NFL Player News

The Rams initially released Barron in early March with the idea they could re-sign him in the open market. He’ll instead play behind Vince Williams in the middle of DC Keith Butler’s modified version of the 4-3 defense. 30 in October, Barron’s play plummeted last season and will need to be much better if he expects to compete for reps ahead of ILB Jon Bostic.

Hardman fell awkwardly on his shoulder on a punt return in the first quarter and was slow to get up, eventually being taken to the locker room with the training staff for further evaluation. Hardman was not targeted prior to departing.

Edwards-Helaire has yet to make his season debut as the team has turned to Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine, and Carson Steele. Smith-Schuster will miss another week with a hamstring injury sustained in Week 7. Recent acquisition DeAndre Hopkins could see his snap and route participation rates grow in his second game with the team, particularly after a long week. Also inactive for the Chiefs are CB Nazeeh Johnson, OL C.J. Hanson, OT Ethan Driskell, DT Marlon Tuipulotu, and DE Mike Danna.

McMillan suffered a hamstring injury Friday and will be unable to go in Week 9 against the Chiefs, while Evans continues to nurse his own hamstring injury. Their collective absences potentially open up additional snaps for Rakim Jarrett on the perimeter. Jarrett played 20 offensive snaps with McMillan on the field a week ago and is likely the best fill-in for a deep role in the offense. Also inactive for the Bucs are TE Devin Culp, DL Greg Gaines, LB Antonio Grier, OG Royce Newman, and LB Jose Ramirez.

Mitchell has been working his way back from a torn ACL late in the 2023 season and has yet to make his season debut. Harbaugh’s comments indicate the blazing running back could return to the game-day roster for the team’s Week 10 meeting with the Bengals on Thursday Night Football, although the Ravens could theoretically hold him out another week considering he has another nine days remaining on his 21-day practice window. The Ravens held a walkthrough Monday, so fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on Mitchell’s practice status Tuesday and Wednesday before making firm plans.

Williams can resume practicing with the Lions this week and play in Week 10 when the Lions visit the Texans on Sunday Night Football on NBC. The young receiver found himself in the midst of a “gun case” while suspended and could be looking at another suspension if the league deems it necessary. For now, fantasy managers should expect to have Williams available this week and can view him as a boom-or-bust WR3.

Metcalf has missed the last two games since suffering a Grade 1 MCL sprain in Week 7 against the Falcons. His two-game absence comes as a bit of a surprise after there was some hope he would not miss any time, but hopefully, a third week of rest will buy him enough time to return for Week 11 against the 49ers.

It was an estimated practice, but this does explain Likely falling back into the fantasy football void against the Broncos last week. You certainly don’t need to roster Likely if a bye week crunch has befallen you. We probably won’t get much word on the extent of Likely’s injury until Tuesday or Wednesday.

After missing two of three practices last week, Jackson being left off Monday’s injury report is a great sign for his Week 10 availability. Fresh off a 280-yard, three-touchdown effort, Jackson will look to strengthen his MVP campaign on Thursday night when he takes on the Bengals. Jackson will be a strong QB1 in a game that could be ripe for fantasy points this week.

There are several offenses Njoku would improve if a trade were to occur, but the Browns appear unwilling to trade the 28-year-old tight end who broke out for 81-882-6 last season. He’s on pace to finish well below those totals this season, but with one year still left on his current deal, there’s a chance a quarterback upgrade next offseason could get the Browns back on track to contend in 2025.

Brown did not suit up for Week 9 against the Raiders and is probably a long shot to play on a short week on Thursday against the Ravens. If Brown does miss a second straight game, the Bengals will start Cody Ford at left tackle. In Sunday’s win over the Raiders, Ford earned a PFF pass-blocking grade of 64.8 while allowing zero sacks on four pressures.