NFL Player News

We knew Welker was headed to San Francisco, but we did not know the position. It’s a promotion for Welker after he spent two years as an offensive assistant in Houston. Welker turns 38 in May. His 903 receptions are 22nd in NFL history, but for some reason it has been Julian Edelman generating Hall-of-Fame chatter instead.

Head coach Sean McDermott said “there’s a good chance” Carter’s injury lands him on injured reserve. The rookie defensive tackle has appeared in all seven games for the Bills this season, totaling nine tackles and three TFLs while also breaking up one pass. If Carter lands on IR, he would need to miss at least four games before being eligible to return.

Per Ravens beat writer Jamison Hensley, Flower ran onto the practice field and “was even dancing off to the side before the start of practice.” The Ravens’ WR1 missed each of the team’s first two practices to start the week, but it sounds like he’ll have a chance to suit up in Week 8 against the Browns. We’ll have official word on his status when the team releases its final injury report later in the day.

According to McDaniel, there were “zero” neurologists who recommended Tagovailoa retire from football despite his concussion history. Tagovailoa was expected to clear protocol on Friday after logging a full practice on Thursday. The return of Miami’s QB1 spells big things for Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who have been nearly unstartable in fantasy since Tagovailoa’s injury. Tua and the Fins get a nice matchup against a Cardinals defense that’s 26th in passing yards allowed and 31st in net yards per attempt this season. He profiles as a top-12 fantasy quarterback for the week.

The Panthers will be the ultimate deciders on whether or not Johnson suits up for Week 8. Three DNPs are never a good sign for a player’s availability, but there’s a chance the team is resting Johnson, who played through three different injuries in Week 7’s loss to the Commanders. Even if he’s active, Johnson will be hard to trust against. The Broncos are allowing the third-fewest points per game (15.1) this season, and Bryce Young is making his first start since Week 2.

ESPN’s John Keim posted from Commanders practice, “Three QBs are now out here. Jayden Daniels not yet among them.” The rookie quarterback was rumored to have a chance at practicing on Friday, but his third-straight DNP likely spells a Week 8 absence, barring a surprise development. The team will give official word on Daniels’ status for the weekend on their Friday injury report, but it’s looking more and more like Marcus Mariota will make the start against the Bears.

Bernard exited in Week 7 with his ankle injury and will now miss at least one game as a result. Bernard has totaled 32 tackles in five games for the Bills this season while also tallying three TFLs and forcing one interception. It’s a tough loss for the Bills, who will be challenged by a physical Seahawks rushing attack. In addition to Bernard, the Bills also ruled out defensive tackle DeWayne Carter (wrist)

Jennings hasn’t practiced this week and also missed Week 7 with the same injury. The 49ers hope to have Deebo Samuel (wrist/illness) back for Sunday’s game, but he could also be looking at an uphill battle to return. The 49ers could have a dangerously thin receiving corps in Week 8, which could pave the way for rookie Ricky Pearsall to be force-fed targets in just his second game as a pro.

It’s Irving’s first practice of the week, but his return is an encouraging sign and comes less than 24 hours after beat writer Rick Stroud reported Irving is “trending well” for Week 8. We’ll have a clearer sense of his Week 8 availability when the Buccaneers release their final injury report later in the day.

Two straight DNPs to start the week had Samuel trending in this direction. Now, the veteran receiver has officially been ruled out and will target a Week 9 return against the Seahawks. His absence won’t have much of an impact on fantasy managers, as Samuel has managed just 12 catches all season.