October 16, 2025
Carolina Panthers wide receiver
Jalen Coker (quad) practiced in full for the second straight day on Thursday. The 23-year-old was placed on Injured Reserve before the start of the season and has yet to play in 2025. However, it appears as though Coker is trending towards making his season debut in Week 7 against the New York Jets. Across 11 games in 2024, Coker recorded 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns on 46 targets. Upon his return, he should compete with Panthers wideout
Xavier Legette for WR2 status alongside
Tetairoa McMillan. Coker may be eased into the lineup after his extended absence, which makes him tough for fantasy managers to trust in Week 7. Still, he's a name to monitor in deep leagues.
--Will BradySource: Carolina Panthers
October 16, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said the team is expecting wide receiver
Jakobi Meyers (knee, toe) to be back at practice on Thursday after missing practice on Wednesday, per ESPN's Ryan McFadden. Meyers may be limited on Thursday, but his return is a positive sign for his availability in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 28-year-old has recorded 29 catches for 329 yards on 43 targets through six games this season. However, he's yet to record a touchdown and has not cracked four receptions or 40 receiving yards in a game since Week 3. If Meyers were unable to go in Week 7, Raiders wideouts
Tre Tucker and
Jack Bech would likely see an uptick in targets. Assuming Meyers can play, he profiles as a solid WR3/flex option against Kansas City.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Ryan McFadden
October 16, 2025
Carolina Panthers tight end
Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) was upgraded from a limited participant in Wednesday's practice to a full participant on Thursday, suggesting that he's on the right track to return for a Week 7 tilt against the New York Jets. As long as the 22-year-old doesn't suffer a setback with his high-ankle sprain in Friday's practice, he'll have a good shot to put an end to his three-game absence. If Sanders is back out on the field this Sunday at MetLife Stadium, he should operate as Carolina's top pass-catching tight end, moving
Tommy Tremble back into a blocking role. The Jets have allowed a league-high six touchdowns to the TE position this year, too, which would put Sanders immediately onto the TE2 streaming radar if he makes his return. Before his ankle injury, Sanders caught 11 of 14 targets for 92 yards and no touchdowns in three games.
--Keith HernandezSource: Panthers.com
October 16, 2025
When asked about running back
Kenneth Walker III potentially earning more snaps due to his effectiveness this year relative to
Zach Charbonnet, head coach Mike McDonald said that the team takes statistics into account, but they have a plan for their RB usage. McDonald added that both Walker and Charbonnet are playing "high-level football," and they will continue to use both backs. Seattle's running game has been a disappointment through six weeks, but the 24-year-old Walker has been more efficient with his touches than Charb has been. Walker had only 10 carries for 34 yards in the Week 6 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, though, adding one catch for three yards. Before that, Walker had gone over 80 rushing yards in two straight games. Fantasy managers should expect a similar backfield split moving forward as the Seahawks look to keep the oft-injured Walker healthy.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Michael-Shawn Dugar
October 16, 2025
Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Calvin Ridley (hamstring) was not seen at practice on Thursday, according to Turron Davenport of ESPN. It will be Ridley's second straight missed practice this week after he came down with a hamstring injury in the Week 6 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Unless he can practice on Friday, Ridley will most likely be ruled out for the Week 7 tilt against the New England Patriots on Sunday. With Ridley trending towards an inactive this weekend, rookie
Elic Ayomanor is trending up as a fantasy flex play in Week 7. In addition to Ayomanor, veteran
Van Jefferson and tight ends Chig Okonwko and
Gunnar Helm should be more involved in the passing attack if Ridley is officially inactive. Ridley has not shown much chemistry with rookie quarterback
Cameron Ward so far in 2025 and could have to wait until Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts to try for his first touchdown of the season.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Turron Davenport
October 16, 2025
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said that the team is "still confident" in rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt despite his ball-security issues, according to Tashan Reed of The Washington Post. Croskey-Merritt was unable to keep the momentum he had coming out of a breakout game in the Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, as he had 61 rushing yards on 17 carries and caught one pass for seven yards in the Monday night loss to the Chicago Bears. The 24-year-old also had a crucial fumble early in the game that led to a Bears touchdown. With
Austin Ekeler (Achilles) out for the season, JCM isn't going anywhere in Washington's backfield and is clearly a better lead-back option than both
Chris Rodriguez Jr. and
Jeremy McNichols. Croskey-Merritt should maintain heavy volume in a plus matchup in Week 7 and is ripe for a bounce-back performance against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Washington Post - Tashan Reed
October 16, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) was not at the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, according to The Athletic's Ben Standig. Samuel was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice as well, so this puts his availability firmly up in the air for the Week 7 game this Sunday against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. The 29-year-old was questionable leading up to the Monday night loss to the Chicago Bears, too, although he suited up. Samuel played 70% of the offensive snaps, but he didn't look right, and caught only four passes for 15 yards in the one-point loss. With
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) potentially missing a fourth straight game, Washington could be looking at
Luke McCaffrey and rookie
Jaylin Lane leading their WR corps against Dallas if Samuel cannot play. Samuel may need to get in some practice on Friday to avoid being ruled out entirely this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ben Standig
October 16, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) was not seen on the practice field on Thursday during the portion open to the media, according to Ben Standig of The Athletic. McLaurin returned to a limited practice on Wednesday for the first time since injuring his quad in Week 3, but a downgrade to a DNP reminds us that he's not a lock to return in Week 7 against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, even if it's just a maintenance day. Additionally, it appears fellow wideout
Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) is missing a second straight practice, so there are some concerns about Washington's WR depth heading into the weekend. The team also placed
Noah Brown (groin, knee) on Injured Reserve this weeek. At best, McLaurin will likely be questionable heading into Sunday's game, and he could has his snaps monitored if he puts an end to a three-game absence. McLaurin's Friday status will be crucial.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ben Standig
October 16, 2025
ESPN's Sarah Barshop reports that Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Puka Nacua (ankle) was not seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday. Head coach Sean McVay called Nacua day-to-day earlier this week after he injured his ankle in the Week 6 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Still, a second straight missed practice this week suggests that the Rams are leaning toward holding the star pass-catcher out of Sunday's game in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It makes sense for L.A., with its bye coming in Week 8. Nacua has one more day to get back on the field on Friday, but all signs are pointing to the Rams keeping him out until they play again in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. Fantasy managers should already be thinking about who to replace Nacua with in their lineups in Week 7.
Davante Adams will operate as the WR1 if Nacua is inactive, with
Jordan Whittington and
Tutu Atwell (hamstring) also starting in three-wide sets.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
October 16, 2025
Cleveland Browns tight end
David Njoku (knee) is not on the practice field for Thursday's session, according to Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. Njoku injured his knee in the Week 6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday and has now missed the first two practices this week, putting him on track to miss Sunday's Week 7 contest versus the Miami Dolphins. He will need to get back on the practice field on Friday to have any chance of playing this weekend. Njoku hasn't been a strong TE1 play in 2025 in fantasy football because of the presence of impressive rookie TE
Harold Fannin Jr. Even though the 29-year-old's injury doesn't appear to be a serious one, he could miss at least one week. If he does not suit up on Sunday, his next chance to play would come in Week 8 against the New England Patriots. Fannin will be a clear TE1 asset for fantasy managers against Miami if Njoku sits.
--Keith HernandezSource: Akron Beacon Journal - Chris Easterling
October 16, 2025
Carolina Panthers running back
Chuba Hubbard (calf), who has missed the last two games due to a calf injury, said on Wednesday that he expects to play on Sunday when the team travels to New York to take on the Jets, according to David Newton of ESPN. Hubard was limited in Wednesday's practice but was in full pads on Thursday. The 26-year-old was the Panthers' clear RB1 before his calf injury, but during his two-game absence,
Rico Dowdle exploded on the scene to go for 400-plus scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 60 touches for Carolina. Dowdle has surely earned a bigger piece of the backfield pie, even with Hubbard potentially returning in Week 7, but the coaching staff would not commit to Dowdle starting this weekend. If Hubbard indeed returns against the Jets, the Panthers could look to split the backfield evenly, making it tougher for both RBs to hit their true ceilings.
UPDATE: Hubbard was limited in practice again on Thursday.--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - David Newton
October 16, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson (back, hip), who was listed as questionable for Thursday Night Football against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7, is not expected to play, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Hendrickson wanted to play, but it doesn't appear he will on a short turnaround after tweaking his back in the Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He is hopeful that he will return in Week 8 against the New York Jets. Cincy's already weak defense will be in a dire situation on a short week without Hendrickson available to put pressure on veteran quarterback
Aaron Rodgers. Hendrickson's likely absence is definitely good news for anyone streaming Rodgers this week. With the 30-year-old most likely inactive on Thursday, the Bengals will hope that rookie first-rounder Shemar Stewart can pick up the pass-rushing slack.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
October 16, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver
Tez Johnson has been trending up the last two weeks with five receptions, 104 yards, and a touchdown on seven targets with
Mike Evans (hamstring) and
Chris Godwin (leg) sidelined. Fellow rookie receiver
Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) was also injured in the Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Although Johnson only caught one pass (on three targets) on Sunday, he played a season-high 72% of the offensive snaps and made his one reception count with a 45-yard touchdown, his first in the NFL. Evans could return on Monday against the Detroit Lions for the first time since straining his hamstring, but Egbuka and Godwin are expected to be inactive. It means that the speedy 23-year-old Johnson could feature more again in Tampa's pass-heavy offense as a deep threat for quarterback
Baker Mayfield against a depleted Lions secondary. Johnson is setting up as a boom/bust flex option in Week 7 in deeper fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
October 16, 2025
Not only did Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver
Luther Burden III see his largest workload in Monday night's win over the Washington Commanders, but he could see even more involvement moving forward with teammate
DJ Moore (groin) injured. Burden saw a season-high four targets in Week 6, catching all four for 51 yards in the 25-24 victory over Washington. Moore injured his groin during the game and was taken to a local hospital for overnight observation before missing Wednesday's practice. If Moore is unable to play this weekend against the New Orleans Saints, Burden would become Chicago's clear No. 2 passing target behind
Rome Odunze in a plus matchup. The 21-year-old has been inconsistent in his first NFL season, but the upside is obvious after he caught three passes for 101 yards and his first touchdown on Sept. 21 against the Dallas Cowboys.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
October 16, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Josh Downs (concussion) is missing a second straight practice this week on Thursday due to a concussion he suffered in the Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. In addition to Downs, fellow receiver
Ashton Dulin (chest) is missing a second straight practice, which means that Indy's WR corps could be thin this weekend on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers. If both Downs and Dulin are not cleared by Sunday,
Adonai Mitchell, who was a healthy scratch last Sunday, will probably be active again.
Alec Pierce would also be elevated to the No. 2 role behind
Michael Pittman Jr. Downs and Dulin have one more day to return to practice, but right now, it's not looking good for their Week 7 statuses. Pierce would be in play as a WR4/flex option in starting fantasy lineups if Downs is inactive.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - James Boyd
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