October 28, 2025
The Arizona Cardinals announced on Tuesday that they re-signed running back
Michael Carter to their practice squad and released running back
D'Ernest Johnson in a corresponding move. The move to add Carter back to the team was made after they released him on Monday. Coming out of their Week 8 bye, the Cardinals currently only have
Bam Knight and
Emari Demercado (ankle) on the active 53-man roster at the RB position, so if Demercado cannot play in Week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys, Carter will most likely rejoin the active roster this weekend. The 26-year-old was Arizona's lead back for the first game after
Trey Benson (knee) landed in Injured Reserve, but Knight took over lead-back duties the following week and hasn't looked back. Carter is only averaging 2.8 yards on the ground on 35 rushing attempts in his four games in 2025 with the Cardinals and is only a bench stash for RB depth in deeper fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Cardinals
October 28, 2025
Carolina Panthers wide receiver
Jalen Coker was on the field for 40 of his team's 61 offensive snaps in a Week 8 loss to the Bills. This came after taking 26 of 71 snaps in Week 7, his first game of 2025 after a hamstring injury caused him to sit out the first six weeks. After failing to record a catch in that first game back, Coker caught three of four targets on Sunday for 36 yards, and as he continues to play his way back into football shape, he should see his snap count and target share increase. With starting quarterback
Bryce Young currently considered day-to-day with an ankle injury, there's a chance he returns for Week 9 against the Packers, making Coker an intriguing waiver add who could be started in a pinch this week, but should continue to see his value increase on a depth chart begging for a secondary option behind
Tetairoa McMillan.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
October 28, 2025
With
Cole Kmet (back) missing the team's Week 8 loss to the Ravens, Chicago Bears rookie tight end
Colston Loveland saw season highs in snap count, targets, and yards. Following the game, head coach Ben Johnson spoke glowingly about his first-round draft pick, stressing that he wished they'd gotten him the ball more. While Kmet will still have a role following his return from injury, there's a sense that Loveland is ready to take the second-half leap that has turned many a rookie into fantasy league winners. While managers will need to see more than the 38 yards that Loveland put up on Sunday before making him an every-week starter, he's worth a stash by anyone who has been streaming the position to this point.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
October 28, 2025
After missing two games with a hamstring injury, New York Giants receiver
Darius Slayton caught two of five targets for 26 yards in Sunday's loss to the Eagles. As one of the last men standing in a battered Giants offense, it's reasonable that he'll receive some waiver wire buzz this week, but having topped 45 yards only once this year without finding the endzone, he provides a very unstable floor with almost no ceiling. With rookie running back and human spark plug
Cam Skattebo (ankle) recently undergoing surgery to repair a dislocated ankle, the Giants' offense is likely to hit a rough patch, with the clearest path through coming on the legs of
Jaxson Dart rather than his arm.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
October 28, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver
Tez Johnson has strung together four straight games of at least 6.8 fantasy points in half-PPR formats. His early success came on the back of big plays, but he's now seen at least six targets in back-to-back games. While the Buccaneers' passing attack has struggled as a whole over the past two weeks, Johnson has managed a respectable nine catches for 101 yards and a score over that time. With the Buccaneers on a Week 9 bye and
Chris Godwin nearing a return, there's a chance Johnson could be dropped this week, making him an intriguing add for those with the luxury of not needing an immediate plug-and-play starter. Brighter days should be ahead for the Buccaneers' passing attack, and Johnson looks as if he will be a major part of it.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
October 28, 2025
Green Bay Packers tight end
Tucker Kraft has been thriving over the last few weeks, culminating in a 33.3-point fantasy effort against the Pittsburgh Steelers that saw him finish as the TE1 in Week 8. Kraft brought in 7-of-9 targets for 143 yards and two touchdowns, and led the NFL in yards after the catch (128) amongst all pass-catchers. There's no doubt that Kraft has untapped upside entering this season, and it's coming out this season as the Packers' most explosive and efficient pass-catcher. With six touchdowns in seven games, Kraft should actually be featured MORE in the Packers' game plan as he's second to
Romeo Doubs in team target share at just 19.1 percent. While Kraft has been a volatile tight end option for fantasy managers over the first few weeks of the season, Kraft is now in must-start territory when the Packers host the Carolina Panthers in Week 9.
--Kevin TompkinsSource: RotoBaller
October 28, 2025
Athletics outfielder
Lawrence Butler (knee) is moving around well following knee surgery and said he will be fully ready for the start of spring training in February, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Butler has dealt with knee issues in the past, and he had surgery early this month to fix a torn right patellar tendon. The 25-year-old also had scar tissue removed from the same knee and received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his left patellar tendon. Butler cleared the 20-homer mark for the second straight season and also had his first 20-20 campaign with the A's in 152 games played in 2025 in his second full season in the big leagues, but his knee issues could help explain why he hit only .234 (133-for-569) in 630 plate appearances. With better health in his knees, Butler's fantasy profile is still on the rise as a budding power-speed outfield threat.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
October 28, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Isiah Pacheco (knee) is considered week-to-week after leaving Monday night's win with an MCL sprain. Pacheco was seen on the broadcast laughing with the training staff, so there was hope that he'd avoided serious injury, but it appears that he will miss time. Following a Week 9 matchup with the Bills, Kansas City has a Week 10 bye, so there's a chance Pacheco only misses one game. It's been difficult to fully trust any of the backs in what has become a three-headed Chiefs running back room, but with Pacheco likely sidelined for at least one Sunday, both
Kareem Hunt and
Brashard Smith become priority waiver adds going into a matchup with a surprisingly susceptible Bills run defense. Hunt is coming off one of his best games of the season and has a lock on the Chiefs' goal line role, while Smith could see increased usage in a game with one of the week's highest projected point totals.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Tom Pelissero
October 28, 2025
Green Bay Packers quarterback
Jordan Love put up a sparkling performance in Week 8, where he completed 29-of-37 passes for 360 yards and three touchdown passes. Love was on fire, as he had 20 consecutive completions against a sinking Pittsburgh Steelers' pass defense. With Love's Week 8 game, that performance moved him up to QB11 through eight weeks of this season, but is Love more than a QB streamer? The opportunity is certainly lacking in most weeks as Love has the second-fewest pass attempts per game (30.4) among the top-12 fantasy quarterbacks, only behind
Josh Allen. Love isn't a running quarterback with just 109 rushing yards on the season, so his only avenue for fantasy scoring is passing efficiency downfield. In Week 9 against Carolina, a team that just gave up 245 rushing yards to the Buffalo Bills, the Packers may opt to attack through the run rather than the pass. Love is a high-upside streaming option rather than a locked-in fantasy starter for this matchup.
--Kevin TompkinsSource: RotoBaller
October 28, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Tre Tucker has been the most reliable pass catcher for the team this season, recording 29 receptions for 389 yards and four touchdowns in seven games. Tucker leads the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, and is tied with
Jakobi Meyers for the lead in receptions. The 24-year-old wideout could see more opportunities in the second half of the season with the trade deadline looming on November 4th and Meyers' name being brought up in multiple reports. Tucker will have to compete with star tight end
Brock Bowers, however, as he is expected to return to the lineup after battling a knee injury that has caused him to miss three games. Tucker is a player to monitor on the waiver wire, but the current state of the Raiders' offense limits some of the upside.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 28, 2025
New York Jets wide receiver
Garrett Wilson (knee) did not participate in the Jets' bye week practice on Tuesday, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post. Wilson has missed two games after suffering a knee injury in the fourth quarter of their 13-11 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 6, but now will get the bye week to ensure he is healthy for the second half of the season. The star wideout was having a fantastic season despite poor quarterback play, catching 36 balls for 395 yards and four touchdowns on 56 targets in six games. He currently ranks as the WR7 in PPR points per game (16.6), and there should be more updates on his status over the next week. If he is unable to suit up again in Week 10, rookie tight end
Mason Taylor would be in line for a heavy target share along with wide receivers
Arian Smith,
Tyler Johnson, and
Allen Lazard mixing in.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Brian Costello
October 28, 2025
The New England Patriots and cornerback/kick returner Marcus Jones have agreed to terms on a three-year extension, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Jones has been a key contributor to the New England defense and special teams as a punt returner since being drafted in the third round in the 2022 NFL Draft. The 27-year-old was voted first team All-Pro as a punt returner in his rookie season and is having an excellent season as a cornerback so far in 2025. He's made plays all over the field, recording 36 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass breakups, and one sack in eight games this season. Jones gets a much-deserved contract extension, and New England locks down an important piece of their defense through the 2028 season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Tom Pelissero
October 28, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Christian Watson returned to the Packers' lineup in Week 8 following an ACL injury that ended his 2024 season in Week 18. Watson was an immediate focal point of the offense in his 2025 debut, bringing in all four of his targets for 85 yards. The big question: can Watson be a fantasy-relevant player this season? While it was great to see Watson back and receive immediate involvement in the passing game, he's still behind
Tucker Kraft,
Romeo Doubs, and
Josh Jacobs in the pecking order on offense. Watson's game has always been as a vertical receiver, and for fantasy, those types of players are boom-or-bust in nature. That makes it hard to start him in most weeks, even with bye weeks in full swing. For the Packers' Week 9 matchup against the Panthers, consider Watson a low-end flex play.
--Kevin TompkinsSource: RotoBaller
October 28, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Scotty Miller had surgery to repair his broken finger, but it is still to be determined how "functional" he is to determine his practice status, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Miller suffered the injury during practice on Thursday and was ultimately ruled out for Week 8's matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The 28-year-old had played in all six games up until last week, but has only played 69 total snaps for the season, recording one catch for nine yards on two targets. His status will be updated in the coming days. If he is unable to go again in Week 9, rookie
Ke'Shawn Williams would be the next man up, but he shouldn't be on any fantasy radars.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 28, 2025
New York Giants running back
Devin Singletary is expected to serve as the No. 2 running back with rookie
Cam Skattebo (ankle) out for the season after suffering a gruesome injury in Sunday's game against the Eagles. Second-year back
Tyrone Tracy Jr. will take over as the lead back, but Singletary figures to be involved a decent amount. The 28-year-old began last season as the starting running back for the Giants, but eventually conceded the role to Tracy as the season went on. Singletary now projects as the handcuff to Tracy, with the potential for more depending on how the team splits up the touches. He's a worthwhile add off the waiver wire for fantasy managers in need of running back help.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 28, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Matthew Golden has disappointed many fantasy managers this season, as he's felt like he was on the cusp of breaking out but hasn't. In Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Golden had one of his least productive fantasy outings this season, with three receptions for just four yards. Golden, the 2025 first-round pick, has just two games of five or more targets and has been a top 24 fantasy wide receiver just once through seven games. His involvement in the Packers' offense took another hit when
Christian Watson played his first game of the season and immediately caught 4-of-4 targets for 85 yards. While the thought is that better days are certainly on the horizon for Golden, he can't be a starting option right now for fantasy managers in Week 9 against the Panthers until we see the Packers show true intent to involve Golden more in the offensive game plan.
--Kevin TompkinsSource: RotoBaller
October 28, 2025
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said on Tuesday that quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is "expected to have a full week of prep" leading up to the Week 9 contest this Sunday versus the division-rival Detroit Lions, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. O'Connell also said that QB
Max Brosmer "will step into the No. 2 role." Veteran
Carson Wentz will undergo season-ending left-shoulder surgery, so McCarthy is expected to step back into the starting role for the first time since suffering a high-ankle sprain in the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The 22-year-old former first-rounder missed all of his rookie season with a knee injury that required surgery, so the jury is still out on the Michigan product. In his two starts to open 2025, McCarthy completed 58.5% of his passes for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and three picks. It will not be a soft landing spot for his return on the road in Detroit this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
October 28, 2025
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz said that rookie wide receiver
Chimere Dike has "really taken advantage of his opportunities" recently in the offense. Holz also mentioned that Dike is "going to be a really good player in this league," and the team is excited for what is to come for him this year. Dike played a season-high 89% of the offensive snaps in the Week 8 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and he responded with a breakout performance, catching seven of his eight targets for 93 yards. The 23-year-old had his first career touchdown the previous week against the New England Patriots, catching all four of his targets for 70 yards in that contest. With
Tyler Lockett now in Vegas, Dike should continue to be more involved in the passing attack in Tennessee, especially with
Calvin Ridley (hamstring) injured. Dike is squarely on the radar for fantasy managers looking for a waiver-wire pickup at WR this week.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Turron Davenport
October 28, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks forward
Kyle Kuzma (ankle) missed Sunday's game against the Cavaliers and was originally listed as questionable for Tuesday's home matchup against the Knicks. He was upgraded to available on Tuesday afternoon, though, so he should be set to make his return. He came off the bench in the Bucks' season opener against the Wizards, scoring 12 points in 23 minutes, and he left the team's second game with the ankle sprain that has sidelined him since. He'll likely return to a bench role against the Knicks, playing 20+ minutes and offering decent upside in Milwaukee's second unit.
Taurean Prince and
Bobby Portis got some extra work in the second unit while Kuz was out, but they'll return to their regular roles on Tuesday.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
October 28, 2025
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz had some good things to say about rookie tight end
Gunnar Helm on Tuesday, saying he is "developing quickly, which is tough to do for tight ends." Holz also said Helm has been "impressive physically." Helm is now up to 19 catches for 172 yards and one touchdown on 24 targets in his first eight NFL games. The 23-year-old isn't a household name yet or anything like that in fantasy, but he should be on the radar as a young, rising TE. He has played at least half the team's offensive snaps in three of the last four games, and he found the end zone for the first time in his career in Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts. If the Titans ship
Chig Okonkwo away at the trade deadline, Helm will become popular on the waiver wire, and he should continue to see his role grow in Tennessee's offense.
--Keith HernandezSource: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
October 28, 2025
New York Knicks center
Karl-Anthony Towns (quad) looks on track to play on Tuesday night against the Bucks in Milwaukee, after being upgraded to probable on Tuesday afternoon. KAT was again listed as questionable coming into the day due to a right quadriceps strain. He has not missed a game yet this season with the issue, and he's averaging 20.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in his 33 minutes per game. He had a nice 15-point, 18-rebound double-double on Sunday in his most recent game, which was against the Heat. On Tuesday, it looks like he'll be able to play through the injury again, but he'll be in a tough matchup against the strong frontcourt defense of the Bucks.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
October 28, 2025
Miami Heat forward
Simone Fontecchio (calf) has been upgraded to probable for Tuesday night's contest against the Hornets. Fotecchio has played in each of the first three games of the season for Miami, averaging 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 20 minutes per game off the bench. He could be asked to carry more work if
Norman Powell (groin, questionable) is out, but he should at least be able to handle his normal workload since he's trending towards being available on Tuesday after originally being listed as questionable.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Anthony Chiang
October 28, 2025
The New Orleans Saints informed rookie
Tyler Shough on Tuesday that he will be their starting quarterback, with
Spencer Rattler remaining on the bench, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN. Rattler was benched after another rough performance in the Week 8 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Saints will continue to move forward with Shough as their starter for a Week 9 tilt on the road against the Los Angeles Rams. The 26-year-old second-rounder will have a tough matchup on the road for his first NFL start, and fantasy managers should consider him a low-end QB2 streamer, at best, this weekend. In relief of Rattler last weekend against Tampa, Shough went 17-for-32 passing for 128 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception while carrying the ball three times for 12 yards. He has plenty of arm strength, but little mobility outside the pocket. The switch to Shough could be bad news for top wideout
Chris Olave, who had developed nice chemistry with Rattler.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
October 28, 2025
Miami Heat guard/forward
Norman Powell (groin) was downgraded to questionable for Tuesday night's home game against the Hornets due to right groin soreness, which is a new injury for the veteran wing. Powell has been excellent in the early going for the Heat, scoring 28 points to go with nine rebounds and four assists in the season opener against the Magic. He also led the team with 29 points to go with seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals in Sunday's 115-107 victory over New York. Powell has a 30.6% usage rate, so if he's out on Tuesday, there would be lots of extra work to go around for
Andrew Wiggins,
Davion Mitchell, and
Jaime Jaquez Jr., who could slide into the starting five in Powell's spot. Check back before tip-off on Tuesday for an update on Powell's availability.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Anthony Chiang
October 28, 2025
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz said Sunday "was a reminder of what running back
Tyjae Spears can do with the ball in his hands," according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Holz is "hoping it's a sign of more things to come," and Spears is expected to remain involved alongside
Tony Pollard in the backfield. Spears played over 50% of the offensive snaps in the Week 8 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and outproduced Pollard on two fewer carries while also scoring his first touchdown of the year. The 24-year-old missed time earlier this year due to injury, but now that he's back to full health, he's become a bigger part of the offense. It sounds like the Titans envision more of a split backfield between Spears and Pollard. It's good news for Spears' fantasy managers, but the timeshare situation still probably caps his fantasy value as an RB3/flex in PPR leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
October 28, 2025
Denver Nuggets forward
Cameron Johnson (shoulder) has had a rough start to his first year in Denver, and that was made even worse by shoulder soreness that forced him to leave Monday's game early. He played only 19 minutes and had five points, two rebounds, and two assists against Minnesota in his team's 127-114 victory.
Tim Hardaway Jr. played 32 minutes and had 20 points off the bench, while
Peyton Watson also got plenty of run with 25 minutes, his most of the season. The Nuggets' next game is Wednesday night at home against the Pelicans, so keep an eye on Johnson's status. If he is out, Hardaway could be a nice DFS or streaming option in this favorable matchup.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Katy Winge
October 28, 2025
Veteran wide receiver
Tyler Lockett has joined forces with the Las Vegas Raiders after seven underwhelming games with the Tennessee Titans this year. Lockett will be reuniting with quarterback
Geno Smith, whom he played with in Seattle, but will that suddenly make him fantasy relevant again? It's unlikely. Lockett, 33, had just 10 catches for 70 yards and no touchdowns on 20 targets in his seven games in a struggling Titans offense led by a rookie QB. He'll be reuniting with a familiar face in Vegas, but the Raiders' offense hasn't been much better in 2025, and both tight end
Brock Bowers (knee) and receiver
Jakobi Meyers (knee, toe) are expected to return following the bye to play this weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Meyers is healthy, Lockett could end up being the WR5 behind Meyers,
Tre Tucker, and rookies
Dont'e Thornton Jr. and
Jack Bech.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
October 28, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
Brandon Miller (shoulder) will be re-evaluated after the team's current road trip in the middle of this week, but Chris Haynes reports that the third-year guard from Alabama is looking for a second opinion as he tries to get clarity on the timeline for his recovery. Haynes was careful not to speculate but said, "Anytime you're getting a second or third opinion, that doesn't always fare well for your status moving forward." Miller is currently hopeful to avoid surgery on his shoulder subluxation, and typically a non-surgical recovery takes 3-to-6 weeks. Stay tuned for more updates on Miller as his timeline gets finalized, but it looks like he'll be out a while, leaving more time for exciting rookie
Kon Knueppel.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Chris Haynes
October 28, 2025
Houston Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud has played some of his best football in recent weeks. Across his team's last three games, Stroud has thrown for 791 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. Perhaps most importantly for his fantasy outlook, Stroud has attempted 88 passes over his last two games alone. That marks a notable shift in the Houston offense, as Stroud cracked 28 pass attempts just once over his first five games. If the Texans' game plan on offense is shifting to a more pass-heavy approach, Stroud could be a more viable streaming option for fantasy managers in single-quarterback formats going forward. Houston has a difficult matchup in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos, so Stroud may not be a player to target specifically for this week. However, his uptick in pass attempts is still a trend worth monitoring for fantasy managers as the Texans hit the second half of their season.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 28, 2025
Baltimore Ravens tight end
Isaiah Likely has seen minimal usage so far in 2025, recording five catches for 26 yards on five targets across four games played. However, three out of Likely's four games played this season have come with Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson (hamstring) sidelined. With Jackson expected to return in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins, Likely could see his role in Baltimore's offense expand. Across 16 games with the Ravens in 2024, Likely recorded 42 catches for 477 yards on 58 targets. Likely still figures to split playing time with Ravens tight end
Mark Andrews, which limits the upside of both players. However, in deep fantasy leagues, Likely could be a stash candidate off the waiver wire now that Baltimore's offense has its quarterback back.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
RADIO
