RADIO
Jordan Poole Downgraded to Doubtful for Thursday's Matchup With Kings
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Poole (ankle) is doubtful for Thursday's matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Poole exited Wednesday's game against Denver after just seven minutes and did not return, leaving him unlikely to play in the second leg of the back-to-back set. He had been cleared of an illness earlier for Wednesday's contest before suffering the ankle injury. The veteran is averaging 7.3 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in 18.7 minutes across three appearances while playing behind Jeremiah Fears. If Poole is unable to suit up, Fears and Bennedict Mathurin could see additional playing time, boosting their fantasy value.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dalton Kincaid's TE1 Case Strengthens
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid has a stronger TE1 case for Sunday's matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, though DJ Moore's (shoulder) potential return and a chest injury cloud it. The Buffalo Bills tight end drew eight targets against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6, matching his season high after seeing seven combined over the previous three games. He caught seven passes for 38 yards, a sharp improvement despite modest production, and opened the season with 12 catches for 225 yards and a touchdown across his first two games. Moore was inactive for the Raiders outing and returned to limited practice Wednesday following Buffalo's bye, which could affect Kincaid's target share. Kincaid was limited Wednesday with the chest injury after briefly leaving the Raiders game with a rib issue before returning.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
A.J. Brown Missing From Practice on Thursday
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle, knee) was not in attendance at the team's practice on Thursday, according to Sophie Weller of Patriots Wire. The knee injury for Brown was added to the injury report on Wednesday, so Weller wonders if something happened to him during the first practice of the week. It is not what Brown's fantasy managers want to hear as he works to regain his explosiveness following the high-ankle sprain that he suffered in his Patriots debut in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The 29-year-old three-time Pro Bowler has played in two games since being activated from Injured Reserve, but he has not looked like himself, catching six of 16 targets for 75 yards without finding the end zone. Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins both remain on IR for the Patriots, so if Brown is unavailable to play in Week 8 versus the division-rival Miami Dolphins, DeMario Douglas could serve as quarterback Drake Maye's top target in an excellent matchup alongside trusted tight end Hunter Henry. Brown has been a fantasy bust so far in 2026 in his first year in New England, playing in only three games while grabbing nine of his 20 targets for 101 yards and no touchdowns.
Source: Patriots Wire - Sophie Weller
Source: Patriots Wire - Sophie Weller
Ja'Marr Chase in Uniform for Thursday's Practice
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (ankle) is in uniform for Thursday's practice, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Chase did not practice on Wednesday, but it was primarily for rest purposes, and the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said that Chase's ankle injury is nothing major and that he is expected to play without restrictions in Sunday's Week 8 contest against the Tennessee Titans. The 26-year-old Pro Bowler should return to full practice by Friday and eventually be cleared from the final Week 8 injury report, so fantasy managers should have nothing to worry about as far as Chase's health status this week. The former fifth overall pick from LSU has yet to record a 100-yard game in 2026, but he has made up for it by finding the end zone five times in the first six games while catching 32 of his 45 targets for 351 yards (11.0 yards per reception). Chase continues to be an elite, high-end WR1 in fantasy who needs to be locked into all starting lineups this weekend against the one-win Titans.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Kon Knueppel Assigned to G League For Thursday's Practice
The Charlotte Hornets announced that guard/forward Kon Knueppel (hamstring) will join the Greensboro Swarm for practice on Thursday. He is expected to be recalled afterward, though no timetable has been set for his season debut. The 21-year-old averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 3.4 three-pointers across 81 games as a rookie, leading the NBA with 273 made triples. His return to practice is encouraging, but fantasy managers will need to wait for further updates on his availability. Grayson Allen should continue to see an expanded role while Knueppel is sidelined, giving him some short-term fantasy appeal.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Amon-Ra St. Brown Back on the Practice Field on Thursday
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) was back at practice on Thursday after he was a non-participant on Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Colton Pouncy. St. Brown came out of the Week 7 win over the division-rival Green Bay Packers with some ankle soreness, but after returning to practice on Thursday, the Lions expect him to be fine for their upcoming game on Sunday at home against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. The 27-year-old was most likely just being rested for maintenance purposes on Wednesday in the team's first practice of the week. Fantasy managers should expect the four-time Pro Bowler to be a full-go this weekend, and he will be a must-start in all fantasy leagues despite the tough matchup against the Vikings. The Sun God did not appear to be slowed by his ankle on Sunday against Green Bay, catching nine of 11 targets for a season-high 153 yards. It was St. Brown's second 100-yard game of 2026, and he enters Week 8 action as the WR4 in half-PPR scoring with 46 catches for 525 yards and five touchdowns on 68 targets through only six games played. The Sun God leads all receivers in points who have played only six games this year.
Source: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
Source: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
D.J. McKinney to Miss Extended Time with Ankle Injury
Notre Dame defensive back D.J. McKinney (ankle) is set to miss extended time, according to head coach Marcus Freeman. There's a chance he'll be able to play in the College Football Playoff if the Fighting Irish make it. Across seven games so far this season, McKinney had nine combined tackles. One of those tackles was for a loss and he also has an interception that he returned for a touchdown and two total passes defended. This is McKinney's fifth collegiate season, and his first at Notre Dame. Over 47 career games, McKinney has 146 combined tackles, five interceptions, 21 passes defended and one fumble recovered and forced.
Source: Pete Sampson - The Athletic
Source: Pete Sampson - The Athletic
Jahmyr Gibbs Returns to Practice on Thursday
The Detroit Lions got some good news on Thursday, with starting running back Jahmyr Gibbs (shoulder) returning to practice after he did not suit up on Wednesday, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. The Lions most likely gave Gibbs a rest day in their first practice of the week. Now that the 24-year-old is back on the field a day later, he should be just fine to play in Week 8 in a divisional clash against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Gibbs, who was the No. 1 overall pick in most fantasy football leagues this year, has lived up to expectations and is currently the top overall RB in half-PPR scoring with 620 rushing yards on 134 carries for seven touchdowns, adding 32 receptions on 40 targets for 270 yards and another two scores as a receiver. The former 12th overall pick from Alabama will be going for his third straight 100-yard rushing game this weekend, but the sledding will be tough against one of the top defenses in football. Gibbs should still be a set-and-forget RB in all fantasy lineups in Week 8.
Source: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
Source: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
Tyjae Spears Misses Practice Again on Thursday
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (knee), who missed the team's Week 7 loss to the Browns with a knee injury, was absent again on Thursday after missing the first practice of the week. Also missing practice on Thursday, according to beat writer Terry McCormick, is starting running back Tony Pollard, who was given a veteran rest day on the Thursday leading up to his season-best 155-yard, three-touchdown Week 7 performance. Fantasy managers will need to monitor the team's official injury report, but if Pollard's absence is again non-injury related and Spears is unable to suit up for a second week, the veteran becomes a high-floor play against a Bengals defense that has been more beatable on the ground than through the air.
Source: Terry McCormick
Source: Terry McCormick
Bucky Irving's Absence Chalked up to Rest
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (rest) was not spotted at Thursday's practice, but beat writer Greg Auman has since reported that his absence was a simple rest day for the third-year veteran. Irving is coming off a dominant 110-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Panthers and is the fantasy RB13 through seven weeks, so any missed time is a rightful cause for concern after injuries limited him to only 10 games in 2025 while sapping him of the explosiveness put on display both before and since. That said, he appears to be well on track to suit up for a Week 8 matchup with the Falcons and is RotoBaller's RB13 ahead of the divisional clash.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
Carnell Tate Still Not Practicing Thursday
Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday after suffering a shoulder injury in the team's Week 7 loss to the Browns, and he will miss his second consecutive session on Thursday, according to senior team writer Jim Wyatt. The fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Tate has become the unquestioned focal point of the Titans' passing attack. His 413 receiving yards are more than double the next closest player on the team, but if he is unable to suit up for a Week 8 matchup with the Bengals, veteran Wan'Dale Robinson should see an influx of opportunities and becomes an intriguing flex play.
Source: Jim Wyatt
Source: Jim Wyatt
Lamar Jackson Practicing Again on Thursday
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) is practicing again on Thursday after logging a full participation on Wednesday. Jackson has missed the last three games with the ankle injury sustained in a Week 4 win over the Titans, with the Ravens going 1-2 in his absence. After returning to practice on a limited basis ahead of the Week 7 loss to the Bengals and now looking to string together a number of unencumbered sessions, he appears to be on track to return for a heavyweight Week 8 matchup against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Jackson was the fantasy QB9 through the first four weeks of the season, and while managers will still need to wait for an official injury designation, he is RotoBaller's QB4 heading into Sunday.
Source: Jamison Hensley
Source: Jamison Hensley
Jordan Mason Back in Lead Role, Could Handle Even More Volume
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason returned from injured reserve last week and immediately stepped back into his No. 1 role with 15 carries. He was also targeted twice in the passing game, but he didn't convert either opportunity into a reception. Mason now has an opportunity to handle even more volume going forward, as teammate Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) suffered an injury in Week 7 and didn't practice on Wednesday. It's too early to tell whether Jones will miss time, but if he does, Mason should handle even more volume on the ground and through the air than before. In such a scenario, he would theoretically increase his snap share from last week's 64% mark to at least 75% in Week 8. He's averaging nearly five yards per carry since the start of the 2023 season, vaulting himself into high-end RB3 or low-end RB2 territory going forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jakobi Meyers Remains a Usable Floor Play Coming Off Big Game
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is coming off his most involved game of the season and should continue to provide a usable fantasy floor moving forward. Before a Week 7 bye, Meyers saw 10 targets in a narrow loss to the Texans, his highest total since the mid-season trade that landed him in Jacksonville in 2025, while his 83 receiving yards were his second-most as a Jaguar. Fourth-year player Parker Washington has emerged as the star of Jacksonville's passing offense, but Meyers remains one of the most consistent complementary pieces in the NFL, and he is RotoBaller's WR40 ahead of a Week 8 divisional matchup with the Colts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Hollywood Smothers Probable for Week 9
Texas running back Hollywood Smothers (shoulder) is probable for the team's Week 9 game against Mississippi State. He has missed two of the team's seven games so far, including Week 8 against Ole Miss. Smothers has 289 rushing yards and two touchdowns across 65 attempts so far, plus has caught 10 passes for an additional 79 yards and a score. He has at least 10 rushing attempts in every game, and has caught at least one pass in each contest, so he's been pretty involved when healthy. The Bulldogs allow 124.6 rushing yards and 27.7 points per game, so if Smothers is active, his outlook for Week 9 is favorable. Raleek Brown has led the backfield without Smothers around for a couple of games, while quarterback Arch Manning and RBs Derrek Cooper and Michael Terry III have helped out a bit.
Source: Pete Nakos - On3
Source: Pete Nakos - On3
