October 23, 2025
Green Bay Packers kicker
Brandon McManus (quadriceps) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, according to the team. McManus missed his second game of the season in Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals and is trending in the wrong direction to start the practice week ahead of Week 8's matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 34-year-old kicker has been solid when he's played, making seven of nine field goal attempts and 10 of 11 extra points. If McManus is unable to go again,
Lucas Havrisik will take his place as the Packers' kicker on Sunday Night Football in Pittsburgh.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Green Bay Packers
October 23, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Stefon Diggs (chest) was listed as limited in practice on Wednesday, according to the team. Diggs dealt with the same injury last week in practice and was ultimately able to play through it, and ran his normal route share in Week 7 against the Titans. It was another productive game for the 31-year-old wideout, catching all seven targets for 69 yards. Diggs will likely be good to go again in Week 8 against the Browns and ranks as a fringe WR1/WR2 option.
--Kyle McCarthySource: New England Patriots
October 23, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers D/ST struggled significantly against the Indianapolis Colts offense on Sunday, allowing 38 points and being heavily dominated on the ground by running back
Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns. The defense has now surrendered a staggering 10 rushing touchdowns this season and an average of 140 yards rushing over the last three games. They now face a tough, well-coached Minnesota Vikings offense on a short week, which might include a returning Aaron Jones (activated from IR) to support tough, downhill runner
Jordan Mason. The presence of elite wide receivers like
Justin Jefferson and
Jordan Addison also makes the Vikings a dangerous matchup. Although the Bolts recorded a sack with the return of edge rusher Khalil Mack, their ongoing run-defense struggles against a strong Vikings ground game remain risky. RotoBaller ranks the Chargers D/ST 14th this week. Although six teams are on bye, managers should consider alternative options.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 23, 2025
New York Giants tight end
Daniel Bellinger (neck) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, according to Dan Salomone of Giants.com. Bellinger is coming off the best game of his season and career in Week 7 against the Broncos, catching three of his four targets for a career high 88 yards and a touchdown. It's unclear when the 25-year-old tight end picked up the injury, but his status will be monitored as the week goes along. He's become an important piece of the Giants' offense and played his highest snap share of the season last week at 68.1%. He'll rank as a low-end TE2 for Week 8 against Philadelphia if he can play.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Dan Salomone
October 23, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers kicker
Cameron Dicker continued his perfect season despite the team's 38-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, successfully converting a 43-yard field goal and all three extra points. Ahead of Thursday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Chargers are projected to score 24 points, indicating a stable environment for kicking opportunities, even if the game may be more defensive due to the short week. Dicker's proven accuracy and the expectation that the high-volume Chargers offense will move the ball effectively make him one of the safest options at the position. RotoBaller has Dicker ranked as K7 this week. He can confidently be started in your lineup.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 23, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Tre' Harris saw his production decline to two catches for 23 yards on two targets last Sunday, overshadowed by the breakout of fellow rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden. Harris remains buried on the depth chart, and facing a quick turnaround against a blitz-heavy Minnesota Vikings secondary offers no clear path to fantasy relevance. While coaches may like him, the offense currently has too many established targets, and now with Gadsden's emergence, Harris's participation may be even more limited. Harris should stay on the bench and will only be a desperation, boom-or-bust WR5/6 if a major injury occurs to the team's top three wideouts.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 23, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Nyheim Hines was elevated from the practice squad last week but only played on special teams, with no offensive snaps in the team's loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Hines is expected to be elevated once again, especially since fellow running back
Hassan Haskins (hamstring) has been ruled out for Thursday's quick turnaround against the Minnesota Vikings. The veteran will likely spell
Kimani Vidal and primarily be used as a pass-catching back during the game. This will be Hines' third elevation from the practice squad, and after Thursday's game, he would need to be signed to the active 53-man roster to play in any more games this season. Hines probably won't see enough volume to matter in fantasy and can be safely kept on the bench.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden delivered a standout performance in the team's Week 7 loss, with seven catches for 164 yards and a touchdown on nine targets, earning the TE1 spot for the week. Gadsden recorded the most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in a game since 1985 and saw a season-high in snap share, route rate, and targets. While repeating his career day may be difficult, Gadsden has clearly secured an important role in this pass-heavy offense. The blitz-heavy Minnesota Vikings might favor Gadsden on Thursday, as short-to-intermediate targets will become key check-down options against linebackers in man coverage. RotoBaller projects Gadsden as TE9. With six teams on bye, Gadsden's usage makes him a solid mid-range TE1 or streaming option this week.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston returned after missing one game due to a hamstring injury, catching two passes for 30 yards and a touchdown on six targets in the team's 38-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Although rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden's breakout performance overshadowed him, Johnston's snap count and high route participation (93.1%) indicate he is physically healthy and remains a key part of the offense. Facing a quick turnaround against the blitz-heavy Minnesota Vikings may limit his downfield opportunities because of
Justin Herbert's limited pocket time. However, the Vikings just allowed
Jalen Hurts to throw three passing touchdowns on Sunday, which suggests their talented secondary still has vulnerabilities. Johnston's steady red-zone involvement keeps his touchdown upside high, balancing his lower floor. RotoBaller ranks Johnston as WR18. He should be considered a WR2/FLEX with significant touchdown upside.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Keenan Allen reminded fantasy managers of his veteran prowess in Week 7, thriving in a positive game script with 11 catches on 14 targets for 119 yards and a touchdown. His elite 30.4% targets per route run show he is quarterback
Justin Herbert's most trusted target. Despite the quick turnaround and facing a talented Minnesota Vikings secondary, Allen's route running and precise timing are exactly what's needed against a blitz-heavy defense. If the Chargers' offensive line struggles again, the game script could lead to more short targets to the veteran, reducing the impact of the Vikings' top-five pass defense. RotoBaller has Allen as WR21. He remains a reliable, high-floor WR2, expected to put up solid numbers even against a tough opponent.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Ladd McConkey handled a heavy workload in the team's loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, leading the Bolts in targets for the second consecutive week with 15. McConkey leads the league in total routes run (278) and posted an impressive 28.2% targets per route run last week. He now faces a tough Minnesota Vikings secondary that allows just 26.9 PPR points per game to wide receivers. However, McConkey's reliable and quick routes are an effective counter to the Vikings' blitz-heavy defense, providing
Justin Herbert with an immediate outlet under pressure. His three red-zone targets last week also highlight his growing importance near the goal line. RotoBaller ranks McConkey as WR17. His target share and versatile role make him a solid mid-range WR2 start in all league formats.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Kimani Vidal was limited in Week 7, rushing for only 20 yards on nine carries as the Bolts faced a negative game script for most of the day, throwing the ball 55 times. However, he remains the clear lead back, especially since backup running back
Hassan Haskins (hamstring) has been ruled out for Thursday. This week, Vidal faces a Minnesota Vikings run defense that is middle-of-the-pack but showed strength last week by holding Philadelphia Eagles running back
Saquon Barkley to just 2.4 yards per carry. With Haskins out, Vidal is expected to get nearly all the early-down work and see more red-zone opportunities. The Chargers might also focus more on the run game to help reduce the pressure on
Justin Herbert. RotoBaller projects Vidal as RB23, making him a reliable low-end RB2/FLEX option based on volume and potential red zone touches.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert is coming off a career-best performance with 420 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. However, in last week's loss to the Indianapolis Colts, he faced pressure 35 times, highlighting the ongoing pressure he's been under behind a battered offensive line for most of the season. Herbert now faces a top-five Minnesota Vikings pass defense on a short week, which poses an immediate risk because the Vikings run the second-highest blitz rate in the NFL. Still, volume matters: Herbert is the most-blitzed QB in the league and just threw 55 passes. Additionally, the Vikings recently allowed 326 yards and three touchdowns to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Jalen Hurts. Key offensive linemen Joe Alt (ankle), Trey Pipkins (knee), and Jamaree Salyer (knee) all practiced in some capacity this week and are listed as questionable for Thursday's game. If they play, protection could improve enough to let Herbert continue airing it out in a must-win situation. RotoBaller projects Herbert as QB11. He remains a locked-in QB1 due to his high passing volume and playmaking ability.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings defense/special teams will face tough circumstances in Week 8 when they travel to play the Los Angeles Chargers on short rest for this week's Thursday Night Football game. Minnesota is still pressuring quarterbacks on 29% of dropbacks, which is one of the highest rates in the NFL, but its defense surrendered several long passes last week against Philadelphia, and now will play
Justin Herbert, a top-10 fantasy quarterback so far this season. Though Minnesota has still rushed the quarterback well without Andrew Van Ginkel (neck), the Week 8 situation isn't ideal. Ultimately, it's a road game on a short week against a winning team with a good starting quarterback, so chances are high that managers can find a more favorable fantasy matchup elsewhere.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Following an outsized fantasy performance last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings kicker
Will Reichard is a mid-tier option with his team facing a Thursday night matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Reichard is the No. 8 overall fantasy kicker so far in 2025, but largely because of a five-field-goal performance in Week 7 that included a make from beyond 50. However, Minnesota is still starting turnover-happy backup quarterback
Carson Wentz, whose offense scored only one touchdown from six tries last week. Reichard is now 13-for-14 on field goals this year and a capable fantasy kicker, but managers should try to find a higher-volume option with a better matchup this week.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
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