Another DNP for Dalton Schultz, Expected to Return Later This Week
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (knee, shoulder) is missing another practice on Thursday, but head coach DeMeco Ryans said that he "expects him to return later this week," according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Sports. Schultz has yet to practice this week, but it sounds like the team expects the 29-year-old to return to Friday's practice. That doesn't ensure that he'll be active this Sunday when the team hosts the Denver Broncos in Week 9, but it will at least give him a chance to play this weekend. The good news for Houston is that top receiver Nico Collins (concussion) says he's ready to return after missing the Week 8 win over the San Francisco 49ers due to a concussion, and the Texans could also be getting wideout Christian Kirk (hamstring) back. After a season-best nine-catch, 98-yard performance in Week 7, Schultz came back down to earth last week, catching just two passes for 24 yards. If he's active, Schultz is merely a TE2 option in fantasy against a strong Broncos defense.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Ricky Pearsall Still Not Practicing
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) remained out of practice on Thursday, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Pearsall hasn't practiced with the team since spraining the PCL in his knee back in Week 4, but he was running routes on a side field, so he's making some progress. Still, the 25-year-old former first-rounder will not be able to return this weekend when the team takes on the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. It's unclear if Pearsall will make enough progress to be an option to make his return for a big Week 10 divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 9, but even if he does, he'll likely be on a snap count and would be an extremely risky fantasy play. With Pearsall likely out again in Week 9, Jauan Jennings will continue to operate as the Niners' WR1, with Kendrick Bourne serving as the No. 2.
Source: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
Source: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
Tony Pollard on Track to Play After Full Practice on Thursday
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard's (neck) Week 9 status was in question when he missed the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday due to a neck injury. However, he's back on the right track to play this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers after he returned to a full practice on Thursday. As long as the 28-year-old doesn't suffer a setback with his neck injury on Friday, he should be fine to play this weekend. The Chargers' defense has been much more susceptible to the run game in recent weeks, but Pollard won't be much more than a low-upside RB3/flex in Week 9 for fantasy purposes with backfield mate Tyjae Spears starting to see more involvement in what is becoming more of a timeshare in Tennessee. Pollard has surpassed double-digit half-PPR points just twice in eight games in 2025 and has only two touchdowns in one of the worst offenses in football.
Source: Titans PR
Source: Titans PR
Nico Collins Clears Concussion Protocol, Says he's "Ready to Play"
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (concussion) has cleared the league's mandatory concussion protocol and said he's "feeling great, ready to play this week" on Sunday for a Week 9 battle against the visiting Denver Broncos, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Collins suffered a concussion late in the Monday night loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7 and did not suit up for the Week 8 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He has been back at practice this week, though, and has already cleared the concussion protocol, so fantasy managers should have him back without any restrictions this weekend against a Broncos defense that will be without their top cornerback, Patrick Surtain II (pectoral). Although the matchup still isn't a great one -- Denver's vaunted pass rush could make things difficult for Houston's offensive line -- Collins should be reinserted into all starting fantasy lineups.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Michael Penix Jr. Limited in Practice Again on Thursday
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was listed as a limited practice participant for the second straight day on Thursday as he battles a bone bruise in his knee. Penix Jr. was sidelined in Week 8 due to the injury. However, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris expressed confidence earlier this week that his starting quarterback would return in Week 9 against the New England Patriots. If that proves not to be the case, Atlanta would likely turn to veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who struggled in the team's Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Across six games played so far this season, Penix Jr. has completed 61% of his pass attempts for 1,409 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. He profiles as a low-end fantasy QB2 if active in Week 9 against New England.
Source: Atlanta Falcons
Source: Atlanta Falcons
Drake London Records Second Straight Limited Practice on Thursday
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (hip) logged his second straight limited practice on Thursday due to a hip injury. London was a late addition to the injury report before Atlanta's Week 8 matchup against the Miami Dolphins and ended up missing the game. It's a good sign that he's been able to practice in a limited capacity so far this week, but London's status remains up in the air heading into Atlanta's Week 9 matchup against the New England Patriots. Across six games played so far this season, the 24-year-old has recorded 38 catches for 469 yards and two touchdowns on 63 targets. If London misses a second straight game, Falcons wideout Darnell Mooney (hamstring) and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (ankle) would be the most likely target beneficiaries, although both are battling injuries of their own. If London is active, he profiles as a must-start wide receiver in Week 9 against New England.
Source: Atlanta Falcons
Source: Atlanta Falcons
Hassan Haskins Misses Chargers Practice on Thursday
Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins (hamstring) remained out of practice on Thursday due to a hamstring injury, per ESPN's Kris Rhim. Haskins missed his team's Week 8 contest, and he could be tracking towards a second consecutive absence in Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. Haskins being sidelined would likely mean another sizable workload for Chargers running back Kimani Vidal. Without Haskins in the lineup in Week 8, Vidal recorded 127 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 24 touches against the Minnesota Vikings. If Haskins remains out in Week 9, Jaret Patterson would likely be elevated from the practice squad to serve as the Chargers' RB2 behind Vidal.
Source: ESPN - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN - Kris Rhim
Xavier Legette Misses Practice on Thursday Due to Illness
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (illness) did not practice on Thursday due to an illness. The 24-year-old's Week 9 status is unclear, but he'll have a few days to recover before Carolina's matchup against the Green Bay Packers. In six games played so far this season, Legette has recorded 19 catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns on 34 targets. If Legette is unable to go against Green Bay, Panthers wideouts Jalen Coker, Jimmy Horn Jr., and Hunter Renfrow would be the most likely candidates to see an uptick in targets and playing time alongside star rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Even if he's active, Legette is tough for fantasy managers to trust given his lack of consistent production and the difficult matchup against Green Bay.
Source: Carolina Panthers
Source: Carolina Panthers
Andy Dalton Upgraded to Limited Practice Participant on Thursday
Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday after being held out of practice on Wednesday due to a thumb injury. Dalton started in place of Bryce Young (ankle) in Carolina's Week 8 game against the Buffalo Bills and struggled, completing 16 of 24 pass attempts for 175 yards and an interception. Young has logged two straight full practices heading into Friday, so he appears to be tracking towards returning in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers. If neither Dalton nor Young were available to play, veteran journeyman Mike White would likely get the start. Fantasy managers should likely avoid whoever the Panthers' starting quarterback is in Week 9, given the difficult matchup on the road in Green Bay.
Source: Carolina Panthers
Source: Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young Logs Second Straight Full Practice on Thursday
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) practiced in full for the second consecutive day on Thursday as he battles an ankle injury that sidelined him in Week 8. Young appears to be trending towards making his return in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers, but the team has not officially announced his status. Panthers backup quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) was limited in practice on Thursday due to a thumb injury, so Young may actually be the team's healthiest option. Across seven games in 2025, Young has completed 61.6% of his pass attempts for 1,288 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Even if he's active, Young should likely be avoided by fantasy managers as he heads into a difficult Week 9 matchup against Green Bay.
Source: Carolina Panthers
Source: Carolina Panthers
Chig Okonkwo Missing From Thursday's Practice
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (foot) was not spotted at Thursday's practice, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Okonkwo was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, so this would represent a mid-week downgrade if the 26-year-old officially picks up a DNP tag on Thursday's final injury report. His status for this Sunday's Week 9 contest against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers is now up in the air. If Okonkwo doesn't get cleared to suit up this weekend, rookie Gunnar Helm would be on the streaming radar at TE for fantasy managers. Okonkwo leads Tennessee's tight ends this year with 27 receptions and 270 yards, but he has yet to find the end zone in eight games played. Meanwhile, Helm has been impressive in his first year with 19 catches on 24 targets for 172 yards and one score.
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
Calvin Ridley on the Wrong Track for Week 9
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring) was not spotted at Thursday's practice, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Ridley has not practiced since injuring his hamstring in Week 6 and appears to be on his way towards missing his third straight game in Week 9 versus the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. The 30-year-old veteran will need to return to practice on Friday in some fashion to have a shot at ending his two-game absence. Since Ridley's injury, rookie receivers Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike have taken on expanded roles in the Titans' passing attack. Tight end Chig Okonkwo (foot) has yet to practice this week, either, which means Ayomanor and Dike could see even more targets this weekend against L.A. if both Ridley and Okonkwo are ruled out. Ridley has been a major disappointment in his third year in Tennessee, catching 16 passes for 290 yards and no touchdowns so far through eight weeks.
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
Cole Kmet Puts in Another Limited Practice
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (back) was limited on Thursday in practice for the second straight day this week as he tries to make his return in Week 9 versus the Cincinnati Bengals on the road. Kmet appears to be on the right track to returning to action this weekend after missing his first career game in the Week 8 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. If the 26-year-old gets the green light to play against the Bengals, it will be bad news for rookie Colston Loveland, who played a season-high 81% of the offensive snaps last Sunday with Kmet out. Even though Loveland has been slow to get going in his first year in the NFL in 2025, Kmet hasn't been much of a factor in the Bears' passing attack, catching nine of his 19 targets for 132 yards and one touchdown over his six starts. At best, Kmet will be a low-upside TE2 streamer if he returns in Week 9.
Source: Bears Communications
Source: Bears Communications
Rome Odunze, DJ Moore Both Limited on Thursday
Chicago Bears wide receivers Rome Odunze (heel) and DJ Moore (groin, hip) were both listed as limited participants in practice on Thursday after they both missed Wednesday's session. Chicago's offense is pretty banged up coming off their Week 8 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, with rookie receiver Luther Burden III (concussion) yet to practice this week and looking unlikely to suit up on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Odunze and Moore should be able to suit up this weekend, but fantasy managers will want to monitor their statuses through Friday. Both pass-catchers could be in line for big days this weekend against a porous Bengals pass defense, especially if Burden is unable to play. Odunze has been quarterback Caleb Williams' primary target through the air this year, while Moore hasn't been a great fit in head coach Ben Johnson's offense. UPDATE: Odunze said he is good to go for the Bengals game.
Source: Bears Communications
Source: Bears Communications
Luther Burden III Still in Concussion Protocol, Not Practicing
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (concussion) remains in the league's concussion protocol and missed a second straight practice this week on Thursday. Meanwhile, fellow wideout Olamide Zaccheaus (knee) was listed as limited after picking up a DNP tag on Wednesday. Burden suffered a concussion in the Week 8 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and is now trending toward missing the Week 9 contest in Cincinnati against the Bengals this Sunday. Top wideouts Rome Odunze (heel) and DJ Moore (groin, hip) also missed practice on Wednesday, but they both were back on the field on Thursday and should be able to suit up this weekend. If Burden doesn't get cleared from the league's concussion protocol, Zaccheaus would serve as Chicago's WR3 if he's active against the Bengals. Fantasy managers should not be planning on having the 21-year-old Burden available as a flex play in deeper leagues.
Source: Bears Communications
Source: Bears Communications
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