Chiefs HC Andy Reid said Thursday that RB Isiah Pacheco is making "great progress" in his recovery from September's fractured fibula. "He's getting there, but he's doing fantastic," Reid said. "I mean, he's really doing well, but we just, you know, between the trainers and doctors and all that's out of my hands there." It's a vague update -- but the only update we've gotten on Pacheco since the injury. He was expected to miss 6-8 weeks and is now a little more than six weeks into that timeline. Considering he's yet to get back on the practice field, we wouldn't expect to see Pacheco until Week 11 at the earliest. That's a big game against the Bills. If you've held on to Pacheco for this long, keep holding. We expect him to return as Kansas City's clear lead back.
Packers QB Jordan Love (groin) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. The session took place in the rain, so there evidently wasn't much concern about Love aggravating his injury in the conditions. He seemingly has a legitimate chance to play vs. the Lions on Sunday, but we'll continue to keep a close eye on his status.
Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and is fully expected to make his 2024 debut vs. the Colts on Sunday night. The question now is how much he'll play in his first game since tearing his ACL and MCL last December. HC Kevin O'Connell and OC Wes Phillips both said this week that Hockenson should be ready for something close to a full workload.
Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf (knee) remained sidelined on Wednesday. HC Mike Macdonald said that he's "optimistic" Metcalf will be able to practice on Thursday and play vs. the Rams this weekend. Check back tomorrow for another update on his status.
Packers RB Josh Jacobs (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. He told the media afterward that he’ll be fine for this weekend’s game vs. the Lions. We’ll keep an eye on him over the next few days, but Jacobs can stay penciled into fantasy lineups for now.
Packers QB Jordan Love (groin) did not practice on Wednesday. He said, though, that he still thinks "it's realistic" that he'll be able to play vs. the Lions this weekend. "I’ve made progress," Love said. “It’s definitely feeling better. I think every day there will be some improvements to it but definitely feels better than it did on Sunday." We'll keep you updated on Love's status over the next few days. For now, we're projecting QB Malik Willis to start vs. Detroit.
Lions QB Jared Goff (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. He told Tim Twentyman of the team's official website that he'll be fine and expects to practice on Thursday. We're not adjusting our projections for Goff and the Lions offense right now. We'll see if he gets back on the field tomorrow.
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (hamstring) remained sidelined on Wednesday. That's not a good start for his chances of returning for this weekend's game vs. the Jaguars. Goedert should stay on fantasy benches for now. We'll let you know if he gets back on the field tomorrow.
Jaguars RB Travis Etienne (hamstring) remained limited in Wednesday's practice. He was limited all three days last week before missing the Packers game. We're tentatively projecting Etienne to play vs. the Eagles this weekend but will keep you updated on his status. Etienne's return would make RB Tank Bigsby a much shakier fantasy start.
Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. The fact that he was out there at all seemingly gives him a good chance to play vs. the Eagles this weekend, but we'll keep you updated on the rookie's status. WR Gabe Davis (shoulder) was also limited on Wednesday.
Titans RB Tyjae Spears (hamstring) was limited in Wednesday's practice but is on track to return for this weekend's game vs. the Patriots, according to HC Brian Callahan. “Should be good to go this week," Callahan said of Spears. "Again, we’ll see, we’ll take it day to day on what he feels like after some practices, but expect him to have a good chance to play.” Spears would be a desperation Week 9 fantasy play but figures to take some touches from RB Tony Pollard.
Titans RB Tony Pollard (foot) did not practice on Wednesday. It's a new injury for Pollard, but we've heard nothing to suggest that he's in danger of missing this weekend's game vs. the Patriots. We'll see if he gets back on the practice field tomorrow.
Patriots QB Drake Maye (concussion) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. That means he's made some progress through the protocol and has a chance to be cleared in time to play vs. the Titans this weekend. We'll keep you updated on the rookie's status over the next few days.
Giants RB Tyrone Tracy (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday. He's a long shot to be cleared for Sunday's game vs. the Commanders, which comes just six days after his concussion. RB Devin Singletary figures to dominate backfield work for the G-Men this weekend.
Browns RB Jerome Ford (hamstring) returned to a limited practice on Wednesday. He seemingly has a shot to play vs the Chargers this weekend. Ford wouldn't be a recommended Week 9 fantasy starter but could steal work from RB Nick Chubb, particularly in the passing game.
Chargers WR Quentin Johnston (ankle) put in a limited practice on Wednesday. That should give him a good shot to return for this weekend's game vs. the Browns. Johnston averaged just 4.5 targets, 2.8 catches, and 36 yards over the first four games of the season, although he scored three times. He has a chance to be a fantasy factor with the Chargers throwing more lately, but Johnston should not be in your Week 9 fantasy plans.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins (quad) remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice. At this point, fantasy owners should not be counting on Higgins in Week 9 lineups. We'll keep you updated on his status leading up to Sunday's game vs. the Raiders.
Panthers QB Andy Dalton (thumb) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice but will back up QB Bryce Young vs. the Saints this weekend, HC Dave Canales announced. “We’ll take all the information from this week, and then go forward and make the next best decision for the team," Canales said of the QB situation. It sounds like a week-to-week decision at this point. Young played one of his better games as a pro in the Week 8 loss to the Broncos -- but that, of course, isn't saying much. He completed 65% of his passes at 6.1 yards per attempt with two TDs and two INTs. Young is still an avoid in all fantasy formats.
Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks (knee) put in a full practice on Wednesday for the first time since coming off the PUP list. He's seemingly getting close to his 2024 debut, which could come against the Saints this weekend. We'll let you know if and when Carolina elevates him to the active roster, but Brooks won't be a viable fantasy play in his first game.
Saints QB Derek Carr (oblique) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. HC Dennis Allen has been optimistic about Carr's chances of returning for this weekend's game against the Panthers but has stopped short of guaranteeing it. We'll keep you updated on his status over the next few days.
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