NFL Player News

The Browns also released kicker Chris Blewitt. After drafting LSU kicker Cade York in the fourth round, the team had no plans of holding a kick-off in training camp. York joins a team that should be an elite offense in 2022, making him an intriguing fantasy option for leagues that still utilize the kicker position.

Helm saw career-highs in targets and receiving yards in a high-scoring game against the Bengals. He saw a few targets in the flats but was targeted downfield multiple times, catching two passes of at least 24 yards. Helm also caught a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter. He is the Titans primary pass-catching tight end and saw heavy usage in a pass-heavy game script. Fantasy managers should not anticipate more game scripts like this for the Titans but Helm is a deep league streaming tight end option once the Titans come out of a Week 9 bye week.

TeSlaa has been effectively phased out of the Detroit passing attack. he has one catch over his past three games, and against the Vikings on Sunday he ran 13 routes on 35 Lions drop backs and did not see a target. He can be dropped in most formats.

Strange had a 46-yard first quarter catch-and-run that went down as the Jags’ longest gain of the day in a 42-7 demolition of the pathetic Colts. Strange was really rumbling, looking out of gas at the end of his journey. Strange actually tied for the team lead in receiving yards, but that’s because Trevor Lawrence attempted all of 14 passes. Strange has done enough to keep himself in the TE2 mix, but he is not an ideal TE1 streamer heading into a short-week Thursday night date vs. a Ravens team that will be without Lamar Jackson.

McLaughlin also nailed his only PAT try. The Bucs forced a trio of turnovers in the first half. Their ensuring drives didn’t amount to much, but the field position alone allowed McLaughlin to put the ball through the uprights on two of them. With the Faclons accomplishing nothing on offense, the Bucs were comfortable taking the points throughout the contest, resulting in another strong fantasy outing for McLaughlin. He entered Week 8 as a top five fantasy option and will remain near the top of the kicker ranks for Week 9 versus the Bears.

Hunter did add a five-yard “rush” on what sure looked like a pass attempt from Trevor Lawrence, but that’s neither her nor there. What is here is a rather predictable letdown after Hunter went into the Jaguars’ Week 7 bye with a pop-up effort in London. Although it was good to see Hunter contribute at all on offense, his role is too limited in an attack with too many mouths to feed to treat him as even a boom/bust WR4. That includes for Thursday’s short-week date with a Ravens team now missing starting quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Dike saw 58 snaps with Carnell Tate out, second among Titans wide receivers. He scored on an 11-yard reception in the fourth quarter. It was Dike’s first game with over three receptions and second game over one target this season. Dike is mostly utilized as a kick returner but is in line to see increased opportunities on offense if Tate misses additional time. For now, Dike should be off the fantasy radar heading into the Titans’ Week 9 bye.

Robinson led Titans wide receivers in targets and snaps with Carnell Tate out, seeing seven targets. He was involved in his usual short-yardage role out of the slot, averaging 9.5 yards per reception with a 15-yard fourth quarter touchdown boosting his fantasy production. He was credited with a fumble on a screen pass that controversially could have been ruled an incomplete pass. Robinson is consistently a checkdown target for Cam Ward, with intermediate targets sparsely sprinkled in. Tate may return out of the Titans’ Week 9 bye, leaving Robinson to fend for fantasy production in the fantasy WR4 ranks.

It was the first time this year Vaki has seen more than six carries. The Lions went ultra run-heavy in this one to combat the Vikings’ vexing blitz scheme, which led to 35 carries on the day. Vaki should be stashed in most formats in cae Jahmyr Gibbs misses any time in the coming weeks. Vaki would be a potential 20-touch weekly option in such a scenario.

Meyers wasn’t the only Jags pass catcher to post an empty box score in a 42-7 obliteration where Trevor Lawrence attempted only 14 passes, though he’s now been held to two or fewer receptions in 4-of-7 games. For a supposed “floor” player, that is not going to cut it, especially since Meyers is not the ceiling threat in this offense. With volume likely to remain in short supply for Thursday’s short-week tilt with the Lamar Jackson-less Ravens, Meyers is not a compelling WR3 for Week 9.