NFL Player News

In other words, this is not a temporary benching for Anthony Richardson, who has struggled mightily throughout his second pro season, with only thee QBs posting a lower drop back success rate. Steichen said the team would not give up on Richardson, though it appears his 2024 season is over unless Flacco misses time. Asked if Richardson would ever again start for the Colts, Steichen said, “That would be great. We’ll see.” Flacco will provide a major boost to everyone in the Indy offense. An NFL personnel evaluator told The Athletic this week that the Colts would need to take a long-term approach to developing Richardson, 22. “It’s really hard to develop a quarterback who is so far behind in learning to play the position that he’s in frantic mode all the time,” the personnel evaluator said. “This kid is truly a project more than a developmental player.”

Pittman has practiced three times in the past three weeks and has yet to miss a game. This is standard procedure for the veteran wideout. With Joe Flacco returning as the team’s starter this week, Pittman will be back in our WR3 good graces versus the Vikings. Pittman only went for 72 yards in Flacco’s two starts but did score his only touchdowns of the season in those games.

Love is dealing with a groin strain. He came up limping early in the Packers’ Week 8 win over the Jags but didn’t exit until being shoved to the ground in the third quarter. Love did not return. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Love is “determined to play” this week. Malik Willis will draw the start if he can’t go. Willis successfully led a low-volume passing attack to two wins earlier this year, so it could make sense for the Packers to sit Love for a week and let Willis make his third start.

Tracy suffered the concussion late in New York’s loss to Pittsburgh and did not return. Per Daboll, he will do some work off to the side with trainers for Wednesday’s practice. That will likely go down as a DNP to start the week. Tracy could return to practice later in the week and suit up on Sunday, but the odds of that aren’t high. Devin Singletary will likely get the start versus Washington in Week 9.

No surprise here as Maye left Week 8’s game against the Jets with a concussion and did not return. This will go down as a DNP when New England’s injury report drops. Maye is in the early stages of the league’s concussion protocol. Barring a quick return to practice, Jacoby Brissett will draw the start in Week 9 against the Titans. Brissett peaked at 168 passing yards in his five starts to open the year. No Patriots receiver can be trusted for fantasy purposes with Maye out of the lineup.

Dallas opened Bland’s practice window nearly three weeks ago, meaning they had to take him off injured reserve this week or else he would be forced to miss the remainder of the season. He did not practice last week, so this move is far from an indication that Bland is ready to return. Bland has yet to play this year after suffering a stress fracture in his foot just before the start of the season.

The Cardinals now have 21 days to officially activate him from injured reserve. Williams suffered a knee injury in Week 1 that threatened to sideline him for the remainder of the season. Things have turned in his favor and he’s now expected to return in the coming weeks. Williams will take over for Kelvin Beachum at right tackle whenn healthy.

It’s another strange twist in the Colts’ decision to bench Richardson for Joe Flacco and perhaps end his time as the team’s franchise player. Michael Pittman, meanwhile, said he found out about the Colts’ quarterback change while scrolling social media. Steichen made it clear Wednesday that Richardson’s benching is permanent. It’s a situation that could have been handled with more care by a head coach that’s almost certainly going to be fired at season’s end.

Daniels toughed it out in Week 8’s miracle win over the Bears, taking a handful of big hits and receiving treatment for his ribs on the sideline between drives. That he played in Week 8 very likely means he’ll be active for Week 9 against the Giants. Daniels had 226 scoreless yards in Week 2 against New York. Marcus Mariota would draw the start if Daniels can’t go.

Samuel missed Week 8’s win against the Seahawks with a pectoral injury, but appears on track to return to action in Week 9 against the Dolphins. With 12 receptions on 18 targets this season, Samuel is not fantasy relevant.

Ward will have to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol if he’s going to suit up this weekend against the Chargers. The starting corner has 12 defended passes along with 15 tackles this season.