October 28, 2025
Free-agent wide receiver
Diontae Johnson is working out with the New York Giants on Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Johnson was with the Cleveland Browns during training camp and the preseason, but he was cut before the start of the regular season and hasn't joined a team since. The 29-year-old former third-rounder by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 out of Toledo spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans last year, catching a combined 33 passes on 67 targets for 375 yards and three touchdowns. The vast majority of his production came in Carolina, as he caught just three passes for 18 yards in five games with Baltimore and Houston to close out the year. It's been a notable fall for Johnson over the last year-plus, and if he were to sign with the G-Men, he'd merely be battling for a chance to join the active 53-man roster as receiver depth.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
October 28, 2025
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (concussion, knee), who is currently on Injured Reserve due to a concussion, might need minor knee surgery, according to two people with knowledge of the injury. Diggs continues to rehab a right-knee injury that has given him problems this year, and he's also recovering from a concussion that he suffered during an accident at home on Oct. 16. The 27-year-old defensive back has dealt with his share of injuries in recent years, as he's also had surgeries for a torn ACL and ligament damage in his left knee. He has already missed two games this year and won't be eligible to return to Dallas until their Thanksgiving Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs. In addition to his knee issues, he's also had problems with his hamstring. Owner Jerry Jones dismissed the idea that Diggs has already played his last game with the Cowboys.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Dallas Morning News - Calvin Watkins
October 28, 2025
New York Giants wide receiver
Malik Nabers (knee) had surgery on Tuesday to fix the torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee, and he "should be ready" for the start of next season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Nabers suffered his season-ending knee injury in the Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but he just now had surgery after doctors had to wait for the swelling in his knee to dissipate. Barring setbacks with his rehab and recovery in the offseason, the 22-year-old former first-rounder should be good to go for the start of the 2026 season next fall, although fantasy managers might have some reservations about rolling with a receiver coming off a major knee repair as a high-end WR1. Before his injury, though, Nabers had displayed his game-changing abilities with 271 yards and two scores on 18 receptions in four games. His long-term fantasy ceiling should be higher going forward now that rookie quarterback
Jaxson Dart looks like the real deal.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
October 28, 2025
The Washington Commanders announced on Tuesday that they released kicker
Matthew Wright from their practice squad. Wright was added to the active 53-man roster for Monday night's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with
Matt Gay (back) out, but now the 29-year-old will be back on the open market. Wright made his only kicking attempt in Week 8, an extra point on the team's only score of the game in a 28-7 loss. The move to cut Wright essentially means that the Commanders feel comfortable that Gay will be ready to kick on Sunday night in Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks. Wright has now kicked in one game each for Washington and Tennessee, making his only field-goal attempt and both of his extra-point tries. Fantasy managers should have better options at the position than Gay in Week 9.
--Keith HernandezSource: Washington Commanders
October 28, 2025
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Jalen Nailor recorded only one target with no catches in their 37-10 Thursday night loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Nailor had maintained a small role in the offense after
Jordan Addison returned from his suspension in Week 4, recording six catches for 66 yards on 12 targets since then, but was held catchless for the first time this season against the Chargers. It would likely take an injury for Nailor's targets to spike back up, as the targets are heavily concentrated around Addison,
Justin Jefferson, and
T.J. Hockenson. He's best left on the waiver wire in 12-team leagues.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
October 28, 2025
Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Van Jefferson caught only one of his eight targets for six yards in their 38-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8. Jefferson saw a season high in targets in the game and tied with rookies
Elic Ayomanor and
Chimere Dike, but struggled to consistently connect with rookie quarterback
Cameron Ward. The 29-year-old wideout was coming off his two best games of the season, filling for an injured
Calvin Ridley (hamstring), catching four of six targets for 75 yards in Week 6 against the Cardinals, then catching all four targets for 41 yards in Week 7 against the Patriots. It's been a struggle for the entire Tennessee offense this season, but Jefferson figures to continue running close to a full number of routes while Ridley is out. He shouldn't be on fantasy radars for Week 9 against the Chargers.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
October 28, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
DeVonta Smith caught six of his nine targets for 84 yards in Sunday's 38-20 win over the New York Giants. As expected, without No. 1 wide receiver
A.J. Brown in the lineup, Smith led the team in targets, receptions, and yards as the Eagles cruised to victory. It was impressive for Smith to record this line, given how well the Eagles ran the ball, which led to
Jalen Hurts only attempting 20 passes in the game. The 26-year-old should be expected to operate as the clear focal point of the passing game if Brown is unable to play in their next game, which will come in Week 10 against the Packers after their Week 9 bye.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
October 28, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Sterling Shepard has seen an increase in playing time as a result of injuries to
Chris Godwin (leg) and
Mike Evans (collarbone). Shepherd had his quietest game of the season in the Bucs' blowout 23-3 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 8, catching just one of two targets for eight yards. The veteran wideout had caught multiple balls in every other game up until last week and saw a season high of seven targets in Week 7 against the Lions. Still, the upside isn't very high for the 32-year-old even in a good Tampa Bay offense, as he has provided little value after the catch. Rookies
Emeka Egbuka and
Tez Johnson have emerged as the go-to targets at wide receiver for
Baker Mayfield, with tight end
Cade Otton filling a complementary role. Fantasy managers who are in desperate need of a flex who will run a lot of routes can look to Shepherd as a possible option.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 28, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has yet to begin practicing as he continues rehabbing from a torn ACL and MCL suffered in Week 7 of last season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that the 49ers do not plan on opening his 21-day practice window and that he won't practice on Wednesday after mentioning it as a possibility last week. The 27-year-old wideout will, in all likelihood, have to wait at least another week before being activated off the Physically Unable to Perform List and making his season debut, as the team has taken things slow in his recovery. Aiyuk is still a very talented player who is worth stashing if fantasy managers have an open bench or IR spot, but he will likely take some time to get ramped up when he is able to return.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 28, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback
Trevor Lawrence only led the team to one touchdown in their 35-7 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams in London in Week 7, but he also threw for a season-high 296 yards on 23-for-48 passing with one touchdown. The Jags were on bye last week, but now head into a favorable Week 9 matchup on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday. The 26-year-old former first overall pick probably won't see as much volume this weekend as he did against the Rams in a positive game script, but he deserves streaming consideration at the QB position in fantasy against a Raiders defense that has been a top-15 matchup for opposing signal-callers this year. Lawrence's overall numbers don't jump off the page so far in his fifth NFL season, but his arrow could be pointing up in the second half of the season if he begins to start targeting rookie receiver
Travis Hunter more often.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
October 28, 2025
Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson (hamstring), who was listed as a full participant at the team's walkthrough practice on Monday, said on Tuesday that he's "ready to go now." "I just started to feel good," according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. The two-time MVP missed three games due to a hamstring injury, but he's trending towards returning for Thursday night's contest in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins. Head coach John Harbaugh said on Monday that he expects Jackson to be out there this week as well. Jackson could be limited in what he does with his legs, but even so, fantasy managers must get him back into their starting lineups if he's active for Thursday Night Football. Miami's defense shut down Falcons QB
Kirk Cousins on Sunday, but overall this year, they've allowed the 12th-most fantasy points per game to opposing signal-callers.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
October 28, 2025
Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray (foot) "got plenty of throws in with main pass-catchers" during practice on Tuesday, which is something that Arizona Sports' Tyler Drake points out that Murray has not done in recent weeks. Veteran backup
Jacoby Brissett is "still getting his looks" as well, but Murray's workout at Tuesday's practice is a "sign things are headed in the right direction" for Murray. We'll be keeping a close eye on the 28-year-old's practice statuses this week, but right now, it's looking like he will have a chance to return following the bye week to face the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday. Murray missed two games before the team's bye with a foot sprain. Although Murray has been pretty inconsistent as the team's starter when healthy, the Cardinals have made it clear that he is still the starter over Brissett. If Murray returns to a great matchup this weekend in Dallas, he'll be in play as a low-end QB1 option for fantasy managers.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
October 28, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys have not engaged in contract extension talks with wide receiver
George Pickens or his representatives with a week remaining before this year's trade deadline, a source told Ed Werder of ESPN. Pickens is on an expiring contract that will end after the 2025 season. Werder mentions that placing the franchise tag on Pickens is an option to Dallas that would cost a projected $28 million for the 2026 campaign. The 24-year-old former second-round pick has been an excellent addition to the Cowboys' offense this year, catching 43 of his 63 targets for 685 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in eight games played. Not only has Pickens been an excellent WR2 to help take attention off
CeeDee Lamb, but he has also avoided any off-the-field distractions and has had a mature approach after character concerns surfaced in Pittsburgh. Even though an extension hasn't really been discussed, it doesn't mean he won't be back in Dallas next year.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Ed Werder
October 28, 2025
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that quarterback
Jayden Daniels (hamstring) had a good rehab session on Sunday, and the team plans "on him being a part" of the practice plan this week, according to JP Finaly of NBC Sports. Daniels sat out of Monday night's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but he might only be looking at a one-game absence due to a right-hamstring injury that he suffered in Week 7. The 24-year-old signal-caller should be back on the practice field on Wednesday, but it's unclear as of now if he'll be limited or a full-go. He might need to practice in full at some point this week to avoid a questionable designation going into Sunday night's Week 9 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Daniels also missed two games earlier this season with a knee sprain, but he's trending up towards playing this weekend. That would be great news for the Commanders' offense that only scored seven points in the loss to KC.
--Keith HernandezSource: NBC Sports Washington - JP Finlay
October 28, 2025
ESPN's Adam Schefter thinks that the New Orleans Saints will trade at least one of their wide receivers before the NFL's trade deadline next Tuesday, Nov. 4. If he had to bet, Schefter says that
Rashid Shaheed is "the guy that interests most teams for his speed and his talent." Shaheed's contract will also be up at the end of the 2025 season, and the Saints could be most willing to deal him if the compensation is right. Top wideout
Chris Olave has also been mentioned plenty in trade rumors, with the deadline approaching, as the Saints sit at 1-7 on the season. Schefter mentions the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Denver Broncos as teams that are calling around, taking the temperature of the receiver market. Shaheed, 27, has 39 catches for 431 yards and two touchdowns on 57 targets over eight starts this year and would add an explosive deep threat for a contender. He could certainly become a more consistent flex option for fantasy managers in a better offense.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
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