October 20, 2025
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill (knee) and left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) are both active for the Monday night showdown in Week 7 against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. McNeill is making his 2025 debut after recovering from a torn right ACL that he suffered in December of last year. Although the 25-year-old could be eased back into the rotation on the interior of Detroit's defensive line on Monday night, he is fully expected to reprise his starting role. It's a boost for Detroit's run defense against a Tampa team that will be missing running back
Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) for a third straight game. Decker will make his return after missing the last two games. The 31-year-old veteran will take over starting left-tackle duties while protecting quarterback
Jared Goff's blind side.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
October 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran wide receiver
Mike Evans (hamstring) is officially active for the Monday night contest against the Detroit Lions in Week 7, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Evans came into Monday's contest with a questionable tag, but he will officially return after straining his left hamstring back in Week 3. Additionally, Tampa will have impressive rookie first-round wideout
Emeka Egbuka on the field after he strained his hamstring in the Week 6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
Chris Godwin (leg) and running back
Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) will be out. Evans and Egbuka should be quarterback
Baker Mayfield's top target in the passing game in what could easily be a shootout under the lights. Still, there's also a chance that Evans doesn't play his usual number of offensive snaps, given his long layoff. Still, Evans should be in starting fantasy lineups in redraft leagues now that he's cleared.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
October 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round rookie wide receiver
Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) came out of pre-game warmups feeling good and is officially active for the Monday night showdown against the Detroit Lions in Week 7, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Bucs won't have receiver
Chris Godwin (leg) and running back
Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder), but they will have Egbuka and
Mike Evans (hamstring), who will be active for the first time since straining his hamstring back in Week 3. The 23-year-old Egbuka strained his hamstring in the Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers, but despite a questionable tag, he will not miss a game. Evans could be on a limited snap count in his first game back, so Egbuka could very well lead Tampa's receiving corps in targets in a game that has shootout written all over it. Get Egbuka back into your starting lineups against Detroit.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
October 20, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert set a career-high passing for 420 yards in Sunday's 38-24 loss to the Indianapolid Colts, completing 37 of 55 passes with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 31 yards, but his two turnovers, including one in the end zone, proved costly as the Bolt's defense was nearly non-existent. Looking ahead to Thursday night, Herbert faces a top-five Minnesota Vikings passing defense. However, the Vikings are also coming off a tough loss and just allowed Eagles quarterback
Jalen Hurts to throw for 326 yards and three touchdowns. The short week and a battered O-line could limit Herbert's potential, but he remains a locked-in QB1 due to his volume and playmaking ability.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
October 20, 2025
Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. completed 21 of his 38 pass attempts for 241 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions and a lost fumble in Sunday night's 20-10 loss to the 49ers. Despite a banged-up San Francisco defense, the Falcons were only able to muster 10 points, a disappointing trend that has plagued the Falcons and Penix on the road this season. In three home matchups, the team has put up 78 points, compared to a paltry 16 points in three road contests. Thankfully for the 25-year-old QB, Atlanta will be at home in Week 8, and it brings a fantastic get-right matchup with the Dolphins. Miami has been one of the most fantasy-friendly defenses to play against this year, allowing at least 27 points in six of seven games thus far. On the downside, per Ian Rapoport, head coach Raheem Morris stated that the 2024 first-round draft pick is dealing with a bone bruise in his foot and ankle, which he suffered in Sunday's loss, and for now is considered day-to-day. Fantasy managers considering streaming Penix against the Dolphins should monitor his practice status throughout the week.
--Jarod RuppSource: Ian Rapoport
October 20, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels' hamstring injury that he suffered in the Week 7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday is "not significant or long-term," but head coach Dan Quinn is unsure if he'll be able to play on Monday night in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Washington apparently got good results from Daniels' MRI exam on Monday, but it doesn't mean he won't have to miss next Monday night's game. If he isn't cleared for that contest, veteran backup
Marcus Mariota would be in line to start, and he could be without receivers
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and
Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel), who both were out for Week 7. And if Daniels can gain clearance to play in Week 8, it sets up as a bad matchup against an ascending Chiefs team, especially if he's not 100%.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
October 20, 2025
New England Patriots rookie running back
TreVeyon Henderson had only two carries (on nine offensive snaps) for five yards in the 31-13 blowout win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 7 on Sunday, while backfield mate
Rhamondre Stevenson saw a season-high 18 carries and scored a touchdown. "It's just kinda how it played out. Thought Rhamondre was running well. Had some good protections. TreVeyon's gonna be a large part of what we do ... that's just kind of where it was this week," head coach Mike Vrabel said when asked about Henderson's sparse usage. It was especially concerning that Henderson barely played with the Patriots having a comfortable lead in the second half. Stevenson has had his share of fumbling issues, but he hasn't put the ball on the ground in the last two weeks and was very efficient on Sunday. The 22-year-old Henderson should get more involved in the offense eventually, but right now, it's hard to trust him as even an RB3/flex in fantasy lineups.
--Keith HernandezSource: SI.com - Mike Kadlick
October 20, 2025
There remains no timetable for the return of Houston Texans running back
Joe Mixon (ankle, foot), and there continue to be rumblings that he could miss the entire 2025 season. General manager Nick Caserio wouldn't say one way or another earlier this month whether he thought the 29-year-old RB would come off the Non-Football Injury list to join the active roster this year. The Texans should have more clarity on Mixon's health in another couple of weeks, but until then, fantasy managers stashing him in an Injured Reserve spot must stay patient. He was put on the NFI list before the start of training camp after injuring his ankle/foot during a workout in the spring. Although nothing is concrete yet, it's looking more likely that Mixon isn't going to be able to contribute in fantasy lineups in 2025. If that's the case, it will mean more opportunities for
Nick Chubb and rookie
Woody Marks the rest of the way.
--Keith HernandezSource: SI.com - Ethen Hutton
October 20, 2025
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that
Tua Tagovailoa remains his starting quarterback despite a disastrous performance in the Week 7 blowout loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. McDaniel and Tagovailoa are keeping their jobs for another week, but if things don't get turned around soon, they could both be out of jobs in the near future. The 27-year-old was benched in the fourth quarter of the 31-6 loss to the Browns after throwing for 130 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions. Miami is currently 1-6 as they head into a Week 8 contest on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. Tua has been bad in his seven starts, and things aren't going to get any easier with receiver
Tyreek Hill (knee) out for the year and tight end
Darren Waller (pectoral) now week-to-week. Tagovailoa has thrown for 1,313 yards on 205 pass attempts for 11 touchdowns and a league-high 10 picks in seven games. He won't be a desirable QB2 in superflex leagues in Week 8.
--Keith HernandezSource: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov
October 20, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll told reporters on Monday that wide receiver
Jakobi Meyers (knee, toe) "should return" for the Week 9 game on Sunday, Nov. 2, against the Jacksonville Jaguars after the team's Week 8 bye, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Meyers missed Sunday's blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs due to knee and toe injuries, but the bye is coming at a good time for the 2-5 Raiders. The 28-year-old should be back in Week 9, but fantasy managers probably aren't going to be in a rush to throw him back into their starting lineups. Third-year wideout
Tre Tucker has been the Raiders' leading receiver this year and has shown more chemistry with quarterback
Geno Smith than Meyers has. After asking for a trade earlier this year, Meyers has disappointed with 29 receptions, 329 yards, and no touchdowns in six games in 2025. And when he returns after the bye, Bowers should be back, too, to steal valuable targets away.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
October 20, 2025
Against the Titans on Sunday, New England Patriots third-year wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte turned in his second consecutive strong fantasy performance on the back of three touchdowns in the last two games. He has put up a respectable 148 receiving yards over that span, but has done it on only seven targets. Since leading the team in targets in the season opener, he has yet to see more than five looks in any other game, averaging under three targets per game in his last six games. Josh McDaniels' offense has long been difficult to predict for fantasy football, but fortunately for Boutte, by every metric,
Drake Maye has been one of the best deep ball throwers in the league, adding value to each of those targets. With six teams on a Week 8 bye, Boutte becomes a high-priority waiver add wherever he's still available, and in many cases, can be plugged right into the starting lineup.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
October 20, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro tight end
Brock Bowers (knee) has missed the last three games as he recovers from the bone bruise and PCL injury he sustained in the season opener, but according to head coach Pete Carroll, he's expected to return to the field following the team's Week 8 bye. The Raiders are coming off one of the worst offensive performances in recent history, managing fewer than 100 total yards in a 31-0 shellacking from the Kansas City Chiefs, so for multiple reasons, the bye week comes at a good time. Bowers caught five of eight targets for 103 yards in Week 1, but was clearly limited in his next three outings, lacking his trademark explosiveness as he played with a knee brace. Rather than risk further injury, the team made the decision to shut him down until he's fully healthy, and he is now in line to play in Week 9 against the Jaguars. While he may need to work himself back into game shape, he should still be inserted right back into starting lineups, as the upside he offers at the position is practically unmatched across the league.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Adam Schefter
October 20, 2025
According to head coach Dave Canales, the Carolina Panthers are looking to add quarterback depth this week. Starting QB
Bryce Young (ankle) suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday's win over the Jets, and it was veteran backup
Andy Dalton who closed out the game. With Young expected to miss some time, Dalton is in line to get the start when the Panthers host the Bills in Week 8. Behind Dalton, the Panthers currently have no other quarterbacks on the active roster, so the team will likely activate third-year pro
Hendon Hooker from the practice squad to the game day roster, but will look to bring in another arm as they attempt to add to their three-game winning streak.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Sheena Quick
October 20, 2025
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales told reporters on Monday that he anticipates a continued workload split between his two running backs,
Chuba Hubbard and
Rico Dowdle. In the two games that Hubbard missed with an injured calf, Dowdle saw a total of 61 opportunities, which he converted into an unreal 470 yards and two scores. In Hubbard's first game back, the two saw a nearly 50/50 workload split, with Hubbard on the field for five more snaps than Dowdle, but Dowdle seeing 18 opportunities to Hubbard's 16. Dowdle was also the more efficient back on the day, averaging 5.3 yards per touch to Hubbard's 3.4, and managing a usable fantasy performance with his 96 yards. For fantasy managers who had feasted on his last two games, it was surely a disappointment, but in the right matchup, both backs should provide enough of a floor to help navigate bye weeks and injuries from the flex spot, especially as Hubbard continues to knock off the rust.
--Patrick McGrathSource: David Newton
October 20, 2025
Miami Dolphins tight end
Darren Waller (pectoral) managed only 16 snaps before leaving Sunday's game against the Browns with a chest injury. A Monday MRI revealed that the 33-year-old veteran suffered a pectoral strain, and he is now considered week-to-week. There were fears that he had suffered a full tear, which could have ended his season, so the news is positive for the fantasy surprise who came out of retirement this offseason to score four touchdowns in his first three games. With six teams on a Week 8 bye, fantasy managers without an IR spot might find it difficult to keep Waller stashed, but for contenders who can manage to keep him rostered, his upside at the position is worth holding onto.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Ian Rapoport
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