Jones’ status will be one to watch this week as the Vikings prepare for their Week 8 matchup against the Lions. While the team calling him day-to-day is encouraging, Jones was already dealing with a knee injury entering Week 7, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Vikings opted to sit him this week to give him some additional time to recover. Jordan Mason, who rushed 15 times for 68 yards in Sunday’s win over the Colts could be in line for a busy day against the Lions if Jones is unable to go.
Baringer has been on injured reserve all season while dealing with a lower-body injury, but the 27-year-old punter is now healthy and available for work after his release. A former sixth-round pick of the Patriots back in 2023, Baringer has played in 51 games in his career while averaging 41.0 net yards per punt. He is now free to sign with any team.
Speaking on Monday with the media, Caserio said that “nobody is discouraged” with how negotiations with Stroud and his agent have gone thus far, saying that the two sides just “couldn’t quite come to an agreement” yet. Stroud is in the fourth year of his rookie contract and had his fifth-year option picked up by the team earlier this offseason. He will be under contract through the 2027 regardless of how negotiations go, but we would expect him to sign a long-term extension at some point next offseason to avoid this becoming an issue come training camp. Despite the Texans’ 2-5 start to the season, Stroud has been mostly solid, throwing for 1,867 yards, 11 touchdowns, and one interception while completing 64.8 percent of his passes.
Wilson handily outperformed former Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker in the latter’s return to Seattle, spiking his fantasy production with a 21-yard touchdown scamper late in the fourth quarter with the Seahawks in ice mode. The outburst went down as the second time in Wilson’s career in which he hit the century mark in rushing, pleasing fantasy managers that were forced into his services in Week 7 through both byes and injuries. Wilson’s days as the lead back in Seattle are likely numbered with veteran Zach Charbonnet reportedly nearing a return from his 2025 torn ACL. That could occur as early as Week 8 when the Seahawks face the Bears.
Rhyan exited in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Lions after he had his leg rolled up on during the Packers’ fourth offensive play of the game. The 26-year-old lineman did not return to the game and is now looking at a potential four-to-six-week absence. Rhyan has started every game at center for the Packers this season, allowing three sacks and 10 pressures on 394 snaps. He was replaced by John Williams, a tackle, who could be in line to make the start next week given the multiple injuries along the Packers’ offensive line.
Skattebo appeared to have tweaked his hammy on a 42-yard run in overtime that had a chance to be the game-winning run for the Giants. Despite the scare, Skattebo said he expects to be okay, especially with the Giants set to enter their Week 8 bye. His status will be one to monitor when the Giants resume practicing ahead of Week 9’s game against the Eagles, but for now, it doesn’t sound like there’s too much to be worried about here. Skattebo rushed 17 times for 124 yards and a touchdown last week after failing to see a touch in Week 6 following his costly Week 5 fumble against the Commanders.
Franklin missed Week 7’s game due to the injury after accidentally getting kicked in practice. While Franklin is expected to miss some time, Rapoport reports the team is not planning to place him on injured reserve and believes he will miss “minimal games.” Franklin has totaled 41 tackles and one forced fumble this season.
Kubiak was asked about the possibility of switching from Kirk Cousins to rookie No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, and said the team is considering “everything” while also making it sound like their struggles were more of a team issue. Cousins struggled in the early part of Sunday’s loss to the Rams, but managed some late touchdowns in garbage time to save his stat line. If the Raiders are considering a switch, it’s possible we’ll learn their decision by Wednesday, when they begin preparing for their Week 8 game against the Jets.
Darnold continued to flaunt his connection with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with zero regard to the naysayers, feeding his alpha 12 targets on 28 pass attempts, the latter of whom accounted for 157 of the 257 pass yards for Darnold. As you probably guessed, Smith-Njigba was also the recipient of Darnold’s lone touchdown throw, which was a dime down the left sideline on a corner route that the veteran signal caller dropped into the bread basket. The two would connect on another similar play later in the the same quarter in which Smith-Njigba was forced out at the two, with the result of that drive Darnold’s interception in the end zone. Darnold continues to do just enough for his team and not enough for fantasy managers that thought they could grab cheap production late in drafts, better sent back to the waiver wire than inserted into starting lineups. The Seahawks next face the Bears on the second half of back-to-back Monday Night Football games, where Darnold remains a shaky fantasy option.
Wilson handily outperformed former Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker in the latter’s return to Seattle, spiking his fantasy production with a 21-yard touchdown scamper late in the fourth quarter with the Seahawks in ice mode. The outburst went down as the second time in Wilson’s career in which he hit the century mark in rushing, pleasing fantasy managers that were forced into his services in Week 7 through both byes and injuries. Wilson’s days as the lead back in Seattle are likely numbered with veteran Zach Charbonnet reportedly nearing a return from his 2025 torn ACL. That could occur as early as Week 8 when the Seahawks face the Bears.
Is there anyone in the league doing it better than Smith-Njigba at the moment? The reigning receiving leader put on an absolute show in this one, making two nearly identical bread basket catches down the left sideline in the second quarter, the first of which he snuck inside the pylon for his touchdown. He was forced out at the two on the second, resulting in an end zone interception from Sam Darnold two plays later. Those two long receptions before the break helped push Smith-Njigba to 126 yards and a touchdown before halftime, adding an additional 24 yards on three more receptions in the final two frames as the Seahawks transitioned to a more ground-heavy attack while playing with the lead. Fantasy’s early-season cheat code has now gone over 100 yards in six of seven games while notching a league-leading eight receiving touchdowns. It goes without saying, but Smith-Njigba remains the overall WR1 in a solid matchup against the Bears in Week 8.
All three carries for Barner were tush push plays that resulted in first downs in key situations, while his five targets tied his second most of the young season. Even so, that was not enough to return a usable fantasy week outside of tight end premium leagues, keeping Barner best left on the bench of returned to the waiver wire, regardless of the severity of Rashid Shaheed’s injury.
Kupp saw sparse usage as Jaxon Smith-Njigba went off in the first half and the team transitioned to a run-heavy approach while playing with a lead after the break. Fellow receiver Rashid Shaheed departed with a knee injury following a collision with Smith-Njigba in the end zone at the end of the second quarter, which is something gamers will want to monitor ahead of a Week 8 meeting with the Bears on Monday Night Football. Kupp could work his way into the FLEX discussion if Shaheed missing time.
The three points tied the fewest scored in a start in Mahomes’ career as the Chiefs suffered their first defeat of the season. Mahomes faced consistent pressure and a shrinking pocket as the Seahawks held the Chiefs to just 213 yards of total offense, who also forced an ill-advised turnover as Mahomes tried to escape pressure, over-throwing his intended receiver. The Chiefs fall to 5-1 with the defeat, leaving only the Vikings as the lone unbeaten team through seven weeks. Mahomes gets little time to lick his wounds with the division rival Broncos on the horizon in Week 8, where he’ll be a low end QB1 in another difficult matchup.
Walker was held to below 4.9 yards per carry for only the second time this season while also failing to find the end zone for the second time through six games, with his longest rush going for a meager seven yards. Seattle had all the answers on the defensive side of the ball as they held the Chiefs to just 213 yards of total offense on just over 24 minutes in time of possession. One of fantasy’s breakout stars in the early going of the 2026 season will face another difficult matchup on the road against the Broncos in Week 8, where he remains an elite RB1.
While Kelce moved into sole possession of the No. 5 spot on the NFL’s all-time receptions list, the Chiefs suffered their first defeat of the season as they struggled to the move the football against the tenacious Seattle defense. Their offense lacked any downfield threat in the absence of their top two receivers, while Xavier Worthy drew primary coverage. Much of Kelce’s aerial work remains tethered to the short areas of the field in his age-37 season, lacking the burst and YAC ability that once defined his game. Even so, achieving such a lofty accomplishment is a testament to his lasting and standout career. That said, fantasy managers are sure to be disappointed with the early-season as the veteran tight end has surpassed a modest four receptions just once through six games. He gets another difficult matchup on the interior against the swarming Broncos defense in Week 8, where fantasy managers are likely best off leaving him on the bench.
The fact that the team’s top two tight ends tied for the most production through the air at a modest 44 yards tells the story of how the game went against the Seahawks, who limited the Chiefs to just 213 yards of total offense. The absences of the team’s top two receivers continues to place stress on an offense with no true vertical threat, although their primary downfield option was lost for the season prior to their bye. Gray remains unlikely to return weekly fantasy value for as long as Kelce remains healthy.
Allen was the recipient of Patrick Mahomes’ first target of the game, which he took down the right sideline for a tidy 18-yard gain. He would disappear into oblivion the rest of the way as he continued to play behind Andrew Armstrong and Jalen Royals, with Justin Watson also worked into the game plan in this one. Head coach Andy Reid has a long history of taking his time to develop rookies, meaning fantasy managers are likely forced to be patient. In other words, keep Allen on fantasy benches, for the time being.
Worthy struggled to separate from primary coverage of the Seahawks throughout, also committing a drop in a crucial situation in the second half. The Chiefs continue to show hesitancy in utilizing Worthy in a downfield role, which is of particular concern for his fantasy managers considering the absence of Tyquan Thornton. Worthy is better left on fantasy benches ahead of a Week 8 meeting with the stingy Broncos, particularly if Rashee Rice returns from injury.
Parkinson was in and out of the game with various injuries, picking up a new ailment on seemingly every reception. Parkinson logged 16 pass routes while Tyler Higbee led the team’s tight ends with 18 routes. Davis Allen, meanwhile, ran a route on 12 of the Rams’ drop backs and caught two touchdowns from Matthew Stafford. Parkinson should be a viable desperation option in deeper formats next week against the Chargers if the Rams keep using three tight end sets at a high rate. He has ten receptions over his past two outings.
Shaheed was involved in a collision with teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the end zone on an interception in the waning moments of the first half and did not retake the field out of the break. Tory Horton received the kickoff to begin the second half, after which Shaheed was deemed questionable to return with a knee injury. Expect Cooper Kupp and Horton to see a small bump in opportunity behind Smith-Njigba for the remainder of the game. Shaheed caught 2-of-3 targets for one yard prior to departing.
Gesicki’s lone target came on an end zone target from Joe Burrow that resulted in a six-yard touchdown. The 31-year-old tight end has now scored in all five games he has appeared in this season, but has managed just 10 yards on two receptions in his last two games. Fellow tight ends Erick All and Drew Sample combined to catch five passes for 45 yards and one touchdown on five targets. Gesicki has run 15 routes in each of his last two games and is purely a touchdown-dependent option in Week 8 against the Titans.
Perine saw only four carries in this one, but he turned his lone goal-line touch into a one-yard touchdown to barely salvage what was still a relatively disappointing day. Perine was out-snapped by Chase Brown 38-12, with Brown also leading the way with 11 rush attempts. Perine will be hard to trust as anything more than a desperation RB4 play next week against the Titans.
Lane had a relatively forgettable day through the air, but just missed finding the end zone on a short pass from Tyler Huntley in the second quarter. The rookie receiver ran 30 routes, which were second only to Zay Flowers, but he’s caught just seven passes for 65 scoreless yards in his two games since returning from injury. Lane’s involvement in the offense is encouraging, but there’s not enough here to warrant starting him in Week 8 against the Bills.