Legette sees two targets vs. Bears

Parsons is not expected to suit up in Week 9 against the Patriots, but this is the next step in his recovery as he looks to return to the field. On Sunday, it was reported that the Packers were targeting a Week 12 return for Parsons, which would mean he plays on Thanksgiving Eve against the Rams if all goes according to plan.

After taking some time to evaluate his quarterback room, Steichen has decided to stick with Jones, saying he believes Jones gives the Colts “the best chance to win right now.” Jones has struggled mightily in his second season with the Colts and is now sitting on a 1,542-5-9 passing line this season, and he tossed two picks in Week 8’s 42-7 blowout loss to the Jaguars. He was pulled in favor of Anthony Richardson late in the game, but he will get at least one more start against a woeful Cowboys defense that is fresh off blowing a 14-point fourth-quarter lead to the Cardinals in a comeback that was orchestrated by Gardner Minshew. With only two teams on bye this week, Jones is nothing more than a desperation streamer in 2QB/superflex leagues.

Canales said the oft-injured Brooks still has “some things to clear recovery-wise” but noted that he could still have his practice window opened this week. Brooks suffered a core muscle injury in Week 2 against the Falcons and handled just 11 touches in his first two games of the year. Given his injury history, it’s hard to know how close he could truly be to dressing on game day, but even when he does return, we would still expect Chuba Hubbard to handle the majority of touches given how efficient he has been this season. In addition to Brooks, Canales said the team is also weighing when to open the return window for Xavier Legette, who has been sidelined since Week 2 with a knee injury.

Pittman has been on injured reserve since October 10th, and began running last week. While the veteran receiver said he hopes to return after the Steelers’ bye week, he also said that there’s “no time frame” for his return. Pittman’s foot injury was a reaggravation of a previous injury he had earlier in the season, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Steelers exercised extreme caution to ensure it doesn’t flare up again when he returns. Pittman’s first season in Pittsburgh has been disappointing, to say the least. He has appeared in just three games and has totaled seven receptions for 89 scoreless yards.

Turner was initially believed to have suffered an ankle injury in the Bengals’ Week 8 win over the Titans, but it was later ruled to be a heel injury. According to Taylor, the fourth-year corner has a chance to suit up in Week 9 when the Bengals take on the Falcons in Madrid, so his status will be one to keep an eye on throughout the week. Turner has earned a PFF coverage grade of 72.9 this season, allowing opposing receivers to catch 16-of-26 targets for 132 yards and one touchdown.

Branch suffered a hamstring injury in Week 8’s shutout loss to the Buccaneers and will miss next week’s game against the Bengals in Madrid. The rookie third-rounder has caught just 10 passes for 64 scoreless yards this season and has also served as the Falcons’ primary kick and punt returner.

Etienne hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3 against the Raiders. The 27-year-old back will need to have his 21-day return window opened before he can take the practice field, so we’ll see if Moore and the staff elect to designate him for a return ahead of Wednesday’s practice. Until that happens, Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, and CJ Donaldson will continue to operate as the Saints’ top options, with Kamara the likely leader in what has been an underwhelming backfield this season.

When Tyson landed on injured reserve, the initial belief was that he would return sometime after the Saints’ bye week. Whether that is in Week 9 or the coming weeks is still to be determined, but we wouldn’t expect him to take the field the same week the team opens his return window. That said, opening that window for a return is the first step in getting Tyson back on the field. If he takes the field Wednesday, Tyson would then have 21 days to practice before the team would need to officially activate him from injured reserve. We could still be a few weeks away from seeing the the rookie first-rounder in action, but hopefully we get an encouraging update on his progression this week.

According to Rapoport, Diaby “should be back within a matter of weeks,” but it sounds like the fourth-year linebacker could avoid a stint on injured reserve. Diaby has totaled three sacks — all of which came in Week 7 against the Panthers- and also has 16 tackles and one interception this season. Diaby has started all eight games for the Bucs this year while playing on nearly 60 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.

Montgomery, who missed the Texans’ last two games with his injury, is coming off the team’s Week 8 bye, and there was some hope he might be able to get on the field for Week 9’s game against the Chargers. While that may still be the case, it’s possible we will need to wait until Wednesday, when the team releases its first injury report, to see how Montgomery is trending heading into the weekend. The 29-year-old running back has struggled mightily this season even when healthy, rushing for 138 yards and two touchdowns on 52 carries while averaging a dismal 2.7 YPC. Even if he is active against the Chargers, Montgomery would be hard to trust as anything more than an RB3/Flex play given his performance pre-injury.