Studs and Duds: Week 7

Mon Oct 20 9:32am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

McCaffrey comes up huge again


This was one of the highest scoring fantasy weeks of the season. There were several huge performances in Week 7, seeing seven players top 30 fantasy points. And three of those players topped 35 points. We had five more players get 28-plus fantasy points, including three tight ends. The scoring was high at several positions - not just quarterbacks. Hopefully, you were on the positive side of the scoring this week, taking advantage of some of these big performances.

Bengals 33, Steelers 31

Fantasy Stud: Ja’Marr Chase. Chase had a game-winning performance for fantasy teams, catching 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. He scored 38.1 fantasy points. He has 25-plus fantasy points three straight games and is staking his claim as the top fantasy receiver in the game once again. This was his third game this season with double-digit receptions. Chase has quickly formed a top rapport with new quarterback Joe Flacco, having 26 receptions his last two games

Fantasy Dud: DK Metcalf. Metcalf had a rare down performance in a game the Steelers threw for 249 yards and four touchdowns. Metcalf had just three receptions for 50 yards. He scored a season-low eight fantasy points. This was his first game all season with fewer than double-digit fantasy points.

Game Notes: Chase Brown hit the 100-yard mark for the first time this season. He had 11 carries for 108 yards. This was his list game with more than 50-rushing yards.

Pat Freiermuth had five receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He did not have more than 35 yards in a game all season before this huge performance.

Rams 35, Jaguars 7

Fantasy Stud: Davante Adams. Adams had just 35 yards but managed to score three touchdowns. He had five receptions for 35 yards and three touchdowns. Adams screed 26.5 fantasy points, giving him 20-plus points two games this season. He has six touchdowns on the season.

Fantasy Dud: Travis Etienne. Etienne ran eight times for 44 yards and caught a pass for 11 yards. He scored a season-worst 6.5 fantasy points. Etienne started the season great but now has fewer than double-digit fantasy points three straight games. He has really cooled lately.

Game Notes: Matthew Stafford was near flawless, going 21-of-33 for 182 yards and five touchdowns without a turnover. Stafford has three-plus touchdowns three of four games.

Travis Hunter had his best game as a pro. He had eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. Hunter was targeted 14 times.

Chiefs 31, Raiders 0

Fantasy Stud: Rashee Rice. Rice returned from his suspension and made an immediate impact. He had seven receptions for 42 yards and two touchdowns. And he did this without playing a full game because the Chiefs were up big. Rice had 23.2 fantasy points on 10 targets. He is going to be a huge part of this offense the rest of the way

Fantasy Dud: Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty had a terrible game, rushing six times for just 21 yards. And he caught just a pass for 13 yards. Jeanty scored just 4.4 fantasy points, his worst fantasy game of the season. He just isn’t having quite the rookie season fantasy owners hoped.

Game Notes: Patrick Mahomes had his second straight three-touchdown game and third in four games. He was 26-of-35 for 286 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover.

Isiah Pacheco scored his first rushing touchdown of the season. He ran 15 times for 57 yards and a touchdown. His attempts and rushing yards were both season highs.

Patriots 31, Titans 13

Fantasy Stud: Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson took advantage of a favorable matchup and had his best game the season. He ran 18 times for 88 yards and a touchdown against a terrible Dolphins rush defense. He also caught two passes. Stevenson scored 16.8 fantasy points. He has 15-plus points two of three games

Fantasy Dud: TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson couldn’t even get any touches in a blowout victory for the Patriots. He ran two times for five yards and didn’t catch a single pass. Henderson is unusable right now. He just isn’t getting enough weekly chances to help fantasy teams.

Game Notes: Drake Maye missed on just two passes, going 21-of-23 for 222 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover.

Chimere Dike led the Titans in receiving, catching four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. He set season highs across the board.

Browns 31, Dolphins 6

Fantasy Stud: Quinshon Judkins. Judkins ran 25 times for 84 yards and three touchdowns. He didn’t catch a pass but still managed 26.4 fantasy points. He has double-digit fantasy points all but a game in his young career. He is off to a great start and should continue to be the focal point of this offense

Fantasy Dud: Jaylen Waddle. There were a lot of duds in this game, but Waddle gets the top honors, catching just a pass for 15 yards. It was an unexpected performance from Waddle, who has been posting big numbers as the No. 1 receiver in this offense once Tyreek Hill was injured.

Game Notes: Tua Tagovailoa found his way to the bench in this one, going 12-of-23 for 100 yards with three interceptions. He had an awful showing.

Dillon Gabriel didn’t even throw for 120 yards but led his team to a win. He was 13-of-18 for 116 yards without a touchdown or turnover.

Bears 26, Saints 14

Fantasy Stud: Chris Olave. Olave had five recepotins for 98 yards and two touchdowns. He continues to be a huge bright spot for the Saints offense. Olave topped 20 fantasy points for the first time this year, scoring 26.8 fantasy points. He has double-digit fantasy points every single game. Olave is having a career-best season

Fantasy Dud: Rome Odunze. Odunze caught just two passes for 31 yards. It was his second straight down game, scoring just 5.1 fantasy points. He has fewer than six points two straight games, catching four passes for just 63 yards on 11 targets.

Game Notes: D’Andre Swift was iffy to play because of a groin injury but played and played very well. He ran 19 times for 124 yards and a touchdown. It was his second straight 100-yard rushing game.

Kyle Monangai had the best game of his young career, rushing 13 times for 81 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 13 yards, giving him 94 total yards. 

Eagles 28, Vikings 22

Fantasy Stud: A.J. Brown. Brown had a huge game, catching four passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns. He scored 28.1 fantasy points, which was his best total of the season. He has three games this year with 14-plus fantasy points. Brown has been inconsistent this year but starting to show some signs of turning things around

Fantasy Dud: Saquon Barkley. Barkley ran just 18 times for 44 yards and caught a pass for negative two yards. It was yet another very disappointing showing for Barkley. He scored just 5.4 fantasy points. This was his worst game of the season. He has fewer than double-digit fantasy points two straight and three of five games.

Game Notes: Dallas Goedert had three receptions for 18 yards. He had touchdowns four straight games before this one. Goedert scored just 4.8 fantasy points.

Jordan Addison reached the 100-yard mark for the second time in three games. He had nine receptions for 128 yards on 12 targets.

Panthers 13, Jets 6

Fantasy Stud: Xavier Legette. Legette led the Panthers in receiving, catching nine passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. He has touchdowns two of three games. Legette did not have more than 35-receiving yards in a game before this big showing. He also had a season-high 11 targets

Fantasy Dud: Justin Fields. Fields had another poor showing, which led him to the bench. He was 6-of-12 for just 46 yards and ran four times for 22 yards. Tyrod Taylor wasn’t much better in his place, though, so who knows where the Jets turn to next week? Taylor was 10-of-22 for 126 yards with two interceptions. The Jets continues to search for a franchise quarterback.

Game Notes: Bryce Young was unable to finish the game because of an ankle injury. He was 15-of-25 for 138 yards and a touchdowns without a turnover before getting hurt. Andy Dalton was 4-of-7 for 60 yards in his place.

Chuba Hubbard started but the Panthers pretty much split the work at running back. Rico Dowdle was the more effective runner, rushing 17 times for 79 yards. Hubbard ran 14 times for just 31 yards.

Colts 38, Chargers 24

Fantasy Stud: Jonathan Taylor. Taylor just keeps rolling along, piling up big numbers on a weekly basis. He rushed 16 times for 94 yards and three touchdowns. Taylor also had three receptions for 38 yards. Taylor scored 34.2 fantasy points, which was a season high for him. He has five of seven games with 20-plus fantasy points. He is producing as well as any back in the game right now.

Fantasy Dud: Kimani Vidal. Vidal did not follow his big game last week too well. He was held in check, ruching nine times for just 20 yards. He also caught four passes for 15 yards. He remains the lead back but nothing is certain with this rushing game right now. It has struggled at times this year, making Vidal a risk - even in a starting role.

Game Notes: Oronde Gadsden had seven receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown. He has seven receptions each of his last two games.

Keenan Allen had 11 receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown. He had season highs in receptions and yards, getting targeted 14 times.

Packers 27, Cardinals 23

Fantasy Stud: Trey McBride. McBride had another huge game, catching 10 passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns. He scored 29.4 fantasy points, giving him 20-plus points two straight games. He has been targeted double-digit times three of four games. He is having a monster season as the top target for the Cardinals passing game

Fantasy Dud: Marvin Harrison. Harrison had two receptions for 58 yards. He made a couple big plays but not enough to help fantasy owners. He scored just 7.8 fantasy points. Harrison has been more bad than good much of the year, having fewer than double-digit points four of six games.

Game Notes: Josh Jacobs was game-time decision because of a groin injury. He played and found the end zone twice, rushing 13 times for 55 yards and two touchdowns.

Tucker Kraft had five receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown. He has scores two straight and four of six games.

Cowboys 44, Commanders 22

Fantasy Stud: CeeDee Lamb. Lamb returned from his ankle injury and didn’t miss a beat. He had five receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown. Lamb looked healthy and explosive. Lamb has 100-yard games in all three he has played this year

Fantasy Dud: Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Croskey-Merritt led the team in rush attempts but wasn’t able to find room to run against a bad Cowboys defense. He ran 13 times for just 33 yards and caught just a pass. Croskey-Merritt has double-digit carries three straight games but has double-digit fantasy points just one of those games.

Game Notes: Jayden Daniels was unable to finish the game because of a hamstring injury. He was 12-of-22 for 156 yards and a touchdown without an interception before feting hurt. He also ran eight times for 35 yards and a touchdown.

Javonte Williams had his second 100-yard rushing game of the season. He ran 19 times for 116 yards and a touchdown.

Broncos 33, Giants 32

Fantasy Stud: Bo Nix. It took Nix a little to get it going but he got it going in a big way, scoring 42.7 fantasy points. He threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He also ran in two scores, rushing for 48 yards and two touchdowns. Nix has four games with 20-plus fantasy points this season.

Fantasy Dud: JK Dobbins. Dobbins had some success on the ground but didn’t help fantasy teams. He failed to find the end zone and caught just a pass. Dobbins ran 14 times for 81 yards, scoring 9.1 fantasy points. He has fewer than double-digit fantasy points two straight after starting the season with 11-plus fantasy points five straight games.

Game Notes: Jaxson Dart had the best game of his young career against a good Broncos defense. He scored four total touchdowns. Dart was 15-of-33 for 283 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also ran five times for 11 yard and a score.

Theo Johnson scored a touchdown for the third time in four games. He had three receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown on seven targets.

49ers 20, Falcons 10

Fantasy Stud: Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey just keeps posting huge weekly numbers. He ran 24 times for 129 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the 49ers in receiving, finishing with seven receptions for 72 yards. So he had 201 total yards in the game and two scores. McCaffrey had 39.1 fantasy points, the highest total of a season he has at least 22 fantasy points every single game. McCaffrey is once again the top fantasy back in the game after seven weeks of the season

Fantasy Dud: George Kittle. Kittle returned to the lineup and made an immediate impact, but it was as a blocker and not a receiver. He failed to catch a pass, getting targeted two times. He made a big difference in the running game, though, seeing the 49ers run all over the Falcons in this one. There will be better days ahead for Kittle in the passing game.

Game Notes: Kyle Pitts had seven receptions for 62 yards. He was targeted a season-high 10 times in the game.

Bijan Robinson scored a touchdown for the third straight game. He ran 14 times for 40 yards, and caught six passes for 52 yards and a touchdown.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Player Notes
A.J. Brown Oct 22 6:40pm ET
A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) was listed on the team's first injury report of the week with a hamstring injury and did not practice on Wednesday, according to the team. Brown's status for the Week 8 divisional rematch against the New York Giants this Sunday is now in question after he missed his first practice of the year due to injury. The 28-year-old showed no signs of an injury in the Week 7 win over the Minnesota Vikings, playing 92% of the offensive snaps while going off for 121 receiving yards and two touchdowns on only four catches. It's unclear if this is a serious injury for Brown or if the Eagles are just giving him a maintenance day, but we should know more on Thursday. After a slow start, Brown now has 10 catches for 201 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games. He had six catches for 80 yards on nine targets on Oct. 9 in the first game against the G-Men.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Oct 22 6:30pm ET
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ankle) remains on the team's injury report heading into a Week 8 clash with the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday and was listed as limited in Wednesday's practice, according to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Kamara was a DNP last Wednesday with his ankle injury, but he ended up returning to practice and was cleared from the final injury report. The 30-year-old five-time Pro Bowler ended up handling 11 carries for only 28 yards while catching all three of his targets for just one yard in the Week 7 loss to the Chicago Bears. However, Kamara did play a season-high 84% of the offensive snaps due to Kendre Miller (knee) suffering a torn ACL. Rookie Devin Neal will spell Kamara going forward. Kamara is still the Saints' lead back, but he's averaging a career-low 3.6 yards per carry and is showing signs of his age in his ninth NFL season.

From RotoBaller

Baker Mayfield Oct 22 6:20pm ET
Baker Mayfield

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (knee) is dealing with a knee injury and was listed as a limited participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to Brianna Dix of Buccaneers.com. Mayfield is coming off one of his worst performances of the season in the Monday night loss to the Detroit Lions, in which he threw for 228 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while not carrying the ball at all. In addition to his health, Mayfield's lack of healthy weapons in the passing game is now becoming a concern, as the team lost Mike Evans to a broken collarbone on Monday, and Chris Godwin (leg) will miss a third straight game this weekend. Mayfield should play through his knee injury this week. He should be considered a low-end QB1 in fantasy against the Saints.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Waddle Oct 22 6:10pm ET
Jaylen Waddle

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Miami Dolphins are getting calls on wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, but don't "have plans to trade him at this point." With Tyreek Hill (knee) out for the season with a torn ACL, Waddle is a "building block who can translate to any offense." He is due $36 million over 2025-26, which represents a reasonable price for a player of his caliber at his position. ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that Waddle's contract makes him a bit difficult to trade, so the odds are that he'll stay put in Miami this season as their top wideout without Hill in the fold. Miami's offense went off the rails in Week 7 against a tough Cleveland Browns defense, and Waddle had only one catch for 15 yards on four targets. However, the two weeks prior, he went off for 12 catches (17 targets) for 205 yards and a touchdown as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's top target. Waddle will remain a volume-based WR2/3 in fantasy if he sticks with the Dolphins through this year's trade deadline.

From RotoBaller

Emeka Egbuka Oct 22 6:10pm ET
Emeka Egbuka

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie first-round wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) was unable to practice on Wednesday, per Brianna Dix of Buccaneers.com. Egbuka injured his hamstring in Week 6 and only practiced one day before suiting up in the Monday night loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 7. The Ohio State product played 75% of the offensive snaps and didn't look 100% healthy, catching only four of his 12 targets for 58 yards against an injury-ravaged Detroit secondary. He's clearly still not 100%, but if he can return to practice on either Thursday or Friday, he figures to play this Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Mike Evans (collarbone) will miss most of the rest of the year, and Chris Godwin (leg) will miss another game, so if Egbuka is active this weekend, he should be good for double-digit targets from quarterback Baker Mayfield. In his first five NFL games before getting hurt, Egbuka was fantastic with 25 catches, 445 yards, and five touchdowns on 38 targets.

From RotoBaller

Christian Watson Oct 22 5:40pm ET
Christian Watson

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) said his "goal and my plan is to play this week" when the team takes on the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road on Sunday Night Football in Week 8, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Watson added that his talks with the team "indicate that's the direction it's headed." Watson, who hasn't played yet in 2025 after suffering a torn ACL in the Week 18 regular-season finale last year, was limited in practice all of last week before being held out of the Week 7 win over the Arizona Cardinals. All signs are pointing toward the 26-year-old being activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Saturday and playing for the first time on Sunday night, as long as he's able to upgrade to a full practice by Friday. An explosive deep threat when fully healthy, Watson will make Green Bay's offense more dynamic, but he'll be a pretty risky boom/bust WR4/flex play in his season debut on a potentially limited snap count.

From RotoBaller

Hassan Haskins Oct 22 5:30pm ET
Hassan Haskins

Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins (hamstring) has been officially ruled out for the Thursday night game in Week 8 against the visiting Minnesota Vikings, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Haskins suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and won't be able to suit up on a short week. With the 25-year-old sidelined and with rookie first-rounder Omarion Hampton (ankle) still on Injured Reserve, the Bolts are expected to elevate veteran Nyheim Hines to the 53-man active roster to serve as Kimani Vidal's backup against Minnesota. Trayveon Williams could also come up from the practice squad to serve as backfield depth on a short week. Haskins' next chance to suit up will come in Week 9 on Sunday, Nov. 2, against his former team, the Tennessee Titans. In the RB2 role with Hampton on IR, Haskins has minimal fantasy value and has been dropped in most leagues.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Oct 22 5:30pm ET
Aaron Jones

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (hamstring) is considered questionable to be activated from Injured Reserve to make his return in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Vikings opened Jones' 21-day practice window on Tuesday, and he was listed as a limited practice participant the last two days, suggesting that he'll likely be held out for another week. The 30-year-old has been on IR since suffering a hamstring injury back in the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. If he ends up being activated and suiting up on Thursday night in Los Angeles, it wouldn't be a surprise if he's the second option out of the backfield behind Jordan Mason, who has been operating as the team's lead back with Jones out. If Jones stays on IR this week, his next chance to return would come in Week 9 versus the division-rival Detroit Lions.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Oct 22 5:20pm ET
Chris Olave

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (ankle) missed practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury that he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bears, a source told Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. However, he's expected to play on Sunday when the team hosts the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Olave apparently injured his ankle in last Sunday's loss but still managed to play 84% of the offensive snaps while dominating for fantasy managers with five catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets. The 25-year-old former first-rounder is getting a maintenance day on Wednesday and should return to practice later this week and be fine to suit up against the division-rival Bucs this weekend. Olave has exactly 98 yards in each of the last two weeks and has been a must-start in fantasy lineups despite working with quarterback Spencer Rattler this year.

From RotoBaller

Cole Kmet Oct 22 5:10pm ET
Cole Kmet

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (back) did not participate in Wednesday's practice after leaving in the second quarter of Week 7's matchup against the Saints. Kmet ultimately did not return to the game after catching his lone target for 16 yards. It's been a quiet season so far for Kmet, catching just nine of 19 targets for 132 yards and a touchdown in six games. The 26-year-old tight end's status for Week 8 against the Ravens is uncertain, with more updates expected in the coming days. If Kmet is unable to go, rookie Colston Loveland would be expected to see a big boost in snaps and routes, making him a viable streamer on Sunday against Baltimore.

From RotoBaller

D'Andre Swift Oct 22 5:00pm ET
D'Andre Swift

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (groin) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, according to the team. Swift was limited in practice last week due to the injury, but still managed a season-high 19 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown, along with one reception for 14 yards in Week 7 against the Saints. The 26-year-old has maintained a consistent workload in Chicago's backfield with at least 15 touches in every game and has been surging of late, becoming the fourth running back this season to rush for over 100 yards in consecutive games after his last two games. His injury status will be updated throughout the week, and if he is unable to play on Sunday, rookie Kyle Monangai would likely handle the majority of the touches.

From RotoBaller

D.J. Moore Oct 22 5:00pm ET
D.J. Moore

Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore (groin) did not participate in practice on Wednesday, according to the team. Moore cleared the injury report ahead of Chicago's Week 7 game against the Saints after being hospitalized following the Week 6 win at Washington, but he enters this week in a similar situation. The 28-year-old has gotten off to a slow start this season, surpassing 50 receiving yards in only one game, which came in Week 1. The team has trended more run-heavy out of the bye week, and Moore has earned some rushing work, with nine rushes for 34 yards for the season, but he's fallen behind second-year WR Rome Odunze as the team's top target in the passing game. Moore's injury status should become clearer as the week goes along.

From RotoBaller

Jeffery Simmons Oct 22 4:40pm ET
Jeffery Simmons

Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (hamstring) will be week-to-week after suffering the injury in their Week 7 loss to the Patriots, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Simmons suffered a hamstring injury during the first half and ultimately did not return. The 28-year-old was playing at an elite level over the first seven games, ranking second in total pressures generated and sacks among interior defensive linemen, per PFF. His absence will be a major blow to a Titans defense that has struggled to stop opposing offenses even with Simmons on the field, allowing the fifth-most points per game this season.

From RotoBaller

Graham Gano Oct 22 4:30pm ET
Graham Gano

New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (groin) has been designated to return from injured reserve and will practice on Wednesday, per Dan Salomone of Giants.com. Gano missed the minimum of four games with the injury and is set up to make his return in Week 8 against the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles. The team released kicker Jude McAtamney on Tuesday following missing two extra points in a one-point loss to the Broncos in Week 7, while former Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo remains on the practice squad. The 38-year-old Gano would be a streaming option if he is back in Week 8 with rookie Jaxson Dart leading an efficient Giants offense.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Addison Oct 22 4:10pm ET
Jordan Addison

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison has been on a tear to start his 2025 campaign after missing the first three games due to a suspension for violating the NFL's Substances of Abuse Policy. Addison has been highly efficient since returning, hauling in 18 of 26 targets for 283 yards and a touchdown. His 94.3 receiving yards per game ranks third in the NFL, only trailing superstars Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Veteran quarterback Carson Wentz honed in on Addison in their Week 7 loss to the Eagles, leading the team with 12 targets. Wentz will make another start in Week 8, where Addison will look to stay hot as the Vikings face the Chargers on Thursday Night Football.

From RotoBaller

Bryce Young Oct 22 4:00pm ET
Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) was held out of the first practice of the week on Wednesday due to the high-ankle sprain he suffered in the Week 7 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. Head coach Dave Canales said that Young is considered "day-to-day" for this Sunday's contest against the Buffalo Bills. High-ankle sprains typically sideline players for at least several weeks, so fantasy managers should be planning on being without the 24-year-old this weekend. The good news is that the young signal-caller wasn't seen wearing a walking boot on Wednesday. The team isn't ruling Young out yet for Week 8, but the expectation is that veteran QB Andy Dalton will make his first start of 2025 this Sunday against the visiting Bills. At best, Dalton will be in play as a low-end QB2 streamer in leagues that start two QBs if Young is officially ruled out.

From RotoBaller

Michael Penix Jr. Oct 22 3:50pm ET
Michael Penix Jr.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (foot) is still day-to-day and will be limited in practice on Wednesday, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Penix suffered a bone bruise in his foot in the Week 7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night, putting his availability for a Week 8 tilt against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday somewhat in question. The 25-year-old second-year QB's injury doesn't sound too serious, but it's enough to keep him out of a full practice in the first session of the week. Morris is optimistic about Penix playing this weekend, but fantasy managers will want to monitor the left-hander's status the rest of the week. If he can practice in full on Thursday or Friday, he should be just fine to play against Miami, where he'll have clear QB1 upside against the Dolphins' weak defense. If Penix cannot go, veteran Kirk Cousins would see his first action of the year and would immediately be on the streaming radar in fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Dontayvion Wicks Oct 22 3:50pm ET
Dontayvion Wicks

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) was not seen participating in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to Weston Hodkiewicz of Packers.com. Wicks still has two more days to try to get back on the practice field, but he's off to a bad start after injuring his calf in Sunday's 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The good news for the Packers is that if the 24-year-old is unable to go in Week 8 on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they could be getting Christian Watson (knee) back from the Physically Unable to Perform list for his 2025 debut. Romeo Doubs has been Green Bay's WR1 with Jayden Reed (collarbone) on Injured Reserve, and rookie first-rounder Matthew Golden has seen more involvement as well in recent weeks. Wicks has been off the fantasy radar in 12-team leagues with 13 catches for 134 yards and no scores on 20 targets through six games in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Austin III Oct 22 3:40pm ET
Calvin Austin III

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) was back in the mix at practice on Wednesday, according to Brian Batko. It's unclear what Austin's official practice status is, but it's good news as he tries to return for a Week 8 contest this Sunday night versus the Green Bay Packers. For what it's worth, head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that he was optimistic about Austin's chances of playing this week for the first time since injuring his shoulder in Week 4. In the 26-year-old's absence, DK Metcalf has continued to serve as the clear WR1 in Pittsburgh, with tight ends Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington picking up more slack in the passing game. When Austin gets back onto the field on game day, he should resume his role as the Steelers' WR2 after catching 10 of 17 targets for 139 yards and two touchdowns in four games. He may need a full practice this week to avoid taking a questionable tag into the Sunday night contest.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Oct 22 2:50pm ET
Josh Palmer

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) did not participate in Wednesday's practice as the team returned from its bye, and head coach Sean McDermott confirmed that Palmer is considered week-to-week. The veteran receiver has quietly carved out a role in Buffalo's revamped passing attack, appearing in every game this season and posting 14 receptions for 234 yards while operating as a reliable secondary option for Josh Allen. However, his recovery timeline remains uncertain, and the Bills may choose to be cautious to avoid a longer-term setback. With Dalton Kincaid, Keon Coleman, and Khalil Shakir firmly established as the top three targets in the offense, Palmer offers limited fantasy upside even when healthy. For now, he should remain on the waiver wire in standard formats, though he may warrant monitoring in deeper leagues if his role expands later in the season.

From RotoBaller