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.
Packers WR Allen Lazard (shoulder) was limited in Wednesday's practice. It looks like he has a shot to return for this weekend's game vs. the Lions. We'll get another update on Lazard tomorrow. WR Christian Watson (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday.
Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard (ankle) returned to a limited practice on Wednesday. That gives him a shot to play vs. the Bengals this weekend, but we'll monitor his progress over the next few days. We'd expect Hubbard to return as Carolina's #2 RB after D'Onta Foreman's impressive Week 8.
ESPN's Lindsay Thiry reports that Chargers WR Keenan Allen says his bothersome hamstring "got worse" during training over the bye week. Allen added that he won't be playing limited snaps the next time he takes the field but that "it will be all or nothing, with his hamstring absolutely ready to go," according to Thiry. That seems to indicate he's not a great bet to play Sunday against the Falcons. We'll certainly be watching this situation. The Chargers will already be without WR Mike Williams (ankle), so Josh Palmer and DeAndre Carter might be the lead duo at Atlanta.
Texans LB Christian Harris (thigh) is questionable for Thursday night's game against the Eagles. The rookie finished the short practice week with a full workout Wednesday, which would seem to point to him being active for the game. We'll check his status Thursday evening, though. CB Desmond King (knee) is also questionable. He followed the same limited-limited-full practice progression as Harris.
The Texans list WR Brandin Cooks as questionable for Thursday night's game against the Eagles. There is no injury challenging Cooks' availability. He has simply been away from the team for personal reasons this week, while Houston elected not to accept any trade offers for the veteran. It's not clear how the 2 sides will proceed. The Texans clearly want him to continue playing. Cooks has indicated he'd be happier elsewhere ... but also signed an extension before the season. We'll see about his status ahead of the Thursday night game. Houston also ruled WR Nico Collins (groin) out. So the passing game would be in real trouble (even more than usual) without Cooks.
Chargers TE Donald Parham has cleared the concussion protocol and is on track to play vs. the Falcons this weekend. He's not a fantasy option but does add some downside to TE Gerald Everett. When we last saw Parham in Week 6, he ran a route on just 18% of pass plays and drew 3 targets (5% share).
Chargers WR Josh Palmer has cleared the concussion protocol, HC Brandon Staley said Wednesday. Barring a setback, Palmer will play vs. the Falcons this weekend. He's needed for a significant role with WR Mike Williams out and WR Keenan Allen still dealing with hamstring problems.
Chargers WR Keenan Allen will not practice on Wednesday as he continues dealing with hamstring trouble. “We are being careful with him," HC Brandon Staley said. "It hasn’t responded the way we have wanted." It's concerning news with the Chargers coming off their bye week. It sounds like Allen isn't even a lock to play vs. the Falcons this weekend -- and will probably be on some type of snap count if he does.
Commanders RB J.D. McKissic (neck) did not practice on Wednesday. We don't have any other details at this point, but it's worth noting that McKissic missed the final 6 games of last season with a neck injury. If he can't play vs. Minnesota this weekend, RB Antonio Gibson would pick up extra passing-game work.
Commanders WR Jahan Dotson (hamstring) remained sidelined on Wednesday. Fantasy owners shouldn't count on him returning for this weekend's game vs. the Vikings. Dotson's continued absence would be good news for WR Terry McLaurin, who has 8 targets in back-to-back games with QB Taylor Heinicke.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid said Wednesday that WR Kadarius Toney is "healthy now." He's been sidelined since Week 2 with alleged hamstring injuries that are evidently better now that he's been traded to Kansas City. It sounds like Toney will be available for Sunday night's game against the Titans. It's entirely unclear how big of a role he'll play, so we'd keep him on fantasy benches for Week 9. But Toney remains a high-upside stash.
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