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
October 20, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Kimani Vidal couldn't capitalize on last week's breakout, rushing nine times for only 20 yards and adding four catches for 15 yards in Sunday's 38-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. A negative game script forced the Chargers to abandon the run early, giving Vidal little room to operate. With a short week ahead against the Minnesota Vikings, the Bolts may need to rely more on the ground game to balance their offense. The Vikings are much more vulnerable against the run than the pass, providing Vidal a potential opportunity for rebound, but only if the Chargers can keep the game close. He remains the clear RB1 until
Omarion Hampton (ankle) returns from IR.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
October 20, 2025
Veteran wide receiver
Tyler Lockett asked for and received his release on Monday from the Tennessee Titans, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Lockett is expected to be on the open market and free to sign with another team after 4 pm ET on Wednesday. The 33-year-old veteran won't even make it a full season in Tennessee after joining them via free agency back in March. In his seven games with Tennessee, he had a small role in a struggling offense led by rookie quarterback
Cameron Ward, catching only 10 of his 21 targets for 70 yards and no touchdowns. Lockett is clearly nearing the end of his NFL career, but another NFL team will likely take a chance on him as a veteran voice for their locker room after he caught 49 passes for 600 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games in 2024 in his final year with the Seattle Seahawks. It's unlikely he'll suddenly resurface on the fantasy radar in 12-team leagues, though.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
October 20, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and
Carson Wentz (shoulder) were both listed as limited on Monday's estimated injury report ahead of the Week 8 game this Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. McCarthy has been sidelined since suffering a high right-ankle sprain in the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but the 22-year-old former first-rounder resumed practicing last week and put in three limited showings. If he can upgrade to a full participant over the next couple of days, the Vikings could consider starting him under center again this week. Meanwhile, Wentz has been dealing with a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury since before the Week 6 bye, although it's probably not serious enough to keep him sidelined this Thursday if Minnesota elects to sit McCarthy for one more week.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
October 20, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Ladd McConkey saw a heavy workload in Week 7, catching nine of 15 targets for 67 yards in the team's 38-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. He led the team in targets for the second straight week, continuing to earn Herbert's trust on short and intermediate routes, although he didn't score after back-to-back games with a touchdown. In Week 8, the Bolts face a tough Minnesota Vikings secondary allowing just 26.9 PPR points per game to wide receivers. With a short week and tired legs, McConkey's ceiling might be limited, but his growing role and target share keep him in the FLEX/WR3 consideration for most leagues.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
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
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
RADIO
