NFL Player News

Johnston has been out since suffering a likely high-ankle sprain in Week 6. He had three touchdowns through five games but a high-water mark of 51 receiving yards. LA is passing the ball more often now, but Ladd McConkey has also cemented himself as the team’s top wideout. Johnston will sit on the WR4/5 border for his Week 9 return.

Ravens CB Arthur Maulet (neck) will also play in Week 9. Starter CB Marlon Humphrey (knee) was limited all week and is now labeled as questionable. Backup Jalyn Armour-Davis (knee) was a healthy participant on Wednesday and Thursday but showed up on the Friday injury report as a DNP. He is also questionable to play in Week 9.

Witherspoon missed Wednesday’s practice with a foot injury but logged full sessions on Thursday and Friday. The second-year corner has had a quiet 2024 season with just one pass breakup and no picks. Seattle will need him to make a bigger impact for their Week 9 matchup with the Rams.

Whittington barely played in Week 7 because of the shoulder injury and missed Week 8’s game against the Vikings. With Cooper Kupp back and Puka Nacua expected to play through his lingering knee issue. Whittington is not on the fantasy radar.

Burton is expected to sign with the Broncos’ practice squad tomorrow. The team will then elevate him for their Week 9 matchup with the Ravens. His release is nothing more than some roster management sleight of hand.

Orhorhoro debuted in Week 5, playing in a rotational capacity for the Falcons’ subpar defensive front. This is beginning to look like a lost season for the second-round rookie. Hopefully, Orhorhoro can make a come back at some point later this year.

Rookie tight end AJ Barner will draw the start this week. Barner caught two passes for 34 yards in Week 8. One of his receptions went for 20 yards and was the longest catch of the day for any Seattle player. Barner enters the TE2 mix as a dart throw available on nearly every waiver wire.

Head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters early in the week that he was optimistic Metcalf would return for Week 9. That became a pipe dream after Metcalf missed the first two practices of the week. Seattle gets their bye in Week 10, so holding Metcalf out for a second game should ensure that he’s back without any issues for Week 11. Jaxon Smith-Njigba will dominate Geno Smith’s targets versus the Rams this week, keeping him in the WR3 ranks.

It’s great news for Gibson in real life but largely inconsequential in fantasy football. Gibson has failed to produce effectively this year and Rhamondre Stevenson is currently dominating backfield touches. Gibson can be left in free agency at this time.

Ridley missed Wednesday’s practice with the shoulder issue but was back on the field as a full participant on Thursday. The Titans gave him Friday off as a rest day. With no competition for targets, Ridley has one of the highest target share projections in the league. Tennessee’s quarterback play will continue to take a toll on his fantasy production, but Ridley showed his spike game potential last week with 10 grabs for 143 yards. He is holding steady in the WR3 ranks for Week 9. Tyler Boyd is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury of his own.

Polk is unfortunately off of the fantasy radar, given his cardio-heavy role. Fantasy managers can stash him if they please but he has shown no real re-draft viability to this point.