4 days agoPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Calvin Austin III recorded three receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown on four targets in a Week 8 win against the New York Giants. He also returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, the first trip to the end zone for either team. Austin's offensive utilization has been limited throughout the season but he has shown an ability to make big plays with his speed. His second receiving score of the year came on a beautiful deep ball from quarterback
Russell Wilson early in the fourth quarter. While he can't be trusted for fantasy purposes right now, Austin has the potential to establish himself as the WR2 in Pittsburgh and could be worth a look on waivers in deeper formats. The third-year pro will have a bye in Week 9 before traveling to Washington to take on the Commanders in Week 10.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
George Pickens hauled in four of five targets for 74 yards in a 26-18 win over the New York Giants. It was a solid outing for Pickens, but the 23-year-old was incredibly close to having a monster game. He scored a touchdown that was nullified by a face mask penalty on Pittsburgh's opening drive and later couldn't manage to get both feet in bounds on an impressive contested catch in the end zone. Nonetheless, Pickens continued to display excellent chemistry with quarterback
Russell Wilson, especially on a 43-yard deep shot that put Pittsburgh in the red zone on a crucial drive in the fourth quarter. Fantasy managers should be encouraged by Pickens' role in the offense and be optimistic that the touchdowns will come. His next opportunity will be against the Washington Commanders in Week 10 after the Steelers return from a bye.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoNew York Giants running back
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (head) has entered concussion protocol following Monday's Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tracy was banged up repeatedly on Monday as he hurt his shoulder in the first half, returned to the game, injured his head, and then was taken to the locker room. After his second injury, he did not return to the contest, finishing Week 8 with 145 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown on 20 carries. He also caught two of three targets for an additional five yards through the air. Tracy has taken over as the Giants' top running back, but his impressive stretch could be put on hold if he remains in concussion protocol and misses Week 9. In such a scenario,
Devin Singletary would lead the Giants' backfield, jumping to the low-end fantasy RB2 tier against a subpar Washington Commanders run defense.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Ryan Novozinsky
4 days agoPittsburgh Steelers running back
Najee Harris turned 19 carries into 114 yards and four targets into three receptions for 17 yards in a Week 8 victory over the New York Giants. Harris looked superb on Monday night and set the tone for Pittsburgh early with nearly 60 rushing yards in the first quarter alone. He continued splitting opportunities with
Jaylen Warren, but the Steelers have no reason to go away from Harris when he runs this efficiently. After a quiet start to the campaign, the 26-year-old now ranks sixth in the NFL in rushing yards and is the fantasy RB7 since Week 6. Harris and the 6-2 Steelers will now head into a Week 9 bye with a matchup against the Washington Commanders awaiting in Week 10.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoPittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Russell Wilson completed 20 of 28 pass attempts for 278 yards and a touchdown while adding three carries for seven yards on the ground in a 26-18 win over the New York Giants. Wilson did cough up a fumble in the fourth quarter with the game on the line, but Pittsburgh's defense forced a turnover to give him the ball right back. He was otherwise sharp on Monday night, completing passes deep downfield to receivers
George Pickens,
Calvin Austin III, and
Van Jefferson. Austin was on the receiving end of Wilson's lone touchdown pass of the night, a beautiful 29-yard lob that gave the Steelers a two-possession lead in the fourth quarter. Wilson will take a two-game winning streak as the starter into a Week 9 bye before a road matchup with a fellow 6-2 team, the Washington Commanders.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoHouston Texans wide receiver
Stefon Diggs (knee) was listed as did not practice during Monday's estimated report. This comes as little surprise after Diggs exited Sunday's game with a non-contact knee injury. The team is expected to have Diggs undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. Fantasy managers should get a backup plan ready in case Diggs isn't ready for Thursday's game against the New York Jets. The MRI results should give more clarity on the situation.
Tank Dell could end up with a heavy workload in this banged up offense.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Texans PR
4 days agoJacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Brian Thomas Jr. (ribs) was removed early during Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers. The early indications were that Thomas was going to miss 2-4 weeks of action. However, the Jags did more imaging and are now considering Thomas as day-to-day. That was an odd turn of events, but it looks like Thomas might be able to suit up against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9. The Jaguars aren't really playing for much right now, so it wouldn't be shocking to see them take the cautious approach and rest Thomas. Fantasy managers will certainly take a one-game absence over a month of action. For now, fantasy managers will need to monitor his status throughout the week.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Michael DiRocco
5 days agoSan Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Jauan Jennings (hip) is expected to get back on the field after the bye week, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Jennings has missed the last two games due to a lingering hip issue. However, it doesn't sound like Jennings will miss anymore time as he should be ready to go for the Week 10 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jennings has been hit-and-miss this season, but he has seen four or more targets in every game he has played in. The return of
Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) could push Jennings further down on the pecking order for receiving. Jennings doesn't exactly have a great outlook the rest of the way, but the 49ers have struggled to stay healthy, so he's worth stashing.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Nick Wagoner
5 days agoSan Francisco 49ers running back
Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) is expected to hit it hard in practice this week, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The team plans to open his 21-day return window this week, but is hopeful that McCaffrey only needs one week of practice before returning to the field. The target date is for McCaffrey to return after the bye week to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10. Although, the 49ers could hold out McCaffrey through Week 12 if they decided to do that. The first step is getting McCaffrey back on the practice field which should happen this week.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Nick Wagoner
5 days agoSan Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. (ribs) was forced to exit early during Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys. He departed in the fourth quarter with pain in his ribs. It's worth noting that Samuel spent time in the hospital with pneumonia prior to Sunday's game. Head coach Kyle Shanahan says the team is considering Samuel as day-to-day right now. The good news is that the 49ers are on a bye this week. That means, Samuel will have plenty of time to rest ahead of the Week 10 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on this situation throughout the week.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Matt Barrows
5 days agoSan Francisco 49ers running back
Jordan Mason (shoulder) was injured and unable to return during Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys. Afterwards, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Mason maybe could've returned to the contest. Rookie back
Isaac Guerendo didn't miss a beat as he rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown in Mason's absence. It sounds like the plan is for Mason to be evaluated after the Week 9 bye. Fellow back
Christian McCaffrey is expected to return in Week 10, so Mason's value could be taking a huge hit here soon. Fantasy managers who have Mason rostered should prepare for his value to decrease here soon.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Jennifer Lee Chan
5 days agoNew York Jets wide receiver
Allen Lazard (chest) was unable to suit up for the Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots. Afterwards, the Jets said Lazard is week-to-week after being a considered a game-time decision ahead of Week 8. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich doesn't believe that Lazard will need to be placed on the injured reserve. However, it seems unlikely that Lazard is going to be able to suit up for the Week 9 matchup against the Houston Texans. It's a quick turnaround with a Thursday Night matchup, so fantasy managers should prepare to be without Lazard. Fellow wideout
Mike Williams figures to take over the WR3 role if Lazard sits out, but he hasn't been a reliable option this season.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Antwan V. Staley
5 days agoNew York Jets kicker
Greg Zuerlein has been inconsistent throughout the first half of the season. The veteran kicker missed a field goal and extra point during the loss to the New England Patriots in Week 8. Zuerlein is now 9-for-15 on field goal attempts this season. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said the team will hold a kicking competition on Tuesday. That being said, it seems like the Jets are ready to move on from Zuerlein with their season quickly slipping away. Zuerlein won't be a reliable fantasy option even if the team sticks with him for Week 9.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Rich Cimini
5 days agoPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Roman Wilson (hamstring) has been placed on the injured reserve on Monday. Wilson came into the season with plenty of hype, but sadly injuries have slowed him down. He suffered an ankle injury before the season began and now he's dealing with a hamstring issue. Wilson has only played in one game up to this point. He'll miss the next four games after getting placed on the IR. The third-round pick is worth holding in dynasty leagues, but is unlikely to have value in redraft formats.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Tom Pelissero
5 days agoGreen Bay Packers defensive back Jaire Alexander (knee) was removed early during Sunday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Afterwards, Alexander underwent an MRI on his knee, but the testing didn't reveal any significant damage. It sounds like the team plans on monitoring Alexander throughout the week. That being said, Alexander could still end up missing the Week 9 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Alexander has been banged up throughout the season, but has still managed to play in six games. The absence of Alexander would be a significant loss to this secondary ahead of an important divisional game.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Rob Demovsky
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