October 23, 2025
The Miami Dolphins restructured the contract of starting linebacker Jordyn Brooks on Thursday by converting his base salary into a signing bonus, which in turn creates $3 million in salary cap space for this season, according to Field Yates of ESPN. Brooks has been one of the few bright spots for the 1-6 Dolphins this year, as he currently leads the league with 75 tackles (46 solo) through the first seven weeks. The 28-year-old is under contract with Miami through the 2026 season. In addition to his NFL-high 75 tackles, Brooks has 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. Miami will need him to be at his best in Week 8 as they look to slow down Atlanta Falcons running back
Bijan Robinson, who is one of the best at his position.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Field Yates
October 23, 2025
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said on Thursday that wide receiver
Dontayvion Wicks (calf) is unlikely to play on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Wicks injured his calf in the Week 7 win over the Arizona Cardinals and wasn't able to practice on Wednesday. The 24-year-old probably won't practice on Thursday, either, but he hasn't officially been ruled out for the weekend just yet. The 24-year-old hasn't been much of a factor in Green Bay's offense through seven weeks, even with
Jayden Reed (collarbone) on Injured Reserve. The former fifth-rounder has a total of only 13 receptions for 134 yards and no touchdowns on 20 targets. The good news for Green Bay is that receiver
Christian Watson (knee) appears to be trending towards being activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list to make his 2025 debut on Sunday night.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
October 23, 2025
With the status of quarterback
Brock Purdy (toe) still uncertain, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch noted that the Iowa State alum's style of play is what's keeping him off the field for an extended period of time. "Brock knows he plays a certain way. And he can't change the way he plays to make it easier to (get on the field)," said Lynch. "We're trusting Brock and we're trusting the doctors." As we've seen twice in 2025, turf toe can be a more severe injury than the name might suggest. Purdy's lengthy bout with the issue, while unfortunate, isn't the worst-case scenario, though he seems to have a good shot at being inactive again in Week 8. If that's the case, fellow signal-caller
Mac Jones (knee, oblique) would again man the helm when San Fran faces the Houston Texans on the road.
--Alex CiullaSource: KNBR
October 23, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) was spotted at practice on Thursday, according to Pewter Report. The standout rookie ultimately suited up in the team's loss to the Lions in Week 7, although he wasn't seen at practice on Wednesday. It undoubtedly bodes well for his status ahead of Tampa Bay's Week 8 road matchup with the New Orleans Saints. Fantasy managers will still want to keep an eye on his game-time designation this Sunday, but he projects to be out there after playing 75% of snaps on Monday night. Look for him to get back on track against a Saints squad that's yielded the sixth-most points per game (26.6) if he's good to go, particularly with the Bucs down a myriad of skill players.
--Alex CiullaSource: Pewter Report
October 23, 2025
Seattle Seahawks tight end
AJ Barner took a slight step back in his team's 27-19 win over the visiting Houston Texans, failing to build off the momentum he carried over the previous two contests. Barner had amassed ten receptions, 124 yards, and two touchdowns across his outings in Weeks 5 and 6. Still, he vanished on Monday night as fellow tight end
Elijah Arroyo (4/42) ranked second on the team in each significant receiving category. Barner still handily out-snapped the rookie (62-27) and logged his fifth game this season with an 80% or greater snap share. Furthermore, it's still favorable that he'll be decently involved in the team's offensive attack moving forward. With that said, it's a stark reminder that wide receiver
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the only set-it-and-forget-it option in the Seahawks' passing game. Barner will try to get back on track in Week 9 following Seattle's bye.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
October 23, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles have signed pass-rusher Brandon Graham to a one-year, prorated contract worth $4.89 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The former thirteenth-overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft is officially returning to the team that selected him. Graham didn't make much of an impact in 2024, compiling 20 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble across 11 appearances. He'll be an excellent locker room presence/rotational piece, though, as the team attempts to run it back after a Super Bowl victory earlier this year. As of now, the 37-year-old is listed as a linebacker (second-string) behind teammate Azeez Ojulari (hamstring). However, Philadelphia will have some time to finalize its plans for the veteran, as he'll need to be officially activated before returning to the field.
--Alex CiullaSource: Ian Rapoport
October 23, 2025
Green Bay Packers running back
Emanuel Wilson was not impactful for fantasy in Week 7 despite racking up a season-high in backfield snap share (34%). Wilson was expected to see an elevated workload while teammate
Josh Jacobs (calf) dealt with an injury and illness. While the 26-year-old was out there quite a bit to spell Jacobs, it only amounted to seven touches (six carries) and 15 total yards of output. Wilson is clearly the team's preferred second option ahead of
Chris Brooks, although it hasn't amounted to enough value for fantasy managers to feel comfortable starting him with Jacobs active. For now, he's exclusively on the handcuff radar. However, that could change with the impending return of backfield mate
MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring).
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
October 23, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Luke McCaffrey was held without a catch in the team's 44-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7. It was a prime opportunity for a breakout, with the Cowboys ranking last in the NFL against wide receivers, and
Terry McLaurin (quad),
Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel), and
Noah Brown (groin) all sidelined. Despite the ideal setup, McCaffrey played just 52% of the snaps, finishing behind
Chris Moore and
Jaylin Lane, and nearly even with
Robbie Chosen, who was making his season debut. With McLaurin and Samuel both expected to return soon, McCaffrey's role will likely shrink even further. Fantasy managers can safely move on from McCaffrey in all formats.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 23, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
Ryan Flournoy has cooled off after his brief breakout stretch in Weeks 5 and 6, when he totaled nine receptions for 144 yards. In Week 7, Flournoy was held without a target, coinciding with the return of star receiver
CeeDee Lamb. Flournoy's snap share dropped from 65% during his productive stretch to just 28% in Week 7, as Lamb reclaimed his dominant role in the offense. With
George Pickens and
Jake Ferguson also commanding targets, Flournoy is now buried in a crowded depth chart. Fantasy managers can confidently drop Flournoy in all formats moving forward.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 23, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has yet to have his practice window opened, as he continues to recover from the multi-ligament knee injury that ended his 2024 season prematurely. While there's been speculation, he could miss all of 2025, general manager John Lynch recently noted that Aiyuk is "getting better and closer to a return." If he does make it back this season, Aiyuk will likely be eased in gradually, as most receivers returning from a major knee injury need time to regain form. By the time he's ready, the 49ers' receiving corps should be back at full strength, which could limit his target share in 2025. Fantasy managers should keep Aiyuk stashed in IR spots and remain cautiously optimistic about a late-season return.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 23, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell has cooled off significantly after his breakout Week 4 performance. With
Jaylen Warren returning to full strength, Gainwell has managed just nine carries for 36 yards over the past two games. Over that span, Gainwell has played 36% of the snaps, while Warren has commanded 61%, establishing himself as the team's lead back. Gainwell now profiles as a third-down back and a handcuff option in fantasy formats. While Gainwell could offer some PPR upside, unless Warren misses time, Gainwell holds little standalone fantasy value moving forward.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 23, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Kameron Johnson failed to build on his breakout Week 6 performance. After posting 64 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers, Johnson was shut out on Monday night versus the Detroit Lions. Johnson played just 20% of the offensive snaps in Week 7, falling behind
Emeka Egbuka,
Sterling Shepard, and
Tez Johnson in the receiver rotation. While injuries in the Buccaneers' receiving corps could eventually create opportunities, Johnson appears firmly locked into a backup role for now. Fantasy managers can safely drop him in all formats.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 23, 2025
There's been no doubting that 2025 has been disappointing so far for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Jauan Jennings (shoulder, ankle, ribs), who has seen injuries impact his availability and performance throughout the first seven weeks. But for managers still hanging on, there is some hope. Jennings played 85% of the team's snaps and drew seven targets last week, both his second-highest marks of the year and more in line with his normal usage. As Jennings' health improves, starting quarterback
Brock Purdy (toe) is also getting close to returning. Jennings has been prone to ups and downs during his career, but finished as the No. 24 overall PPR receiver in 2024. With Purdy coming back and some good matchups on the horizon, Jennings could see his stock rise in future weeks.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Pro Football Reference
October 23, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Josh Downs (concussion) has had a steady, but unspectacular, start to the 2025 season. Through six games, Downs has logged 26 receptions on 34 targets for 217 yards and a touchdown, ranking as the WR51 on a per-game basis. While the production hasn't fully taken off, the Colts' offense has been one of the league's best, leading the NFL in scoring (33.1 PPG) and ranking fourth in total yards per game (387.1). Downs missed Week 7 against the Chargers while in concussion protocol, but a limited practice on Wednesday suggests he's trending in the right direction for Week 8. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress closely ahead of a favorable matchup against the Titans.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 23, 2025
New York Giants tight end
Daniel Bellinger (neck) delivered the best performance of his NFL career in Week 7, hauling in three receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. Bellinger's production has noticeably climbed since the team turned to
Jaxson Dart at quarterback and lost star wideout
Malik Nabers to a Torn ACL. Since Week 4, the Giants have leaned heavily on 12 personnel (two-TE sets), ranking among the league leaders in usage. Both Bellinger and rookie
Theo Johnson have logged over 50% of the offensive snaps in three consecutive games, including last week, where they each played over 65%. While New York's brutal schedule has limited consistency, Bellinger's emergence is a bright spot. He'll face a tough challenge in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles, who have surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. Bellinger isn't fantasy relevant just yet, but if this upward trend continues, he could work his way onto the fantasy radar in deeper leagues.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
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