RADIO
Germie Bernard's Expanded Role Faces a Week 8 Test
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard has played at least 91% of the offensive snaps in each of his last three games, but his weekly targets have fluctuated from nine to 12 to five. He caught 11 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay in Week 6 before being held to three catches for 27 yards against New Orleans. That leaves him at WR27 in RotoBaller's Week 8 rankings, a viable PPR flex consideration for Sunday's home game against Cleveland. The Browns have allowed no more than 182 passing yards in any of their past three contests, and Bernard caught just two passes for 11 yards in the teams' first meeting. He played only 40% of Pittsburgh's snaps in that game, however, and his role has since changed substantially. Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (finger) remain on injured reserve, while Ben Skowronek (calf) is also inactive, keeping Bernard heavily involved in an undermanned receiving group.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jauan Jennings Blocks a Trade Back to the 49ers
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings reportedly opposed a return to the San Francisco 49ers, causing a proposed trade between the two teams to fall apart, according to Ari Meirov. The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal with Minnesota in May after spending six seasons in San Francisco, where he caught 55 passes for 643 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025. His production has dropped considerably with the Vikings, recording just four receptions for 43 yards on eight targets across five games. Jennings has struggled to establish himself in a receiving corps led by Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, prompting speculation about his future ahead of the November 10 trade deadline. While a reunion with San Francisco now appears unlikely, a move elsewhere remains possible. For fantasy managers, Jennings remains difficult to roster in standard leagues given his limited involvement in Minnesota's passing attack.
Source: Ari Meirov
Source: Ari Meirov
Is Ryan Blaney Worth Rostering for DFS at Martinsville?
Ryan Blaney of Team Penske will start in 13th for this week's race at Martinsville, the Xfinity 500. Blaney continues to miss out on a top-10 starting position at Martinsville since April 2024. In 21 Cup starts at Martinsville, Blaney has two wins, 14 top-10 finishes, and an active driver series-leading average finish of 8.0. With 34 races completed so far this year, Blaney has three wins, 22 top-10 finishes, and an average finish of 12.4. In practice for this week's race, Blaney ranked as high as 10th in 10-15 consecutive lap averages. Compared to most drivers, Blaney has more upside, great track history, and solid practice speeds. Fantasy players should consider Blaney as a favorable option in all lineups this week at Martinsville.
Source: DriverAverages.com
Source: DriverAverages.com
Joey Logano Offers DFS Appeal for Tournaments at Martinsville
Team Penske's Joey Logano qualified fifth for the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, marking his first top-five start at the site since October of 2025. In 35 Cup starts at Martinsville, Logano has one win and 23 top-10 finishes with an average finish of 10.4. Through 34 Cup races so far this season, Logano has three wins, 15 top-10 finishes, and an average finish of 15.8. In practice for Sunday's race, Logano ranked 16th in 10 consecutive lap averages and 17th in 30 consecutive lap averages. Although Logano has been a highly consistent top-10 finisher with 14 straight top-10s at Martinsville going into this week's race, he is a DFS risk based on starting position and practice speeds. Logano is best recommended for tournament lineups, but makes for a solid contrarian option in that DFS format.
Source: DriverAverages.com
Source: DriverAverages.com
Dont'e Thornton Jr. a Healthy Scratch on Sunday
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. is a healthy scratch on Sunday for the team's Week 8 road matchup against the New York Jets. Receiver Malik Benson is also a healthy scratch with Jack Bech returning from Injured Reserve this weekend. Thornton was activated from IR himself earlier this week, but he will not make his return against the Jets and finds himself as the odd man out in the Raiders' receiving corps behind Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Bech, Cody White, and Dareke Young. Unless the Raiders suffer another injury to their receiving corps, the 23-year-old Thornton could be a healthy scratch again in Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Nov. 8. The former fourth-rounder in the 2025 NFL Draft from Tennessee has yet to play a game in 2026 for Vegas after catching just 10 of his 30 targets for 135 yards and no touchdowns in 15 games (eight starts) in his first year in the NFL in a bad Raiders offense. Thornton only deserves to be stashed right now in deep dynasty/keeper leagues.
Source: Las Vegas Raiders
Source: Las Vegas Raiders
Kenny Gainwell Officially Active Against Falcons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (hip) is officially active for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The 27-year-old was listed as questionable after missing Wednesday's practice, but returned as a limited participant Thursday before logging a full session Friday. Gainwell rushed for a season-high 88 yards on 14 carries in Tampa Bay's 43-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 7. However, his increased workload came in a blowout, with starter Bucky Irving resting in the fourth quarter after rushing for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Gainwell had recorded just 19 carries through his first six games, making last week's performance an exception to his usual involvement. With Irving firmly established as Tampa Bay's lead back and Sean Tucker also available, Gainwell remains more of a deep-league insurance option than a dependable fantasy starter against Atlanta.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Christopher Bell Has Favorable Upside for Martinsville DFS Lineups
Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing will start 14th after qualifying for the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway. This will be the third race in a row at Martinsville where Bell will start in the top 15, but not inside the top 10. In 13 Cup starts at Martinsville, Bell has one win, six top-10 finishes, and an average finish of 14.2. After 34 Cup races completed this year so far, Bell has one win, 18 top-10 finishes, and an average finish of 13.8. In practice for this week's race, Bell displayed top-5 speeds in the 10-25 consecutive lap average categories. Considering his upside, positive track history, and highly favorable practice speeds, Bell is one of the top DFS options to recommend for all formats this week.
Source: DriverAverages.com
Source: DriverAverages.com
Chiefs Hope to Add a Receiver at the Trade Deadline
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Kansas City Chiefs are hoping to add a wide receiver by the Nov. 10 trade deadline, with Indianapolis Colts wideout Josh Downs and Jacksonville Jaguars pass-catcher Brian Thomas Jr. among the possible targets. Rapoport says that it is no secret that the Chiefs are looking to bolster their WR room, even with Rashee Rice returning from a hamstring injury to play in Week 8 against the division-rival Denver Broncos on Sunday. The Chiefs acquiring a receiver would be bad news for the speedy Xavier Worthy, who disappointed during Rice's two-game absence as KC's top receiving option for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Both Downs and Thomas have struggled with the Colts and Jaguars, respectively, early on in 2026, with Downs posting a 26-307-0 line and Thomas recording only nine catches for 105 yards and one touchdown as Jacksonville's WR3. Rice has also left a lot to be desired after having a minor knee procedure in the offseason, as he heads into Week 8 action with only 13 receptions for 190 yards and one score on 17 targets across four games played.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Should Fantasy Managers Roster Chase Briscoe for Martinsville Lineups?
Joe Gibbs Racing's Chase Briscoe will start in 11th for the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway. In 11 Cup races at Martinsville, Briscoe has six top-10 finishes with an average finish of 14.6. Through 34 races completed in the 2026 season, Briscoe has three wins, 18 top-10 finishes, and an average finish of 14.4. In practice for this week's race, Briscoe ranked eighth in 10 consecutive lap averages and 11th in 20 consecutive lap averages. Based on his practice speeds and overall track history, Briscoe is a top-10 contender worth consideration for all DFS formats this week at Martinsville.
Source: DriverAverages.com
Source: DriverAverages.com
Jonah Coleman Faces Workload Questions Despite Week 8 Opportunity
Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman has a better opportunity to contribute in Sunday's rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs than he did in Week 1, when he did not record a carry. RJ Harvey (knee) was limited Thursday, did not practice Friday, and was ruled out before Denver placed him on injured reserve Saturday. Coleman led the Broncos' backfield in snaps upon returning from an ankle injury in Week 7, rushing nine times for 54 yards and catching two passes for 15 yards against Arizona. He also produced 58 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 13 touches when Harvey missed Week 2. Coleman sits at RB26 in RotoBaller's Week 8 rankings, putting him in the flex conversation for 12-team leagues. However, J.K. Dobbins remains involved and handled Denver's one-yard touchdown carry against Arizona last week. Kansas City also allowed 100 rushing yards to Emanuel Wilson in Week 7, although he needed 24 carries to reach that total. Coleman's expanded opportunities are encouraging, but his workload and goal-line involvement remain uncertain.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Could Ty Gibbs Be A Martinsville Contender for the Win?
Ty Gibbs will start on the front row for the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway after qualifying second on Saturday. This is the third time that Gibbs will start in the second position at Martinsville, but he has never scored the pole position at the site in his Cup career. In eight Cup races at Martinsville, Gibbs has one top-5 finish, but it was earlier this season at the site where he finished in fourth. He also has an average finish of 16.9 in his Cup career at Martinsville. In 34 races so far this year, Gibbs has two wins, 19 top-10 finishes, and an average finish of 13.0. During Saturday's practice, Gibbs ranked as high as fourth in 10-20 consecutive lap averages while ranking fifth in 25 consecutive lap averages and eighth in 30 consecutive lap averages. Due to his starting position at the front, Gibbs has the potential to be a dominator early on and also compete for the win based on his fast practice speeds.
Source: DriverAverages.com
Source: DriverAverages.com
Calvin Ridley Officially Active Against the Bengals
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (hip) is officially active for the Week 8 game on Sunday on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Jim Wyatt of the team's official website. Ridley will return from a one-game absence due to a hip injury, and he should have an expanded role in the Titans' passing game on Sunday in what should be a favorable game script, with rookie first-round wideout Carnell Tate sidelined with a shoulder injury. Ridley's return on Sunday is bad news for any fantasy managers using Elic Ayomanor as a flex play in Week 8 with Tate ruled out. The 31-year-old Ridley has not been a very active member of Tennessee's offense when he has been healthy this year, though, catching only five passes on 10 targets for 81 yards without a touchdown. Ridley will play against the Bengals, but he still is not a recommended starting option in fantasy football lineups. RotoBaller has Ridley ranked as the No. 75 receiver this weekend, even with Tate sidelined.
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
Jordyn Tyson Could Make NFL Debut in Week 9
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) could make his NFL debut in Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The rookie first-round pick has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury during an August joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Schefter reports that Tyson is nearing a return, even if he isn't ready for the November 8 matchup. The Saints have a Week 8 bye, giving the eighth overall pick additional recovery time. General manager Mickey Loomis said on October 21 that Tyson would not practice that week, making his potential return to the field an important development. Chris Olave has led New Orleans' receiving corps, while Devaughn Vele has caught 33 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns through seven games. Tyson could eventually challenge Vele for opportunities behind Olave, although the rookie's extended absence creates uncertainty about his immediate involvement. He remains worth stashing in fantasy leagues ahead of his anticipated debut.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Jakobi Meyers active Sunday vs. Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (hamstring) is officially active for Sunday's divisional matchup against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8, according to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. Meyers was questionable to play this weekend after missing Friday's practice, but the 29-year-old will suit up for a good matchup. It is bad news as Brian Thomas Jr. looks to get more involved to make himself more attractive before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. Meyers comes out of Jacksonville's Week 7 bye with 20 catches on 28 targets for 285 yards and two touchdowns in his first six games of his first full season with the Jaguars. Meyers is coming off a strong game in the team's last contest in London against the division-rival Houston Texans in Week 6, when he caught five of a season-high 10 targets for a season-high 83 yards, but he has not found the end zone since a Week 3 win over the New England Patriots. The former undrafted free agent from NC State found the end zone twice in the first two weeks of the 2026 campaign and will try to find paydirt for the third time against the floundering Colts. RotoBaller has Meyers ranked as a WR3/flex option in Week 8.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Should Fantasy Managers Roster William Byron at Martinsville?
Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron will start eighth for this week's race at Martinsville Speedway, the Xfinity 500. It will be the fifth consecutive Martinsville race with a top-10 starting position for Byron. In 17 Cup races at Martinsville, Byron has three wins, 10 top-10 finishes, and an average finish of 12.6. He is also the defending winner of this week's Cup race. In 34 races completed this season, Byron has 16 top-10 finishes and an average finish of 16.0. Through practice on Saturday, Byron ranked as high as 12th in 25 consecutive lap averages. With Martinsville being one of his better tracks statistically, Byron is a driver capable of placing in the top 10, especially based on equipment.
Source: DriverAverages.com
Source: DriverAverages.com
