TNF Capsule: Steelers at Bengals

Wed Oct 15 11:04am ET
Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)

Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video

FanDuel odds: Steelers -5.5, Total 43.5

Inside Edge intel: Steelers wide receivers lead the NFL with an average of 8.7 yards after the catch this season. The Bengals have allowed 5.2 yards after catch per reception to WRs this season (third-worst in NFL). Last season, the Bengals allowed 10 TD passes to tight ends.

Series Rewind: The Steelers won 11 consecutive games in the series from 2015-2020 and hold the all-time edge over the Bengals, 71-40 including a 2-0 record in the postseason.

Starting QBs Aaron Rodgers, in his first season with the Steelers, and Joe Flacco, in his second start for the Bengals, are vying to make 40 the new 37 in NFL passer parlance. The meeting is the third all-time between 40-something starting quarterbacks with Tom Brady and Drew Brees -- who met twice during the 2020 season -- sharing the only prior occurrences.

Cincinnati acquired Flacco prior to last week's trip to Green Bay and immediately installed him as the starter. The Bengals were 2-0 in games started by Joe Burrow, who is on IR with a toe injury. Jake Browning threw eight interceptions in three-plus games and Cincinnati was 0-3 in his last three starts, prompting the maneuver of acquiring Flacco from Cleveland to start for his third different AFC North team (Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns). He threw two TD passes in his debut last week and it's fair to say Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wasn't excited to learn he'd be seeing Flacco for the 26th time in his career (the first 22 as a member of the rival Ravens and last September when Flacco replaced an injured Anthony Richardson with the Indianapolis Colts).

Rodgers might not be the MVP-level quarterback of decades ago, but he has mostly enjoyed success in a career reset with the Steelers. He rolls into Week 7 with 63,973 career regular-season passing yards and is only 115 yards back from former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (64,088 passing yards), who is currently fifth all-time in regular-season passing yards. Cincinnati has been hit early and often by big plays, especially in the passing game. The Bengals' 43 passing TDs allowed since the start of the 2024 season is second-worst in the NFL.

Pittsburgh's offseason investments on the other side of the ball are boosting the secondary. CB Jalen Ramsey gets a one-on-one matchup with Ja'Marr Chase, Flacco's clear No. 1 target, as the Bengals try to find a spark in the running game. Chase caught his 50th career TD last week and his 2,176 receiving yards since the 2024 season began leads the NFL. While his numbers are down from a superhuman effort in 2024, Chase is averaging seven catches per game, tied for No. 3 in the league.

RB Chase Brown's average of 2.7 yards per carry and 1.5 yards after contact are in the bottom five of the 43 qualified NFL backs in the league.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 7

Player Notes
Quentin Johnston Oct 15 3:20pm CT
Quentin Johnston

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (hamstring) will participate in practice on Wednesday, according to Kris Rihm of ESPN. Johnston missed his first game of the season against Miami in Week 6, but looks to be on the right track to return in Week 7, although he was limited in practice throughout last week and ultimately didn't suit up. Johnston has had a fantastic start to his third season through five games, racking up 26 catches on 40 targets for 377yards and four touchdowns. The 24-year-old leads the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, even with missing one game. His status for Week 7 against Indianapolis should become clearer as the week goes on.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Ridley Oct 15 3:00pm CT
Calvin Ridley

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring) was not spotted at practice on Wednesday, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Ridley played only six offensive snaps in the Week 6 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday before injuring his hamstring and never returning. The 30-year-old is on the wrong side of questionable early in the week after not practicing on Wednesday, but he still has two more days to get back on the practice field. If he is unable to go this weekend against the New England Patriots, rookie wideout Elic Ayomanor should operate as the Titans' No. 1 receiver. Veteran Van Jefferson would also be in line for an expanded role for the second straight week. Ridley has had a very disappointing 2025 campaign to this point, catching 16 passes for 290 yards in six games. He's still searching for his first touchdown.

From RotoBaller

Chuba Hubbard Oct 15 2:50pm CT
Chuba Hubbard

Updating a previous report, Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) was officially a limited participant in his return to practice on Wednesday, according to David Newton of ESPN. This is the first time that Hubbard has practiced since injuring his calf in Week 4. The 26-year-old missed Weeks 5 and 6 and left backfield duties to Rico Dowdle, who took full advantage of the elevated role to go for 473 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 60 touchdowns over that span. Dowdle's domination has allowed the Panthers to slow-play Hubbard's return, but it looks like he could make it back this Sunday against the New York Jets. Carolina has said that it will be more of an even split in the backfield between Hubbard and Dowdle when Hubbard returns, which will lower the fantasy ceilings of both RBs. Dowdle could see more work in Week 7 if Hubbard is eased back into the offense this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Blake Corum Oct 15 2:30pm CT
Blake Corum

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that running back Blake Corum (ankle) will not practice on Wednesday, according to Stu Jackson. Corum suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's Week 6 win over the Baltimore Ravens and is now in danger of missing the Week 7 game in London on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 24-year-old is considered day-to-day for now after being able to return to the field on Sunday in Baltimore after initially injuring his ankle. Corum has not had any standalone fantasy value this year while working as Kyren Williams' backup, so even if he's cleared to play this weekend, he should stay on your bench. If Corum doesn't get cleared to play overseas on Sunday, rookie Jarquez Hunter would take on an elevated role as the change-of-pace back behind Williams.

From RotoBaller

Tutu Atwell Oct 15 2:30pm CT
Tutu Atwell

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that wide receiver Tutu Atwell (hamstring) will be limited in Wednesday's practice, per Stu Jackson. Atwell missed the Week 6 win over the Baltimore Ravens due to a knee injury, but the 26-year-old is on the right track to make his return in London this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It couldn't come at a better time for the Rams, either, with star wideout Puka Nacua (ankle) up in the air to play due to an ankle injury that he suffered on Sunday. The Rams have been optimistic about Atwell playing this weekend, but he might need to get in a full practice on Thursday or Friday to avoid taking a questionable designation into the weekend. Atwell could see more playing time if he returns to the fold against the Jags, but he'll only be in consideration as a deep-league flex play if Nacua is inactive.

From RotoBaller

Puka Nacua Oct 15 2:20pm CT
Puka Nacua

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that wide receiver Puka Nacua (ankle) will not practice on Wednesday, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. Nacua is being considered day-to-day after injuring his left ankle in the team's Week 6 win over the Baltimore Ravens, but he is firmly up in the air to play in London in Week 7 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. The fact that the 24-year-old isn't practicing on Wednesday is not a great sign, but he still has two days to get back on the field. It seems more likely that the Rams will hold the star wideout out of this weekend's game, with their bye coming in Week 8. We will continue to closely monitor Nacua's status, but fantasy managers should be preparing as if he won't suit up for their international game. If Nacua is out, Davante Adams will operate as the WR1, with Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell (hamstring) seeing an uptick in targets, too.

From RotoBaller

Chuba Hubbard Oct 15 2:00pm CT
Chuba Hubbard

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) returned to practice Wednesday after missing the past two games. During his absence, Rico Dowdle has impressed, which could impact the backfield rotation moving forward. Earlier in the season, Hubbard held a near two-to-one edge in snaps over Dowdle, but that split may narrow as the coaching staff rewards Dowdle's recent success. While Hubbard's return will cut into Dowdle's fantasy value, both backs could remain involved against a vulnerable Jets run defense that ranks 23rd in the league, allowing 130 rushing yards per game. Fantasy managers should monitor practice reports this week to see how Carolina plans to divide touches ahead of Sunday's matchup.

From RotoBaller

Dontayvion Wicks Oct 15 2:00pm CT
Dontayvion Wicks

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday after exiting Week 6 early. The 24-year-old has recorded 12 receptions for 129 yards this season and could be in line for more work if healthy heading into Sunday's matchup with Arizona. However, Wicks may face added competition for targets following Matthew Golden's breakout performance last week. The Packers' passing game draws a favorable matchup against a Cardinals defense ranked 28th against the pass, giving Wicks some deep-league streaming appeal if he's active. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his practice participation as the week progresses.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Austin III Oct 15 1:50pm CT
Calvin Austin III

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) has been ruled out for Thursday night's matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, marking his second straight missed game. Before suffering the injury, Austin had started all four contests, recording 10 receptions on 17 targets for 139 yards and two touchdowns. In his absence, tight end Darnell Washington has seen an increased target share, while D.K. Metcalf continues to build strong chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers will face a favorable matchup against a Bengals defense ranked 31st overall, giving their passing attack an opportunity to stay productive even without Austin on the field.

From RotoBaller

Travis Hunter Oct 15 1:40pm CT
Travis Hunter

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen stated the team plans to expand rookie wide receiver Travis Hunter's role moving forward, utilizing his elite speed and athleticism more frequently within the offense. The second overall pick has caught 20 of 31 targets for 197 yards but has yet to find the end zone in his debut season. Despite early frustrations for fantasy managers, Coen's comments suggest an uptick in volume could be coming soon. Hunter's versatility as both a wide receiver and cornerback makes him one of the league's most dynamic young players, and additional touches could quickly boost his fantasy value. Managers in deeper leagues may want to hold tight, as Hunter's breakout could be on the horizon.

From RotoBaller

DeMarvion Overshown Oct 15 1:30pm CT
DeMarvion Overshown

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (knee) could return to action following the team's bye week on November 9. Overshown has been sidelined since tearing his ACL, MCL, and PCL in December 2024 but has made steady progress in his recovery. Before the injury, the former third-round pick led the Cowboys with 90 tackles in 13 games and showcased elite athleticism throughout his rookie campaign. Jones' update suggests the team is targeting a cautious return timeline to ensure Overshown is fully ready for the stretch run. His eventual return would provide a major boost to a Dallas defense that's been inconsistent and thin at linebacker depth this season after trading Micah Parsons.

From RotoBaller

KaVontae Turpin Oct 15 1:20pm CT
KaVontae Turpin

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (foot) returned to practice on Wednesday after missing the past two games with a foot sprain. Turpin has quietly been efficient this season, hauling in 11 of 13 targets for 159 yards and a touchdown. While he's not a focal point of the Dallas passing attack, his speed and versatility keep him involved enough to offer deep-league or bye-week appeal. With the Cowboys offense passing at a high volume, Turpin could provide sneaky flex value if he's cleared to play in Week 7. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his practice participation throughout the week before considering him as a potential plug-in option.

From RotoBaller

CeeDee Lamb Oct 15 1:10pm CT
CeeDee Lamb

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle) returned to practice on Wednesday, opening the possibility to suit up for Sunday's divisional clash with the Washington Commanders. Lamb has missed the past three games, opening the door for George Pickens to take on a larger role in the passing game. His potential return comes at the perfect time, as the Commanders rank just 23rd against the pass and have struggled to contain top receivers all season. If active, Lamb immediately resumes his role as a must-start WR1 and should provide a significant boost to Dak Prescott's fantasy outlook as well.

From RotoBaller

Alim McNeill Oct 15 1:00pm CT
Alim McNeill

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell sounds confident that the team will get defensive tackle Alim McNeill (knee) back this week for their Monday night showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to MLive's Benjamin Raven. "Barring something happening this week, Alim's freakin' playing, man," Campbell said. McNeil has been practicing with the team for the last two weeks and will have to be activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list by Saturday to play on Monday. He was a full participant in every practice last week, though, so as long as he doesn't suffer a setback with his knee, he should make his 2025 debut in Week 7. The 25-year-old is one of the best interior defensive lineman in the league when healthy, so the Lions will be getting a big boost to their defensive front. McNeill suffered a torn right ACL last December.

From RotoBaller

Kameron Johnson Oct 15 12:50pm CT
Kameron Johnson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon said that WR Kameron Johnson "has the physical tools and brightness to go in and play several spots," according to the Pewter Report. The Buccaneers have "all the confidence putting him in games." They feel that Johnson is just scratching the surface and can "make people miss when he has the ball in his hands." The 23-year-old had a career-best performance in the team's Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers, catching all four of his targets for 64 yards and a touchdown. Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (leg) were already out, and then rookie Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) went down with an injury on Sunday. Johnson played almost 50% of the offensive snaps, and a bigger role should await him on Monday night against the Detroit Lions, with Godwin and Egbuka unlikely to play. He will be in play as a WR streamer in Week 7, especially if Evans misses another contest.

From RotoBaller

Jakobi Meyers Oct 15 12:40pm CT
Jakobi Meyers

NFL teams that ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has spoken to think the Las Vegas Raiders are "open to trading" wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, but they "are not actively trying to move him." The sense is that the Raiders "would prefer to play out the season" before making any major determinations about its roster. Meyers requested a trade in the preseason and is having a disappointing season in what has been a bad Raiders offense through six weeks. The 28-year-old pass-catcher hasn't shown much chemistry with quarterback Geno Smith in 2025. He caught four passes for 39 yards in the Week 6 win over the Tennessee Titans and has not gone over 40 yards in any of the last three games. What has made things even more disappointing is the fact that the Raiders have been without star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) the last two games, and Meyers still hasn't done much. A Meyers trade would elevate Tre Tucker to WR1 status in the desert.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Harrison Jr. Oct 15 12:20pm CT
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion) remains in the league's concussion protocol, according to Dani Sureck of AZCardinals.com. It means that Harrison will almost certainly miss Wednesday's practice, which will be a closed walk-through session. The 23-year-old second-year wideout suffered a concussion on Sunday in the Week 6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, putting his status up in the air for this weekend's tilt against the visiting Green Bay Packers. Harrison will need to get back on the practice field first, but then he'll need clearance from an independent neurologist later in the week in order to be able to play on Sunday. We'll continue to monitor his status closely throughout the week. With quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) potentially missing a second straight game, Arizona's offense would lose their best receiver if Harrison cannot play. Harrison's head injury makes Zay Jones intriguing as a waiver-wire pickup this week for WR depth. Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch would also be upgraded if Harrison cannot play in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Terry McLaurin Oct 15 12:10pm CT
Terry McLaurin

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that wide receiver Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) will practice this week, but "he's not yet sure what to expect for Sunday" in the Week 7 contest against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, according to John Keim of ESPN. The Commanders are holding more of a jog-through practice on Wednesday, so we'll have a better assessment of McLaurin's status after Thursday and Friday. We'll update you later on the 30-year-old's participation status on Wednesday, but it's a good sign that McLaurin could return to action after missing the last three games. Washington just placed Noah Brown (groin, knee) on Injured Reserve, so they could use reinforcements at the WR position for a solid matchup this weekend against Dallas. As long as McLaurin isn't limited if he returns this Sunday, he should be tossed back into starting fantasy lineups if he gets the green light later this week.

From RotoBaller

MarShawn Lloyd Oct 15 12:00pm CT
MarShawn Lloyd

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) is "getting closer" to returning to practice, but it won't come this week, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Lloyd has been on Injured Reserve since Week 1. The 24-year-old is eligible to be activated after already missing four games, but he's not quite ready to get back on the practice field. Once the Packers designate him to return from IR, they will have 21 days to officially bring him back to the 53-man active roster. Lloyd will not return in Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals, and it's probably unlikely that he'll make his 2025 debut in Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, either. The Packers had high hopes for Lloyd when they drafted him in the third round in 2024, but injuries have been the story so far, and he managed to play in only one game last year. When he's ready to return, there's no guarantee he'll leapfrog Emanuel Wilson or Chris Brooks on the RB depth chart behind starter Josh Jacobs.

From RotoBaller

Josh Reynolds Oct 15 11:50am CT
Josh Reynolds

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said that wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hip) will not take the practice field on Wednesday. Top wideout Garrett Wilson (knee) also won't practice after hyperextending his knee in the loss to the Denver Broncos in London on Sunday, and he's expected to miss multiple weeks. It means that Reynolds could operate as New York's top pass-catcher in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers, although now the 30-year-old's status is up in the air with a DNP coming on Wednesday. If the Jets are without both Wilson and Reynolds this weekend, rookie tight end Mason Taylor could be the Jets' top receiver in what has been an ugly passing game so far through six weeks. Receivers Allen Lazard (personal), Arian Smith and Tyler Johnson would start in three-wide sets for the Jets if both Wilson and Reynolds are sidelined.

From RotoBaller