Team news: Pittsburgh Steelers | Page 8

According to multiple reports, Dallas is acquiring second-year receiver Jonathan Mingo from Carolina.

Related players: Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, David Moore, CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert

The Cowboys will receive Mingo and a 2025 seventh-round pick for a 2025 fourth-round pick. Mingo, 23, was a second-round pick last season, catching 43 passes for 418 yards. But he has been largely phased out of the offense in 2024, catching just 12 passes for 121 yards in nine games — despite being on the field for 56 percent of the club’s offensive snaps. Mingo has not had a catch since the Oct. 13 loss to Atlanta, and that was for just 1 yard. He’s received four targets over the last two games, the story went on to say. In Carolina, Legette should remain the team's top target. Thielen could end up getting moved today as well, but is due back soon. Coker should get WR2 looks for the rest of the season. Meanwhile in Dallas, Lamb is banged up but has a chance to play in Week 10. Mingo could eventually climb up as the WR2 if he can pass Tolbert, but this change of scenery could at least leave him as the team's WR3 in the immediate future once he gets up to speed. Coker has already been a popular pickup, but if Mingo is on your wire he may be worth adding with the hope his value goes up, mostly in deeper leagues.

Mason Rudolph has started the last three games while Will Levis recovers from a right shoulder injury, but Callahan has said that Levis will still be the starter once he is healthy enough to play. Callahan reiterated that at his Monday press conference and said that he expects Levis to do more work at practice in the coming days ahead of a possible return to action against the Chargers.

“I’m hopeful this is the week,” Callahan said.

Rudolph was 20-of-33 for 240 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in Sunday’s overtime win over the Patriots. He’s 67-of-111 for 721 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions in his three starts will Levis out. The Titans will visit the Chargers in a later Sunday game in Week 10.

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf (MCL sprain) has been ruled out for Sunday.

Related Players: Jake Bobo, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett

Metcalf was sorely missed in Week 8, when no other receivers were able to step up outside of JSN going 6-69-0. Lockett, in particular, was a regrettable fantasy start, while Geno Smith had only 212 yards and zero touchdowns for the first time all season. Smith-Njigba is the only reliable part of the passing attack (along with Kenneth Walker) this week.

Mike Macdonald on @KIRONewsradio on DK Metcalf's (knee) potential return in Week 9: "Unfortunately it's still a little bit cloudy on what's going on on that front. I know he's trying like heck to get out there as soon as he can, but we're still taking it day by day."

Related Players: Jake Bobo, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett

Metcalf was sorely missed in Week 8, when no other receivers were able to step up outside of JSN going 6-69-0. Lockett, in particular, was a regrettable fantasy start, while Geno Smith had only 212 yards and zero touchdowns for the first time all season. If Metcalf gets cleared in time, put him back in WR2 consideration.

The Jets are placing WR Allen Lazard on Injured Reserve because of a chest injury, sources say. Aaron Rodgers’ good friend and trusted target is out at least four games.

Related Players: Garrett Wilson, Davante Adams, Mike Williams, Malachi Corley

The long-awaited Mike Williams trade feels very unlikely to happen now, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's a fantasy target, either. Lazard is an easy drop anywhere he's dangling on the roster bubble, and we should see some heightened red-zone usage out of Wilson, Adams, and Tyler Conklin moving forward.

Per Mike Macdonald, DK Metcalf won't practice for Seahawks today, but he's optimistic receiver will have a shot to practice tomorrow.

Related Players: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett

This is a tough matchup against the Rams' secondary, but there's also a chance for a shootout not that L.A.'s pass-catchers are back to health. JSN remains an interesting Flex play, while Lockett can't be trusted at this point.

Trade: Carolina is sending wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens, sources tell ESPN.

Related players: Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo

The Panthers get a 5th round pick. It didn't take the Panthers long after rumors were starting to circulate Johnson was in play. The landing spot in Baltimore is interesting to say the least. The big question is will the Ravens consistently throw the ball enough with Travis Henry and Lamar Jackson for Johnson, Flowers and Andrews to keep their fantasy value. It remains to be seen who takes the biggest hit to their value, but the odds seem to favor Flowers here. Meanwhile in Carolina, Thielen is about to return but it's likely time to see what Legette and Mingo can do for the Panthers and the future of their offense.

Sources: There’s a growing belief around the NFL that the Panthers are increasingly likely to trade WR Diontae Johnson before the trade deadline.

Related players: Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Coker

Multiple contending teams are interested, though determining Johnson’s value has been challenging with him in the last year of his contract, the post went on to say. There isn't much reason to keep Johnson in Carolina. He's certainly flashed this year, but it was only with Andy Dalton under center. The Panthers would be able to give the snaps and targets to Legette and Mingo, who were early picks each of the last two seasons in the NFL Draft. Johnson going to a potential contender with a veteran QB would be a huge boost to his fantasy value.

Mike MacDonald again says it's “looking optimistic" that DK Metcalf will be back this week.

The post added the team will first need to see Metcalf practice this week, so it will be important for fantasy owners to monitor his status. The Seahawks host the Rams in Week 9, but it's a later afternoon game on Sunday, so owners will need a backup plan in the event Metcalf is a game-time call. He's dealing with a low-grade MCL sprain.

Titans quarterback Will Levis is getting closer to returning from his shoulder injury — and there’s a chance it could happen this week.

“We’ll see where he’s at. I’m optimistic he’s in a better place after some rest,” head coach Brian Callahan said in his Monday press conference. “He’s probably going to take another day or two of some rest and we’ll see what he looks like Wednesday. So, I can’t comment with any certainty what’ll be the case."

Related players: Mason Rudolph

The Titans will need to see what they have in Levis and give him as much time as they can the rest of the season, especially sitting at 1-6 so far this year. The team just traded WR DeAndre Hopkins to Kansas City and will again look toward the future. Rudolph filled in the last two weeks with Levis sidelined, but won't be more than a backup option going forward. Levis hasn't been great and the Titans will likely have some decisions to make heading into next year. In his five starts this season, Levis has completed 66.4 percent of his throws for 699 yards with five touchdowns and seven interceptions.