NFL Player News

Watson has not practiced this week due to concussion symptoms he has been dealing with since Week 8’s loss to the Steelers. Unless he surprisingly clears concussion protocol this week, Watson will miss Week 9, paving the way for Shedeur Sanders to make his first start of the season. We will have official word on Watson’s status in a few hours, but at this point, it would be surprising if he does start.

Pelissero calls this a “potential complication in [Aiyuk’s] efforts to secure his release by reporting to the facility Friday.” While it’s possible both sides reach a deal for Aiyuk to pay back that money, which would make this a non-issue, Pelissero said this could also end up going to arbitration, which may delay things. Aiyuk is scheduled to report to the 49ers’ facilities today, so we could have our answer in the next few hours about when this situation is resolved and Aiyuk has been granted his release. Aiyuk recently hired Drew Rosenhaus with the hopes of being reinstated into the league and with a new team soon. The 28-year-old last played in 2024.

Pearce’s status is not injury-related. This likely has more to do with whether or not head coach Kevin Stefanski believes Pearce is in enough shape to play a game after being sidelined for eight weeks due to his suspension. Pearce was a full participant in practice, and teams said he will operate on a pitch count, so it seems highly unlikely he will be scratched on game day. In addition to Pearce, the Falcons also listed LB Yasir Abdullah (hamstring), WR Beaux Collins (hip), LB Divine Deablo (forearm), and OT Cameron Williams (ankle) as questionable for Week 9.

Robinson was briefly listed as questionable only for head coach Kevin Stefanski to rule him out shortly after the initial report. Robinson was limited in practice throughout the week, but the Falcons are opting to play it safe, likely hoping another week on the sidelines will lower the chances of re-injury. Rookie WR Zachariah Branch (hamstring) has also been ruled out for the game after picking up an injury in last week’s loss to the Buccaneers.

Andrews, somewhat disgustingly, led the team in receiving with a modest 19 yards on a night undrafted free agent rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano threw for only 60 yards in his first career start. It remains difficult to start the veteran tight end, who has made more mental mistakes this season than he has receptions.

Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle did what he could to overcome undrafted free agent rookie Joe Fagnano under center, routinely putting Flowers in Motion across the formation to generate some level of misdirection for an offense with zero ability to attack downfield. That included three rush attempts and a completion thrown by running back Derrick Henry, but it wasn’t enough to salvage a usable fantasy week for the electric receiver. Fantasy managers can rest easy knowing help is on the way in the form of veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who was signed earlier in the week and will likely make his team debut when the Ravens take on the Chargers in Week 10. Flowers will return to upside WR2 range with the change at quarterback.

Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle did everything in his power to overcome an undrafted free agent rookie quarterback in his first professional start, going so far as to call numerous direct snaps to Henry and a Henry pass attempt, but it ultimately proved futile. Things appeared to be trending in the right direction as the Ravens played the Jaguars to a tightly contested game through the first 29 minutes before Parker Washington broke the game open with a 50-yard touchdown in the final minute before the break. Things got nasty for Henry after the half as he managed only two additional yards after bruising his way to 55 first half yards. Henry will return to RB1 status in fantasy circles in Week 10 when the Ravens take on the Chargers.

Hill became the first running back to amass more than 75 yards against the Jaguars since the start of the 2025 regular season with a 65-yard touchdown with the game well out of hand in the second half. It was an otherwise poor showing for the entirety of the Baltimore offense with a rookie undrafted free agent starting his first NFL game. Hill remains nothing more than a desperation FLEX ahead of a Week 10 meeting with the Chargers.

Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle did everything he could to scheme around a starting undrafted free agent rookie quarterback in his first NFL start, calling numerous exotic looks to include direct snaps to Derrick Henry, a Henry pass attempt, quick outs to Zay Flowers, Flowers rush attempts, and flea flickers, but it wasn’t enough to overcome poor execution, consistently off-target throws, and a lack of downfield ability. The Ravens also committed numerous pre-snap penalties as they continue to lead the league in that area through nine weeks, which killed multiple drives. Fagnano managed only 25 pass yards in the first half, finishing with a ridiculous 60 yards, while both interceptions came in the second half with the team in desperation mode. Fagnano leaves his first, and likely last, NFL start with a sour taste in his mouth, as he likely retreats to backup duties following the signing of veteran Jacoby Brissett earlier in the week.