October 16, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Michael Carter had his snaps scaled back in the team's loss to the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, ceding work to teammate
Bam Knight (knee). However, Carter could see his role expand again in Week 7, as he's currently the only active RB without an injury designation. The Cardinals' backfield has already taken significant hits with injuries to
James Conner (foot) and
Trey Benson (knee). Now,
Emari Demercado (ankle) and Knight have missed practice time with injury. Carter has been inefficient in his work thus far, but the team may be forced to utilize him more as they try to figure out a backfield rotation that yields dividends. Even if the fifth-year pro gets the lion's share of opportunities this weekend, he'll be a low-end option for his matchup with the league's No. 1 team against the run, the Green Bay Packers.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
October 16, 2025
Despite being named the team's starter leading up to their win against the Miami Dolphins last weekend, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Hassan Haskins took a backseat to teammate
Kimani Vidal. It was never assumed that the 25-year-old would absorb all of LA's backfield work in
Omarion Hampton's (ankle) absence, but Vidal took the opportunity and ran with it. Haskins was out-touched 21-7, out-gained 139-23, and out-snapped 43-20. The Chargers could opt to even out the distribution of backfield touches moving forward. Still, Vidal has the hot hand currently, and figures to get another crack at running away with the starting job in Sunday's home outing with the Indianapolis Colts. Haskins can't be trusted for fantasy, but he's on the radar as the handcuff to own in Los Angeles for the time being.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
October 16, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals kicker
Evan McPherson has struggled to find fantasy relevance to start the 2025 season. Through six games, McPherson has converted six of eight field goal attempts and 11 extra points, averaging just 5.5 fantasy points per game, which ranks 36th among all kickers. The injury to quarterback
Joe Burrow has limited scoring opportunities across the Bengals' offense, directly impacting McPherson's production. Even with a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have been shaky defensively, McPherson remains a risky fantasy option due to his limited opportunities in the struggling Cincinnati offense.
Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a more reliable kicker in Week 7.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 16, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals tight end
Noah Fant could see an uptick in usage following the injury to
Mike Gesicki (pectoral). In his first season with the Bengals, Fant has caught 16 of 18 targets for 107 yards and a touchdown through five games but has been held back by the team's tight end committee, playing only 35% of the offensive snaps. With Gesicki now on injured reserve, Fant's snap share should increase, though
Tanner Hudson may also see expanded involvement as well. The Week 7 matchup is an intriguing one, as the Pittsburgh Steelers have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season, including a breakout performance by rookie
Harold Fannin Jr. in Week 6. While Fant remains too risky to start this week, he's a name to monitor moving forward if his role grows within the Bengals offense.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 16, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Andrei Iosivas struggled in his first game catching passes from
Joe Flacco in Week 6, recording just one reception for five yards and dropping three passes in the loss to the Green Bay Packers. Despite the poor performance, Iosivas continues to see strong usage, playing 81% of the offensive snaps and lining up in the slot on 64% of those plays (fifth-highest rate in the NFL). With
Mike Gesicki (pectoral) on injured reserve, there's a chance Iosivas' role in the passing game could expand in the coming weeks. The Bengals face a Pittsburgh Steelers defense in Week 7 that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season. Iosivas needs to clean up his drops, but his snap share and slot usage make him a deep-league dart throw in a favorable matchup.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 16, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Tee Higgins enters Week 7 looking to bounce back after a disappointing start to the 2025 season. Through six games, Higgins has managed 18 receptions for 220 yards and two touchdowns, a sharp decline from his breakout 2024 campaign. The
Joe Burrow injury has taken a toll on the entire Bengals offense, but none more than Higgins, who has struggled to find consistent production without Burrow. However, there were signs of life in Week 6 with
Joe Flacco under center, as Higgins recorded his season highs in receptions and receiving yards, potentially hinting at better days ahead. The Week 7 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers is a favorable one, as they've allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers and have given up 15+ PPR points to
Garrett Wilson,
Justin Jefferson, and
Jaxon Smith-Njigba this season. Even with the improved quarterback play and friendly matchup, Higgins remains a risky WR3 in Week 7.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 16, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase is heating up at the right time, delivering back-to-back strong performances after an up-and-down start to the season. Over his last two games, Chase has caught 16 of 22 targets for 204 yards and three touchdowns, flashing the elite form that made him the overall WR1 in 2024. His inconsistency early this season stemmed largely from
Joe Burrow's toe injury, which limited the offense's rhythm and explosiveness. Now, with
Joe Flacco taking over under center, Chase appears to have retained his former production to a certain extent. The Week 7 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers sets up well, as Pittsburgh has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers this year, surrendering 18+ PPR points to stars like
Garrett Wilson,
Justin Jefferson, and
Jaxon Smith-Njigba. With a favorable matchup and an improving quarterback situation, Chase profiles as a mid-range WR1 in Week 7.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 16, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Chase Brown has been a major disappointment in the 2025 season. After a breakout campaign in 2024, Brown has managed just 304 scrimmage yards and one touchdown through six games. The third year back is averaging only 2.7 yards per carry, with just 1.2 yards before contact (last among qualified RBs) and 1.5 yards after contact (fourth worst). The injury to quarterback
Joe Burrow has severely limited the Bengals' offense, and Brown has struggled to find any rhythm on the ground. His Week 7 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers won't make things any easier, as they have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Unless Brown sees a spike in receiving volume, it's hard to justify starting him in any fantasy format this week. Consider Brown a desperate flex option at best in Week 7.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 16, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
Joe Flacco made his team debut in Week 6, completing 31 of 45 passes for 290 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Expectations were understandably modest for the veteran, as he had limited time to prepare and faced one of the league's toughest defenses in the Green Bay Packers. While he's still without a full week of practice under his belt, Flacco should have a stronger command of the Bengals' playbook and offensive system heading into Week 7. He draws a divisional matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. While the matchup is appealing on paper, the uncertainty surrounding Flacco's chemistry with his new teammates and the overall understanding of Cincinnati's offense make him a risky fantasy option. Fantasy managers should avoid starting Flacco in all formats this week until he proves capable of fully replacing
Joe Burrow.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 16, 2025
Running back
Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs is coming off a high mark for involvement following last Sunday's victory against the Detroit Lions, and he could see a continued workload in the weeks to come. Pacheco played 77% of the Chiefs' offensive snaps against Detroit, the most of any running back on the team, which was also his highest mark since Week 1 of 2024. Just more than a year removed from a broken leg, Pacheco's numbers Sunday were more in line with 2023, during which he averaged 17 touches per game. With a solid 4.2 yards per carry so far, he could see more games like the one he just played against the Lions.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Pro Football Reference
October 16, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Mike Evans (hamstring) is expected to return to practice on Thursday ahead of the team's Monday Night Football matchup against the Detroit Lions. Evans has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, which has plagued him at various points throughout his career. With his anticipated return to practice, there's a strong chance he suits up against Detroit. The matchup is a favorable one, as the Lions have surrendered the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Given the current injuries to
Chris Godwin (fibula) and
Emeka Egbuka (hamstring), Evans should immediately reclaim a heavy target share in the passing game. Assuming he's active, Evans profiles as a high-end WR2 for Week 7, with legitimate upside to post WR1 numbers as he continues his pursuit of a 12th consecutive 1,000-yard season.
--Nathan HarveySource: Rick Stroud - Tampa Bay Times
October 16, 2025
Set to play his first game of the season after serving a six-game suspension, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Rashee Rice is expected to play a big role in the offense right away with the Chiefs taking on Las Vegas in Week 7. An injury and a suspension have kept Rice off the field for significant portions of his 2.5 seasons in the NFL, but when he's been available, he's been a difference maker. Drawing a career average of 6.5 targets per game, the former SMU standout put up seven touchdowns and 653 yards after catch in his lone full season in 2023. With an enticing matchup against the Raiders, Rice is going to be a starting lineup fixture in all formats this week.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Pro Football Reference
October 16, 2025
Coming off 54 total yards and a touchdown last week, Arizona Cardinals running back
Bam Knight (knee) looks to be a continued part of the team's backfield in the absence of its top two running backs.
James Conner (ankle) is out for the year and
Trey Benson (knee) isn't eligible to return until Week 10, giving Knight some low-end roster appeal while splitting carries with
Michael Carter. Both backs drew exactly 11 carries last week against Indianapolis, a split workload that seems likely as long as Benson is unavailable. Knight was limited in Wednesday's practice, however, which managers will want to monitor as game day gets closer.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Pro Football Reference
October 16, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard has seen his stock rapidly rise following a series of injuries to the Bucs' receiving corps. The veteran wideout has at least three targets and two catches in every game this season and enters Week 7 just inside the top 50 of PPR receivers, making him a solid depth option for managers in need of additional help in the weeks to come. As receivers Mike Evans (hamstring), Chris Godwin (leg), and Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) deal with injuries, Shepard should have a continued role within Tampa's offense. The veteran has more than 400 career catches to his name, making him a safe if unspectacular addition to a fantasy roster.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Pro Football Reference
October 16, 2025
After a season-best performance last week, New York Giants wide receiver
Lil'Jordan Humphrey has quickly risen as a name to watch in deeper leagues with fellow receiver
Malik Nabers (knee) out for the year. The former Texas standout saw a 17% increase in roster pickups in Sleeper dynasty formats, making him one of the most popular adds of the week. Humphrey was playing mostly because an injury to
Darius Slayton (hamstring) further thinned out the Giants' receiver room, making Humphrey's role a bit of a wild card in future weeks. The veteran wideout has only surpassed 20 catches in a season once in his previous six years, topping out at 31 with Denver last year, so managers should likely temper expectations for him, especially against a tough Denver defense this week.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Pro Football Reference
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