Saints HC Dennis Allen said Thursday that he doesn't expect WR Michael Thomas to return this season from the foot injury that has sidelined him since Week 3. His absence will continue to present opportunity for WRs Marquez Callaway and Tre'Quan Smith, with Callaway the more direct replacement for Thomas' role. The veteran will turn 30 in March and still has 2 more years on his contract.
Ravens HC John Harbaugh announced Thursday that WR Rashod Bateman will have season-ending surgery for the Lisfranc injury to his left foot. That leaves Devin Duvernay and Demarcus Robinson as the team's top 2 wideouts. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that WR DeSean Jackson is also expected to be active for Monday night's game against the Saints. Rookie TE Isaiah Likely should see more opportunities as well, even after Mark Andrews is healthy. Losing Bateman certainly doesn't help QB Lamar Jackson, who's passing numbers have dipped since Bateman originally went down against Buffalo.
Texans WR Brandin Cooks is not expected to play tonight against the Eagles, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Cooks has not returned to team headquarters this week, while expressing disappointment over not being traded. Mike Garafolo reports that Cooks and the team will "continue to talk and try for a reset." We'll see where this situation goes, but Cooks' only option besides returning is to sit out in violation of his contract. We wouldn't drop Cooks from fantasy football rosters just yet if you can help it.
Rams RB Cam Akers is expected to return to practice on Thursday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "It’s not out of the question Akers could play Sunday vs. the Bucs," Pelissero adds. We'll continue to keep an eye on this situation, but Akers won't be a recommended Week 9 fantasy play if he suits up. You're best off just avoiding the Rams backfield altogether.
Texans WR Brandin Cooks' status for tonight's game vs. the Eagles is "in doubt," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "It's difficult to believe, given that Cooks hasn't been around all week, that he's going to play in this game, but no final determination on that just yet," Pelissero adds. Cooks didn't practice on Tuesday or Wednesday and publicly voiced displeasure over the fact that he wasn't traded. We'll get Houston's inactives around 7 pm ET tonight.
Bills S Jordan Poyer (elbow) and LB Matt Milano (oblique) missed Wednesday's practice. According to The Buffalo News, HC Sean McDermott said afterward that each player is "day to day." That indicates each has a chance to play this week, so we'll track their practice participation. NFL Network had reported "week to week" for Poyer, who is probably at greater risk than Milano of missing Sunday's game against the Jets.
Bengals CB Chidobe Awuzie tore his right ACL in Monday night's loss to the Browns and will miss the rest of the season. The defense might get CB Eli Apple back this week. He missed the Cleveland game with a hamstring injury that knocked him out early the week before. Apple put in a limited practice Wednesday.
The Cardinals on Wednesday place RB Darrel Williams on with a hip injury. It was a knee issue that previously cost Williams game time and rendered him questionable for last week's contest. His absence only solidifies Eno Benjamin as #2 to James Conner, who put in a limited Wednesday practice (ribs).
Titans QB Ryan Tannehill (ankle) was limited on Wednesday. He got in just a limited Thursday practice last week, so this seems like a step in the right direction. We'll update Tannehill's status again tomorrow, ahead of Sunday night's game vs. the Chiefs.
Titans RB Derrick Henry (foot) was limited in Wednesday's practice. He seemed to make it out of last weekend's win over the Texans just fine, so this is likely more of a rest day after handling 32 carries in that one. We'll get another update on Henry tomorrow.
Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. HC Sean McVay said earlier this week that he expects Kupp to play vs. the Bucs this weekend, but we'll continue to keep a close eye on his status over the next few days.
Rams HC Sean McVay said he had a "really good conversation" with RB Cam Akers on Wednesday. Akers is reportedly open to remaining with the team. “After we had that conversation, got a couple of different things that are some options that we can potentially do moving forward, and we’ll have clarity on that as far as getting him back (and) working with this group or if that means exploring other avenues,” McVay said. “Want to be able to explore that first one first (and) let him be able to digest some of the things that we discussed, work through that with his family … and then we’ll see what the next step is.” Akers did not practice on Wednesday, and it remains unclear if he'll play against the Bucs this weekend -- or even remain with the Rams going forward. He shouldn't be in your Week 9 fantasy plans.
Bucs WR Russell Gage (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. It looks like he'll remain out for this weekend's game vs. the Rams. With Gage out last week, Julio Jones operated as Tampa's #3 WR, posting a 57% route rate and 2-21-1 line on 4 targets.
Bucs TE Cameron Brate (neck) was limited in Wednesday's practice. That gives him a chance to return for this weekend's game vs. the Rams. If Brate plays, neither he nor TE Cade Otton will be a viable fantasy play.
Cardinals RB James Conner (ribs) put in a limited practice on Wednesday. He was limited last Wednesday and Thursday before missing Friday's practice and the Vikings game. RB Darrel Williams (hip) was placed on IR on Wednesday, leaving Eno Benjamin and Keaontay Ingram as Arizona's healthy RBs.
Seahawks TE Noah Fant (hamstring) was limited in Wednesday's practice. We'll see how he progresses over the next few days. TE Will Dissly would become a potential fantasy spot start if Fant can't play vs. the Cardinals on Sunday.
Jets WR Corey Davis (knee) remained sidelined on Wednesday. That doesn't bode well for his chances of returning for Sunday's game vs. the Bills. With Davis out last weekend, Denzel Mims -- not Elijah Moore -- operated as New York's #2 WR behind Garrett Wilson.
Raiders TE Darren Waller (hamstring) remained limited in Wednesday's practice. He was limited all last week before missing the Saints game. We'll see if he can get in a full practice 1 of these next 2 days. For now, consider Waller 50/50 for Sunday's game vs. the Jaguars.
Lions TE Brock Wright (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday. That makes him iffy for this weekend's game vs. the Packers. Wright was slated to share TE duties with James Mitchell after T.J. Hockenson's departure. Wright's absence would be a boost for Mitchell and make the rookie an intriguing Week 9 DFS flier.
Lions RB D'Andre Swift (ankle, shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday. He was a full participant all last week before handling just 5 carries and 5 targets in the loss to Miami. HC Dan Campbell admitted earlier this week that Swift still isn't at 100%. We're still expecting him to play against the Packers on Sunday, but don't expect Swift to get a full workload.
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