Read ESPN’s daily fantasy football notes every weekday to stay on top of the news you need to know and get a head start on fantasy football content coming today and tomorrow to ESPN.com and the ESPN Fantasy app.
The news: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that WR Ja’Marr Chase could miss four to six weeks with a hip injury.
What does it mean in fantasy: Additionally, Schefter reported that Chase visited a hip specialist on Wednesday as the Bengals seek more information on the injury. This is devastating news for a Cincinnati offense that was finding its groove in recent weeks. Over the last two games, Chase has scored 30 or more fantasy points in each of the Bengals’ wins, and Cincinnati has won four of its last five games. Tyler Boyd will be more involved in the Bengals passing game with Chase out. Still available in 35% of ESPN leagues. In the past two weeks, Boyd has caught 14 of 15 targets for 221 receiving yards and a touchdown. Hayden Hurst could also be more involved in the passing game. Joe Mixon and the Bengals’ running game could also use more.
The news: The Chiefs acquired WR Kadarius Toney from the Giants for two 2023 draft picks on Thursday.
What does it mean in fantasy: Toney always seemed to be on the outside looking in under the new regime of coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. Although Schoen insisted he never “shopped” Toney, other teams believed his services could be had for a reasonable price this offseason. According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Toney thought his hamstring was fine, but the Giants wanted to be cautious. The Giants wanted him healthy for the stretch run, which includes three games in 11 days after his bye. Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City will add to Toney’s upside, but fantasy managers need to be patient. Getting comfortable with him and getting a full package of plays will take time and there are plenty of receiver options for Mahomes to target on any given play. Toney is still available in 69.5% of ESPN leagues.
The news: Ravens TE Isaiah Likely caught six of seven targets for 77 yards and a touchdown Thursday night against the Buccaneers.
What does it mean in fantasy: Mark Andrews (knee) and Rashod Bateman (ankle) had injuries in this game, but both were active. After Andrews was ruled out with a shoulder injury and Bateman suffered a setback with his foot injury, Likely picked up where he left off in the preseason. It wouldn’t be surprising if Andrews and Bateman miss next week’s game against the Saints with the Ravens bye in Week 10. He’ll likely be included in next week’s waiver wire column (no game of words).
The news: Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott did not practice Thursday.
What does it mean in fantasy: Elliott has a knee injury and a thigh contusion. It continues to trend in the wrong direction and there is a strong possibility that Elliott will be ruled out. Tony Pollard can be seen as a high-end RB1 in this scenario against the Bears.
Going deeper: In all seven regular season games Pollard has caught 15 or more touches in his career, he has averaged 107.6 total yards per game.
The news: 49ers WR Deebo Samuel did not practice Thursday.
What does it mean in fantasy: Samuel has not trained all week due to a hamstring injury. He is likely to miss the 49ers’ game against the Rams on Sunday. A backup plan should be put in place for fantasy managers with Samuel on their rosters. Elijah Moore, Tyler Boyd, Michael Gallup and George Pickens are among the receivers who can fill the void.
The news: Raiders WR Davante Adams missed practice Thursday.
What does it mean in fantasy: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Adams has been sick with a “bad flu.” The illness has prevented him from practicing all week. His return to practice on Friday would signal his availability against the Saints, though the Raiders would likely give him as much time as possible before ruling him out. Adams should still be started by fantasy managers if he’s game-active, but it’s important to set the right expectations. TE Darren Waller, who has been out with a hamstring injury for nearly a month, was limited in Thursday’s practice.
The news: ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported that WR Allen Lazard said he will likely be against the Bills on Sunday.
What does it mean in fantasy: When Lazard was tackled in the third quarter of Week 7, he felt a “pop, crack, pop” in his shoulder. It shouldn’t be surprising since he hadn’t trained on Wednesday or Thursday. Lazard’s absence coincides with Aaron Rodgers’ dissatisfaction with several offensive players. Rodgers’ top three receivers against the Bills are probably Sammy Watkins, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. It’s hard to have confidence in any of them from a fantasy perspective, but Doubs is the one I’d pick. Still available in 53.4% of ESPN leagues.
The news: Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard did not practice Thursday.
What does it mean in fantasy: Hubbard has missed back-to-back practices with an ankle injury. If he doesn’t play against the Falcons on Sunday, D’Onta Foreman will handle most of the touches in the Panthers’ backfield. He gained 145 total yards on 17 carries against the Buccaneers in Week 7. If Hubbard is ruled out, Foreman can be seen as an RB2.
The news: Seahawks WR DK Metcalf did not practice Thursday.
What does it mean in fantasy: Metcalf hasn’t practiced all week with a knee injury. Pete Carroll’s eternal optimism about injuries won’t change Metcalf’s trajectory. The Seahawks will replace Metcalf with Marquise Goodwin, who is still available in 96.5% of ESPN leagues. Fantasy managers could add Dee Eskridge in deeper formats as he will fill in as the Seahawks’ No. 3 receiver.
• Fantasy Improv by Daniel Dopp and Liz Loza: the lighter side of fantasy
• Fantasy Focus Podcast (10 a.m. ET)
Sunday:
• The Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: The week’s best advice in one place
• Inactives Watch: who’s in, who’s out and what does it mean?
• The Ups and Downs of Fantasy by Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft
• Fantasy Football Now: Sunday at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN2
In case you missed it:
• Fantasy Focus Podcast: Field Yates, Mike Clay and Daniel Dopp preview Thursday Night Football before discussing which WRs you need to have in your lineup and who you can use as your bye week fill-in this week. Adam Schefter then joins to discuss the storylines to watch in Week 8, including who should be on your radar for the second half of the season. Listen | I will see
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