Giants RB Tyrone Tracy told USA Today's Art Stapleton after Monday night's loss to the Steelers that he's in concussion protocol. Tracy exited late in the fourth quarter with a head injury, although the team never confirmed the concussion. The rookie had a huge game before the injury, ripping off 145 yards and a score on 20 carries. He's clearly claimed the Giants' starting RB job -- but will likely miss Week 9's game against the Commanders. We'll track his progress through the protocol this week. Tracy's absence would make RB Devin Singletary a viable fantasy starter.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said Monday that WR Deebo Samuel is "day to day" with a rib injury and oblique strain. He gets a well-timed Week 9 bye, and it sounds like he should be ready come Week 10. Samuel racked up 86 total yards in Sunday night's win over the Cowboys and had a 66-yard TD called back by a penalty. Between these injuries and the Week 9 bye, there could still be a buy window open on Deebo, who looks like a top-10 fantasy WR going forward.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said Monday that RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) remains on track to make his 2024 debut against the Buccaneers in Week 10. "It depends on how this week goes,” Shanahan said. “He’s had no setbacks, so it looks like we’re on track.” McCaffrey will "hit it hard" in a simulated practice this week, per Shanahan. If that goes well, the 'Niners will open his practice window next Monday in preparation for the Bucs game. We can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel for McCaffrey. We'll continue to keep you updated on his progress.
Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald said Monday that he's "optimistic" WR D.K. Metcalf (knee) will play against the Rams this weekend. "He hasn’t practiced yet, so let’s let him practice and see how he feels before we start making judgments on the week," Macdonald added. We'll keep you updated on Metcalf's status throughout this week.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins (quad) is considered "day to day," HC Zac Taylor said Monday. That suggests Higgins' injury isn't serious and that he has a chance to make it back for this weekend's game vs. the Raiders. We'll track his status throughout the week. Higgins owners should still be making backup plans in case he misses another game.
The Steelers have placed WR Roman Wilson on IR for his hamstring injury. The rookie sustained the injury in the practice week leading up to the Week 7 win over the Jets. Wilson missed that game and has played just 5 snaps all year. He previously dealt with an ankle injury suffered before the season.
Packers QB Jordan Love's MRI revealed a strained groin, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Colleague Tom Pelissero adds that Love is considered "day to day" and "has a chance" to play vs. the Lions this weekend. Love will certainly push to play in that big game, although it's worth noting that the Packers have a Week 10 bye. We'll track his status throughout the week. If Love is unable to go, Green Bay will turn back to QB Malik Willis. He's played surprisingly well this season, helping the Packers to three wins. But Willis would be a significant downgrade for the team's pass catchers.
Saints HC Dennis Allen said Monday that QB Derek Carr (oblique) is expected to return to practice this week. Allen added that he's "optimistic" Carr will be able to play vs. the Panthers on Sunday. That'd be excellent news for everyone in this New Orleans offense. The Saints averaged just 15 points and 215 passing yards per game without Carr over the past three weeks.
ESPN's Adam Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday that he expects WR Diontae Johnson to get traded ahead of next Tuesday's deadline. It makes plenty of sense for the 1-7 Panthers to get something in return for Johnson, who is set to hit free agency this offseason. A new home would certainly mean an upgrade in QB play and general offensive environment for Johnson. But he'd also have a new offense to learn and very likely face tougher target competition. Consider Johnson a hold while we wait on a potential trade. His departure would free up targets for WRs Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, and Jalen Coker. But none is an exciting fantasy option considering the state of that offense.
Jaguars HC Doug Pederson said Monday that WR Brian Thomas Jr. is "day to day" with a contusion on the left side of his chest. An MRI showed no additional damage. It's much better news than ESPN's Jeremy Fowler's report earlier today. Pederson added that Thomas Jr. has "a chance" to play vs. the Eagles on Sunday. We'll track his status throughout this week.
Browns QB Jameis Winston will remain the team's starter going forward, HC Kevin Stefanski said Monday. Any other reaction to Winston's strong Week 8 showing wouldn't have made sense. Winston smoked the Ravens for 334 yards and three TDs in the upset win. Other than a lost fumble late in the first half and a bad throw late in the second that should have been picked off, Winston was excellent.
Shortly after ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. might miss 2-4 weeks, ESPN Jaguars reporter Michael DiRocco updated (countered?) the report with better news. According to DiRocco, Thomas is hoping to get back onto the field this week.
Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. "could" miss 2-4 weeks with the chest/rib injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Packers, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "Scans today will determine full extent and next steps, though," Fowler adds. "Thomas is also getting a second opinion." We'll look for further updates on the rookie's status, but fantasy owners should at least prepare to be without him for Week 9. The Jaguars have a Week 12 bye, so the longer end of Fowler's timeline could have Thomas out until Week 14. For now, he's worth keeping stashed on all fantasy benches.
Niners QB Brock Purdy scored a rushing TD for the second straight game in Sunday night's win over the Cowboys. The latest came on a 2-yard QB sneak in the third quarter and gives Purdy a new career high for rushing TDs in a season (3). But he has significantly boosted his ground production beyond that.
TE Jake Ferguson ranked second among Cowboys in targets (8) and receptions (6) in Sunday night's loss to the 49ers. He turned those catches into just 23 yards, though, averaging a mere 3.8 per reception. Blame a season-low 1.4-yard average depth of target as the primary culprit, according to Pro Football Reference. Ferguson averaged minus-1.3 yards before catch per reception for the game.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero talked up RB Dalvin Cook ahead of the veteran's first game with the Cowboys on Sunday night against the 49ers. Someone must have forgotten to tell Cook or the team how good he had looked in practice, though. Cook carried six times for just 12 yards and added a 10-yard catch on his lone target. He trailed RB Ezekiel Elliott in carries, yards, and yards per rush, and watched Elliott claim the team's only rushing TD.
Chargers WR Ladd McConkey popped off for 111 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday’s win over New Orleans. He caught all six of his targets, good for an 18.8% target share. TE Will Dissly and RB J.K. Dobbins led the way with seven targets apiece.
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb delivered his biggest fantasy line so far this season in Sunday night's loss to the 49ers. He racked up 13 catches for 146 yards and 2 TDs on 17 targets. That accounted for a whopping 44.7% of Dak Prescott's pass attempts for the game and more than doubled his nearest teammate (Jake Ferguson, 8 targets).
Saints RB Alvin Kamara rushed 10 times for 67 yards in a blowout loss to the Chargers. He added 6 grabs on a massive 11 targets, giving him 13+ PPR points in all but one game in 2024.
Niners RB Jordan Mason left in the first half of Sunday night's game after re-injuring his shoulder and did not return. RB Isaac Guerendo took advantage, rushing 14 times for 85 yards and a TD. The rookie also added 3 receptions for 17 yards among 4 targets.
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