NFL Player News

Pittman sat a 4th-and-2 play in the fourth quarter of the Colts’ Week 9 loss to the Vikings due to a dislocated finger. The medical staff fixed his finger and Pittman is presumably not dealing with any more issues stemming from it. However, the back injury he suffered in October continues to impact him. Colts head coach Shane Steichen said they are taking it “week-to-week” with Pittman, who continues to start through the injury. He has had one catch in back-to-back games while Josh Downs has been the primary receiver as Pittman continues to nurse his back issue.

Assuming he was a DNP Thursday, that would mark two straight missed practices for Pittman to open the week. Pittman is dealing with multiple injuries and suffered a dislocated finger in Week 9’s loss to the Vikings. He’s also been playing through a back injury for several weeks. We’ll see if he’s able to get on the field in some capacity on Friday, but his Week 10 availability looks shaky at best.

In addition to Jackson, the Rams also opened the return window for center Steve Avila. Both players will be eligible to come off injured reserve at any time and would provide immediate boosts to an offensive line that’s ranked 31st in PFF pass-blocking grades and 15th in PFF run-blocking grades. Jackson has been on injured reserve since reaggravating a shoulder injury in Week 2 that he dealt with throughout training camp.

Collins has been a DNP in each of the Texans’ two practices to open the week and is on the wrong side of playing in Week 10 against the Lions. The Texans also have not opened his practice window, another bad sign as far as Week 10 availability is concerned. We’ll see if something changes Friday, but for now, expect him to miss at least one more game.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Ravens hope to re-sign Ngakoue to the practice squad if he clears waivers. The Ravens signed him to a one-year deal back in September, and the veteran pass-rusher has totaled five tackles and 1.5 sacks in his five games played this season. It would not be surprising if Ngakoue did clear waivers and returned to Balitmore.

Herbert suiting up shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but how much he plays is the real question. The Bengals leaned heavily on Chase Brown in Week 9’s win over the Raiders and will continue to use him as the lead back on Thursday night, but there’s no telling how much of Brown’s workload Herbert could eat into in his Bengals’ debut. We wouldn’t expect much out of him this week, but his usage will be something to monitor for fantasy managers who may want to start him in Week 11 against the Chargers.

Buccaneers beat writer Rick Stroud said he was told Mayfield “will be fine” despite being a DNP on Wednesday and Thursday. It sounds like Mayfield will be good to go for Week 10 against the 49ers, barring any setbacks and will be a mid-to-low QB2 in fantasy.

Lawrence’s injury is to his non-throwing shoulder but the Jaguars’ signal-caller is still receiving treatment and continues to “weigh options for the future,” per Rapoport. It sounds like Lawrence could be looking at an extended absence, although nothing is definite at this time. Mac Jones will get the nod in Week 10 if Lawrence doesn’t play. It would be Jones’ first start since Week 12 of last season.

Hubbard has served as the Panthers’ bell cow back for most of this season. The fourth-year back has racked up 773 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns in his first nine games and is averaging 17.7 opportunities per game — a career-high. The Panthers’ decision to re-up with Hubbard while rookie second rounder Jonathon Brooks lies in wait is a curious one, but it’s safe to assume both backs will see plenty of work in the coming years. Hubbard’s deal includes $15 million in guaranteed money and he can earn up to $37.2 million with added incentives.

Mitchell has been a full participant in practice in each of the last two weeks and enters Thursday as questionable. The explosive former UDFA posted a line of 47-396-2 in eight games last season and was averaging 11 opportunities/gm over his last three games before suffering his season-ending injury. It should go without saying that Mitchell won’t pose a serious threat to Derrick Henry, but he could eat into some of Justice Hill’s snaps as he continues to work his way back on the field. He’s worth a stash in deeper leagues.

Shanahan said a decision on McCaffrey’s active status would be made publicly at kickoff. This likely means the 49ers won’t announce if McCaffrey will return from his Achilles injury until the inactive list releases 90 minutes before the team’s Week 10 game against the Buccaneers. However, Shanahan also said McCaffrey is “not hurting...hopefully he can string together three days in a row.” and his workload “definitely could [be a normal workload], but it also definitely might not.” Shanahan is optimistic about McCaffrey’s health but is purposefully playing coy about his chances of playing or role. With a limited practice Wednesday, McCaffrey is on his way to practicing three days and playing Week 10, but fantasy managers should monitor the situation and keep Jordan Mason on rosters.