October 15, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
DK Metcalf has found the end zone in four consecutive games and should remain a strong fantasy option against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. Though they've been more vulnerable on the ground than through the air, the Bengals have still allowed the 12th-most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts. With fellow receiver
Calvin Austin III (shoulder) set to miss a second straight contest, Metcalf should once again command a healthy target share from quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, who looked his way nine times last week. Fantasy managers who have been counting on Metcalf can confidently deploy him as a WR2 on Thursday Night Football.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
October 15, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell earned 12 opportunities in last week's win over the Cleveland Browns and should remain involved in another divisional matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. With
Jaylen Warren handling RB1 duties, Gainwell can't expect a heavy workload, but he could still make some noise for fantasy purposes. Cincinnati has struggled to contain opposing running backs both on the ground and through the air this season, surrendering the most fantasy points per game to the position. Gainwell doesn't need to be rostered in all redraft leagues, but he's a viable flex option in a pinch on Thursday night.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
October 15, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Jaylen Warren returned from a knee injury in Week 6 and is set to be heavily featured against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. Cincinnati has given up 10 total touchdowns to opposing running backs this season, tied for the most in the NFL. The Bengals have also allowed a running back to eclipse 85 scrimmage yards in every game this year. While Warren will cede some opportunities to
Kenneth Gainwell and
Kaleb Johnson, he remains the most likely of the trio to reach that mark. With his ability to contribute both on the ground and as a weapon for
Aaron Rodgers in the passing game, Warren profiles as an RB2 with plenty of upside on Thursday night.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
October 15, 2025
San Francisco 49ers tight end
George Kittle (hamstring), who is still on Injured Reserve, returned to a limited practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers have designated Kittle to return from IR, which means they now have 21 days to officially activate him to return him to their 53-man active roster. It gives the 32-year-old Pro Bowl tight end a chance to return for a Week 7 date on Sunday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons, but it doesn't mean it will actually happen. Fantasy managers are surely itching to get Kittle back into their starting lineups, but he's firmly up in the air to play this week. The 49ers would have to activate Kittle from IR by Saturday if they intend to play him on Sunday night. Kittle is a no-doubt TE1 in fantasy when he's active. If the Niners decide to wait another week to activate him,
Jake Tonges would continue to have TE2 streaming appeal for one more week.
--Keith HernandezSource: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
October 15, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers has played turnover-free football over his past two games and is primed for another solid showing against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night. Cincinnati's defense has struggled this season, allowing the second-most passing yards and 11th-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Although he'll once again be without wide receiver
Calvin Austin III (shoulder), Rodgers has developed strong chemistry with
DK Metcalf while also finding success targeting his tight ends and running backs. The 41-year-old is likely available in most single-QB formats but can be streamed as a solid option in this divisional clash.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
October 15, 2025
San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy (toe) put in a limited practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers are hoping that Purdy can put in more work at practice this week, which could potentially give him a chance to return to starting duties in Week 7 on Sunday Night Football against an improved Atlanta Falcons defense. Purdy suffered a turf-toe injury in Week 1 and missed Weeks 2 and 3. He then aggravated his toe injury in his return in Week 4 and hasn't played since. Backup
Mac Jones (knee, oblique) has played well in Purdy's absence, but there's no question that Purdy is San Fran's starter when healthy. Purdy will likely need to put in a full practice to avoid a questionable tag this week. If he's able to return, he could be getting star tight end
George Kittle (hamstring) back from Injured Reserve, too. In his two starts, Purdy has averaged 24.2 fantasy points, which ranks fourth among all QBs in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
October 15, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion) remains in the league's concussion protocol, but he was listed as limited for the team's walk-through practice on Wednesday, according to Zach Gershman of AZCardinals.com. Harrison's status for the Week 7 contest against the visiting Green Bay Packers on Sunday is up in the air after he suffered a concussion in the Week 6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. It's a good sign that he was on the practice field on Wednesday, but the second-year pass-catcher will need to gain clearance from the league's concussion protocol later this week to play on Sunday. Arizona's WR corps is banged up right now, with
Zay Jones (knee) missing practice, and
Michael Wilson (foot) being limited. If Harrison gets the green light to play, he could be working with backup quarterback
Jacoby Brissett for a second straight game, with
Kyler Murray dealing with a mid-foot sprain.
--Keith HernandezSource: AZCardinals.com - Zach Gershman
October 15, 2025
Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt has been upgraded to probable in front of Arizona State's clash with No. 7 Texas Tech in Tempe on Saturday afternoon. Leavitt missed Arizona State's blowout loss to Utah with a lower body injury that he suffered against Baylor on September 20. Arizona State is 4-1 this season with Leavitt as the starter. He has thrown for 1,039 yards while completing 63.1% of his passes for six touchdowns and an interception. Leavitt also has 281 rushing yards in 2025 and has already tied a career high with five rushing touchdowns.
--Mike Marteny - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel on X
October 15, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
CeeDee Lamb (ankle) was officially limited in his return to the practice field on Wednesday, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Fellow wideout
KaVontae Turpin (foot) also returned to a limited practice after missing the last two games. Lamb is practicing for the first time since suffering a high-ankle sprain in the Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears. While the 26-year-old is making progress, he's not a lock to return this Sunday to face the division-rival Washington Commanders. With that said, the Cowboys are saying there is a "good chance" that the star pass-catcher will be back this weekend. Fantasy managers would love to see Lamb put in a full practice on Thursday or Friday. As long as Lamb's workload isn't limited if he returns in Week 7, he should be considered a must-start in fantasy lineups against a leaky Commanders secondary.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
October 15, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Jakobi Meyers (knee, toe) is dealing with knee and toe injuries and was not present at practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Ryan McFadden. It's unclear exactly if Meyers' two injuries will put him in danger of suiting up for a Week 7 divisional battle against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday. The 28-year-old was able to play 90% of the offensive snaps in last Sunday's victory over the Tennessee Titans, though, catching all four of his targets for 39 yards. We'd think Meyers would be fine for this weekend as long as he returns to practice on Thursday or Friday. He has not shown much chemistry with quarterback
Geno Smith this year, and his production has been disappointing in the two games that star tight end
Brock Bowers (knee) has missed. If Meyers suits up in a tough matchup against KC, he should be considered a low-ceiling WR3 in fantasy football.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
October 15, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) continues to deal with a nagging heel injury and was listed as a non-participant at the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Samuel missed a couple of practices last week as well and was listed as questionable, but he played through his heel injury in Monday night's loss to the Chicago Bears. The 29-year-old was noticeably quiet, though, catching four passes for only 15 yards while playing 70% of the offensive snaps. It remains to be seen if his troublesome heel will slow him down again in Week 7 against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, but as long as he's active, Samuel should be in starting fantasy lineups in a strong matchup. However, Samuel's fantasy ceiling will be lowered if
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) returns this weekend from a three-game absence. Samuel's status for the rest of the week also bears watching closely.
--Keith HernandezSource: Washington Commanders
October 15, 2025
New Orleans Saints running back
Alvin Kamara (ankle) is basically on a maintenance schedule for his ankle, which is why he did not take part in practice on Wednesday, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Head coach Kellen Moore said Kamara missing practice or being limited on Wednesdays won't necessarily be the case for the rest of the year, but it's the plan for right now. The 30-year-old veteran was limited in practice all of last week but still played in the Week 6 loss to the New England Patriots. Kamara played 62% of the offensive snaps and had 15 touches for 76 scrimmage yards. As long as he's able to get back to a limited practice on Thursday or Friday, Kamara should be fine to suit up this Sunday on the road in Chicago against the Bears. Although he's still the lead back in the Big Easy, Kamara has descended to RB2/3 status in fantasy. It doesn't help that
Taysom Hill is now back to potentially steal goal-line touches as a RB.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
October 15, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders tight end
Brock Bowers (knee) did not practice on Wednesday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Bowers has not played since Week 4 due to a PCL injury to his knee that he initially injured in the season opener. It was reported last weekend that the second-year TE was unlikely to play in Week 7 against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. With the Raiders' bye coming in Week 8, his next chance to suit up will be in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 2. The 22-year-old looked well on his way to another beastly season after posting 103 receiving yards in Week 1. Still, he was unable to top 50 yards in the next three games, and now he's on track to miss a third straight game. Fantasy managers can only stay patient and hope he returns in Week 9 at full strength. With Bowers likely out again this weekend,
Michael Mayer will be a viable TE2 streamer after catching five passes for 50 yards and a touchdown in last week's win over the Tennessee Titans.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
October 15, 2025
The Minnesota Twins were recently granted permission to interview Nick Punto for their vacant manager position. Punto was on the San Diego Padres managerial staff this past season, working with the infielders and other duties as well. During his 14-year career, Punto was known for his "gritty" play. Someone who was willing to do whatever it takes and do all the little things right. This seems like the kind of manager the Twins are looking to bring onto their staff. However, the Twins have a handful of other candidates they plan to interview throughout the offseason. Punto is certainly a hometown favorite given he played seven seasons with Minnesota. The 47-year-old might be exactly what this team needs, but the search to replace Rocco Baldelli has just started.
--Andy WebbSource: New York Times
October 15, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
Anthony Santander (back) is returning to the starting lineup ahead of Game 3 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. Santander is back in the mix after being scratched ahead of Game 2 due to back tightness. Luckily, Santander will only miss that contest and is back for an important must-win Game 3. So far this postseason, Santander is 3-for-13 with two RBI in four games. The Jays are hopeful to get more out of his bat here. That being said, Santander has been bumped up to the cleanup spot and he'll cover right field versus right-hander
George Kirby on Wednesday.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
October 15, 2025
The New York Giants are being aggressive in their pursuit to add a wide receiver before the trade deadline and are believed to be "big-game hunting," sources have told Connor Hughes of SNY. The Giants will be without former first-round wideout
Malik Nabers (knee) for the rest of the 2025 season due to a torn ACL, and
Darius Slayton (hamstring) could be in danger of missing a second straight game this weekend against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. With rookie quarterback
Jaxson Dart and rookie running back
Cam Skattebo giving the Giants' offense a spark in recent weeks, the G-Men want to keep it rolling, and adding another receiver to the mix would certainly do that. If Slayton misses another game in Week 7,
Wan'Dale Robinson and
Jalin Hyatt (ankle) would be Dart's top two targets in the passing game.
--Keith HernandezSource: SNY - Connor Hughes
October 15, 2025
Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray (foot), who missed last week's loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, returned to practice on Wednesday and was limited, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Although it's good news that the 28-year-old signal-caller is on the practice field, he's dealing with a mid-foot sprain and is not a lock to return in Week 7 against the visiting Green Bay Packers. Veteran
Jacoby Brissett's strong performance in Murray's absence last Sunday could also lead the Cardinals to play it safe with Murray this week and hold him out again as a precaution. It sounds like Arizona has no plans to rush Murray back into action, so fantasy managers need to have a backup plan in place in case he misses a second straight start. Through five games played, Murray has been a disappointment as a QB1 option in fantasy, ranking 24th among all QBs with an average of 19.1 fantasy points per game.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
October 15, 2025
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman (undisclosed) will not be returning to action on Thursday against the New York Islanders, Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic reports. Walman appeared to have been trending toward making his season debut against the Islanders, but instead, he is now expected to join the lineup over the weekend. Edmonton has a back-to-back set scheduled against New Jersey and Detroit. The Oilers have just recorded their first shutout of the season, which shows that things are clicking well at the back even without Walman, so there's no point in rushing his return.
--Taavi PailkSource: Daniel Nugent-Bowman
October 15, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) was limited in his return to practice on Wednesday, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. It's good news to see McLaurin back on the practice field, even if the Commanders only held a walk-through session. The 30-year-old veteran has missed the team's last three games due to a pretty serious quad injury, and he's still up in the air as to whether he'll be able to play this weekend versus the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. McLaurin could have his snaps limited if he returns in Week 7, too, so he's still a pretty dicey fantasy option that managers shouldn't be counting on. Washington put
Noah Brown (groin, knee) on Injured Reserve, and
Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) was less than 100% in Monday's loss to the Chicago Bears, so the team's WR corps is pretty banged up. If McLaurin misses another game, both
Luke McCaffrey and
Jaylin Lane will see more opportunities in the passing game.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
October 15, 2025
Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (shoulder) has been ruled out for five months. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice told reporters on Wednesday that Kulikov will miss five months after having surgery to repair a labrum tear, an injury he sustained last Thursday during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Kulikov joins Aleksander Barkov (knee) and Matthew Tkachuk (groin) as long-term absentees for the Panthers. Despite these injury issues, the reigning champions currently lead their division with a 3-1-0 record. Uvis Balinskis has taken Kulikov's place on the third defensive pairing and is now expected to be a regular in the lineup until mid-March.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
October 15, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall (knee) was not present at practice on Wednesday, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. Pearsall has made progress in recovery from a knee sprain that he suffered in Week 4, but he's not quite ready to return to the practice field. The 25-year-old former first-rounder is making progress, but he might be forced to miss a third straight game this weekend when the Niners take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. Pearsall has two more days to get back onto the practice field, but it seems like he's trending toward another absence. The good news for the 49ers is that quarterback
Brock Purdy (toe) and tight end
George Kittle (hamstring) practiced on Wednesday, so they could both make their returns this weekend. Pearsall should be stashed in all fantasy leagues, but he should be left on your bench again this week.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - David Lombardi
October 15, 2025
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (lower body) is considered day-to-day. He was unable to practice on Wednesday due to a lower-body injury and might be unavailable for Thursday's matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. While it doesn't appear that Kuemper is dealing with anything serious, the Kings traded for Pheonix Copley on Thursday as a precaution, bringing back their former goalie from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anton Forsberg is also an option between the sticks, and the Kings have recalled Erik Portillo from the minors ahead of Thursday's game. Kuemper had an impressive year in 2024-25, but he is winless in three starts this season, allowing an average of 3.35 goals with a .868 save percentage.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
October 15, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Josh Downs (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol this week, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. Fellow wideout
Ashton Dulin (chest) also missed practice on Wednesday with a chest injury. Downs had a strong game in the Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals, catching six of his seven targets for 42 yards and a touchdown, but he could be forced to miss a Week 7 contest on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers unless he's cleared from the concussion protocol later this week. If Downs is unavailable this weekend,
Adonai Mitchell could be active once again as WR depth after being a healthy scratch last Sunday.
Alec Pierce would be elevated to the WR2 role behind
Michael Pittman Jr. and would be in play as a WR4/flex in fantasy lineups. In the last two games, Downs has come on strong, catching 12 total passes (15 targets) for 96 yards and a score.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
October 15, 2025
Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (lower body) sat out Wednesday's practice and is considered day-to-day. Kopitar has opened his final NHL campaign with a four-game assist streak, but a lower-body injury puts him in doubt for Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. If Kopitar isn't available, Phillip Danault is likely to take on a top-six role in the lineup, while Samuel Helenius will get a chance to make his season debut. Danault has struggled so far, recording just one assist in four games, so joining a scoring line could give him the boost he needs. Helenius had seven points (four goals, three assists) in 50 games during his rookie campaign last year and shouldn't be considered as a fantasy target.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
October 15, 2025
New York Giants wide receiver
Darius Slayton (hamstring) missed the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to Dan Salomone of Giants.com. Slayton suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 5 loss to the New Orleans Saints and didn't practice on a short week before missing last Thursday night's upset win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Another DNP to begin Week 7 preparation is a bad sign, but Slayton still has two more days to get back onto the practice field. If the 28-year-old cannot do so, he'll miss a second straight game this Sunday versus the Denver Broncos on the road. Slayton figures to be one of New York's top pass-catchers the rest of the year now that
Malik Nabers (knee) is done for the season, but he needs to get healthy first. If Slayton gets cleared to play on Sunday, he'll be a WR4/flex, at best, against a stingy Denver defense.
--Keith HernandezSource: Giants.com - Dan Salomone
October 15, 2025
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales wouldn't say for sure if running back
Rico Dowdle will start on Sunday at RB against the New York Jets, but would only say that Dowdle "has earned the right to help this team and we will find a way (for him) to do that."
Chuba Hubbard (calf) has missed the last two games, and in that time, Dowdle has amassed more than 400 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 60 total touches. At the very least, the 27-year-old has earned a backfield split with Hubbard, who could return this weekend after practicing on Wednesday for the first time since Week 4. Before Hubbard's injury, he was solid in his own right as the Panthers' starting RB. It's a good problem to have for Carolina. If Hubbard is back in Week 7, the backfield touches figure to be split more evenly, making things more cloudy for fantasy managers.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Associated Press - Steve Reed
October 15, 2025
New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (lower body) is expected to miss "a couple of weeks," according to head coach Sheldon Keefe. The Swedish netminder sustained a lower-body injury during a relief appearance on Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Despite struggling early in the season with a 3.89 goals-against average and an .845 save percentage, Markstrom holds a winning record of 2-1-0. Jake Allen, who was replaced by Markstrom on Monday after experiencing cramping, will see an increased workload in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Nico Daws has been called up from the minors to provide backup for Allen.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
October 15, 2025
According to NBA reporter Chris Haynes, New Orleans center
Kevon Looney could be out of action for up to three weeks after suffering a proximal tibiofibular ligament sprain in his left knee. The 29-year-old had been working through knee pain and will now need time to recover. He will have to wait until November to make his debut with his new team. Looney agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the Pelicans in June after 10 seasons with the Warriors. While he is sidelined, rookie big man
Derik Queen could see an expanded role backing up projected starting center,
Yves Missi.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Chris Haynes
October 15, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Rashee Rice's six-game suspension is over, and he will make his 2025 debut in the Week 7 divisional clash against the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday. "He's going to play (Sunday against the Raiders). How many snaps he'll get, (I don't know). He's been working hard. He's in good shape," head coach Andy Reid said. Rice is practicing with the rest of the team for the first time this year on Wednesday. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Chiefs "will be allocating a heavy workload for him as soon as possible," so fantasy managers will want to get Rice back into their starting lineups immediately in a good matchup. In addition to his six-game suspension, the 25-year-old is back from an LCL tear in his knee that he suffered in the offseason. When fully healthy, Rice is expected to be quarterback
Patrick Mahomes' favorite target.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
October 15, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders running back
Ashton Jeanty recorded a season-high 23 rush attempts for 75 yards and a touchdown in their 20-10 win over the Titans in Week 6. Head coach Pete Carroll spoke on Wednesday regarding the workload for his star rookie running back and said that he hopes that is the norm for him moving forward. Jeanty has topped 20 carries twice this season, including a career-high performance in Week 4 against the Bears, when he rushed for 138 yards and scored three total touchdowns. He hasn't been very efficient running behind a poor run-blocking offensive line, but his touch volume ranks among the highest at the position. Jeanty will rank as a low-end RB1 in Week 7 against the Chiefs.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Ryan McFadden
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