NFL Player News

Currently, the 12th ranked receiver on Mock Draft Database, Washington has had a quiet two weeks for the Lions. The third-year receiver has just six receptions for 90 yards on the year and caught four passes for 60 yards last weekend against Ohio. With former teammate Jahan Dotson now with the Washington Commanders, Washington was expected to fill in as the WR1 for Penn State. However, the arrival of transfer receiver Mitchell Tinsley has created some stiff target competition. Tinsley is ranked behind Washington as the 13th receiver on Mock Draft Database. With a tough road game against Auburn on tap, Washington has an opportunity to catch the eyes of scouts on the SEC stage.

Hockenson will play in Week 9, how much he plays remains the question. The Vikings pushed his 21-day return window to the limit but activated him last Friday after Thursday’s loss to the Rams. Hockenson caught 95 passes for 960 yards and five touchdowns in his first full season with the Vikings and is expected to play a big role in the offense once he returns to the field. Fantasy managers who stashed him can start him against the Colts, but shouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t play a full assortment of snaps right out of the gate.

With the Bucs not playing until Monday night, Thursday’s practice marks the team’s first practice of the week. We’ll see what the team’s official injury report shows, but it’s worth noting that Irving did miss practice time last week with a toe injury that he wound up playing through in Week 8. His absence would lead to bigger workloads for Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, but it’s too early to say whether or not Irving is a legitimate risk to miss Week 9’s contest against the Chiefs.

Van Pelt wouldn’t dive into Maye’s progression through the league’s concussion protocol, leaving us little to go on for the time being. Maye was concussed in Week 8’s win over the Patriots and did not practice on Wednesday. While Van Pelt remains hopeful, it’s not uncommon to see recently concussed players miss their team’s game the following week. We’ll see if Maye can get on the field Thursday, but there’s a good chance we are looking at another Jacoby Brissett start in Week 9.

Getsy’s questionable play-calling while with the Bears led to his dismissal after the 2023 season. It’s no surprise to see him struggling with the Raiders’ and their less-talented roster and assortment of quarterbacks. The Raiders rank 26th in the league in points per game (18.0) and have scored 20 or more points in just one of their last four games. They also rank dead last in EPA per play (-0.190) and are 24th in offensive success rate. There’s no telling how long Getsy’s leash could be at this point, but with half the season still to go, a change could be in order for the 2-6 Raiders, who will face the Bengals in Week 9.

A knee injury may have been to blame for Zuerlein’s recent struggles, as the veteran kicker has converted on just three of his last seven field goal attempts. Now on injured reserve, Zuerlein will miss at least the next four games while recovering from his injury and won’t be eligible to come off IR until Week 14 when the Jets visit the Dolphins. The Jets signed kickers Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader to their practice squad earlier this week, with the expectation that one of them will kick in place for Zuerlein in Thursday night’s game against the Texans.

Love tweaked his groin in the Packers’ Week 8 win over the Jaguars and did not practice on Wednesday. With his injury not considered serious, the Packers’ QB1 isn’t ready to rule himself out for Week 9’s matchup against the Lions. However, that decision will ultimately come down to the doctors and coaching staff. There’s plenty of incentive to sit Love with the Packers coming up on their Week 10 bye. He could have two full weeks of rest and return in Week 11 primed for a playoff push, but him suiting up in Week 9 gives the team a chance to gain ground on the 6-1 Lions in a tight NFC North race. We’ll see how things go for Love throughout the remainder of the week. It wouldn’t be surprising if the team let him test his groin in pre-game warmups before deciding on his Week 9 availability, but he may need to log at least one practice for that to become an option.

Hopefully this is a non-issue come Sunday so Fant can take a swing at the Rams’ fantasy-friendly defense. It remains to be seen whether Fant suffered the injury in Week 8 or in Wednesday’s practice but Thursday’s injury report should offer clarity.

The 32-year-old Lockett frequently plays through lower-body injuries but the oblique issue is a new one. Oblique strains can restrict the sharp movements required for changes of direction so this could be an issue. It is unclear as to when he suffered it but if it occurred in practice Wednesday, he is likely to be truly questionable for Week 9. No. 1 wide receiver DK Metcalf (knee) did not practice.

Levis was limited with a right shoulder injury last week as well and starts out this week limited. He was inactive for Week 8, leading to a Mason Rudolph start. With DeAndre Hopkins gone and much of the Titans’ offensive playmakers on the injury report, Levis’ injury status won’t impact the Titans’ in-game hopes as much for Week 9 against the Patriots.

The Seahawks’ starting slot cornerback joins a long list of injured defenders with a foot injury. Brutal luck. Witherspoon will work to get right for a divisional showdown against the Rams on Sunday though foot injuries can be problematic.