Fantasy Sports

The possible return of Nick Chubb (knee) in Week 7 against the Bengals could prompt Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski to call a more balanced or run-first offense, Oyefusi said. The team’s shift to the run may have already begun: The Browns in Week 6 against the Eagles were 6 percent below their expected drop back rate. Oyefusi reports that Browns players “said after the game that running the ball, specifically the under-center zone runs that Stefanski has had success with, was a point of emphasis during preparation for Philadelphia.” A run-first approach would help hide struggling QB Deshaun Watson and hide the team’s new deficiencies among its pass catchers after dealing Amari Cooper to Buffalo. Chubb is probably weeks away from seeing a full workload, however.

White has been sidelined with a groin injury for two weeks and returned to practice last Friday. He starts out the week limited and could be in line to return Week 7 against the Rams. White would return to a backfield led by Alexander Mattison, though there are not a ton of fantasy points to go around there. White would be in the RB3 mix if he plays this week.

Meyers remains out due to an ankle injury after not playing in Week 6. With Davante Adams now a Jet, the Raiders’ wide receiver group is paper thin. If Meyers cannot go in Week 7, Brock Bowers has upside as a top-three fantasy tight end while Tre Tucker, DJ Turner, and Tyreik McAllister will fill in at the wideout spot.

Whittington has taken on a larger role since Cooper Kupp (ankle) went down in Week 2, most recently totaling seven catches for 89 yards in Week 5. The Rams’ Week 6 bye gave him time to recover after he exited Week 5 with a shoulder injury. He begins the week limited and practice later in the week will paint a better picture of his game status Week 7 against the Raiders. Whittington has been a good FLEX play with Kupp out, but if Kupp returns, Whittington’s will relegate to fantasy benches.

Kupp returned to practice, doing individual drills on Wednesday. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 and the team has been non-committal on Kupp’s return status after the Rams’ Week 6 bye. A limited practice designation is an encouraging start, though a full practice participation later in the week would be the best indicator for him playing Week 7 against the Raiders.

Maye’s listing as a Full Participant in Wednesday’s practice despite the knee issue now looks very different. His ability to practice in full initially suggested that this was potentially a known issue that the Patriots were proactively managing. With the news of an MRI, new questions relating to the injury’s time and mechanism must now be answered. We will report back with updates as soon as possible.

Specifics on the injury are not yet known, so it remains unclear as to whether the injury was suffered in-game or during Wednesday’s practice. Hopefully, we learn more soon enough but for now, fantasy managers should hope for at least limited participation on Thursday. The 49ers will need Samuel in order to keep pace with the Chiefs in Week 7.

This is great news for the rookie wide receiver, whose 21-day practice window was opened just two days ago. Pearsall is unlikely to immediately contribute to fantasy lineups once he is officially activated but he makes for a worthwhile bench stash thanks to the 49ers’ high-value offense.

Shenault was listed as a non-participant in the Seahawks’ Wednesday practice with a back injury. He has four catches for 26 yards on the season, but has made an impact returning kicks. With 11 returns for 369 yards and a touchdown, Shenault’s production will need to be replaced by Dee Williams or Kenny McIntosh if he cannot go Week 7 against the Falcons.

The Vikings initially listed him as having a hip injury but updated that to a hamstring injury on the first injury report of the week. Jones told reporters that he would practice on Thursday before he and the team determined his status for Week 7, so the return doesn’t guarantee he will play. If he can’t go, Ty Chandler will see most of the carries versus Detroit. Chandler should be added in all fantasy formats.