NFL Player News

The Vikings listed Darrisaw as a non-participant on Wednesday, briefly causing a scare, but the Vikings’ left tackle evidently feels good enough to play after going through a pre-game workout. Starting QB Carson Wentz will, unfortunately, be without RT Brian O’Neill (knee), who logged just one limited practice session this week. The Vikings also declared OLB Chaz Chambliss, DT Elijah Williams, FB C.J. Ham, LB Andrew Van Ginkel and QB J.J. McCarthy (emergency 3rd QB) inactive for Week 8 against the Chargers.

Hubbard was easily the most effective offensive player for the Panthers, but that’s at least partially an insult to everyone else as much as it was compliment to him. The tailback was able to make the most of the limited rushing room, and with Bryce Young having zero time to throw the football, he was a frequent target of Young’s checkdowns. Trevor Etienne received just one carry for one yard, meanwhile. Hubbard’s usage makes him a high-end RB2 for Week 9 against the Broncos, even if it’s more floor than ceiling.

Jacobs’ fantasy game was salvaged with two scores, but the tailback didn’t look particularly spry in the process. He had a long gain of just six, and there was almost no burst even against the porous Panthers’ run defense. He was involved in the passing game, but again, outside of his two-yard receiving score, there really wasn’t much there. It’s clear this is Jacobs’ backfield despite the scuffles, as MarShawn Lloyd had just three touches in the contest for seven yards. He’s a volatile low-end RB1 candidate for Week 9 against the Patriots.

Those who believe that sacks are a quarterback stat might change their mind watching the Panthers block Thursday night. The 25-year-old had no time to throw and couldn’t get out of the pocket while taking six sacks and being pressured on what seemed like every throw. That’s not to say that Young was completely a victim of his circumstance; he struggled with accuracy and couldn’t get the ball downfield in another ugly performance for the 25-year-old sans a 26-yard passing score to Jalen Coker in the middle of the fourth. Things won’t get any easier on paper in Week 9, as Young and the Panthers face the Broncos.

Love completed 17 of his first 20 passes, and two of those incompletions were drops. He threw a seed to Tucker Kraft for his first touchdown between defenders, found Matthew Golden wide open in the end zone for his second score — one play after Golden dropped a touchdown — and connected with Josh Jacobs for his third score of the day. The interception was a heinous decision where he didn’t see the safety, but outside of that, it was an impressive evening for the 27-year-old. Love gets zero, well, love from the run game and doesn’t have a quality offensive line, but he’s still putting up respectable numbers. He’ll look to add to those numbers in Week 9 against the Patriots in what should be a fun matchup.

Watson went to the hospital to have his chest injury examined, but obviously checked out well if the Packers were willing to reinsert him into a game where they were leading by two scores. It’s a sigh of relief for fantasy managers, as Watson has been sensational Thursday night with six catches for 100 yards in just one half thus far.

Watson was hurt on a deep pass in the middle of the second quarter, and went to the locker room to be evaluated and will head to the hospital to be further examined. The 27-year-old was playing well prior to the injury with six catches for 100 yards on his seven targets. Matthew Golden will be the primary wideout target for Jordan Love if Watson can’t return.

That’s back-to-back full practices for Bech after the Raiders opened up the 21-day window for the wideout. He’s worth monitoring in redraft leagues in part because the options ahead of him aren’t exactly elite, but fantasy managers don’t need to consider a stash just yet.

Price gets in the limited session after coach Mike Macdonald said that it was realistic that the tailback could be back Monday night against the Bears in Week 8. Zach Charbonnet was a full participant Thursday, so the Seattle backfield could finally be at full strength — or close to it, anyway — for the stretch. That’s nice for the Seahawks, but creates a lot of confusion from a fantasy perspective.

Shaheed received positive news on his knee injury that caused him to leave Sunday’s blowout win over the Chiefs, but there’s a pretty good chance that he’s going to miss at least Week 8’s game against Chicago on Monday. Assuming that’s the case, it will lead to more snaps for Tory Horton both as a receiver and as the primary returner.

It’s obviously a positive development for Charbonnet, who appears to be on track for his season debut against the Bears in Week 9. Fantasy managers just have to keep in mind that the rug was pulled from underneath last week when the Seahawks ruled the tailback out late in the week. Jadarian Price (chest) was a limited participant, but fantasy managers who want to use a Seattle tailback on Monday night won’t have clarity until Saturday at the earliest.