October 22, 2025
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver
Josh Downs (head) remains in the league's concussion protocol, but he will practice on Wednesday, according to Jake Arthur of Locked on Colts. Downs suffered a concussion in Week 6 and was unable to suit up in Sunday's victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He appears to be making progress through the league's protocols for head injuries, and his return to practice on Wednesday is a good sign. Downs will most likely be limited in Wednesday's practice, though, and he will need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist later in the week to play in Week 8 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. When healthy, Downs has served as the team's WR2 behind
Michael Pittman Jr. If Downs can play this Sunday, it would make
Alec Pierce less attractive as a flex play after his big performance against the Bolts.
UPDATE: Downs was officially limited in Wednesday's practice.--Keith HernandezSource: Locked On Colts - Jake Arthur
October 22, 2025
Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Malik Washington has been one of the least efficient pass-catchers in the NFL so far this season, recording 21 catches on 33 targets for just 99 yards. Still, Washington saw a season-high eight targets in Week 7 and has earned at least five targets in all three games since the Dolphins lost wide receiver
Tyreek Hill (knee) to a season-ending knee injury. With tight end
Darren Waller (pectoral) considered week-to-week with a pectoral strain, there's a chance that Washington is Miami's number three option in the passing game behind wide receiver
Jaylen Waddle and running back
De'Von Achane in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons. Washington also brings some potential for fantasy production as a rusher, as he's logged nine carries for 61 yards this season. It will be tough for fantasy managers to trust Washington as a starter until he shows some ability to be efficient with his touches. Still, he may be worth rostering in deep leagues given his recent uptick in usage and the opportunity for targets that exists in Miami.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Washington Commanders tight end
Zach Ertz has been a steady contributor this season, recording 23 catches for 229 yards and four touchdowns across seven games. Ertz's role has expanded over the last two weeks, as he's recorded nine catches for 80 yards and two scores on 13 targets. The Commanders are dealing with injuries to wide receivers
Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel),
Terry McLaurin (quad), and
Noah Brown (groin, knee), which have aided Ertz's recent production. Washington will definitely be without Brown and could once again be without Samuel Sr. and McLaurin in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, so Ertz could be set for another game with a featured role. It's worth noting that all four of Ertz's touchdown catches this season have come in games started by Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels (hamstring), whose status for Week 8 is unclear. Still, Ertz profiles as a high-floor low-end starting tight end option for fantasy managers in Week 8.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Isiah Pacheco has had an underwhelming season so far in 2025, recording 314 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 77 total touches through his first seven games. However, there may be reason to believe that the 26-year-old is trending upwards. Pacheco has at least 12 carries and 51 rushing yards in each of his last two games. Additionally, the Chiefs' offense is getting healthier and has averaged 31.5 points per game over the last four weeks, which means Pacheco should see more red zone opportunities going forward. Kansas City will likely continue to split backfield work between Pacheco,
Kareem Hunt, and
Brashard Smith, which limits Pacheco's upside. Still, Pacheco has been stealing early-down work away from Hunt in recent weeks and has a higher upside in both real life and fantasy. Pacheco could be a good buy-low candidate for fantasy managers and profiles as a low-end RB2 heading into a Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Alec Pierce earned a career-high 10 targets in his team's Week 7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, hauling in five catches for 98 yards. Pierce missed two games due to a concussion earlier this season, but he's been productive when healthy this season. Across five games, the 25-year-old has recorded 16 catches for 317 yards on 27 targets. Perhaps most encouragingly, Pierce has played at least 81% of the Colts' offensive snaps in both games since returning from the concussion. Part of the reason for his target spike in Week 7 was the absence of Colts wideout
Josh Downs (concussion). When all three of Downs, wide receiver
Michael Pittman Jr., and tight end
Tyler Warren are healthy, it may be difficult for Pierce to see consistent target volume. However, given Pierce's big-play ability (career 17.8 yards per reception), he can post big weeks without seeing a huge target share. Pierce profiles as a boom/bust WR4/flex option for fantasy managers heading into a Week 8 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Since taking over as his team's starter in Week 4, New York Giants rookie quarterback
Jaxson Dart has flashed significant fantasy upside. In four starts, the 22-year-old has completed 60.2% of his pass attempts for 791 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. Perhaps most encouragingly, Dart has rushed for 178 yards and three scores on 37 attempts so far this season. Dart's ability to use his legs appears to be a feature of his game, as he's rushed for at least 50 yards or a touchdown in three out of four starts. Dart profiles as a low-end starter in single-quarterback formats and a must-start player in two-quarterback formats heading into a Week 8 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Cleveland Browns tight end
David Njoku (knee) will return to practice on Wednesday from the knee injury that sidelined him for the team's Week 7 win over the Miami Dolphins, per The Athletic's Zac Jackson. Additionally, Jackson reports that Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said he is "hopeful" that Njoku will play in Week 8 against the New England Patriots. The 29-year-old recorded 23 catches for 223 yards and a touchdown on 36 targets across six games before getting injured. If Njoku returns, he would likely eat into the workload for Browns rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr., who earned a team-high five targets in Njoku's absence in Week 7. As long as Njoku and Fannin Jr. are splitting snaps in Cleveland, both players are hard for fantasy managers to trust for anything beyond low-end starter production.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
October 22, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Romeo Doubs has performed as the team's clear WR1 to open the 2025 season. Through six games, he's caught 24 of 36 targets for 306 yards and four touchdowns, ranking as the WR25 on a per-game basis. With
Christian Watson and
Jayden Reed sidelined and rookie
Matthew Golden still being eased into the offense, Doubs has capitalized on the increased opportunity. The Packers face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. The Steelers' secondary has been shredded by top targets like Ja'Marr Chase,
Justin Jefferson, and
Garrett Wilson. While Doubs isn't on that tier, he remains a strong fantasy start and a potential top 20 option for Week 8.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 22, 2025
Denver Broncos tight end
Evan Engram is trending upward after logging his highest snap share of the 2025 season in Week 7. Against his former team, the New York Giants, Engram drew eight targets, catching five passes for 42 yards in the Broncos' thrilling comeback victory. Engram played 54% of the offensive snaps, while
Adam Trautman saw his lowest mark of the season (33%). While the game script could've played a role, it's encouraging to see Engram finally leading the tight end rotation. Heading into Week 8, Engram faces a struggling Dallas Cowboys defense that's allowed consistent production to tight ends. Though still a bit risky due to snap volatility, Engram is a solid streaming option and a potential solid fill-in for fantasy managers this week.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 22, 2025
New York Jets running back
Isaiah Davis could quietly become a factor down the stretch of the 2025 season. So far, Davis has logged 10 carries for 44 yards and added nine receptions for 73 yards through the air. With
Braelon Allen (knee) sidelined after undergoing surgery, Davis stepped in as the RB2, playing 39% of the snaps in his absence. Now, with trade rumors swirling around
Breece Hall, Davis' role could expand even further. The winless Jets (0-7) may look to move Hall, who's in the final year of his contract. If that happens, Davis could find himself in line for a much larger workload. Even if New York brings in another back, Davis' fantasy value is on the rise. The Jets face the Cincinnati Bengals, who currently rank as the worst run defense in the NFL, making Week 8 a key opportunity to see how Davis performs with limited touches.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 22, 2025
Baltimore Ravens running back
Justice Hill has seen consistent involvement to start the 2025 season. Through six games, he's logged 15 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown, while adding 18 receptions for 144 yards and another score. Hill and
Derrick Henry have operated in a near-even timeshare, with Henry playing 54% of snaps and Hill at 45%. However, with
Lamar Jackson returning to the lineup, that balance could shift. In Baltimore's five losses in 2024, Henry has averaged 14.8 carries per game, compared to 20.9 carries in their wins. Hill is heavily used as a receiver in this Ravens' offense, so when the Ravens lead games, they rely on their 6'3, 250-pound running back to take over. With a healthier roster and a favorable upcoming schedule, expect Hill's usage and snap share to decline as the Ravens put more on Henry's plate.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 22, 2025
Carolina Panthers quarterback
Andy Dalton appears to be trending toward a Week 8 start against the Buffalo Bills, with starter
Bryce Young sidelined by a high-ankle sprain. The veteran is expected to step in for his seventh start as a Panther. Across his six previous starts with Carolina, Dalton has averaged 225 passing yards per game, throwing nine touchdowns and six interceptions. When Dalton entered the game last week in New York,
Xavier Legette immediately benefited, hauling in four of five targets for 60 yards and serving as the only Panthers wideout to record a reception from Dalton. The chemistry between the two could carry over into this week's matchup against a struggling Bills defense that has given up big performances to
Drake London and
Stefon Diggs in back-to-back weeks. While Dalton remains a risky fantasy start in both 1-QB and Superflex formats, his presence should boost the fantasy outlooks of playmakers like
Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette, both of whom are strong starting options in Week 8.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 22, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) will need to be able to play a game without having any restrictions or setbacks before returning, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. McCarthy has been working his way back from a high-ankle sprain that he suffered back in Week 2 against the Falcons and is "just not there" to be ready on a short week against the Chargers in Week 8. Veteran
Carson Wentz will make his fifth start of the season while McCarthy works through some of the final stages of his rehab. The 22-year-old will again serve as the emergency QB3 behind
Max Brosmer on Thursday night before hopefully returning as Minnesota's starter in Week 9 against the Lions.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Kevin Seifert
October 22, 2025
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson has solidified himself as the clear workhorse in the backfield. Through seven games, Stevenson has totaled 69 carries for 245 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 15 receptions for 154 yards through the air. He showcased his trademark power running style in Week 7, rumbling for 88 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries against the Tennessee Titans. Many expected rookie
TreVeyon Henderson to see an expanded role following
Antonio Gibson's season-ending knee injury, but that hasn't materialized. Over the last two games, Stevenson has dominated the workload, playing 77% of the snaps, compared to Henderson's 15%. While Stevenson remains the lead back, fantasy managers should still proceed with caution, as any given week could feature a change in the backfield rotation, especially with the team's second-round investment in Henderson. For Week 8, Stevenson projects as a high-end RB3 against the Cleveland Browns, who boast one of the toughest run defenses in the league.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 22, 2025
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Marvin Mims Jr. had his best game of the season in the team's wild comeback win over the Giants in Week 7, catching six of his seven targets for 85 yards and adding a carry for 13 yards. Mims ran a season high 56.6% of the routes and delivered his most receiving yards in a game since Week 17 last season against the Bengals. The 23-year-old has played in a rotational role for the most part this season while also playing a key role on special teams, returning punts and kicks. Head coach Sean Payton likes to rotate his receivers, but Mims could be in line for more opportunities in a potential shootout in Week 8 against the Cowboys after his strong showing in Week 7.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
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