Fantasy Football News | Page 66

Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth is expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Rams and likely will be sidelined longer after aggravating his hamstring in practice Thursday.

Freiermuth had an MRI this morning, and now his return to action is on hold.

Related Players: Connor Heyward, Darnell Washington

The Steelers have had a decently tough opening stretch of games, but in the four games Freiermuth has been active, he has accumulated all of 53 yards combined. In his Week 5 absence, Heyward and Washington ran a combined 34 routes and managed a 3-23 stat line on six targets.

Running back Saquon Barkley made his intentions crystal clear with the NFL's trade deadline less than two weeks away: He wants to remain with the New York Giants.

"Sitting here, everyone knows how I feel. Everyone knows I don't want to get traded," Barkley said. "I don't think anyone in their right mind would want to get traded anywhere. It's not an easy thing to do. You have to move. I have a family. I would love to be here."

In fantasy terms, there are a ton of other spots we would rather see Barkley play out the 2023 season, but this is certainly nice for Giants fans who don't want to see the back move on. We'll have to see how much the team weighs his intentions as the October 31st trade deadline approaches.

Panthers wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. has received permission to seek a trade, per sources. Carolina has discussed the matter with agent Vince Taylor as the player seeks a more prominent role. He’s welcome back if no trade found.

Former second-round pick has 104 catches, 742 yards and one touchdown since 2021.

Marshall was likely riding a high after receiving 17 targets combine in Weeks 3-4, but ran only 15 routes and caught neither of his targets coming out of the team's bye. If Marshall was dropped in any deep(er) dynasty leagues, this would be a good time to check the waivers.

Something to keep an eye on: Pat Freiermuth was downgraded to limited participation with the hamstring issue in today’s practice.

Related Players: Connor Heyward, Darnell Washington

To say that the third-year tight end has had a rough go of it statistically to this point in the season would be an understatement. The Steelers have had a decently tough opening stretch of games but the four games Freiermuth has been active, he has accumulated all of 53 yards combined. In his Week 5 absence, Heyward and Washington ran a combined 34 routes and managed a 3-23 stat line on six targets.

We will need a clean bill of health heading into the weekend to consider a fantasy bounceback from Freiermuth.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (oblique/rib), WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and LT Trent Williams (ankle) will NOT practice today, per Kyle Shanahan.

No surprise, as Williams and McCaffrey rarely practice on the first day of the week anyway. Tomorrow is a better indicator of progress.

Related Players: Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason

Another source following this tweet mentioned that Kyle Shanahan said that McCaffrey's MRI was "encouraging" and he should be considered day-to-day. We have to assume that his workload will at least be cut back if he plays in Week 7, but bench him at your own risk. We will keep an eye on Deebo Samuel's status for Friday's practice.

Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Bears.

Related Players: Brian Hoyer, Aidan O'Connell

Despite Garoppolo having a mediocre season to this point, this is bad news for all Raiders fantasy pieces, including Davante Adams. No word yet whether backup would start in Jimmy G's steed, but neither should be started in fantasy.

Giants QB Daniel Jones (neck) will again be limited at practice today, but he has not been cleared for contact yet, according to Brian Daboll.

Not a good sign for his availability for Sunday.

Related Players: Tyrod Taylor

All signs point towards another Tyrod Taylor start in Week 7. It took Taylor 36 passing attempts (200 yards) and five rush attempts (24 yards) to claw his way to 10.4 fantasy points last week. Even in a decent matchup with the Commanders coming up, we shouldn't expect an explosive fantasy performance.

Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt says QB Deshaun Watson will in fact return to practice today. Watson hasn’t had a full practice since Sept. 22.

Related Players: P.J. Walker

If Watson returns for Week 7, we may have to temper our expectations after such a long layoff. The quarterback had two 20+ fantasy performances and one 11-point performance in his three 2023 games.

Sean McDermott says QB Josh Allen (right shoulder) will "be out there in some capacity at practice today.

RB Damien Harris, TE Quintin Morris and DT Ed Oliver will not practice

Related Players: Latavius Murray, James Cook

It's more likely that Murray continues to take over the early-and-goal-line role than it is that Cook gets a boost in those areas. The Bills have made it clear that they would like to keep the 190-pound running back out of harm's way, as he only has three of the team's 15 rushing attempts from within the opponent's five-yard line. Murray's role should put him in consideration as an RB3 option, as the team is currently 8.5-point favorites against the Patriots.

Jaguars will work out quarterback Trevor Lawrence before tonight’s game to determine whether or not he can play versus the Saints with his knee sprain, per source. “It could easily be a game-time decision,” the source added. If Lawrence cannot play, C.J. Beathard would start.

Beathard is a capable backup, with 12 starts under his belt dating back to the 2017-2020 seasons with the 49ers. While you shouldn't feel compelled to put him in any fantasy lineups, he would hopefully not sink the pass-catchers too far if he is called upon for Week 7. Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk can still be considered low-end WR2s, while Evan Engram is a low-end TE1.