Bryce Young Remains Day-to-Day
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) had a good running session on Monday, according to his head coach, Dave Canales. While he is still considered day-to-day, there is a chance he returns this week after missing one game with an ankle injury. With Andy Dalton running the show in a Week 8 loss to the Bills, the Panthers' offense struggled mightily, failing to gain 250 total yards and turning the ball over three times. While Dalton completed only 16 passes on the day, seven of those went to Tetairoa McMillan for 99 yards, signaling that the rookie receiver should be able to produce a safe fantasy floor on volume alone, regardless of who is under center when the Panthers face the Packers in Week 9.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Still No Update on Joe Mixon
In what is becoming part of his weekly routine, Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters on Monday that he has no update on the injury status of Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon (foot). Mixon has been on the team's NFI list since the beginning of training camp after injuring his ankle/foot during a spring workout. More than halfway through the fantasy football regular season, managers who have kept him stashed on IR are potentially weighing their options as injuries continue to mount around the league. With the emergence of rookie Woody Marks and the loudening rumors that Mixon could miss the entirety of the season, he should no longer be viewed as a must-hold. At the same time, managers with the luxury of an open IR spot should monitor their own league's waivers, as he's dropped in more leagues each week.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Quinshon Judkins Considered Day-to-Day
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins (shoulder) is considered day-to-day after leaving Sunday's loss to the Patriots with a shoulder injury. Judkins has been a bright spot on an otherwise pedestrian Browns offense, but in limited action on Sunday, he was held to only 19 yards on nine carries by a New England defense that has yet to allow a 50-yard rusher this season. With the Browns on a Week 9 bye, Judkins' next chance to see the field will be in a much more favorable Week 10 matchup with the New York Jets. His status should be monitored over the next two weeks, but if he is active when the team returns from the bye, he could see one of the week's highest projections.
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Chig Okonkwo Could Be on the Move
Tennessee tight end Chig Okonkwo has been named among a list of Titans players that could be made available to trade. Having fired their head coach two weeks ago and recently dealing away cornerbacks Jason Brownlee and Roger McCreary, the team is clearly making moves for the future. With the emergence of rookie tight end Gunnar Helm, the 26-year-old Okonkwo is apparently no longer viewed as part of that future. A fourth-round draft pick in 2022, Okonkwo has topped 50 receptions in each of the last two seasons and is currently on pace for a career-high 57 catches. Currently playing on the final year of his rookie deal, he's the type of sensible depth piece that could help contribute to a deep playoff run.
Source: Ari Meirov
Source: Ari Meirov
Tony Pollard Reportedly Available for Trade
The Tennessee Titans have reportedly made running back Tony Pollard available in trade discussions after having already dealt away cornerbacks Jason Brownlee and Roger McCreary. The 28-year-old back has been workmanlike in his efforts this year, averaging just under four yards per carry on an offense that's had to fight for every inch. Pollard's contract runs through the 2026 season, but his dead cap for next year is only $2 million, and with him and 24-year-old Tyjae Spears seeing a near 50/50 split in recent weeks, he is clearly not a part of the Titans' long-term plans. With the NFL trade deadline just over a week away, some teams that have reportedly been in the running back market are the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and New England Patriots.
Source: Ari Meirov
Source: Ari Meirov
Tyjae Spears Leads Titans in Rushing, Scores in Week 8 Loss
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears had his best game of the 2025 season in his fourth game in the 38-14 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8 on Sunday. Spears had nine carries for a season-high 59 rushing yards and also added his first touchdown of the year while also catching all three of his targets for an additional 23 yards as a pass-catcher. He played over 50% of the offensive snaps for the second time this year and had only two fewer carries than Tony Pollard, who rushed for 44 yards on his 11 rushing attempts on the day. It looks as though the 1-7 Titans plan on giving Spears more work in the backfield alongside Pollard the rest of the season, which will at least put Spears in play in fantasy football as an RB3/flex option every week. However, in one of the weaker offenses in the NFL led by rookie quarterback Cameron Ward, fantasy managers should temper expectations for Spears.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Christian Watson Looks Good in Season Debut in Week 8
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) made his 2025 debut in the Week 8 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football and didn't disappoint. Watson finished second on the team with 85 receiving yards while catching all four of his targets from quarterback Jordan Love. The 26-year-old pass-catcher finally made it back after tearing his ACL in the Week 18 regular-season finale last year, and he immediately contributed on offense as a deep threat for Love in the Packers' passing attack. He finished behind only tight end Tucker Kraft, who went off for 143 receiving yards and two touchdowns on seven catches. Watson's big-play abilities were on display in this one, and fantasy managers in need of WR help should certainly take notice. Especially with Jayden Reed (collarbone) still on Injured Reserve, Watson should continue to have a big role in the passing attack, continuing with a Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Roman Wilson Breaks Out on Sunday Night Football Against Green Bay
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson had his best game of the season in Sunday night's loss to the visiting Green Bay Packers in Week 8, catching four of his five targets for a season-high 74 yards and his first touchdown of the year. Wilson's 74 receiving yards on the night led the team, even with Calvin Austin III returning from a multi-game absence due to a shoulder injury. Austin caught four of his six targets for only 28 yards. The 24-year-old's touchdown grab was a 24-yard connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers late in the game with the Packers already comfortably ahead. Fantasy managers may be looking at adding Wilson this week off the waiver wire, but with Austin now back and Rodgers spreading the ball around outside of DK Metcalf, Wilson will probably be a long shot to produce numbers like this every week moving forward. He had not topped 17 receiving yards in any game going into Sunday night against Green Bay.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Dylan Sampson Trending Up After Injury to Fellow Rookie RB
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson is worth a look on the waiver wire in fantasy football this week after fellow rookie RB Quinshon Judkins (shoulder) was forced out of the Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots and did not return. Sampson ended up playing a season-high 46% of the offensive snaps while carrying the ball three times for no yards in the 32-13 blowout loss. However, the 21-year-old also caught five of his six targets in the passing game for 29 yards. Both Sampson and Ford should have bigger roles in Cleveland's backfield if Judkins misses additional time, but the fact that the Browns are going into their bye in Week 9 should make fantasy managers temper their waiver-wire bids for Sampson. Sampson's eight touches were the most he had seen since the regular-season opener. If Judkins isn't ready in Week 10 against the New York Jets, Sampson should lead the team's backfield.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Jaguars Not Planning on Trading Brian Thomas Jr.
According to Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, the team has "no plans" to trade wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. Thomas had a fantastic rookie season in the NFL in 2024 with 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns on 133 targets in 17 games, but so far in 2025, the 23-year-old is in the midst of the dreaded sophomore slump. Coming out of Jacksonville's Week 8 bye, Thomas has 27 catches on 55 targets for 365 yards and only one touchdown in seven games played. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been spreading the ball around much more through the air to the likes of rookie Travis Hunter, Dyami Brown, and Parker Washington. Thomas is also coming off a shoulder injury that he suffered in the Week 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in London, but hopefully, he'll be good enough to play in Week 9 in a plus matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Source: Pro Football Talk
Source: Pro Football Talk
Xavier Hutchinson Worth a Look on the Waiver Wire After Week 8 Performance
Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson caught five of his six targets for a team-high 69 yards and a touchdown in the 26-15 win over the visiting San Francisco 49ers in Week 8 on Sunday, with both Nico Collins (concussion) and Christian Kirk (hamstring) sidelined by injuries. Hutchinson was tied for second on the team in targets and also tied for the team lead with his five receptions in a Houston offense that has suddenly become pass-happy in recent weeks. The 25-year-old's touchdown catch was a 30-yard connection with quarterback C.J. Stroud. Although Hutchinson is worth a look as a short-term WR replacement after his strong Week 8 performance, his role is likely to shrink again once one of Collins or Kirk returns, and the Texans have a shy-away matchup next week at home against the Denver Broncos. If you're going to pluck Hutchinson off the waiver wire this week, we wouldn't recommend spending much on him.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Malcolm Rodriguez Returning to Practice This Week
The Detroit Lions are designating linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (knee) to return from Injured Reserve, sources tell Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, meaning he'll begin practicing with the team this week. Rodriguez is returning from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 13 of the 2024 season, but he's nearing a return and will play a key role in defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard's scheme down the stretch. It's great news that the 26-year-old is returning to practice, but the Lions still need to officially activate him from the Physically Unable to Perform list before he can make his 2025 debut. He almost certainly won't be ready to play in the team's Week 9 divisional contest this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, but he could be ready to make his season debut in Week 10 on the road against the Washington Commanders.
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Jets Non-Committal on Justin Fields as the Starter Going Forward
Despite leading the New York Jets to their first win of the season on Sunday over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8, head coach Aaron Glenn "would not commit" to Justin Fields as the starting QB for Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns in two weeks following the team's bye, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post. When asked about the upcoming trade deadline, Glenn said the Jets "will listen when teams call, but that does not mean they will act." The 26-year-old was benched at halftime in the Week 7 loss to the Carolina Panthers, and the Jets were leaning toward starting veteran Tyrod Taylor (knee) under center on Sunday against Cincy before a knee injury knocked him out. Fields went 21-for-32 for 244 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions in the Week 8 win, adding 11 carries for 31 yards. The Jets will evaluate things during their bye, but it would be surprising if Fields doesn't get another start in Week 10 against a tough Browns defense.
Source: New York Post - Brian Costello
Source: New York Post - Brian Costello
Carson Schwesinger Picks Up High-Ankle Sprain
Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger (ankle) sustained a high-ankle sprain in Week 8's 32-13 road loss to the New England Patriots. The rookie left Sunday's contest in the fourth quarter with the issue, and testing on Monday confirmed the injury. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the news. It's a significant hit to Cleveland's defense, as the UCLA product currently leads the team in total tackles (64). Fortunately for Schwesinger, his team will get a week off in Week 9, affording him a bit of extra time to heal up. However, sprains of this variety usually take about a month to fully subside, provided they don't linger. Teammate Devin Bush will take over as the position's snap leader for the time being, with Mohamoud Diabate and Jerome Baker working behind him.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Chimere Dike Paces Titans in Receiving for Second Straight Contest
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike caught 7-of-8 targets for 93 yards in Sunday's 38-14 loss to the hosting Indianapolis Colts. He added a yard on his lone carry and chipped in 175 yards on seven kick returns. The rookie surpassed former teammate Tyler Lockett as the team's preferred slot option a few weeks back and has steadily seen his snap share rise while he takes on a larger role in the offense. On Sunday, Dike ran on more snaps than fellow wideout Van Jefferson for the first time in 2025, leading Tennessee in receptions and yards -- tying for the team lead in targets. Calvin Ridley's (hamstring) return will dent some of the 23-year-old's value. However, he's clearly ascending and benefits from working closer to the line of scrimmage. Dike should be added in all 12-team formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
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