have their bye in Week 8, so they could opt to give Evans two weeks of rest by sitting him in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons. If Evans is unable to play, 49ers wideouts Brandin Cooks and Jordan Watkins could see increased usage.
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Bucky Irving Sidelined by Illness Wednesday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (illness) did not participate in Wednesday's practice as the team prepares to face Carolina in Week 7. The third-year back has handled 40 carries over his past two appearances, although his production varied dramatically between games. After rushing for a career-high 165 yards and a touchdown against Dallas in Week 5, Irving managed just 46 yards on 19 attempts in Sunday's overtime loss to Pittsburgh. His latest absence is attributed to an illness and not the glute injury that limited him in practice earlier this month. Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker would be candidates for more work if Irving can't play, but the illness hasn't yet led to a game-status designation. Irving's substantial workload remains intact when he's healthy.
Source: Scott Smith
Source: Scott Smith
Sam LaPorta Frustrated with Lions Over Contract
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta expressed frustration with his team over his current contract status in a recent Pardon My Take podcast appearance, calling it "disappointing" that he hasn't received an extension off his rookie deal. LaPorta is currently playing out the final season of his first NFL contract with Detroit and is poised to hit free agency at the end of the year. The 25-year-old has played well for the Lions so far in 2026, hauling in 27 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns on 37 targets across five games. Since being selected by Detroit in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, LaPorta has compiled over 2,400 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns across 47 games. It does not appear that LaPorta is considering any sort of holdout that would impact his game availability, but the star tight end is clearly unhappy with how negotiations with the Lions have progressed to this point.
Source: Pardon My Take
Source: Pardon My Take
Emeka Egbuka Misses Practice With Concussion and Foot Injury
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (concussion, foot) did not participate in Wednesday's practice ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Both ailments appeared on Tampa Bay's opening injury report, which raises concerns about the second-year receiver's availability after he saw a season-high 16 targets in Sunday's 26-19 overtime loss to Pittsburgh. Egbuka caught seven passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, accounting for more than a third of Jalon Daniels' pass attempts. That heavy involvement has made him the focal point of Tampa Bay's passing attack despite the offense's inconsistent production. Chris Godwin and rookie Ted Hurst could absorb more targets if Egbuka misses time, although his status remains uncertain heading into Thursday's practice.
Source: Scott Smith
Source: Scott Smith
Jeremiyah Love Remains Sidelined Ahead of Week 7
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) will not practice Wednesday, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. The rookie missed all three practices last week and sat out Sunday's 18-16 victory over the Los Angeles Rams with a lingering left ankle injury, separate from the right ankle sprain he suffered during the preseason. Head coach Mike LaFleur previously acknowledged that the injury has affected Love's cutting ability and limited his involvement in the passing game. His availability for Sunday's matchup against Denver remains uncertain, which leaves Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight as potential replacements once again. Allgeier started against Los Angeles and handled 18 carries but managed only 38 yards. Knight was far more effective, rushing 15 times for 80 yards while adding two receptions for 18 yards. That gap could complicate the backfield distribution if Love misses another game, especially after Knight showed he could produce with a substantial workload.
Source: Tyler Drake
Source: Tyler Drake
A.J. Brown Cleared to Play on Thursday Night in Chicago
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) was removed from the final Week 7 injury report on Wednesday and will play on Thursday night against the hosting Chicago Bears. Brown was limited in practice on Monday and Tuesday before upgrading to full participation on Wednesday. The 29-year-old three-time Pro Bowler returned from Injured Reserve to play in the Week 6 win over the division-rival New York Jets on Sunday. He played 76% of the offensive snaps, but he was rusty and battled crucial drops, ultimately finishing with only three catches on 10 targets for 27 yards. The positive takeaway is that quarterback Drake Maye targeted Brown double-digit times in his first game back. Another week removed from his high-ankle sprain, fantasy managers will be hoping he can finally produce in just his third game with the Patriots. Brown caught three of his four targets for 26 yards in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks before spraining his ankle. At worst, he should be considered a low-end WR2 for fantasy managers this week.
Source: New England Patriots
Source: New England Patriots
Josh Jacobs Could be Given a Big Role in Offense
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has the support of head coach Matt LaFleur following his six-game absence on the commissioner's exempt list. Speaking Wednesday, LaFleur described Jacobs as "extremely remorseful" and stressed his belief in second chances after the veteran's no-contest pleas to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges stemming from a May domestic incident. Jacobs was removed from the exempt list Monday, which allows him to resume practicing, although the NFL's investigation under its personal conduct policy is still ongoing. LaFleur hasn't committed to Jacobs playing Sunday against Detroit, with his readiness and potential workload still being evaluated after an extended absence from football activities. Green Bay has averaged an NFL-low 59.8 rushing yards per game without Jacobs, which makes his potential return particularly significant for an offense that has struggled to establish its ground attack.
Source: Matt Schneidman
Source: Matt Schneidman
Lamar Jackson Gets in Limited Work on Wednesday
Updating a previous report, Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said that quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) got in some limited work in practice on Wednesday, according to Ryan Mink of the team's official website. Jackson was not present on the field during the period of practice open to the media, but the two-time MVP eventually mixed into some drills. It is unclear if Jackson will be listed as limited or as a DNP on Wednesday's final injury report. Jackson sprained his left ankle in the Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans and has missed each of the last two games as a result. If he continues to make progress in practice through Friday, Jackson could be cleared to return in Week 7 against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, but that remains to be seen. In four games played so far in 2026, Jackson checks in as the QB10 while averaging 20.8 fantasy points per game with 967 passing yards, six touchdowns, and only one interception. Jackson has added 144 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Fantasy managers are just hoping that Jackson continues to run the ball after he returns from his ankle sprain.
Source: BaltimoreRavens.com - Ryan Mink
Source: BaltimoreRavens.com - Ryan Mink
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