Chase quickly puts his fantasy managers’ worries to rest, returning to a full session Thursday after being limited Wednesday. The Bengals will be playing without two tight ends and their WR3 in Andre Iosivas, but their primary contributors remain one of the healthier units as we approach the half way point in the regular season. Chase can be started as a top tier WR1 against the Titans.
The consecutive limited showings seems to indicate Moore is on track to return from a two-game absence, something we should get further fidelity on after Friday’s practice. There remains a possibility that Moore carries a questionable designation into the weekend if he is unable to upgrade to a full participant Friday, leaving fantasy managers hopeful yet uncertain as we near the weekend. Moore would return to a WR2 profile when the Bills take on the Ravens, if active.
It was the second consecutive day in which Wilson practiced with a yellow non-contact jersey after stating Wednesday that the team was simply being overly cautious. Wilson appears on track to maintain a high-volume role in the pass-heavy Cardinals offense in Week 8 against the Cowboys, where he will be a borderline WR1, if active.
“He went 10-for-10 yesterday, with Justin Tucker right there. ... We’re going to keep working it,” Toub continued. It sounds like despite signing Tucker, Butker will continue to kick for the Chiefs. At least this week, anyway.
With Zach Charbonnet’s status also in some doubt, Seattle’s backfield situation likely won’t be sorted out until Saturday (or MNF inactives), but if Price is back that’s probably the end of Emmanuel Wilson’s short-term RB2 ride. We’ll keep an eye on the situation. Wilson-reliant managers might want to consider alternative arrangements for Week 8.
He hasn’t practiced since before Week 6 and looks likely to be ruled out again on Friday. Khalil Herbert ran in Robinson’s place as the backup last week and would handle those duties again against Tampa on Sunday if Robinson is ruled out.
He played last week just fine, so it seems like he was just given a bit of a breather on Wednesday during a limited session. Sampson should handle 5-10 touches for the Browns on Sunday against the Steelers.
Jones was forced from the team’s Week 7 win over the Colts due to an aggravation of an existing knee injury. The fact he was able to return to the practice field in any capacity after missing Wednesday’s session is good news for his potential availability against the Lions. We would expect him to form a loose committee with Jordan Mason, if active Sunday. Fantasy managers will want to confirm his level of participation Friday.
Nixon was added to the injury report Thursday with a shoulder injury and is now listed questionable for Week 8 against the Panthers. We’ll get his final determination 90-minutes prior to first kick.
This doesn’t look ideal. Barkley practiced all week leading up to his return, and at this point he doesn’t even have a limited session ahead of Sunday’s game with the Commanders. There’s probably not a zero percent chance that Barkley is playing, but at this point the best Barkley-reliant managers can likely hope for is a questionable tag on Friday. Elijah Mitchell and Jaydon Blue would be in line to form some sort of committee if Barkley can’t go.
The downgrade in participation raises serious questions surrounding his potential availability when the Patriots face the Dolphins in Week 8. Brown had been mostly limited in practice since being activated from injured reserve due to a separate ankle issue, with the absence Thursday marking the first fully missed practice in that window. Fantasy managers will want to monitor his status Friday as they make plans for their weekend ahead. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that the veteran receiver’s absence is due to a “flare up” of a previous knee injury, placing his status for Sunday in doubt.
Assuming there’s not a non-media practice portion that adds him to the report, Smith will enter Friday as fairly unlikely to play. We’ll see if he can get on the practice field on Friday. A limited session might get him on to the questionable line. Smith last practiced ahead of Week 6.
Wicks has not practiced since before Week 6’s loss to the Panthers and should be seen as doubtful heading into Friday’s practice session. We’d be surprised if he played in Week 8.
Delane’s absence raises concerns surrounding his potential availability when the Broncos in Week 8. Coming off their first loss of the season, the Chiefs will look to rebound against a divisional opponent after managing only three points against the Seahawks. Delane has been a big part of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s weekly game plan, allowing the team to rank near the top of the league in man coverage rate through the first third of the season.
That now marks consecutive days on the practice field for the veteran receiver whom has missed the previous two games. The Chiefs also had their bye in Week 5, giving Rice a full three weeks of recovery, which combines with his recent practice availability to make it likely he returns to face the Broncos. The Chiefs managed just 25 combined points in the two games without Rice.
It’s a rough blow for Noel, who had been extremely efficient on his targets. It does clear up space for some of Houston’s other receivers. The recently-activated Tank Dell and recently-acquired Marvin Harrison Jr. will benefit a bit from one fewer mouth to feed after the Texans come off bye.
Tate has now missed two practices with the shoulder issue, making him truly questionable for Sunday’s game versus the Bengals. Tate has been operating as the Titans’ clear WR1, meaning there would be plenty of opportunities up for grabs if he can’t go. Wan’Dale Robinson could be in line for more targets, but his slot-only role doesn’t have much overlap with Tate’s job. Second-year wideout Elic Ayomanor might be the best bet to see more work if Tate is out this week, though that would only move him into the WR4 ranks.
With two DNPs to start the week, Spears looks unlikely to play on Sunday. He also missed Week 7 with the knee issue. Tony Pollard racked up 28 touches and scored three rushing touchdowns. While we’re not banking on another multi-score outing anytime soon, his role alone is worth an RB2 ranking if Spears remains out.
Hamilton was seen in full pads, participating in practice the day after being held out due to a knee injury. The All Pro safety-linebacker hybrid is arguably the most important piece of the Baltimore defense considering his absurd flexibility to play multiple positions on the field. While the official status of his return has not been provided by the team, it’s a step in the right direction ahead of a divisional showdown against the Bills in Week 8.
Both players emerged from their Week 7 win a bit banged up, with their return to practice Thursday a positive development toward an active game-day status. Right tackle Tytus Howard (concussion) remained sidelined, who will have one more opportunity to get on the practice field and remain asymptomatic to have a chance at playing against the Steelers in Week 8.
It’s the second consecutive full practice for Jackson, who is attempting to return from a three-game absence to face the Bills in Week 8. The two full sessions were also his first such practices since injuring his ankle, a positive development toward an active status in a marquee matchup. He’ll have one more opportunity to maintain his level of participation, which would likely keep him off the injury report heading into the weekend.
Both players missed practice Wednesday, with their return Thursday a good step in the right direction for their availability in a marquee matchup against the Bills in Week 8. Quarterback Lamar Jackson and safety-linebacker Kyle Hamilton were also present at practice Thursday as the team inches closer to full strength.
Irving was absent from Thursday’s sessions with an official “rest” designation, allowing fantasy managers to breath a collective sigh of relief after the veteran back has morphed into a borderline workhorse in recent games. Managers can likely continue forward with Irving in their starting lineups as an upside RB2 against the Falcons.
Hawkins was absent for the second consecutive day, requiring some level of participation Friday to avoid a designation for the team’s showdown against the Bills in Week 8. The team got good news on other fronts as Lamar Jackson, Ioane Vega, Kyle Hamilton, and Roquan Smith were all present Thursday.
Both players missed the team’s Week 7 win over the 49ers before starting Week 8 preparations with absences. A return to the practice field Thursday keeps the possibility of returns open ahead of a matchup against the Buccaneers.