NFL Player News

With Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton both sidelined with injuries, it’s not a complete surprise to hear that Likely was the preferred target over recently signed vets like Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster. That said, it’s an encouraging sign for Likely and his fantasy managers, who are hoping that his first season away from Mark Andrews can lead to a breakout in 2026. Likely had a down year in 2025, posting career lows in targets (36), receptions (27), yards (307), and touchdowns (1), while appearing in 14 games. The 26-year-old tight end has shown flashes throughout his career and has drawn praise throughout much of the offseason. He profiles as a fringe TE1/TE2 with a chance for immense upside in an offense that’s devoid of top talent at receiver after Nabers.

He did not practice all week with the concussion. Brian O’Neill is questionable. Ryan Van Demark will likely play left tackle for Darrisaw, while 2026 third-rounder Caleb Tiernan is the likely reserve if O’Neill can’t go.

The Raiders activated Thornton’s 21-day practice window this week. Despite the young wide receiver saying he feels “ready to play,” the team has determined that he needs more time. With Jalen Nailor (concussion) also ruled out, Cody White (ankle) and Malik Benson will round out three-wide receiver sets behind Tre Tucker.

Addison practiced on Thursday and Friday after taking Wednesday off. We’d consider him on the optimistic side of questionable for Sunday’s game against New Orleans, but he will probably only be a WR3/FLEX play if Justin Jefferson (ankle) also returns.

The Raiders entered the season with a thin wide receiver corps, and the unit just got thinner. Tre Tucker will continue functioning as the team’s top wide receiver and second pass catcher, backed up by Cody White (ankle) and rookie Malik Benson. Nailor does not need to be rostered in 12-team formats.

Jefferson practiced on Friday after limited sessions on Thursday and Wednesday. He also insisted that he plans to play when asked earlier this week. We think he’s on the optimistic side of questionable as he returns as close to LSU as he can in the league.

Kubiak didn’t get into real specifics about the injury when asked. Mike Washington just found his way into real contingency value and is a worthwhile stash/hedge anywhere he was dropped. Jeanty did not practice Friday after a limited session (and the addition of a foot tag) on Thurdsay, so this certainly doesn’t appear to be heading in the right direction. That said, we knew Jeanty would be managing something after the preseason ankle injury and the Raiders have given out rest days on Friday quite a bit already this year. Jeanty is likely something close to truly questionable.

With Barkley ruled out and Tank Bigsby (core) on injured reserve, the Eagles will officially go with Will Shipley and Dameon Pierce as their top two backs. Shipley feels like a safe bet to serve as the team’s primary pass-catching back, but whether or not he sees the majority of rush attempts is to be determined. It wouldn’t be surprising if Pierce, who profiles as more of an early-down grinder than Shipley, leads the Eagles’ backfield in carries this week, but fantasy managers shouldn’t rush to add him to their lineups. Shipley will likely fall somewhere in the RB2 rankings this week, while Pierce is nothing more than a stash at the end of fantasy benches.

Smith hasn’t looked anywhere close to playing since popping up on the injury report ahead of Week 5, not practicing a single session yet. His status for Week 6 remains murky at best. Makai Lemon and Dontyavion Wicks (if healthy) will get a targets boost in what looks to be a very thin offense at the moment.

It was presumed that Nabers would play after sitting out Wednesday with soreness in his surgically repaired knee. Though this is just our speculation, the Giants may take it easier on their star receiver this week after he hauled in 6/112/1 against the Cardinals in Week 4. He remains on the WR2 line in what has been (when not facing the Cardinals) a rough offense with Jameis Winston under center.

Huntley figures to be a low-end superflex QB2 in Week 5, probably a bottom-five option for the week given how well the Falcons defense has played and how weak the Ravens skill position room looks. He led the team to zero points in the second half last week against the Titans.