NFL Player News

The Falcons’ top-tier safety is on track to return in Week 9. He sat out against the Buccaneers in Week 8, where Baker Mayfield threw for 330 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Simmons’ expected return is a positive development for a Falcons squad that takes on the Cowboys in Week 9.

Hall, barring setbacks in practice, should be OK for Week 9 against the Chiefs. What his workload will look like is another question entirely. Braelon Allen has established himself as an efficient, tough runner over the past few weeks, and could remain the Jets’ lead rusher while Hall takes on most pass-catching opportunities. Though Hall should have some kind of floor in Week 9, he probably doesn’t have much of a ceiling unless the Jets decided to phase out Allen.

Wilson sustained a head injury in Week 8 against the Raiders and now appears to be a long shot for Week 9. Wilson this season has accounted for 27 percent of the Jets’ targets and 38 percent of the team’s air yards. His absence would make both Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper flex-viable for Week 9, along with Mason Taylor. Cooper is coming off a game in which he saw no targets while running a route on 75 percent of the Jets’ drop backs.

Cabot said it would be a challenge for Deshaun Watson to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol by Saturday and suit up for Sunday’s game. Watson suffered a head injury in Week 8 against the Steelers and reported concussion symptoms on Tuesday, according to the Browns. Sanders in 2025 was the most inaccurate quarterback in the league and struggled to support fantasy-relevant pass catchers. Harold Fannin could see a boost with Sanders under center after Sanders targeted the tight end relentlessly during his 2025 starts.

Steichen mostly dodged questions about why the Colts would play Taylor in Week 9 if the team was in talks with contenders who might want to acquire the star running back before the NFL’s trade deadline. “Teams call all the time,” Steichen told reports. He said the team was focused on the Cowboys, their opponents in Week 9. Taylor seems more than likely to be dealt to another team in the coming weeks. That could be the Vikings, Bengals, Seahawks, or another contending team in need of backfield help.

Further evaluation of Huntley’s toe injury showed it was a season ender. That leaves the Ravens desperate at quarterback for the remainder of the season. Against the Jaguars on Thursday night the team is likely to start Joe Fagnano. It’s unclear who will serve as the team’s backup quarterback this week or going forward. Zay Flowers goes from an elite weekly fantasy option to something closer to a WR3 in this degraded offensive environment. Derrick Henry’s prospects take a major knock too.

Watson took a hit to the head in the first half of the Browns’ Week 8 loss to the Steelers. He was evaluated for a brain injury and re-entered the game. He then reported concussion-like symptoms on Tuesday and entered the protocol on Wednesday. It would be somewhat surprising if Watson is able to clear the protocol in time for the Browns’ Week 9 matchup against the Saints. That would likely mean Shedeur Sanders would get the starting nod against New Orleans. Sanders should only be rostered in superflex formats for now.

Aiyuk’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed the development on Wednesday, and said Aiyuk would report to the 49ers on Friday. That could expedite his release from the team so he could seek employment with another, presumably wideout-needy NFL team. Aiyuk’s erratic behavior over the past year and questions about his conditioning could prevent some teams from pursuing him. “Brandon is healthy and ready to get back on the field,” Rosenhaus said. He had been closely linked to the Commanders before a series of online meltdowns in the offseason. The Rams could be in the market for Aiyuk with Davante Adams (hamstring) sidelined indefinitely. Aiyuk is still unlikely to have any fantasy value this season.

Hollins has been on injured reserve for a month with a calf injury. With a full practice today he’ll have a good chance of suiting up in Week 9 against the Packers. Hollins will likely function as Drake Maye’s primary downfield option if A.J. Brown remains sidelined. Hollins’ return dings the fantasy prospects of DeMario Douglas, who has an 18 percent target share and a 19 percent air yards share over the team’s past three games. Hollins will be flex viable in deeper formats.

Bennett was acquired by the Eagles in a swap with the Raiders before the start of last season. The 26-year-old played 98 defensive snaps in two seasons for Philly, spending all of the 2026 season on injured reserve with a knee injury. The Eagles now waive Bennett from injured reserve.

Bryant has missed the Broncos’ last four games after being placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. The 23-year-old receiver is eligible to return whenever the Broncos deem him ready to do so, and his practicing this week would mean the team has opened his 21-day return window. Bryant has caught nine passes for 133 yards and one touchdown and was third among Broncos receivers in routes run (91) through the first four weeks of the season. He could make for an interesting stash in deeper leagues, but fantasy managers shouldn’t rush to put him in their lineups whenever he does return.