Nov 5, 2026, 6:17 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) missed another day of practice on Thursday and is trending in the wrong direction to play in Week 9 on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. Wicks is heading toward missing a third straight game, as is teammate DeVonta Smith (hamstring), who has not practiced or played since injuring his hamstring in the Week 6 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The 25-year-old Wicks was a buzzy player during training camp and the preseason as one of the primary beneficiaries of A.J. Brown being traded to the New England Patriots in the offseason. So far in 2026, in his first year in Philly, Wicks has failed to deliver on that promise, catching 19 of his 32 targets for 284 yards and just one touchdown in six games played. And with Jalen Hurts (blood clots) out for the remainder of the season, the likelihood of Wicks becoming an every-week fantasy starter is remote. Wicks is now only rostered in 14% of Yahoo leagues as he looks unlikely to return this weekend. The Eagles have their bye in Week 10, so if Wicks is not cleared this week, his next chance to play will not come until Nov. 22 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Philadelphia Eagles

Nov 5, 2026, 6:09 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) missed another practice on Thursday and is trending toward missing a third straight game due to a hamstring injury in Week 9 against the division-rival New York Giants. Smith has not practiced since injuring his hamstring in the Week 6 loss to the Carolina Panthers, and he will likely need to return to practice in some capacity on Friday to avoid being ruled out for a third straight game this weekend. Additionally, fellow wideout Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) missed another practice as well. If both Smith and Wicks miss another game, rookie first-rounder Makai Lemon and Darius Cooper should continue to operate as Philly's top two receiving options for new starting quarterback Joe Milton II, who will be making his debut with the Eagles against the G-Men. Smith's fantasy stock has dropped drastically ever since it was announced that starting QB Jalen Hurts (blood clots) would miss the rest of the year. The good news is that Smith could have a higher fantasy ceiling once he returns now that the more athletic Milton is the team's starter under center. Smith has been a disappointment so far this year as the Eagles' WR1, catching 26 of his 41 targets for 310 yards and two touchdowns in only four games played.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Philadelphia Eagles

Nov 5, 2026, 6:01 PM ET

Kansas City Chiefs veteran tight end Travis Kelce (ankle) upgraded to a full practice on Thursday, according to Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star. Kelce should be fine to play in the Week 9 contest on Sunday against the visiting New York Jets after being limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. The 37-year-old future Hall of Famer has not been turning heads with his production so far in what could be his last year in the NFL, but he has quietly led the team in receptions and receiving yards in each of the last two weeks, both losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos. Kelce has caught nine of his 15 targets over that span for 111 yards and a touchdown, and he will remain at least a low-end TE1 option for fantasy managers as the Chiefs look to get back in the win column at home against the Jets this weekend. Overall, through eight weeks (seven games), Kelce has caught 29 passes for 410 yards and two touchdowns on 42 targets. The 11-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro continues to be a reliable safety valve for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Kansas City Star - Pete Sweeney

Nov 5, 2026, 6:00 PM ET

New York Rangers defenseman Sean Durzi (undisclosed) will sit out a third straight contest on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Before the game, the Rangers placed Durzi on Injured Reserve, retroactive to Oct. 26, when he last played. Durzi's absence is felt all over the ice, as he has five points (two goals, three assists), 12 SOG, 21 blocks, and nine hits in 14 games this season. Scott Morrow has done a solid job filling in, recording one assist, five SOG, one block, and a plus-three rating in two appearances. With the Flyers struggling this season, he has some fantasy appeal Thursday.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Nov 5, 2026, 5:53 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb dismissed the idea of trading fellow wideout George Pickens on Thursday, according to Nick Harris of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I don't know why that's a thing. Everything I've been able to accomplish is because of him and what he's done the year before, and vice versa. And everything I've accomplished the year before, he exposed them. We take what the defense is giving us. I feel like that's where we go hand in hand while I'm able to do what I'm doing at a great pace," Lamb said. It is a thing because Pickens is currently on the franchise tag, and he is not under contract with the organization beyond this season. The Cowboys continue to say that they are interested in keeping the 25-year-old around beyond this year, but they were unable to agree to a long-term extension before the deadline to do so in mid-July. The former second-rounder had a career year in 2025 in his first year with the team, with a 93-1,429-9 line in 17 games. Pickens has taken a back seat to Lamb through eight weeks in 2026, but he has remained involved with 39 catches on 62 targets for 533 yards and two scores. Pickens and Lamb make for one of the best WR duos in the league, yet the Cowboys as a team continue to struggle. Getting out from under the shadow of Lamb could be ideal for Pickens from a fantasy perspective, but the grass won't necessarily be greener if he were to be traded.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris

Nov 5, 2026, 5:49 PM ET

St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (upper body) will re-enter the lineup Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The Blues have been without him for two games. Theo Lindstein will head to the press box as a healthy scratch to make room for Parayko. Last season, Parayko's offensive numbers dipped sharply, and they haven't improved in 2026-27. In 13 games, he has no goals and four assists. Defensively, Parayko has averaged two blocks per game while delivering nine hits. The 33-year-old will join Justin Barron on the second defensive pairing. With no power-play duty, Parayko isn't expected to be a major fantasy factor in the matchup against New Jersey.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Nov 5, 2026, 5:43 PM ET

Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said that rookie quarterback Carson Beck has prepared well and continues to make progress in his development, according to Bo Brack of PHNX Sports. "We'll find out whenever he goes in," Hackett said. The 24-year-old third-rounder from the University of Miami is now Arizona's backup behind veteran Gardner Minshew II after the Cardinals traded Jacoby Brissett to the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday. Beck will be on the active game-day roster for the first time in his career in the Week 9 divisional battle against the Seattle Seahawks this weekend, and it would not be a surprise to see him making starts before the end of the 2026 season. Minshew is not the long-term answer for the organization, so if the Cardinals continue to struggle, Beck could be an option to become the starter sooner rather than later. For fantasy purposes, Beck is still best served as a dynasty/keeper-league stash.--Keith Hernandez
Source: PHNX Sports - Bo Brack

Nov 5, 2026, 5:41 PM ET

Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson (lower body) won't dress for Thursday's contest against the Vegas Golden Knights. The oft-injured netminder was hurt in Tuesday's loss to Tampa Bay. Detroit considers him day-to-day. Given Daniil Tarasov's early-season form, Gibson's absence might not be bad news for the Red Wings. Tarasov has a 2-1-2 record, a 1.74 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage, and one shutout. On Thursday, Tarasov faces a tough matchup against a team that has averaged 3.35 goals per game and boasts a 29.4 power-play percentage.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Nov 5, 2026, 5:36 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) was absent from the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Samuel also missed practice on Wednesday and is unlikely to return from a hamstring injury in Week 9 against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday despite having last week's bye to rest up. The 30-year-old veteran has not practiced or played since suffering a hamstring injury in the Week 5 win over the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, and fantasy managers should not expect him to return this weekend. The next chance that Samuel will be able to return will be in Week 10 on the road against the Dallas Cowboys. With fellow wideout Mike Evans (Achilles, ribs) also expected to miss Week 9, San Francisco will be down to Jordan Watkins, Brandin Cooks, and Jacob Cowing at the WR position. Veteran Christian Kirk also missed Thursday's practice with a knee injury after he was limited on Wednesday.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner

Nov 5, 2026, 5:33 PM ET

Dallas Stars forward Sam Steel (personal) will miss his third game of the season on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. After skipping a pair of games last month with an undisclosed injury, Steel will be absent on Thursday for personal reasons. The 28-year-old had a strong start to the season, but his form faded quickly. In 13 games, Steel has recorded one goal and two assists. Colin Blackwell will replace Steel in the lineup, joining David Perron and Radek Faksa on the fourth line. While this is a strong-looking line, the trio is unlikely to make a significant impact against Columbus.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Nov 5, 2026, 5:26 PM ET

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (upper body) has been officially ruled out for Thursday's meeting with the Columbus Blue Jackets. On Wednesday, the Stars announced Heiskanen was day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan said Heiskanen is "truly day-to-day," so might be ready to return for the next matchup on Saturday against San Jose. Trey Taylor is expected to replace Heiskanen in the lineup, but he has no fantasy value. Instead, managers should focus on Thomas Harley, who will move to the first defensive pairing and the top power-play unit.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Nov 5, 2026, 5:20 PM ET

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (lower body) will return from a one-game absence on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. He didn't play in Tuesday's loss to Vegas due to a lower-body injury. Even at 40, Malkin has continued to perform well in 2026-27, registering 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 13 games. He has two multi-point games in his last three outings. Malkin will skate alongside Egor Chinakhov and Benjamin Kindel on the second line and bolster the second power-play unit. Andrei Kuzmenko will be scratched to make room for his compatriot.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Nov 5, 2026, 5:11 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles, ribs) was not seen participating in the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Despite the 49ers coming off their bye in Week 8, they are not expected to have either Evans or Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) for their Week 9 contest on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 33-year-old Evans was also a non-participant in Wednesday's practice. Fantasy managers should move him to their bench now in anticipation of him sitting out another game this weekend. With both Evans and Samuel sidelined again, tight end George Kittle will continue to have a high fantasy ceiling and floor as quarterback Brock Purdy's most trusted weapon. Evans has seemingly been battling various injuries since training camp back in the summer, but when on the field, he has been electric for the Niners in his first year with the team, catching 27 passes for 420 yards and three touchdowns in six games. His next chance to return will come in Week 10 on Sunday, Nov. 15, for a showdown in Dallas against the Cowboys.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner

Nov 5, 2026, 5:10 PM ET

Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki (hand) will rejoin the lineup on Thursday against the Utah Mammoth. He has missed six games with a hand injury. The reigning Norris Trophy winner has started the season strongly, recording 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in nine outings. Only two teams have kept Suzuki off the score sheet. The Canadiens will also have Kirby Dach (illness) back after a two-game absence. The offensive reinforcements mean Alex Newhook and Oliver Kapanen have less fantasy appeal.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com