October 20, 2025
Quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) could soon have the starting job back after the Minnesota Vikings lost 28-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, after which multiple members of the team highlighted the mistakes in the passing game that proved costly in quarterback
Carson Wentz's fourth straight start. Wentz had two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and committed a baffling intentional grounding penalty while in the red zone that forced the Vikings into a field goal attempt. Wentz called his second-quarter interception "dumb" and "not a wise decision," while coach Kevin O'Connell and receiver
Justin Jefferson both stressed cleaning up mistakes, which held the Vikings to one touchdown from six trips inside the Eagles' 20-yard line. McCarthy still hasn't been given the full vote of confidence as he returns from his injury and still could miss another week, but Sunday seemed to quell talk of a lingering controversy in Minnesota.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: The Athletic
October 20, 2025
The NFL has suspended Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw for one game without pay due to unsportsmanlike conduct following his team's Week 7 win over the New York Giants, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapoport reports that Greenlaw "chased after referee Brad Allen and verbally threatened him as (Allen) tried to leave the field." Week 7 was Greenlaw's first game of the season after he missed the first six weeks due to a thigh injury. Greenlaw recorded one solo tackle and one QB hit in Week 7 against New York. Assuming the suspension is upheld, Greenlaw will likely miss his team's Week 8 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton will likely serve as Denver's primary off-ball linebackers against Dallas.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
October 20, 2025
Indianapolis Colts edge rusher Samson Ebukam (knee) is "expected to miss multiple weeks with an MCL injury," per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Fowler notes that Ebukam is in the process of getting a second opinion. Across seven games so far this season, the 30-year-old has recorded two sacks, 10 solo tackles, and seven QB hits. If Ebukam is forced to miss time, rookie edge rusher JT Tuimoloau could see an increase in playing time as a key depth piece behind Colts starters Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu. Indianapolis will play the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Atlanta Falcons over the next three weeks before its Week 11 bye.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
October 20, 2025
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) "says he will play" in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears, per ESPN's Jamison Hensley. Smith missed the Ravens' last two games before their Week 7 bye due to a hamstring injury. His return would be a welcome sight for a banged-up Ravens defense that has allowed an average of 32.3 points per game over its first six contests this season. In the four games he's played, Smith has recorded 24 solo tackles, three quarterback hits, and returned a fumble 63 yards for a touchdown. The 28-year-old has been named a first-team All-Pro in each of the last two seasons, and his return should make life significantly more difficult for the Bears' offense in Week 8.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Jamison Hensley
October 20, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that defensive end Trey Hendrickson (hip) is "day-to-day" heading into his team's Week 8 matchup against the New York Jets, per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Hendrickson missed Cincinnati's Week 7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Thursday due to a hip injury. The 30-year-old is one of the NFL's best pass rushers and has recorded four sacks and eight quarterback hits across six games so far this season. If Hendrickson is forced to miss another game, the Bengals will likely turn to Myles Murphy and rookie Shemar Stewart for edge rush snaps alongside Joseph Ossai. Hendrickson's absence would make life significantly easier in Week 8 for a struggling Jets offense.
--Will BradySource: Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
October 20, 2025
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that rookie quarterback
Quinn Ewers will compete with veteran
Zach Wilson for the team's backup QB job, according to Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. Ewers saw his first game action of his career in Week 7 during garbage time of Miami's 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The 22-year-old completed five of eight pass attempts for 53 yards. Ewers was named the backup quarterback over Wilson heading into Week 7, but it seems the two quarterbacks are still battling for the full-time job. It does not appear that either Ewers or Wilson is currently a threat to take the starting job from
Tua Tagovailoa. However, that may change if the 1-6 Dolphins continue to struggle.
--Will BradySource: Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
October 20, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Hassan Haskins (hamstring) is listed as a non-participant on his team's Monday injury report due to a hamstring injury. The Chargers did not actually practice on Monday, so this is an estimation of Haskins' status ahead of the team's Week 8 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night. In two games since Chargers RB1
Omarion Hampton (ankle) was placed on Injured Reserve, Haskins has split backfield work in Los Angeles with
Kimani Vidal. Vidal has been the clear lead back, as Haskins has recorded 28 yards from scrimmage on 10 total touches over the last two weeks. If Haskins is unable to play on Thursday, Vidal would likely dominate backfield work for the Chargers even further. Veteran back
Nyheim Hines could also play a role on passing downs.
--Will BradySource: Los Angeles Chargers
October 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Mike Evans (concussion, shoulder) returned on Monday night to face the Detroit Lions in Week 7 for the first time since straining his left hamstring in Week 3, but it didn't take long for him to get hurt again in the first half at Ford Field. Evans went down in the second quarter deep down the field and was visibly in a lot of pain before being helped to the sideline. The Bucs have since ruled him out for the rest of the game with a concussion and shoulder injury, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The 32-year-old veteran wideout was carted into the locker room, where he will most likely undergo more tests on his shoulder.
Chris Godwin (leg) is inactive on Monday night, so rookie first-rounder
Emeka Egbuka and
Sterling Shepard will be quarterback
Baker Mayfield's top targets the rest of the night. It's a tough blow for Evans' fantasy managers who started him in Week 7. He was unable to catch any of his four targets before leaving with his two injuries.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
October 20, 2025
New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that quarterback
Spencer Rattler will keep starting for the team, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. Rattler had a rough game in the Week 7 loss on the road to the Chicago Bears, turning the ball over four times. Moore noted that the Bears have been forcing turnovers all year, so he's not too worried, and that the 25-year-old signal-caller needs to learn from it and move on. Rattler will head into Week 8 as the starter, but he's going to need to play better to hold off rookie
Tyler Shough before the end of the season. He'll get a little bit of leash despite throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble, mainly because he had just one pick and no fumbles before the Week 7 loss to Chicago. From a fantasy perspective, managers should keep ignoring New Orleans' quarterback situation.
--Keith HernandezSource: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
October 20, 2025
Former Philadelphia Eagles standout linebacker Brandon Graham, who is the longest-tenured player in franchise history, is finalizing a deal on Monday to rejoin the team this week, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Graham played 15 seasons for the Eagles and will now come out of retirement to return for his 16th season in the NFL. The 37-year-old hung up his cleats back in March, but the itch to return has gotten the better of him, and he will return this week to try and help the Eagles win back-to-back Super Bowl championships. The former first-rounder will give the Eagles some more pass-rushing depth with Nolan Smith (triceps) and Ogbo Okoronkwo (triceps) on Injured Reserve. Graham will most likely be more of a rotational pass-rusher in his return to the league in 2025 after he had only 3.5 sacks and 20 tackles (15 solo) in 11 regular-season games (one start) a year ago.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
October 20, 2025
Cleveland Browns tight end
David Njoku (knee) remains day-to-day on Monday, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Njoku injured his knee in the Week 6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and was unable to practice all of last week before being ruled out of the blowout win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The 29-year-old's knee injury isn't all that serious, so he could have a chance to play in Week 8 against the New England Patriots if he's able to return to practice this week. If Njoku makes it back to face New England on Sunday, he'll be in play as a low-end TE1/high-end TE2 for fantasy purposes. Impressive rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. had the best game of his career against Pittsburgh with a 7-81-0 line, but disappointed with four catches for 36 yards against Miami with Njoku sidelined. Njoku's upside as a TE1 in fantasy has been capped in 2025 with Fannin involved.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
October 20, 2025
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon reiterated on Monday that quarterback
Kyler Murray (foot) will be the team's starting QB when he is healthy, but it's "too early to say" whether he'll be ready to return coming out of the bye to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. A mid-foot sprain has kept Murray out of the Cardinals' last two games, and although backup
Jacoby Brissett has played well in his two spot starts, the team isn't ready to bench the struggling Murray. The 28-year-old Murray gives the Cardinals' offense more options because of his rushing abilities, but he has mostly underwhelmed in his five starts in 2025, failing to go over 220 yards passing in any game while tossing only six touchdowns and three interceptions. Meanwhile, Brissett has thrown for 599 yards, four TDs, and one pick the last two weeks with Murray inactive.
--Keith HernandezSource: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
October 20, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers will continue to monitor wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall (knee) this week, and there is no certainty that he will return to face the Houston Texans on Sunday in Week 8, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Pearsall sprained his knee in the Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and has missed the last two games as a result. It sounds like the former first-rounder is in danger of missing a third straight game in Week 8, too, depending on how much he can do at practice this week. The 25-year-old didn't practice at all last week, so he'll just be trying to get on the practice field this week as the team begins preparations for the Texans. With Pearsall out,
Jauan Jennings and
Kendrick Bourne have been the team's top two wideouts, but most of quarterback
Mac Jones' passes have been going to do-it-all running back
Christian McCaffrey.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
October 20, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers will continue to monitor quarterback
Brock Purdy (toe) this week, and there is no certainty that he will return for the Week 8 contest on Sunday against the Houston Texans, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Purdy has been sidelined since aggravating his turf-toe injury in Week 4, and he has only played in two games through the first seven weeks due to the injury. According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, it could be a stretch for the 25-year-old to return this weekend, but it will all depend on how much he can do in practice leading up to Sunday's contest. Purdy was limited in three practices last week, and he will probably need to put in a full practice this week to have a realistic shot at returning. Fantasy managers should consider him on the wrong side of questionable as of right now.
Mac Jones would make his third straight start in a tough matchup against Houston if Purdy misses a fifth game.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
October 20, 2025
Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson (hamstring) remained sidelined at Monday's practice, the team's first practice since coming off their Week 7 bye, according to Jamison Hensley of The Baltimore Sun. The two-time MVP hasn't suited up since injuring his hamstring in the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs back on Sept. 28. The Ravens have expressed optimism that Jackson will return for the Week 9 game against the Chicago Bears, but the 28-year-old is going to need to return to practice at some point this week to be cleared by the weekend. For now, fantasy managers should consider Jackson to be questionable this week. Check back on Wednesday when the Ravens hold their first official practice of the week. Jackson is a must-start, high-end QB1 in fantasy if he returns to action this Sunday. But if he misses another game,
Cooper Rush will be forced to make another start.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
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