NFL Player News

The Colts continue to say nice things about their second-round rookie, but he’s posted double-digit receiving yards just twice in six games. Regardless of who is under center for Indy, Mitchell isn’t looking worthy of a roster spot in 12-team re-draft leagues right now.

It’s a move the Chiefs were almost forced to make ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline after losing JuJu Smith-Schuster to a hamstring injury in Week 7. Kansas City had already lost Rashee Rice (knee) and Marquise Brown (shoulder) for the season and obviously did not want to rely on rookie Xavier Worthy as the team’s top wideout option.

With Deshaun Watson (Achilles) out for the season, the Browns are turning to Winston for Week 8. Winston was the team’s third quarterback in Week 7, though Schultz reports Dorian Thompson-Robinson was the backup “strictly from a gameplan standpoint” for Week 7. Coming in for the final Browns offensive possession against the Bengals, Winston completed 5-of-11 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. He is a career 61.1 percent passer, with 142 touchdowns and 99 interceptions. The Browns offense has struggled this season, and Winston starting could boost pass-catchers like David Njoku, Cedric Tillman, and Jerry Jeudy. However, fantasy managers should wait before inserting anyone but Njoku or Nick Chubb into fantasy lineups from the Cleveland offense. Meanwhile, Thompson-Robinson is the likely backup for now.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa will practice Wednesday, for the first time since exiting Week 2 with a concussion. Though he is electing to not use the guardian cap helmet, he is on pace to clear concussion protocol this week and will likely play the Dolphins’ Week 8 game against the Cardinals, barring any setbacks. Tagovailoa’s return will boost the Dolphins’ offense for fantasy purposes across the board.

Kittle is the team’s top remaining pass-catcher with Brandon Aiyuk (ACL) out for the season and Deebo Samuel missing time with pneumonia. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle will be considered day to day while he deals with a foot sprain. The 49ers’ passing game is severely banged-up and will need Kittle healthy to help Brock Purdy out. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Kittle’s practice status throughout the week heading into a Week 8 matchup against the Cowboys.

Kamara is now locked up through 2026 with the Saints. The 29-year-old has spent his entire career in New Orleans and technically had a year left on the five-year, $75 million contract he signed in 2020, but a high $25 million cap hit meant the Saints were highly motivated to get a deal done to keep Kamara and lower his cap hit for next season. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo adds that he gets $22 million effectively fully guaranteed. Kamara has been a lone bright spot in a heavily injured offense this season, rushing 111 times for 438 yards and six touchdowns, adding 34 receptions for 252 yards. He will continue to be the constant amidst the Saints’ struggles moving forward.

Jones was listed as a limited participant for the second straight day. He has been dealing with a hamstring issue since injuring it in Week 5, but was able to play through it after the Vikings’ Week 6 bye to the tune of 93 yards and a score in Week 7. This is likely some load management heading into a Thursday game against the Rams and Jones can be fired up for fantasy lineups once again.

Hockenson was listed as a limited participant for the second straight day as his 21-day practice window remains open. He reaches the end of the window to be activated on Friday, so an activation for the Vikings’ Thursday game against the Rams is possible. Amidst the Vikings’ surprisingly fruitful passing attack with Sam Darnold, Hockenson will be in the back-end TE1 range when he returns.

Whittington played very little in the Rams’ Week 7 game against the Raiders and was listed as a non-participant for Monday’s practice while still dealing with a shoulder injury. He was limited for Tuesday’s practice and will need at least another limited practice on Wednesday to be considered good to go for the Rams’ Thursday game against the Vikings. However, fantasy managers should leave Whittington on benches with Cooper Kupp expected to return and Whittington still banged up.

Kupp began practicing last week out of the Rams’ bye, but was held out of Week 7. He begins this week listed as a full participant for both Monday and Tuesday, indicating that Kupp should be good to go for the Rams’ Thursday game against the Vikings. Despite trade rumors, fantasy managers should expect Kupp to ease back into his slot role for Week 8 and fire him up as a fantasy WR2.

The Rams activated Nacua’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve and he was able to return to practice in a limited fashion on Tuesday. With Cooper Kupp (ankle) practicing fully, the Rams’ receiving corps is starting to get healthy heading into Week 8. Nacua is just now practicing for the first time since Week 1, so it is unlikely he will play Thursday against the Vikings, but a Week 9 return against the Seahawks is in the cards if Nacua can continue to ramp up practice time.