NFL Player News

Speaking on his show, The Adam Schefter Podcast, Schefty said of Aiyuk’s recovery, “From what I understand, Dr. Neal ElAttrache is pleased with his progress. He’s coming along. I think he’s ready to play by midseason.” It’s a longer recovery than we may have expected for Aiyuk, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in last season’s Week 7 game against the Chiefs. The sixth-year vet signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Niners right before last season. The subject of trade rumors this offseason, it’s hard to imagine other teams wanting to acquire him until they can see how he looks once he’s on the field.

St. Brown started the week off with an absence before logging consecutive full sessions to end the week or preparations, ultimately removed from the injury report entirely heading into the weekend. He should be good to go for a normal workload against the stingy Minnesota defense, where fantasy managers can start him with confidence as a WR1.

We’d be floored if Monangai got on the questionable line on Saturday. He hasn’t played or practiced since Week 4. We’re still waiting for some kind of positive movement here. Roschon Johnson will likely be Chicago’s second-string back again in Week 8.

Meyers managed back-to-back limited sessions to begin the week of preparation but was downgraded to a “DNP” Friday, ultimately drawing the questionable tag for Week 8 against the Colts. An absence could require additional offensive snaps for two-way player Travis Hunter and a slight uptick in route rate for Brian Thomas Jr and Josh Cameron. This is one to monitor for fantasy managers of all Jacksonville pass catchers.

It was an injury report addition, which is never a great sign. We don’t have a lot of smoke on this one yet, though we imagine Ben Johnson will get some questions about it on Saturday. The MNF timing could make this a tricky fantasy lineup decision if Loveland is questionable; the only reasonable pivots would be AJ Barner or — maybe — Sam Roush.

Hawkins was unable to practice all week as he tends to a knee injury, ultimately ruled out for Week 8 Friday. It will go down as his second consecutive absence, with his next opportunity to take the field to come in Week 9 against the Jaguars on Thursday Night Football.

Smith upgraded his level of participation with each practice this week, starting with an absence before moving to limited and, finally, a full session. He appears to be ready for a normal workload in the interior of the Baltimore defense, a welcome development for the Ravens as they prepare to face the Bills.

Ioane got in limited sessions on Thursday and Friday but was evasive when asked if he’d go at his locker yesterday. In the end, it would have been very impressive for him to play through a sprained MCL one week later. Ioane’s practice augurs well for his chances of playing in Week 10, at the very least. Week 9, on Thursday Night, might be too big of an ask.

Allen ended the week of practice with consecutive full showings after being limited Wednesday, while backfield mate Breece Hall officially drew the questionable tag following a week full of limited sessions. Allen would remain an upside RB2 in a solid matchup should Hall be held out for another week, likely maintaining FLEX status should Hall play.

Hamilton managed a full session to clear the report after a Wednesday DNP. While the Ravens are missing some key players on defense, having their star safety ready to deal with Josh Allen is a big get for them in Week 8.