NFL Player News

Douglas led the Patriots in receiving yards as Jacoby Brissett threw for a meager 159 yards. New England was run heavy, as usual, limiting target volume for everyone in the Patriots offense. Douglas continues to be Brissett’s main dump-off option but hold little value outside of deeper PPR leagues.

The Buccaneers ran only 52 offensive plays to the 83 of the Chiefs, limiting the backfield trio to just 13 combined carries in the process. Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker would remain vital pieces through the air as they combined for seven targets, but the decreased play volume once again hindered their chances at fantasy utility. Irving’s next chance to return fantasy viability comes in Week 10 when the Buccaneers play host to the 4-4 49ers.

Mayfield watched from the sidelines as Patrick Mahomes drive the Chiefs down the field in the fourth quarter to take a 24-17 lead with just over four minutes remaining. The Bucs would go thee-and-out on the following possession but their defense held when they had to, giving the ball back to the offense with enough time for Mayfield to drive the field to bring the team within a point. Head coach Todd Bowles elected to kick the field goal to tie the game with 27 seconds remaining as opposed to trying for the two-point conversion, which sent the game into overtime. Mayfield would then watch from the sidelines again as Mahomes drove the length of the field, a drive capped off by a Kareem Hunt touchdown plunge from two yards out to send the Buccaneers to 4-5. Things don’t get any easier for the Buccaneers in Week 10 when they host the 49ers, likely to once again be without their top three wide receivers.

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.