RADIO
George Pickens "moving well" in Wednesday's practice
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (shoulder, hamstring) was at Wednesday's practice and was moving well in the portion open to the media, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Pickens went from playing 55 to 60 offensive snaps per game in the first six weeks of the season to 41 and 42 in the last two weeks due to shoulder and hamstring injuries that he has been playing through. The 25-year-old former second-rounder from Georgia was limited in practice all of last week because of those two ailments, and he could be limited again this week. However, barring a setback with one of those injuries, Pickens is expected to be active this Sunday in Indianapolis against the Colts in Week 9 in a very favorable matchup. He had just two catches on four targets for 48 yards in the overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8, but owner Jerry Jones publicly said that he thinks Pickens needs to get more involved. We could see Dallas grease the squeaky wheel and feed Pickens this weekend against the Colts. He should be locked into all starting fantasy football lineups in Week 9.
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
David Montgomery not at practice Wednesday
Houston Texans running back David Montgomery (groin) was not seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Wednesday, according to DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. The Texans had their bye in Week 8, but Montgomery does not appear any closer to returning to action after missing the two games before the bye with a groin injury. The 29-year-old has two more days to get back onto the practice field, though, so fantasy managers should not completely rule him out from playing this Sunday against the winless Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9. Monty has not practiced since suffering the injury on Oct. 11 at the Tennessee Titans, though, so if he gets the green light to return this weekend, there is a good chance he will play second fiddle to Woody Marks. Outside of his two-touchdown performance in the Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Montgomery has been a disappointment in his five games in his first year with the Texans, averaging just 2.7 yards per carry for 138 rushing yards on his 52 carries. He is still rostered in 79% of Yahoo leagues, though, and he will have a role in Houston's backfield when he returns from his groin injury.
Source: ESPN.com - DJ Bien-Aime
Source: ESPN.com - DJ Bien-Aime
Eagles Name Joe Milton III the Starter at QB vs. Giants
The Philadelphia Eagles are making a quarterback change for their Week 9 divisional contest this Sunday against the visiting New York Giants, going with Joe Milton III over Tanner McKee. Milton will now make his first start in Philly less than a month after signing with the Eagles. McKee predictably struggled in his three starts in place of Jalen Hurts (blood clots), who is out for the rest of the season, completing 63.2% of his 114 pass attempts for 638 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. The 26-year-old Milton, a former sixth-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2024 out of Tennessee, is definitely a better upside option for desperate fantasy managers in deep two-QB superflex leagues because of his dual-threat abilities at the position. His experience is limited, though, as he has appeared in just five NFL games (zero starts) in his two seasons in the league with the Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys, going 37-for-53 passing for 424 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Milton will be a waiver-wire candidate at QB in superflex leagues, but he will have his work cut out for him in his first NFL start against the Giants this weekend.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Christian Watson practicing with broken rib Wednesday
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (rib) is practicing on Wednesday despite having suffered a broken rib in last Thursday night's win over the Carolina Panthers, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Watson had to be taken to a local hospital during Thursday's game after spitting up blood, but he returned to the game after being cleared by doctors and finished with eight receptions on 10 targets for 113 yards in the 27-19 victory. Passing-game coordinator Jason Vrable said on Monday that Watson is sore but is "doing great" heading into the team's Week 9 matchup on the road against the New England Patriots this Sunday. The 27-year-old will probably be playing through pain and will not be at 100% this weekend, but he should be active and will continue to be a must-start for fantasy football purposes. Watson has been a top-five fantasy receiver in 2026 as a big-play threat in the Packers' aggressive downfield passing attack. He has caught 42 of his 66 targets for 708 yards and six touchdowns already through the first eight weeks.
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Sam Darnold Ruled Out vs. Cardinals With Quad Injury
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (quadriceps) suffered a quad injury in the Monday night loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 8 and is now ruled out for Sunday's divisional contest versus the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Backup Drew Lock will make the start against Arizona. The 29-year-old Darnold also injured one of his ribs in the Monday night loss, so he is banged up and will miss at least one game. The next chance that Darnold will have to return will be on the road in Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 15. It is no surprise that Darnold struggled against the upstart Bears on Monday, throwing for only 188 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception on 17-for-34 passing. Overall, the former first overall pick has not been as good in 2026 as he was in 2025, when he led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship. Darnold is currently the QB22 in overall fantasy scoring with 1,478 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in his seven starts. Turnovers have been the biggest issue holding Darnold and the Seahawks' offense back. With Lock now set to start this weekend, Seattle could lean more on their fully healthy ground game.
Source: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov
Source: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov
Cam Skattebo Not Practicing Wednesday With Hamstring Injury
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (hamstring) is not practicing on Wednesday, according to team reporter Jordan Raanan. Skattebo pulled up with a hamstring injury during the game-winning drive of the team's Week 7 overtime victory over the Texans, but his status has not since been reported with the team on a Week 8 bye. The Giants placed Tyrone Tracy Jr. on Injured Reserve with his own hamstring injury suffered in the same game, creating a potential path to meaningful work for veteran Devin Singletary. Skattebo will have two more opportunities to return to the practice field ahead of a Week 9 divisional clash with the Eagles, but his status will need to be monitored, and Singletary becomes a priority pickup wherever he is still available.
Source: Jordan Raanan
Source: Jordan Raanan
Bhayshul Tuten Still Not Practicing Wednesday
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten (ankle), fresh off his first career 100-yard performance, was not spotted during the media-accessible portion of Wednesday's practice, marking his third absence of the week. The Jaguars face the Ravens on Thursday night, and Tuten's ankle injury, paired with a short week of preparation, has cast doubt on his availability and made him a potential game-time decision. Accounting for four touchdowns in his last two games, Tuten is the fantasy RB1 by points per game since Week 6. If the second-year back is unable to suit up on Thursday, Chris Rodriguez Jr., who scored a 28-yard touchdown of his own in Week 8, becomes a viable starting candidate against a Ravens defense that has allowed four rushing touchdowns over the last three weeks.
Source: Mia O'Brien
Source: Mia O'Brien
TreVeyon Henderson out due to illness Wednesday
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (illness) is still not practicing on Wednesday as he continues to deal with the illness that kept him out of Sunday's win over the Dolphins. Henderson first popped up on the injury report on Thursday ahead of the Week 8 divisional matchup, and with the Patriots signing practice squad running back Lan Larison to the 53-man roster rather than simply making him a gameday elevation, some close to the situation speculated there could be more to Henderson's absence than just illness. The second-year player has disappointed in 2026, struggling mightily in pass protection, and his status bears monitoring ahead of the NFL's November 10 trade deadline.
Source: Taylor Kyles
Source: Taylor Kyles
A.J. Brown Won't Practice Wednesday Due to Ankle/Knee Injury
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle, knee) will not practice on Wednesday as he continues to deal with the ankle and knee injuries that kept him out of the team's Week 8 win over the Dolphins. The Patriots traded a first- and fifth-round pick to acquire the three-time Pro Bowler from the Philadelphia Eagles, but the start of Brown's tenure in New England has been marred by injury and uncharacteristic drops, limiting him to only nine catches for 101 yards and no touchdowns through Week 8. Should Brown miss his second consecutive game, fantasy managers can again look to DeMario Douglas, who finished Sunday's win with 76 yards and a touchdown, as quarterback Drake Maye continues to excel despite a depleted receiving corps.
Source: Evan Lazar
Source: Evan Lazar
Juwan Johnson's Slump Could Linger with Return of Rookie Teammate
After a hot start to the season, New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson has not reached 20 receiving yards in a game since Week 4, totaling just five catches for 23 yards in his last three outings before the team's Week 8 bye. With first-round rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) reportedly returning to practice after starting the year on injured reserve, Johnson could soon face additional target competition with no obvious end to his slump in sight. New Orleans faces Cleveland in Week 9, and while the Browns have been an average matchup for fantasy tight ends, Johnson is RotoBaller's TE21, with more viable streaming options likely available on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Harrison Butker will start vs. Jets Sunday
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said kicker Harrison Butker will be the team's kicker in Week 9 on Sunday at home against the New York Jets, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. Butker's struggles from long range continued in the 28-24 loss to the division-rival Denver Broncos in Week 8, with the 31-year-old veteran making one of his two field-goal attempts and all three of his extra-point tries on Sunday. The 10-year veteran has made a career-low 66.7% of his 18 field-goal attempts through seven games so far in 2026, including going just 2-for-7 on kickers over 50 yards. He has also missed one of his 18 extra-point attempts. The Chiefs brought in former Pro Bowl kicker Justin Tucker as insurance for the struggling Butker a week ago, but so far, Reid and the Chiefs have decided to stick with Butker, even though he has been a liability up to this point. In standard-sized 12-team fantasy leagues, managers should be looking to move on from Butker in favor of a kicker with a stronger and more accurate leg. Butker is ranked as the No. 19 kicker for Week 9 at RotoBaller.
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
Deshaun Watson not practicing Wednesday, remains optimistic for Sunday
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is not expected to practice on Wednesday after entering the NFL's concussion protocol this week, according to Scott Petrak of The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. However, head coach Todd Monken is not ruling Watson out, and he is optimistic that he will play on Sunday on the road against the New Orleans Saints, who are coming off their bye. Fantasy managers who have been using the 31-year-old veteran in two-QB superflex leagues should be formulating a backup plan for this week. If Watson cannot get cleared from the protocol by the start of the weekend, second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders would be in line for his first start of the 2026 season in a hostile environment against a well-rested Saints defense. We will be keeping a close eye on Watson's practice status this week, but so far, he is on the wrong side of questionable. Through the first eight weeks this year, Watson has been a serviceable QB2 in fantasy, throwing for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions to put him as the QB17 in overall fantasy points.
Source: The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram - Scott Petrak
Source: The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram - Scott Petrak
Jets Planning on RB Timeshare if Breece Hall Returns in Week 9?
When asked about the backfield split if running back Breece Hall (quadriceps) returns in Week 9 to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said, "Both guys will play," per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Hall has missed the last five contests with a quad injury, but he was limited in Wednesday's practice and is expected to make his return this weekend, just ahead of next Tuesday's trade deadline. The 25-year-old should get the green light to play, but with Braelon Allen performing like an RB1 in his absence, the Jets have a delicate situation on their hands if they do not end up trading Hall before Tuesday's deadline. Hall had his first 1,000-yard rushing season in 2025 and was rewarded with an extension in the offseason, but he has averaged a career-low 3.2 yards per carry for 163 rushing yards and one touchdown in three games played in 2026 before injuring his quad. Allen has earned a bigger role in New York's backfield going forward, even if Hall sticks on the roster. Going into Week 9, fantasy managers will have to temper expectations for both Hall and Allen if Hall is active, with both coming in on the RB2/3 borderline.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Breece Hall limited at practice Wednesday
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (quadriceps) was limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Zach Rosenblatt. The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on Monday that Hall was "good to go" and is expected to return from a five-game absence to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9 on Sunday. The 25-year-old might have to upgrade to a full practice on Thursday or Friday, though, to avoid a questionable tag going into the weekend. The Jets' backfield is a complicated situation with Hall still battling a quad injury and also rumored to be a trade candidate with the deadline quickly approaching on Tuesday. Backup Braelon Allen has performed like an RB1 in Hall's absence, too, so if the Jets do not trade Hall, he figures to see his fantasy ceiling lower while sharing more of the backfield workload. Head coach Aaron Glenn said that "both guys will play" when asked about the RB rotation this weekend if Hall returns. If Hall is active against the Chiefs in KC on Sunday, he should be considered more of an RB3/flex in fantasy lineups.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Garrett Wilson in Concussion Protocol, Considered Day-to-Day
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol this week and is considered day-to-day, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Fantasy managers will now need to keep a close eye on Wilson's practice status this week as the Jets prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs on the road this Sunday. If the 26-year-old is limited or out this weekend, both Adonai Mitchell and rookie first-rounder Omar Cooper Jr. could be must-starts in fantasy football lineups. Wilson caught six of his 12 targets for 83 yards in the Week 8 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, with his 12 targets being the second-highest total of the season. Meanwhile, Mitchell caught seven of nine targets for a career-high 142 yards and a touchdown in his second game back from a finger injury that landed him on Injured Reserve. Wilson has 43 receptions for 527 yards and three touchdowns in eight games so far in 2026 and will be a must-start in fantasy if he can clear the protocol and get the green light to play in a tough road matchup in Week 9.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
