NFL Player News

Three limited showings in practice this week were not enough for Spears to return to action after missing the team’s Week 7 loss to the Bills, paving the way for Tony Pollard to again serve in a borderline workhorse role after playing on 89% of the team’s offensive snaps a week ago. The matchup is about as difficult as they come against the pass-funnel Lions, meaning fantasy managers might be forced to look elsewhere for running back production in Week 8.

Wiggins did no travel with the team while battling an illness and how now been downgraded to out. The Ravens will be down two top corners with Wiggins also joined by Marlon Humphrey as either out or doubtful, leaving a significant hole in the secondary of a team allowing the second most passing yards per game through seven weeks.

The decision not to elevate an additional quarterback is of particular intrigue considering starter Jayden Daniels is listed as questionable with a rib injury. The team does have three quarterbacks on the active roster, with Daniels joined by Marcus Mariota and Jeff Driskel. Fantasy managers will have to wait until 90 minutes prior to the team’s Week 8 kickoff for a final determination on the electric rookie quarterback’s game-day status.

Tagovailoa cleared the league’s concussion protocol earlier in the week, making this move purely administrative. The Dolphins are joined by the Browns as the only two teams yet to score 21 points or more in a game this season, with Miami currently boasting a Vegas implied team total of 25.25 points against the Cardinals in Week 8.

Jackson came into the weekend listed as questionable after missing Week 6 with a calf injury sustained the week prior. Jackson has served as the fifth cornerback in snaps played this season for the Giants, making his absence more of a depth issue than a pressing loss.

Jacksonville’s defense has been no stranger to key injuries this season, with all of Oluokun, Darnell Savage, and Tyson Campbell missing significant time. Those absences have manifested in the team allowing the sixth most total yards per game and the second most pass yards per game through the first seven weeks. All three key players will be healthy together in Week 8 for the first time since their season opener.

Lawrence has been managing a slew of injuries this season but has yet to miss a game, contributing to a Giants defense now allowing the most yards per carry in the league (5.4). Even so, Lawrence remains one of the better pure run-stoppers in the league and would leave the Giants in rough shape should he be forced to miss a contest this season.

Burns had a tumultuous week of practice and was downgraded to a ‘DNP’ Friday but will ultimately play against the Steelers for a Giants defense near the league-lead in pressure rate and sacks. Burns went into Week 7 listed as questionable but also suited up in that game.

Cook joined the team three weeks ago but has yet to find his way onto the active game-day roster, with the team’s Week 7 bye likely affording the veteran enough time to master the offense. It remains unclear how Cook will slot into the backfield rotation but he likely won’t have to do much to supplant Ezekiel Elliott as the primary change of pace option behind Rico Dowdle.

Patterson returned to practice this week after missing the previous three games with an ankle injury but never managed more than a limited showing, resulting in the veteran running back and kick returner drawing the doubtful tag. The return of Jaylen Warren from his own injury two weeks ago has forced a near-even timeshare in the Pittsburgh backfield, sapping a solid portion of the fantasy value held by Najee Harris in Patterson and Warren’s combined absences.

Wilson came into the league with some buzz on a team with no clear pass-catching options behind alpha wide receiver George Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth but has played just five offensive snaps all season while battling numerous injuries. He can safely be left on the waiver wire in fantasy leagues.