NFL Player News

Legette didn’t play a full-time role in his first career game but was on the field plenty and even led the Panthers in targets. The bulk of his looks came late in this game including a few deep shots that Bryce Young failed to connect on. Legette should see his playing time increase as he gets more comfortable in the offense, but it’s hard to see how he can put together usable fantasy weeks as Young’s deep threat. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere until Young turns things around or is benched.

Sanders also drew a 22-yard DPI. His 46-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter was one of the Panthers’ plays of the day, and helped set up a touchdown. Fourth-rounder Sanders has continued to come on for a team in evaluation mode, and with Diontae Johnson gone and a few other players maybe likely to follow, Sanders could become a mainstay in the top 20 at tight end. TE1 will probably be too much to ask with Bryce Young/Andy Dalton at the controls.

Not a bad box score for the rookie, one nearly identical to his Week 8 numbers against the Broncos. It does not, however, include a “missed connection” where Legette let a beautiful deep completion get ripped out of his hands for a Bryce Young “interception.” Legette has established a WR4/5 floor but has yet to supplement it with ceiling. Perhaps that is coming with Diontae Johnson now a Raven. Legette still doesn’t need to be jammed into lineups for Week 10 against the Giants.

Lawrence had a grand total of 25 passing yards midway through the third quarter before the Jaguars used a no-huddle offense down multiple scores — an approach that nearly led to a shocking comeback.

The brilliant Matt Eberflus sent Williams onto the field for one final drive, down 20 points, with 2 minutes, 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Williams behaved as he had for much of the game, quickly departing the pocket and engaging in a wild scramble before evidently straining his left hamstring. Eberflus then allowed Williams to remain on the field for one last snap. Williams was plainly unable to move with urgency on the ensuing play and was promptly sacked. Fantasy managers should brace for a potential Week 10 absence.

Smith has been at something of a production standstill with Jaylen Waddle since Tua Tagovailoa’s Week 8 return, which really isn’t good news for anybody. It means Smith still isn’t really cracking the top 18 at tight end while Waddle is grossly underperforming what was believed to be a WR2 baseline. Smith is a TE2 with a reasonable enough floor, but he has continued to display zero ceiling.

A truly horrendous box score with Amari Cooper (wrist) on the shelf. Sitting on four catches in four games since the calendar flipped to October, we’ll let you know if Samuel ever returns to fantasy relevance.

Jones was seen being escorted to the locker room by Bears trainers. Jones is a capable backup and the Bears cannot afford to lose another defensive back at this point. The unit is very nearly one to target entering Week 10. Hopefully, Jones is able to return next week.

Hollins also drew a pair of penalties that don’t show up in the box score. Each of Hollins’ receptions and yards were easily new season highs. Cool stuff for Hollins, but not great for the Bills in Amari Cooper’s absence. They need more out of players like Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid. Even if Cooper remains sidelined for Week 10 against the Colts. Hollins, will be a zero-upside WR5.

Rypien will serve as the team’s emergency quarterback as the Vikings look to keep pace with the Lions in the competitive NFC North. They head into Week 9 as one of the healthier teams in the league as they get back tight end T.J. Hockenson for the first time this season.

Shakir has now drawn at least seven targets each of the past three weeks after previously reaching that number zero times in 2024. The Bills have adopted a more pass-heavy approach, and Shakir has been one of the primary beneficiaries. Of course, you could argue today was actually something of a disappointing statline with Amari Cooper (wrist) on the shelf. It was still a solid floor-based effort in PPR. This has been legitimate WR3 usage for Shakir, and WR2/3 returns will be easily achievable in Week 10 vs. the Colts.