NFL Player News

It profiles as another smash week for Puka Nacua, who took advantage of Adams’ absence with 200 yards through the air in Week 16. The Rams will probably do just fine on offense given what they did against the league-best Seahawks defense on Thursday night. Still, it does cap a bit of Matthew Stafford’s touchdown upside for Week 17 to be without his goal line back.

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.

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.

Thomas is once again the subject of trade talks as next week’s trade deadline rapidly approaches. The 24-year-old receiver, who broke out for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, has earned just 22 targets through seven games this season and has a 10-117-2 line. With so many wide receiver-needy teams out there, it’s hard to imagine the Jaguars holding Thomas, who has become more of an afterthought in the offense, but they’ve resisted trading him over the last year despite multiple teams showing interest.

Carlson has converted 8-of-12 field goals this season and is 16-for-18 on PATs. The veteran kicker who is known for his big leg has seen all four of his misses come on distances of 50-plus yards, but that was more than enough for the Saints to look in a different direction. Practice squad kicker Charlie Smyth, who converted 12 of his 16 field goal attempts for the Saints last season has a chance to be the next man up when the Saints take on the Browns in Week 9.