NFL Player News

While the Colts will be getting Kelly back after a two-game absence, they will also be without left tackle Bernhard Raimann because of a concussion. Blake Freeland will start at left tackle again this week. The fourth-round rookie gave up four pressures and committed one penalty in Week 4.

Wilson was a non-factor in the run-heavy win. The Cardinals’ No. 3 pass catcher is largely a matchup-based flex option and the situation simply did not call for his services. He is a WR5/6 against the Jets in Week 10.

McBride nearly scored on a long gain down the middle, eventually being tackled on the Bears’ two-yard line. Jonathan Gannon made sure to give McBride another opportunity, sending McBride in motion from left to right, and back again before Murray handed the ball off to McBride on the way back. A foot race between the tight end and Bears S Kevin Byard III ensued, which ended in a successful stiff arm and a score just before they reached the pylon. The athletic tight end is a high-end TE1 against the Jets in Week 10.

Doubs has seen five or more targets in each of his last three games. His five targets were good for fourth-most in this one, but his 28 receiving yards marked his lowest total since Week 3. Fantasy managers shouldn’t be counting on Doubs as anything more than a WR3/WR4. He and the Packers now enter their bye week and will return for Week 11 against the Bears.

Harrison’s biggest impact on the game occurred in the second quarter when UDFA CB Reddy Steward punched the ball out of Harrison’s hands. Game script then rendered Harrison obsolete, pushing the volatile rookie wide receiver out of OC Drew Petzing’s mind. Harrison is a WR4 against the Jets in Week 10.

Travis Etienne, returning from a hamstring injury, logged three carries. Bigsby ran a pass route on about 40 percent of Trevor Lawrence’s drop backs but was not targeted. Week 9 showed just how game script sensitive Bigsby can be, especially with Etienne back in the fold. The Jaguars abandoned the run in the second quarter, leaving Bigsby almost no way to rack up the touches he would need to be a reliable fantasy option. In Week 10, Bigsby will be a touchdown-dependent RB3 play against Minnesota.

Much of Engram’s production came on a 24-yard reception in the third quarter in tight coverage. He also caught a two point conversion in the second half. Engram, with 14 receptions over the past three games, easily led all Jacksonville pass catchers in targets as Trevor Lawrence’s primary check down option. Engram should continue functioning as a reliable PPR option in Week 10 against the Vikings.

The Cardinals’ ground game dominated the Bears’ banged-up defense, reducing Murray to a managerial role. Fantasy managers were also dealt a pair of brutal hands. Murray connected with Trey McBride for a big gain and he was eventually brought down inside the Bears’ five-yard line. McBride scored a rushing touchdown on the following play after being sent in motion pre-snap and taking the handoff from Murray on his way back from the right side of the formation. Murray is also credited with having lost a fumble in this one but equal (or more) blame should be placed on RB Emari Demercado, who bobbled the fumbled handoff. Murray is a low-end QB1 against the Jets in Week 10.

The Seahawks were without DK Metcalf for the second week in a row. Smith-Njigba got off on the wrong foot in his first game sans Metcalf with an underwhelming six catches for 69 yards. Seattle couldn’t buy a chunk play in that game and switched up JSN’s role for Week 9. They made a clear effort to get him looks downfield and it paid off with five gains of 20+ yards for the second-year receiver. He also had two catches for a combined 78 yards that were called back because of offensive holding. This is the JSN Seattle thought they were getting with the No. 20 overall pick and then some. The Seahawks will likely get Metcalf back after their Week 10 bye, but JSN’s breakout performance will earn him more high-value looks going forward. He will sit on the WRR2/3 border versus San Francisco.

Wilson found the end zone late in the fourth quarter, with the game well out of reach. The second-year back averaged a solid 7.0 YPC in limited action, thanks in part to a 19-yard run that game on his touchdown drive. Wilson doesn’t have any stand-alone fantasy value at this time but could step into a decent role if Josh Jacobs ever missed time.

LaPorta continues to underwhelm fantasy managers. After going for 86-889-10 as a rookie, the second-year tight end has surpassed 50 yards just twice this season and has only two touchdowns to show for his efforts. Given the lack of fantasy production the position offers, fantasy managers who are rostering LaPorta should continue to start him despite his slow weeks. He’s still capable of turning in a TE1 performance in any given week and could do so in Week 10 against the Texans.