Team news: Miami Dolphins | Page 21

Deebo Samuel (hamstring) is OUT for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Related Players: Brandon Aiyuk, Jeff Wilson

Deebo being out should open things up for Brandon Aiyuk to become more a focal point of the passing game. There's a chance this allows Jeff Wilson to relieve Christian McCaffrey more often, making the backup a desperation Flex option.

Todd Downing said Malik Willis is getting first-team practice reps while Ryan Tannehill nurses an ankle injury are valuable, even if Willis doesn’t start Sunday.

Willis was a fantasy goldmine through the preseason, dropping back 71 times for a 318-2-1 stat line, but more importantly, he accrued 159 yards rushing, with 138 of those coming on 11 scrambles. If he gets a full game in Week 8, he would become a very intriguing fantasy option.

Ryan Tannehill listed as “Did Not Practice.”

Related players: Malik Willis

Tannehill was in a walking boot after the game last week, but appeared at a recent press conference without the boot and said he was doing his best to play in Week 8. His status is worth monitoring for the rest of the week because if he can't go the rookie Willis would get the nod. Reports said Willis took the first team reps on Wednesday.

Titans QB Ryan Tannehill is out of the walking boot.

Related players: Malik Willis

Tannehill said he has an ankle sprain but he is improving. He was in a boot after last week's win over the Colts and we reported Tuesday that Tannehill is working toward playing in Week 8. That remains to be seen. Willis would get the call if Tannehill can't go.

As Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill limped away from his postgame press conference with a walking boot on his right foot Sunday afternoon, the physical effects of a hard-fought win against the Indianapolis Colts were evident.

"I know he's one of the toughest guys on the team," center Ben Jones said. "A lot of quarterbacks don't get that role. He's that guy for us. He's a leader. We lay our hat on and we love that guy."

Related players: Malik Willis

The story went on to say the extent of his injury hasn't been disclosed, but Tannehill said he intends to work his way into playing the next game. Through six games, he has only 1,097 passing yards and six touchdown passes. If you have room on your roster, Willis may be worth a stash now until we learn more about the injury.

Great news from Pete Carroll, who tells us DK Metcalf will not need surgery. He has a patellar tendon issue.

Related Players: Tyler Lockett, Marquise Goodwin, D'Wayne Eskridge

There's still no timeline, though other reports say that Carroll is pessimistic about Metcalf returning to practice this week, so it may be a week-to-week issue. D'Wayne Eskridge saw an uptick in snaps after Metcalf's departure but didn't receive a target in Week 7.

Stunner: Panthers are trading Pro-Bowl RB Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for draft picks, sources tell ESPN.

McCaffrey returns to the Bay Area, where he attended Stanford.

Related players: D'Onta Foreman, Chuba Hubbard, Elijah Mitchell, Jeff Wilson

This should enhance McCaffrey's value since the 49ers run a more competent offense than the Panthers. Elijah Mitchell is no longer expected to be a fantasy starter upon his return from injury, and can be dropped if necessary. He's an attrition RB2 now. Jimmy Garoppolo should benefit by having such a good receiving back to throw to, but targets are already at a premium, so Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle each take a slight hit. In Carolina, we'll likely see a committee consisting of D'Onta Foreman on early downs and Chuba Hubbard as a third-down/change-of-pace back. On the season, Foreman has played 31 snaps while Hubbard has played 30. Foreman has 12 touches (all carries), while Hubbard has six carries and one reception.

Nathaniel Hackett said Melvin Gordon will start Sunday at running back.

Related players: Latavius Murray, Mike Boone

The tweet went on to say the two had a discussion about the veteran’s role on Tuesday, but said the contents of the conversation will kept private. Gordon will be tough to trust unless you don't really have many other options in Week 7 full of byes. Murray actually looked good running the ball last week, so it's hard to believe he won't have a role.

Nathaniel Hackett said moving forward they’ll need all 3 RBs.

Related players: Melvin Gordon, Latavius Murray, Mike Boone

Hackett totally avoided answering a question about why Gordon got limited time in the first half and no snaps in the second half, the tweet said. Fantasy owners would like to know as well. Hackett went on to say they didn’t have many plays in the second half and he thought Murray ran well. Obviously, Gordon can't be trusted heading into Week 7. It will be interesting to see how the Broncos address their running game. But with an injured Russell Wilson at QB and a lackluster offense, they have bigger problems.

Two-time Pro Bowler Melvin Gordon logged only eight snaps -- none past the second quarter -- in Denver's 19-16 overtime loss and had only three official carries for eight yards after an apparent demotion to third choice in the Broncos' backfield.

"I'm not gonna lie. It hurt a little today watching," Gordon told NFL Network's Bridget Condon following the loss.

Related players: Latavius Murray, Mike Boone

The Broncos decided to ride Murray and Boone after benching Gordon, likely leaving fantasy owners in just as much shock as Gordon himself. Obviously this will be something to follow in the coming days. Gordon won't be able to be trusted even if he's active for Week 7. Meanwhile, Murray looked pretty good running on early down while Boone took over on passing downs.