Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe) was absent from a second straight practice this week on Thursday for a toe injury that could definitely impact Sunday's Week 8 contest against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Irving's status will likely come down to whether he can practice on Friday. If he cannot, he'll likely be ruled out, which would pave the way for Rachaad White and Sean Tucker to split backfield touches on Sunday. Fantasy managers that have been using the 22-year-old Irving in recent weeks need to start formulating a backup plan, while Tucker wouldn't be a bad waiver-wire pickup as a streaming flex play if Irving is out. In Week 6 with White inactive, Tucker had a season-high 14 carries for 136 yards and a touchdown and also caught three passes for 56 yards and another score.

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Cleveland Browns running back Nyheim Hines (knee) was not officially activated from Non-Football Injury list within his 21-day practice window, meaning he will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. Hines will end up missing the entire season in Cleveland after tearing his ACL in a jet-ski accident in July of 2023. With Nick Chubb returning from his own devastating knee injury last week, there just wasn't room for the 27-year-old pass-catching specialist on the Browns' active 53-man roster heading into a Week 8 contest against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Jerome Ford (hamstring) missed the Week 7 loss to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, but the Browns also have D'Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong Jr. as depth at the position behind Chubb.

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According to head coach Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard will be counted on more in the offense in the absence of teammates Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle). Specifically, reporters asked Bowles about Shepard and his familiarity with quarterback Baker Mayfield. "He's been a heck of a receiver in this league when he's healthy," said the Bucs' head coach. "He can make plays all over the field; we've seen that briefly over the last couple of weeks." The chemistry referred to by reporters stems from the time he and Mayfield spent together in college at Oklahoma. Seeing how targets shake out over the coming weeks will be interesting. For what it's worth, the former Oklahoma Sooner played fewer snaps than fellow wideouts Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan in the team's Week 7 loss. Still, production in this offense will need to come from somewhere, with Godwin done for the year and Evans not projected back until after the team's Week 11 bye.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) underwent an MRI Wednesday that confirmed his "moderate" hamstring injury. According to the NFL's Ian Rapoport, Evans' diagnostic test affirmed the notion that he'd be sidelined until at least the team's Week 11 bye. It's a massive blow to Tampa Bay's offense, as they've also just lost fellow wideout Chris Godwin (ankle) for the remainder of the season after dislocating his ankle. With the Bucs down their top two pass-catchers, wide receivers Jalen McMillan, Sterling Shepherd, and Trey Palmer project to line up in three wide receiver sets. Additionally, tight end Cade Otton and running back Rachaad White should continue to see an increased role in Tampa Bay's passing attack. The team will host the visiting Atlanta Falcons this coming Sunday.

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) is reportedly trending to play this Sunday when his team squares off against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Pelissero also noted he was told that "Tua looks like Tua. He's ripping it all over the field, hitting bombs to Tyreek Hill. This is the guy they've been missing." It's a positive start to the week for the fifth-year QB, who is still required to gain clearance from an independent neurologist as his last hurdle of clearing the league's concussion protocol. Miami's offense desperately needs a spark, scoring just three touchdowns since the Alabama product's exit from the team's Week 2 loss to the Bills. If Tagovailoa can play, he'd give them just that. Fantasy managers will want to monitor him over the next day or so, as he'd supply a large boost to the Dolphins' skill players if active.

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According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Los Angeles Rams are "optimistic" that wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) will suit up against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football. The second-year wideout was able to log two limited sessions earlier this week after having his 21-day practice window activated. It'd be fantastic news for LA and fantasy managers if he can play, as Nacua has been shelved since way back in Week 1 when he reaggravated a preseason knee injury. Minnesota presents as one of the more difficult matchups to return to, but the former fifth-round pick should immediately slot back into his role as a top-two option in LA's passing attack. It's worth noting that he may be on a snap count -- though that has neither been confirmed nor denied. Stay tuned.

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Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (concussion) put in a full practice to open the week on Wednesday. Surtain suffered a concussion in the Week 6 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers and was unable to gain clearance to play on a quick turnaround in last Thursday night's blowout win over the New Orleans Saints. The 24-year-old isn't officially cleared from the league's concussion protocol, but that should happen by the end of the week as long as he doesn't suffer a setback with his head injury. Surtain is one of the better shutdown corners in the NFL, so getting him back would be a huge boost to a strong defensive unit that will be a must-start against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8. Surtain's return to the field on Sunday would be bad news for wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who will be taking passes again from second-year quarterback Bryce Young.

Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty's only field goal attempt in Week 7 caromed off the right upright for a miss, his second of 2024. Karty also missed an extra point attempt for the second time in as many contests, having missed a chance in the Rams' Week 5 contest against the Green Bay Packers before going on bye. Los Angeles has had little going on offensively and as such Karty has had scant opportunities to score, having 11 attempts of both field goals and extra points through six games. Karty and the Rams next face the Minnesota Vikings who are allowing just 17.8 points per game. Cooper Kupp's return in Week 8 should help open up the Rams' offense but Karty is still a dicey play. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere rather than pin their hopes to the rookie kicker in the first game of the week.

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Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson went from a high of 13 targets to matching a season-low of two on either side of the team's Week 6 bye. Even with the multi-week absences of Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee), Parkinson never made real headway in establishing himself as a bankable option in the Rams' offense, averaging 3.5 receptions and 33 yards per game. With Kupp set to return to action when Los Angeles takes the field against the Vikings on Thursday night, Parkinson's productivity will be capped. Only two tight ends have logged fantasy scores in the double digits against Minnesota and the defense has given up just two touchdowns to the position so far. Tight end streamers should set their sights on more forgiving matchups coming up on Sunday rather than gamble on Parkinson in the first game of Week 8.

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Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum has seen minimal play on offense and Week 7 was no different. The third-rounder out of Michigan took three carries for 11 yards in the Rams' 20-15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Kyren Williams has a firm grasp on the top of the running back depth chart in Los Angeles and his production in 2024 doesn't lend reason for head coach Sean McVay to switch things up any time soon. Week 8 brings a Thursday night matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, who are allowing opposing running backs just 72 yards per game. Corum makes for a great bench stash in the event that Williams gets injured and misses time but the rookie belongs nowhere near starting lineups in Week 8.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson could not take advantage of the multi-week absences of teammates Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee). In Week 7's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Robinson experienced a new low, finishing with a single catch for nine yards, bringing his reception total to 13 through the Rams' first six games of the season. Kupp carries no injury designation heading into the Rams' Thursday night matchup against the Minnesota Vikings and Nacua is listed as questionable. The return of one or both would cement Robinson's status on the margins of LA's passing game. Working in Robinson's favor is the fact that Minnesota is susceptible to the pass and is allowing the most fantasy points per game to the position in 2024. There is a possibility that Robinson breaks a long play but his chances will be so few and far between that he should be avoided altogether in Week 8.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell's team-high nine targets in Week 7 translated to six catches for 51 yards against the Las Vegas Raiders. Atwell achieved PPR relevance in recent weeks, averaging five catches and 71 yards per game going back to Week 3. The influx of targets he saw over the last two games (19 total) will be cut soon, though, as Cooper Kupp is finally the injury report and ready to play for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2. Atwell may yet find ways to produce in Week 8. Los Angeles gets the week started with a Thursday night matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed at least one touchdown to different wide receivers in each of their last three games. Atwell projects as a WR5 and is a viable play in deeper leagues, particularly if Puka Nacua (knee) is unable to go.

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Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams gained 76 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns on 21 carries against the Raiders in Week 7. It was his second multi-score game of 2024 and the ninth consecutive game dating back to last season where he made his way to the end zone. In Week 8 the Rams get the slate started on Thursday night against the Minnesota Vikings who have stymied opposing running backs for most of the season. That didn't stop Jahmyr Gibbs from running roughshod on the team last Sunday and finishing with 116 yards and two scores on the ground. Prior to their Week 6 bye, though, the Vikes had allowed just one rushing touchdown and held all but one opposing back to 51 rushing yards or fewer. Williams has a challenge ahead of him but remains a must-start in Week 8.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been a fantasy dud since losing Cooper Kupp (ankle) to injury in Week 2. His last game epitomized his struggles as the once prolific passer went 14-for-23 for 154 yards and an interception against the Las Vegas Raiders, marking the third time Stafford failed to crack double digits in fantasy points this season. Lucky for Stafford, Kupp is off the injury report and will be playing when the Rams kick off Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings, who gave up 280 yards and two touchdowns to Jared Goff last week. Minnesota has allowed 10 passing touchdowns this season and the sixth most passing yards but also leads the league in interceptions (11), making the matchup something of a double-edged sword. The future Hall-of-Famer's recent play has him pegged as a QB2 but with his favorite weapon back in the fold a rebound into top-12 territory isn't out of the question.

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Dallas Cowboys DL Jordan Phillips (wrist) was designated to return from the Reserve/Injured list on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

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New Orleans Saints tight ends Taysom Hill (rib) and Juwan Johnson (shoulder) were both limited participants during practice on Wednesday. On one hand, any sort of appearance on the injury report is worth monitoring as it means the player in question is less than 100 percent. However, fantasy managers should find some optimism in the fact that both Hill and Johnson were limited, which means they were able to get on the field in some capacity. With two more days until injury designations are released and four more days until the Saints battle the Los Angeles Chargers, there's plenty of time for Hill and Johnson to recover and get ready for game action. Assuming both suit up in Week 8, Hill would rank as a mid-to-low fantasy TE2 given his versatility and role. Meanwhile, Johnson slips to the TE3 tier.

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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (ankle) and cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) were both absent from practice on Wednesday. As prep for Week 8 against the San Francisco 49ers begins, the Cowboys find themselves short two key defensive playmakers. Parsons has been sidelined since Week 4 against the Giants and now appears to be at risk of missing his third consecutive game. He registered 14 tackles, one sack, and zero turnovers through the four games for which he was healthy. Meanwhile, Bland, who was an interception machine last year, is still waiting to make his first appearance of the 2024 season. He's been on injured reserve all year, and while the Cowboys did open his 21-day practice window earlier this month, he has not yet seen the field. Dallas' deadline to activate Bland is Oct. 30; if they don't move him to the 53-man roster by then, he'll be forced to miss the entire season.

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San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody (right ankle) did not participate in Wednesday's practice. As of now, it appears the second-year kicker is trending toward missing his third consecutive game. The kicking position has suddenly been a revolving door for San Francisco, which has depended on the legs of Moody, Matthew Wright, and Anders Carlson over each of the last three weeks, respectively. As of now, it looks like Moody will miss Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, leaving Carlson in line to handle kicking duties for the second consecutive week.

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San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (elbow) was limited during Wednesday's practice. While any sort of appearance on the injury report is less than ideal, it's good to see that Bosa was able to get on the field in some capacity as the 49ers begin to practice ahead of Week 8 versus the Dallas Cowboys. The 27-year-old continues to dominate on defense, amassing 25 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and one interception so far. As of now, it looks like he's trending toward playing on Sunday.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) did not participate in Wednesday's practice. The 33-year-old has been sidelined since Week 5 and is expected to miss his third consecutive game this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to head coach Dennis Allen. Specifically, Allen noted that Carr has resumed throwing, which is a step in the right direction, but he expects Spencer Rattler (hip) to get at least one more start in Week 8. The Saints' offensive production has declined with Rattler under center, and fantasy managers invested in players like Alvin Kamara (hand, rib) or Chris Olave (concussion) are anxiously awaiting Carr's return.

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