Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) said he thinks the plan is for the team to open his 21-day practice window this Wednesday. Thielen has missed all four games during the team's losing streak and will be eligible to come off Injured Reserve and play in Week 8 versus the Denver Broncos. The 32-year-old is recovering from a right-hamstring injury, but even if his practice window is opened this week, it won't guarantee his return to the field on Sunday. When Thielen does return, he'll enter three-wide sets alongside Diontae Johnson and rookie Xavier Legette, but he's unlikely to have the kind of fantasy upside he had in 2023 now that Legette is in the picture. The veteran pass-catcher had eight catches on 12 targets for 109 yards with a touchdown in three games before his injury. Those searching for wideout depth in deeper fantasy leagues could look to Thielen for depth if he's available.

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Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Trey Benson (illness) is officially active for the Cardinals on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. Benson did not practice on Saturday due to an illness and was listed as questionable on the final injury report, but he will be active and continue to serve as James Conner's backup. The 22-year-old's role has been limited so far in his first NFL season while working behind Conner, as he has only received 30 rushing attempts for 107 yards (3.6 yards per carry) and no touchdowns while adding two receptions on his two targets for 12 yards. Benson has seen double-digit rushing attempts just once, and that was back in Week 2. Expect a similar limited workload on Monday night against a tough defense. In most fantasy leagues, Benson is merely a handcuff for Conner.

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The Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Desmond Ridder off of the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad on Monday, according to sources. Ridder will give the Raiders extra QB depth after the team placed Aidan O'Connell (thumb) on Injured Reserve after he fractured his right thumb in the Week 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. O'Connell is expected to miss four to six weeks with his injury. Ridder, the former third-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 out of Cincinnati, did not see the field at all in Arizona and is coming off a 2023 campaign in Atlanta that saw him throw for 2,836 yards with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 64.2% of his pass attempts. For now, he'll serve as Gardner Minshew II's backup with the Raiders. If he's forced into action, Ridder will be a desperation QB2, at best, in superflex formats.

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Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Joey Bosa (hip) is officially inactive for the Monday night clash against the Arizona Cardinals in the desert. Bosa was unable to practice all week and will miss his third straight game after injuring his hip in the Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 29-year-old oft-injured pass-rusher will now hope to make progress later this week in order to give himself a shot to play again this Sunday for a Week 8 battle against the New Orleans Saints. Despite Bosa's injury, the Chargers' defense has remained stout and they have allowed the fewest points per game (13.2) to this point in the season. Things might be more difficult on Monday without Bosa, though, against mobile quarterback Kyler Murray.

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Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hayden Hurst (groin) is officially inactive for the Monday night game against the Arizona Cardinals after he was listed as doubtful on Saturday's final injury report. Hurst didn't practice all week and will now hope to return for a Week 8 contest versus the New Orleans Saints this Sunday. The 31-year-old has been a TE2 in fantasy, at best, so far in his first year with the Chargers. Through his first five games in 2024, he has only six receptions on 10 targets for 59 yards and no touchdowns in a run-first offense. With Hurst sidelined on Monday night against Arizona, expect Will Dissly to be a little more involved in the passing attack at the tight end position. At best, Dissly will be a deep DFS sleeper at the position.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers Quentin Johnston (ankle) and Derius Davis (hamstring) have both been ruled out for Monday night's game against the Arizona Cardinals. Johnston missed practice all week and was listed as doubtful for the Week 7 game, so fantasy managers in deeper leagues should have already moved him to their benches. The good news for the Chargers is that rookie Ladd McConkey (hip) is active, and he should be quarterback Justin Herbert's top target alongside Joshua Palmer in what has been a run-first unit under head coach Jim Harbaugh in 2024. The 23-year-old Johnston caught three touchdowns in the first three weeks of the season but has cooled off since with just four catches for 31 yards in his last two games. The second-year pass-catcher's next chance to play will be this Sunday in Week 8 against the New Orleans Saints.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers Ladd McConkey (hip) and Simi Fehoko (groin, shoulder) are all active for the Monday night showdown against the Arizona Cardinals after being listed as questionable on the final injury report. The rookie McConkey should be quarterback Justin Herbert's top target in a good matchup with Quentin Johnston (ankle) ruled out. The 22-year-old has caught nine of his 15 targets in the last two games for 110 yards and a touchdown, making him a worthwhile WR3/flex option for fantasy managers. McConkey and Joshua Palmer should be LA's top two receivers for this contest, with Fehoko, Brenden Rice and Jalen Reagor battling for WR3 snaps with Johnston out. In his first five NFL games, McConkey has recorded 19 receptions on 32 targets for 219 yards and two touchdowns.

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Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said on Monday that wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (leg) didn't finish Sunday's Week 7 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills because he was dealing with lower-leg soreness. Hopkins caught his only target on the day for a loss of two yards and played only 60 percent of the offensive snaps. His injury probably isn't serious enough to keep him sidelined for Week 8 against the Detroit Lions, but don't be surprised if he's on the team's injury report this week. The 32-year-old Pro Bowler has now had just one catch in three of his six games for the Titans this year and has essentially become an afterthought in standard-sized fantasy formats with only 15 receptions for 173 yards and one touchdown in six games in his second year in Tennessee. Hopkins will continue to have limited fantasy appeal given the Titans' ugly QB situation between Will Levis (shoulder) and Mason Rudolph.

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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that there were no issues with running back David Montgomery's knee after he played through a contusion in Sunday's big Week 7 win over the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, which gave them their first loss of 2024. Montgomery was banged in the back of his knee on Sunday and had to be helped off the field, but he later returned and finished with a season-low nine carries for 31 yards while catching three of his four targets for an additional 39 yards. The 27-year-old couldn't find paydirt for the first time this year. It was backfield mate Jahmyr Gibbs who had a monster game against the Vikes with Montgomery banged up. Barring a setback with his knee during practice this week, Montgomery should be fine to play in Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans and will be back on the starting radar for fantasy lineups.

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Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said on Monday that running back Tyjae Spears (hamstring) could return in Week 8 to face the Detroit Lions after missing the Week 7 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Spears' status for this Sunday's game will depend on how much he can do in practice this week. We'll have a better idea of the 23-year-old's status by Friday. If he's able to return this weekend, he'll resume his role as the No. 2 behind Tony Pollard in Tennessee's backfield. There was some uncertainty as to how the Titans would split touches in their backfield between Pollard and Spears to begin the season, and through the first six weeks of the season with Spears healthy, he took a clear back seat to Pollard. Spears has 33 total carries for 114 yards (3.5 yards per tote) and one touchdown while adding 12 catches for 76 yards. Spears will be a low-upside RB3/flex, at best, in PPR leagues in Week 8 if he's active.

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Tennessee Titans head coach Bill Callahan reiterated on Monday that quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) will be the team's starting QB when "he is back healthy." Levis was inactive for the Week 7 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday after initially suffering an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder back in Week 4. The second-year signal-caller played in Week 6, but his shoulder didn't respond well in practice last week, paving the way for Mason Rudolph to make his first start of the year this past Sunday. The Titans are listing Levis as week-to-week heading into a Week 8 contest against the Detroit Lions, so it's possible he'll miss a second straight game. "It just needs rest," Callahan said. Tennessee's offense has been pretty bad with both Levis and Rudolph under center this year. Fantasy managers in single-QB leagues can continue to ignore this situation.

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness) was sent to the hospital with fluid in his lungs and was diagnosed with pneumonia. Samuel played just four offensive snaps before leaving the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and never returning on Sunday, and Shanahan said there's no timetable for the 28-year-old's return, meaning he could miss the Week 8 contest against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Brandon Aiyuk tore his right ACL and MCL on Sunday and is out for the rest of the season. Jauan Jennings (hip) missed the Week 7 game, but he's expected to return this Sunday and could be quarterback Brock Purdy's WR1 if Samuel is out. Rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing and Ronnie Bell could also be thrust into bigger roles moving forward, pending the health of Samuel.

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that tight end George Kittle (foot) is day-to-day due to a foot sprain that he picked up in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Kittle broke a streak of four straight games with a touchdown but still had six receptions for a season-high 92 yards on Sunday. Receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is out for the year with a torn right ACL and MCL, while receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness) is currently in the hospital with pneumonia. It means that the 31-year-old Kittle could be quarterback Brock Purdy's favorite target once again if he's able to play in Week 8 on Sunday night in a great matchup against a banged-up Dallas Cowboys defense. Fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on Kittle's practice status this week, but if he's able to play on Sunday in primetime, he'll be a must-start, high-end TE1.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is out for the rest of the 2024 season after tearing both his right ACL and MCL in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. An MRI exam on Monday morning confirmed the team's fears of a season-ending injury to one of their top wideouts. Aiyuk had a notable offseason saga with the Niners when they couldn't come to an agreement on a long-term contract extension until Aug. 29, when they signed him to a four-year, $120 million deal. The former first-rounder was a complete bust this year in fantasy, catching only 25 passes for 374 yards and no TDs in his seven games. With Deebo Samuel Sr. dealing with pneumonia, Jauan Jennings (hip) suddenly will become a hot waiver-wire pickup this week, as well as rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall in deeper leagues.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Trey Palmer (concussion) cleared the league's concussion protocol and is officially active for the Week 7 contest on Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Palmer has already suffered two separate concussions this year and has missed the last two games as a result. The 23-year-old will be active on Monday night, but don't expect him to see the field all that much behind the likes of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, rookie Jalen McMillan and Sterling Shepard. Before the second-year pass-catcher's second concussion, he caught just four of his six targets for four yards and a touchdown in four games played for the Bucs. The sixth-round selection took on the No. 3 role in 2023 when Russell Gage was injured, but he's further down the receiver depth chart in Tampa in 2024.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (hamstring), who came into Monday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens with a questionable tag after missing practice on Saturday, is officially active to close out Week 7 action. Vea's presence on Monday will be a huge boost as the Buccaneers' defense looks to slow down NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry and dynamic quarterback Lamar Jackson on the ground. The 29-year-old Pro Bowler is on pace to set a new career-high in sacks in 2024 after already registering three in five starts in 2024, adding 12 tackles (eight solo), five tackles for loss, three QB hits and one pass breakup. Despite Vea being active on Monday night, the Bucs' defense/special teams unit should be faded in fantasy against the high-powered Ravens offense.

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New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen said the plan is to stick with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler (hip) if Derek Carr (oblique) is unable to play in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Allen feels that Rattler has played well when he has been protected. Meanwhile, Carr had a throwing session on Monday and will have another on Tuesday as the team continues to evaluate him. The Saints pulled Rattler late in a blowout loss to the Denver Broncos last Thursday due to a hip-pointer injury, but he appears to be on track to play this weekend if Carr isn't cleared. The 24-year-old was dominated by a good Broncos defense last week and threw for 172 yards and no TDs while losing two fumbles. He's been sacked 11 times in his first two NFL starts and could be without top wideout Chris Olave (concussion) again this week. If Rattler makes a third straight start, he'll be a desperation low-end QB2 against the Bolts.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (foot) is officially active and will play on Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens. White will return to the field after missing the Week 6 win over the division-rival New Orleans Saints. While White was sidelined last week, rookie Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker took over the backfield and each going over 100 rushing yards, which could easily leave White as the odd-man out in what is becoming a three-headed committee backfield in Tampa. Head coach Todd Bowles said White, Irving and Tucker will all play when they are healthy, but the team could go with the hot-hand approach, making it very frustrating for fantasy managers to decide who to play on a weekly basis. White averaged only 3.7 yards per carry on his 51 rushing attempts through five games and now figures to have a much smaller role moving forward as long as Irving and Tucker stay healthy.

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The Miami Dolphins placed wide receiver Braxton Berrios (knee) on Injured Reserve on Monday, which means he'll have to miss at least the next four games. Berrios will go on IR after injuring his knee in the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The earliest that the 29-year-old can return would be for a Week 12 matchup against the division-rival New England Patriots. Berrios wasn't on the fantasy radar to begin with, as he was unable to haul in any of the four targets he saw in six games played this year. The Dolphins will move forward with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr. and Malik Washington as their four receivers. With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) potentially returning in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals, the fantasy value of both Hill and Waddle is about to get a shot in the arm.

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Veteran free-agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling signed an undisclosed deal with the New Orleans Saints on Monday, according to sources. It's a bit surprising that the Chiefs didn't lure Valdes-Scantling back given all their injuries at the receiver position, but New Orleans has needs of their own at the position after they lost deep threat Rashid Shaheed (knee) to a torn meniscus last week. In addition, Chris Olave (concussion) could be in danger of missing a second straight game in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. If Olave doesn't clear the concussion protocol in time to play this Sunday, MVS will likely just be serving as receiving depth behind rookies Mason Tipton and Bub Means and Cedrick Wilson Jr. The Buffalo Bills released MVS after he caught only two of his nine targets for 26 yards in six games to begin this season.

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