Fantasy football buzz: Tagovailoa, Taylor to return, more injury updates

Everything that happens in the NFL has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.

Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the NFL.

Oct. 27: Sunday morning updates on Deebo, Tyreek, Tua and Jayden

Stephania Bell: Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, San Francisco 49ers, (Q): Samuel comes into Sunday’s game against the Cowboys listed as questionable with a wrist injury and an illness, but it’s the latter that creates more of a question about his availability. Samuel was not feeling well the morning of last week’s game but opted to try to play, only to rapidly decline as the game began. He ended up playing only four snaps as a result, spending the second half in street clothes. He continued to feel worse that night and ended up in the hospital with fluid in his lungs, ultimately being diagnosed with a form of pneumonia.

Samuel has made an impressive recovery this week, returning to limited practice Thursday. He practiced again Friday and was moving well, leading to optimism he would be available Sunday. The most difficult thing to assess at this point is how his conditioning will be. After all, coach Kyle Shanahan said Samuel was struggling to breathe last week, which was why he didn’t play much. Seven days later, even though his condition has improved, he may still not be up to his usual cardiovascular capacity, which may result in a decrease in workload.

That said, the 49ers are without Brandon Aiyuk, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL/MCL last week, and Jauan Jennings will be out again this week with a hip injury. TE George Kittle is expected to play despite being limited in practice with a foot injury. Even if his overall snaps are decreased relative to a normal workload, Samuel will likely be a featured target for Brock Purdy when he is on the field.

Tyreek Hill, WR and Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins: Tagovailoa returned to the practice field this week (as anticipated) and moved through the remaining phases of the concussion protocol. After a limited session Wednesday, he turned in full practices Thursday and Friday and received final clearance to return to game action from the independent neurological consultant. The Dolphins activated him off injured reserve this weekend, and he should return to his normal role after being absent for four games (plus the bye week).

His teammate Hill expressed enthusiasm earlier this week about Tagovailoa’s return and proclaimed fantasy managers everywhere should start him. Then he landed on the practice report Thursday as limited with a foot injury and did not practice at all Friday. Despite the questionable designation, he is expected to play (according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter).

Without much detail available in regard to his injury, there is no way to truly know whether this is something that could become problematic during the game. But given Hill’s clear desire to get back into the groove of being the Dolphins’ top deep threat, he is just one big play away from being a significant contributor. It’s also worth mentioning that Jaylen Waddle, who had been on the injury report as well with a quadriceps issue, was a full participant in Friday’s practice and has no injury designation coming into Week 8.

Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders, (Q): When Daniels was labeled as “week-to-week” with a rib injury that forced his early exit from Washington’s Week 7 game, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Marcus Mariota would start in his place Sunday. But Daniels made a surprise return to practice Friday (albeit limited) and now has a good chance to play. According to Schefter, the team will want to see how he feels in pregame warmups but “signs” point to him playing.

One of Daniels’ hallmarks has been his ability to contribute with his legs, and that aspect of his game may be a bit limited, whether as a result of discomfort or in an effort to avoid unnecessary contact. But the team removed him from play last week as a measure of protecting him, making it unlikely they would allow him to play now if there was major concern about reinjury. Coach Dan Quinn said Daniels “really pushed it” on Friday and that his response would dictate whether he is able to go.

While it’s safe to assume Daniels wasn’t hit in Friday’s practice, “pushing it” likely involved cardiovascular stress and difficult throws — both of which would stress a rib injury — to determine whether he could be effective in a return. Daniels was back for a Saturday walkthrough, and given the optimism around his chances of taking the field, it appears he responded well.

Oct. 25: Friday afternoon injury news

The Miami Dolphins announced Friday that QB Tua Tagovailoa has cleared concussion protocol and will play on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Eric Karabell urges fans to temper their expectations for the returning Tagovailoa this week, but his return should have a positive impact on receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, according to Daniel Dopp. Remember to check the injury reports before game time, as Hill is currently listed as questionable.

play

0:32

Why Dopp is optimistic about Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in Week 8

Daniel Dopp explains that Tua Tagovailoa’s potential return means Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle can be started with confidence in fantasy.

Other notes:

Oct. 24: Latest injury info on Kupp, Nacua

Stephania Bell: Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp was listed as a full participant in practice and is off the game status injury report heading into Thursday night. Kupp is returning from a left high ankle sprain, and while last Sunday looked like it could be a possible return date, the short window between games and a return to the synthetic SoFi surface (Kupp, per coach Sean McVay, has been outspoken about his preference for the team’s natural grass practice field) led the Rams to hold off until tonight.

When any player returns after a lengthy absence, the Rams medical/performance staff is excellent about monitoring their in-game response to the work. There are no reported limitations for Kupp and depending how he tolerates the return to action, it would not be a surprise if he saw a decent amount of playing time. The team will have 10 days until their next game which allows for some extra recovery.

His fellow WR Puka Nacua, recovering from a PCL sprain suffered in Week 1, had his practice window opened this week. He was listed as limited and his status is questionable coming into tonight’s game. Given the light practices during a week associated with a Thursday night game and him also coming off a lengthy absence, it would seem more likely for the Rams to hold him out of tonight’s matchup. That being said, there have been rumblings about his possible return.

The key to him returning to practice had to be the medical staff’s comfort level that his PCL had scarred down enough to restore adequate stability in the knee such that he could perform as usual. Beyond that, it’s a matter of conditioning to return to competitive football. If the sense is that he’s game ready, then activating him, even for limited action, is a possibility (with the follow-up 10 day rest as a benefit).

Update: The Rams have activated Nacua for tonight’s game, but according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, they will determine in warmups how much he will play. Nacua is currently projected by Mike Clay for 10.4 PPR points.

Other notes:

ESPN Fantasy: The Minnesota Vikings have downgraded tight end T.J. Hockenson to out, according to ESPN’s Adam Scheffer.

If you need a Vikings tight end, Johnny Mundt will start again. Otherwise, you have many other tight end options from the remaining Week 8 schedule. Check out our weekly tight end rankings here.

Oct. 23: DeAndre Hopkins headed to Kansas City

Eric Karabell: Wide receiver trading season continued on Wednesday as the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs picked up Hopkins from the reeling Tennessee Titans. Like the recent deals from a week earlier involving other big-name receivers (Davante Adams to the Jets, Amari Cooper to the Bills), overeager fantasy managers take this news and assume significant impact.

Unfortunately, this is seldom the case when it comes to fantasy production. As with those other recent trades, the track record of mid-season deals involving receivers is not a strong one. The Chiefs, despite their gaudy record, seem desperate for WR help, and yes, Hopkins helps the team and awesome — but suddenly unproductive — QB Patrick Mahomes.

Hopkins boasts seven 1,000-yard seasons to his credit, including last season with challenging QB play. This season, Hopkins has averaged just 6.3 PPR points per game and is barely a top-75 fantasy wide receiver. He has battled leg injuries and a suspension in recent seasons. Expect a small bump in production with Mahomes, but not enough to return Hopkins to anything more than WR3 territory.

Look, the Chiefs are winning with their running game and defense. Mahomes lacks/lacked WR options after both Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown got hurt, and TE Travis Kelce faces constant extra defensive attention, but Mahomes is part of the problem, too. He has more interceptions than TD passes and two 20-point fantasy games among his last 19 regular-season games. You can’t blame all that on losing Rashee Rice.

Hopkins, 32, can help only so much. Fantasy managers should make him one of the most-added wide receivers this week, since he remains available in more than 33% of leagues and better numbers are coming, but don’t assume he is automatically better than your current options.

Bryce Young set to start for Panthers again

Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young will start Sunday against the Denver Broncos after Andy Dalton suffered a sprained thumb on Tuesday in a car crash. Young, who was benched earlier in the season for Dalton after an 0-2 start, has played sparingly in relief appearances since. He now gets an opportunity to reclaim the starting role in Carolina if he can show significant improvement against the Broncos. Dalton had a 1-4 record as the Panthers starter this season.


Pop Quiz

Who are the only two running backs who have posted a perfect 100 percent consistency rating through the first 7 weeks of the season? Hint: they both have had their bye week and have played each other this season. You can get the answer to this and other questions in Tristan H. Cockcroft’s ESPN+ Consistency Rankings >>


Tyreek Hill to fantasy managers: Start me

During time with the media today, Hill had a clear message: “Start me this week.”

In Liz Loza’s “Facts vs. Feelings: Hill has logged a meager 30.4 total fantasy points since Tua Tagovailoa has been sidelined. For context, Hill recorded five individual games of more than 30.4 fantasy points with Tua at the helm last season.

The contrast between Hill’s production with and without Tagovailoa cannot be overstated (except to, maybe, Hill investors who are painfully aware of the disparity). Still, the numbers remain shocking. Hill has scored 21 receiving TDs on 860 routes with Tua under center since moving to Miami in 2022. Conversely, the Cheetah has remained scoreless (giant neon donut) on 261 routes without Tua at QB.

Week 7 Injury Roundup

Key links: Fantasy depth charts | Waiver Wire options | E+ Players to stream this week

Oct. 22: Mike Evans will return, Chris Godwin Out for the season

Bell: The Buccaneers saw their top two wide receivers leave Sunday night’s game with injuries and one is likely done for the year. Mike Evans was the first to exit, aggravating a right hamstring injury he had coming into Sunday. Evans, seen limping on the sideline earlier in the game, attempted to catch a pass in the end zone with a defender dragging on him and he was visibly in pain as he hit the ground, reaching for that right thigh. He was able to walk off slowly and would not return. On Tuesday, the Buccaneers indicated Evans had suffered a moderate (Grade 2) strain and would likely be out through the team’s Week 11 bye. That would allow a five-week recovery window which falls in the range of average missed time for wide receivers with hamstring injuries. Already this year other star pass-catchers have missed multiple weeks for hamstring strains (A.J. Brown, three games plus a bye; Evan Engram, four games) and Evans appears to be on the same track.

His teammate, Chris Godwin, was injured in the final minute of the game on a tackle from Ravens linebacker Roquon Smith. Unable to get up on his own, Godwin was placed in an air splint and carted off the field. On Tuesday the team announced that Godwin had suffered an ankle dislocation (evident by the fact that Godwin’s foot was at an unnatural angle after the contact from Smith). Godwin is expected to undergo surgery and is likely done for the season, according to Bowles. It’s important to note that until they are able to inspect the joint during surgery, it is hard to appreciate the full extent of the injury, not only to bone and soft tissue structures but also to the cartilage surface. Cartilage damage to the ankle joint surfaces — which can result from the violence of the injury — can complicate the repair and lengthen the recovery.

Oct. 21: Jayden Daniels suffers rib injury, “week to week”

Bell: Daniels exited Sunday’s game against the Panthers in the first quarter and did not return due to a rib injury. In the absence of specifics about his injury (i.e. fracture, cartilage injury, etc.), it is hard to know how much time the injury could cost Daniels, if any. On the positive side, he returned to the sidelines in the second half and was talking and laughing with teammates. The biggest challenge with any injury to the rib cage is pain with movement, whether it be arm movement or rotation with throwing for a quarterback. Even deep breathing can be painful initially. Contact is also a concern, but depending on the location of the injury there are measures to pad and protect the ribs. Head coach Dan Quinn termed Daniels “week to week” in his Monday news conference, according to NFL Nation Commanders reporter John Keim.

Marcus Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft, filled in admirably in Sunday’s victory, passing for 205 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 34 yards on 11 carries.

Oct. 21: 49ers Brandon Aiyuk season over with torn ACL

NFL Nation 49ers reporter Nick Wagoner.reports that Aiyuk suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will require surgery and end his 2024 season after just seven games. Jauan Jennings will be among the players who will be called upon in his absence. Jennings is among our top waiver-wire pickups for Week 8.

Oct. 21: DK Metcalf “Week-to-Week” with MCL sprain

Tthe Seahawks could be without their No. 1 receiver for several weeks, according to Adam Schefter who reported that Metcalf suffered an MCL sprain during Sunday’s game in Atlanta. If so, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett would be in line for more targets. The Seahawks rank first in the NFL with 288.6 receiving yards per game.

Oct. 21: Deshaun Watson suffers season-ending Achilles injury

Stephania Bell: The Cleveland Browns confirmed that an MRI revealed a ruptured right Achilles tendon, meaning Watson will miss the rest of the 2024 season. He will likely undergo surgical repair in the near future. Last year saw two quarterbacks go down with Achilles ruptures in similar fashion (a preloading position where the Achilles was on significant stretch before push-off, when it failed), although Watson had no contact of any kind, also not uncommon with these injuries. Both quarterbacks who suffered the injury in 2023 — Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins — are starting in the NFL this season, proof that one is typically able to return to prior level of function.

The Browns will turn to either Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was the backup in Sunday’s game but left due to a finger injury, or Jameis Winston, who had served as the backup in the first six games this season.

Oct. 21: Tua Tagovailoa will practice this week, could play vs. Cardinals

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that Tagovailoa will return to practice this week and hopefully play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, according to NFL Nation Dolphins reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques. While Tagovailoa is eligible to return from IR this week, it is important to note he must first clear concussion protocol before he can return to play.

Oct. 21: Aidan O’Connell out 4-6 weeks with broken thumb

O’Connell broke the thumb on his right (throwing) hand in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Rams, and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Gardner Minshew, who had started the first five games of the season until being benched in favor of O’Connell in Week 6, will presumably return to the starting role for the Raiders for this week’s game against the Chiefs.

This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.