Steelers D/ST in Play for Week 7 Divisional Clash
Joe Flacco taking over at quarterback, but the 40-year-old had thrown six interceptions and taken nine sacks in four starts with the Browns to begin the season. Pittsburgh's defense, averaging two takeaways and four sacks per contest, is primed for another strong performance and can be started with confidence in all fantasy formats.
Source: Pro Football Reference
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense held the Cleveland Browns to just nine points while recording six sacks in their Week 6 victory. Although Pittsburgh surprisingly came up empty in the turnover department, it was still a dominant showing against a division rival. The Steelers now draw another AFC North foe, the Cincinnati Bengals, on Thursday Night Football. The Bengals' offense showed signs of life last week with Source: Pro Football Reference
Chris Boswell Remains A Top Fantasy Option on TNF
Chris Boswell drilled both of his extra-point tries and went 3-for-4 on field-goal attempts in a Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns. His lone miss came on a 54-yard try, as the 11th-year veteran slipped on less-than-ideal field conditions. Boswell should remain steady as usual against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night. The Bengals are one of just three teams in the NFL allowing over 30 points per game through six weeks, so if Pittsburgh's offense continues to move the ball effectively, Boswell should have plenty of opportunities to contribute. He checks in as a top-10 option in RotoBaller's Week 7 fantasy rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Source: RotoBaller
Jauan Jennings Logs Limited Practice Session
Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. Jennings played through five broken ribs during last weekend's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He hauled in one of his three targets for seven yards. Jennings played 77 percent of the offensive snaps despite dealing with an ankle and obvious rib issues. At the moment, it seems like Jennings will be available for the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. However, the injuries are likely impacting his performance, so he won't be an ideal fantasy option, assuming he's active.
Source: Cam Inman
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Source: Cam Inman
Jonnu Smith Has Opportunity to Rebound on Thursday Night
Jonnu Smith has seen underwhelming utilization through his first five games with the team but will look to make a bigger impact against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. The Bengals have given up the second-most targets and the most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends this year, leaving the door open for Smith to produce on Thursday night. Although he played behind Darnell Washington in Week 6, it was encouraging to see his snap share rebound to nearly 70% after logging just 25% in his previous game. With wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) sidelined again, Smith could earn a handful of looks from Aaron Rodgers. While he can't be started with any real confidence, the 30-year-old offers some upside to desperate fantasy managers this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Source: RotoBaller
J.J. McCarthy Limited, Carson Wentz Full-Go at Wednesday's Practice
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and Carson Wentz (shoulder) are a bit banged up heading into the Week 7 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. McCarthy was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. He's working his way back from a high ankle sprain that he suffered in Week 2. This is a step in the right direction for McCarthy, but the 22-year-old still isn't 100 percent healthy. As for Wentz, he was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. He injured his shoulder during the Week 5 win over the Cleveland Browns. It seems likely that Wentz will be under center for this Sunday's game.
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks Source: Minnesota Vikings
Jerry Jeudy is Limited During Wednesday's Practice
Jerry Jeudy (knee) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. It's never a good sign to see a player with a knee injury, but the fact he was limited is a positive sign. It means Jeudy's knee issue isn't bad enough to keep him completely out of practice. Regardless, fantasy managers should monitor his status throughout the week. Last week, Jeudy saw a season-high 13 targets but only hauled in five of them for 43 yards in the loss. Even if he's healthy, Jeudy should be viewed as a low-end flex option for Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins.
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Chris Olave Gets in Limited Practice
Chris Olave (hip) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice. Olave appears to have picked up a minor hip injury during this past weekend's matchup against the New England Patriots. He looked good on the field as he hauled in six of his 10 targets for 98 yards in the loss. This is likely just the team being cautious with their star wideout early in the week. Fantasy managers should check back, but Olave is expected to be fine for the Week 7 matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Source: saints.com
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Source: saints.com
Pat Freiermuth Not A Fantasy Option Despite Soft Matchup
Pat Freiermuth saw just one target in last week's win and will look to earn more opportunities against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night. It's worth noting that this is an excellent matchup for all of Pittsburgh's tight ends, as Cincinnati surrenders the most fantasy points per game to the position. Unfortunately, Freiermuth has been playing behind both Darnell Washington and Jonnu Smith in recent contests, rendering him unreliable for fantasy purposes. The fifth-year pro can remain on waiver wires in all redraft formats heading into Week 7.
Source: RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Source: RotoBaller
Stefon Diggs Limited at Wednesday's Practice
Stefon Diggs (chest) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. It appears the veteran wideout is dealing with a minor chest issue. It's unclear when he picked up the injury, but it shouldn't be something that sidelines him in Week 7. Diggs posted back-to-back 100-yard games before giving fantasy managers a 28-yard dud this past weekend. The 31-year-old has a plus-matchup against the Tennessee Titans this weekend. Just to be safe, fantasy managers should check back later in the week to confirm Diggs is fine for Sunday's game.
Source: patriots.com
New England Patriots wide receiver Source: patriots.com
Josh Jacobs Limited in Practice on Wednesday
Josh Jacobs (illness) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. It sounds like Jacobs was feeling under the weather so the team decided to limit him on Wednesday. This shouldn't be something that impacts his status for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. For now, Jacobs is considered day-to-day and should return to full practice in a day or two. After a slow start, Jacobs has turned it on with four total touchdowns and over 85 rushing yards in each of his last two games. He's a must-start RB1 against the Cardinals in Week 7.
Source: packers.com
Green Bay Packers running back Source: packers.com
DK Metcalf Should Keep Rolling Against Division Rival
DK Metcalf has found the end zone in four consecutive games and should remain a strong fantasy option against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. Though they've been more vulnerable on the ground than through the air, the Bengals have still allowed the 12th-most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts. With fellow receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) set to miss a second straight contest, Metcalf should once again command a healthy target share from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who looked his way nine times last week. Fantasy managers who have been counting on Metcalf can confidently deploy him as a WR2 on Thursday Night Football.
Source: RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Kenneth Gainwell Offers Some Low-End Flex Value in Week 7
Kenneth Gainwell earned 12 opportunities in last week's win over the Cleveland Browns and should remain involved in another divisional matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. With Jaylen Warren handling RB1 duties, Gainwell can't expect a heavy workload, but he could still make some noise for fantasy purposes. Cincinnati has struggled to contain opposing running backs both on the ground and through the air this season, surrendering the most fantasy points per game to the position. Gainwell doesn't need to be rostered in all redraft leagues, but he's a viable flex option in a pinch on Thursday night.
Source: RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Warren Worth Starting as RB2 on TNF
Jaylen Warren returned from a knee injury in Week 6 and is set to be heavily featured against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. Cincinnati has given up 10 total touchdowns to opposing running backs this season, tied for the most in the NFL. The Bengals have also allowed a running back to eclipse 85 scrimmage yards in every game this year. While Warren will cede some opportunities to Kenneth Gainwell and Kaleb Johnson, he remains the most likely of the trio to reach that mark. With his ability to contribute both on the ground and as a weapon for Aaron Rodgers in the passing game, Warren profiles as an RB2 with plenty of upside on Thursday night.
Source: RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Source: RotoBaller
George Kittle Returns to Limited Practice on Wednesday
George Kittle (hamstring), who is still on Injured Reserve, returned to a limited practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers have designated Kittle to return from IR, which means they now have 21 days to officially activate him to return him to their 53-man active roster. It gives the 32-year-old Pro Bowl tight end a chance to return for a Week 7 date on Sunday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons, but it doesn't mean it will actually happen. Fantasy managers are surely itching to get Kittle back into their starting lineups, but he's firmly up in the air to play this week. The 49ers would have to activate Kittle from IR by Saturday if they intend to play him on Sunday night. Kittle is a no-doubt TE1 in fantasy when he's active. If the Niners decide to wait another week to activate him, Jake Tonges would continue to have TE2 streaming appeal for one more week.
Source: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
San Francisco 49ers tight end Source: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
Aaron Rodgers Gets Plus Matchup in Week 7
Aaron Rodgers has played turnover-free football over his past two games and is primed for another solid showing against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night. Cincinnati's defense has struggled this season, allowing the second-most passing yards and 11th-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Although he'll once again be without wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder), Rodgers has developed strong chemistry with DK Metcalf while also finding success targeting his tight ends and running backs. The 41-year-old is likely available in most single-QB formats but can be streamed as a solid option in this divisional clash.
Source: RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Source: RotoBaller