Fantasy Football News | Page 5

Chiefs LT Josh Simmons (back) again on the practice field Thursday.

WR Rashee Rice (hamstring) watching his teammates go thru drills, but not practicing today.

Related Players: Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals, Cyrus Allen, Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Patrick Mahomes

If Rice remains out, Worthy would have WR2 upside from additional targets, and Kelce would remain a strong TE1 option. Royals would enter deep-league FLEX desperation, while Allen and Gray remain speculative. Mahomes stays in QB1 consideration, though Rice’s absence would reduce the offense’s receiving depth.

The Browns got multiple players back at practice today, including Maliek Collins, Tytus Howard, Carsen Ryan and Dylan Sampson.

Still not practicing: Derek Barnett, Kalia Davis, Mason Graham, Mike Hall, Teven Jenkins, Quinshon Judkins, Carson Schwesinger.

Related Players: Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime

Sampson is worth a speculative bench addition where available. If he is activated and Judkins misses Sunday, Sampson would have a path to meaningful work, although his first game back could still involve a committee. McLaughlin and/or Estime would be quite a stretch to provide bankable fantasy production.

Austin Ekeler wearing a non-contact jersey at practice.

Not seeing Jacory Croskey-Merritt during the open portion with media.

Related Players: Rachaad White, Jeremy McNichols, Jayden Daniels

The Monday kickoff makes a backup plan especially important for Croskey-Merritt’s managers. If he misses the game, White would have a chance to move from a fringe FLEX option into RB2 consideration if he inherits the early-down and goal-line work, while Ekeler could become a PPR FLEX option if available

A few guys still trickling out on practice field, but no sign of QB Lamar Jackson. Minter has consistently said that Jackson wouldn’t necessarily need to practice to play Sunday. But it’s been 10 days now since he’s been on field. Seems pretty obvious where this is headed.

Related Players: Tyler Huntley, Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Ja'Kobi Lane, Devontez Walker, Elijah Sarratt, LaJohntay Wester, Mark Andrews, Derrick Henry, Justice Hill

Jackson’s managers should secure a replacement now. Huntley would be a QB2 option in superflex leagues if he makes another start, with his rushing ability providing a path to useful production. Flowers remains the strongest Baltimore receiving play and a WR2 with Huntley; Jackson’s return would restore more upside. Henry can still be considered an RB1 regardless of starter.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is out for Sunday due to a superficial blood clot. It is safe to say that Jalen Hurts is out until his medical situation is resolved. Until then, it's Tanner McKee moving forward.

Related Players: DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, Dallas Goedert, Zach Ertz, Saquon Barkley, Dameon Pierce, Jaydon Blue, Carson Steele

McKee becomes an emergency QB2 option in superflex leagues, while managers replacing Hurts in one-quarterback formats should look elsewhere first. Philadelphia’s pass catchers take a downgrade: Goedert becomes a fringe TE1, and Wicks is a volatile WR3/FLEX if Smith remains out.

The Seahawks left for Denver on Wednesday ahead of their Thursday night game against the Broncos, and held a light practice prior to heading to the airport.

Among those practicing fully on Wednesday was receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was listed as limited the previous two days because of an ankle injury. Smith-Njigba, who leads the NFL in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, does not have a game status on the final injury report, meaning he is good to go.

Related Players: Rashid Shaheed, Cooper Kupp, Tory Horton, AJ Barner, Elijah Arroyo, Sam Darnold, Emanuel Wilson

Start Smith-Njigba confidently as a WR1. Denver’s secondary absences improve the matchup and give Darnold additional upside as a superflex option. Shaheed remains a volatile FLEX whose big-play potential benefits from the injuries.

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. left the Atlanta Falcons' Week 5 game against the Baltimore Ravens late in the fourth quarter after taking a shot to the ribs. He returned one play later to attempt one pass on third down, but Penix did not take the field with the offense for Atlanta's only possession in overtime after a lengthy drive by Baltimore.

He did, however, return to the field for the Falcons' first practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears.

Related Players: Tua Tagovailoa, Drake London, Jahan Dotson, Zachariah Branch, Olamide Zaccheaus, Chris Blair, Kyle Pitts, Austin Hooper, Bijan Robinson

Penix is back in the QB2/superflex conversation against Chicago, provided he avoids a setback.

Jeremiyah Love wasn't practicing Wednesday, and whether he plays Sunday against the Rams is uncertain with his lingering ankle problem.

Coach Mike LaFleur said the right ankle sprain the rookie running back suffered against the Raiders in a preseason game is healed. But Love's left ankle has been a problem for a couple of weeks and will be monitored day-to-day and "we want to get this ankle right," LaFleur said.

Related Players: Tyler Allgeier, Zonovan Knight, Michael Wilson, Kendrick Bourne, Trey McBride, Jacoby Brissett

Allgeier is worth adding wherever available. If Love sits, Allgeier would have a real chance to move from a deeper FLEX into the RB2 conversation through additional carries and scoring opportunities. Knight would become a speculative option in deeper leagues, with his usefulness dependent on how Arizona divides the remaining work.

The Panthers listed Jalen Coker as a full participant on Wednesday’s estimated injury report as he returns from a quadriceps injury. Carolina did not practice Wednesday; Coker was on the field Tuesday.

Related Players: Tetairoa McMillan, Brycen Tremayne, John Metchie III, David Moore, Darren Waller, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, Bryce Young

Coker is back in the WR2 conversation against Philadelphia if he progresses through the week without a setback. His return would push Tremayne and Metchie toward deeper-league bench roles, while McMillan remains a strong starter. Having both primary receivers available would also strengthen Young’s case as a streaming quarterback.

DeMeco Ryans said Marvin Harrison Jr. will play Sunday vs. the Jaguars.

Related Players: Nico Collins, Jaylin Noel, Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson, Dalton Schultz, Foster Moreau, C.J. Stroud

Harrison enters the WR3/FLEX conversation, but managers should account for an uncertain workload in his first game with a new offense. He offers considerably more upside if Houston gives him a substantial route share. Collins remains a WR1, while Boutte, Hutchinson, and Noel become harder to trust as standalone starters with another receiver competing for opportunities.