Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (quad) is not suited up for Wednesday's practice, signifying he will log a "DNP" to begin the week. The 25-year-old was a late addition to the team's injury report last week with a quad injury and did not play in the Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. It has become a theme for Higgins to miss a few games each season, which is not ideal for fantasy managers and the Cincinnati offense. Higgins was beginning to heat up before suffering the quad injury, racking up at least 60 receiving yards in each of his last four games and scoring three touchdowns during that stretch. In Higgins' absence last week, Andrei Iosivas and Jermaine Burton combined for just one catch on six targets. Meanwhile, tight end Mike Gesicki racked up seven catches for 73 yards on eight targets. Outside of Ja'Marr Chase, none of the Bengals' pass-catchers are sure things to produce if Higgins misses another contest, but it's worth noting the Las Vegas Raiders, the Bengals' Week 9 opponent, present a neutral matchup for tight ends and an unfavorable matchup for wideouts.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (groin) will not be active against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football due to a groin injury. The former Florida Gator has only played in four games this season due to nagging injuries and is set to miss another contest. With Joe Mixon occupying a workhorse role, Pierce has rushed just 14 times for 98 yards and one touchdown in his third NFL campaign. In Pierce's absence, Dare Ogunbowale is the clear RB2 behind Mixon, but he does not have fantasy appeal with Mixon leading the NFL in touches per game (23.2). Mixon is set to face a tough matchup for RBs in Week 9, but his overall workload keeps him a must-start against any defense.

From RotoBaller

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) is practicing on Wednesday following his two-game absence with a shoulder injury. The 2023 second-round pick has not missed a practice over the last two weeks, but he has been limited. The team will get a feel for how he throws and looks in a full week of practice to determine if he can start against the New England Patriots in Week 9. Veteran backup Mason Rudolph has had his ups and downs in relief of Levis, throwing for 481 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in losses to the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions. Neither quarterback is on the fantasy football radar, but it's worth noting Calvin Ridley had his best game (10 catches, 143 yards) of the season in Week 8 with Rudolph under center. With DeAndre Hopkins out of town, Ridley will likely continue to be the team's target hog, but Levis could be a slight downgrade for his fantasy outlook.

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (pectoral) missed the Week 8 game against the Seattle Seahawks with a pectoral injury and was limited in Wednesday's practice ahead of the Week 9 AFC East matchup with the Miami Dolphins. Samuel was labeled a preseason fantasy football sleeper, but he has caught just 12 of his 18 targets for 92 yards and no touchdowns so far this season. With Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, and Keon Coleman coming on in recent weeks, there's little hope for Samuel to become a legitimate fantasy factor moving forward. The team also acquired Pro Bowl wideout Amari Cooper ahead of Week 7. Cooper is dealing with a wrist injury and could miss Sunday's game, but either way, Samuel should not be trusted in any starting fantasy football lineups.

From RotoBaller

The Dallas Cowboys are activating cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) off of the Injured Reserve list on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The 2023 first-team All-Pro and NFL interceptions leader (nine) suffered a foot injury in the preseason that required surgery, so he has not made his 2024 debut. However, Bland's status is still up in the air for Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons, but the team had to activate him now after opening his 21-day practice window on October 9. Whenever he returns to the lineup, it could provide a major boost to a defense that has surrendered the seventh-most yards per game this season (372.6).

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) is not practicing on Wednesday due to a wrist injury. The former Cleveland Brown sustained the injury in the Week 8 win over the Seattle Seahawks and could be at risk of missing Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins. In Cooper's first game with the organization, he caught four of his five targets for 66 yards and a touchdown despite playing just 19 snaps. He played 38 snaps last weekend but was limited to one reception for three yards on two targets. The former first-round pick has been known as a boom-or-bust fantasy option throughout his career, but between his injury and working to get comfortable with his new team, it could be a few weeks before he produces a big spike week. The Dolphins have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to wideouts this season, so even if Cooper suits up, it's tough to trust him in Week 9.

From RotoBaller

The Baltimore Ravens traded for former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson on Tuesday, raising questions about the fantasy football outlooks of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. However, NFL insider Josina Anderson said she was told the acquisition of Johnson "does not reflect a change in the view of Flowers and Bateman as the team's current WR1 and WR2," according to sources. Both Baltimore wideouts are inside the top 20 pass-catchers in total receiving yards this year, and the team remains confident in them. However, it's tough to believe Johnson will not make an impact or take at least some volume away from the young pair of wideouts. In all likelihood, he'll be eased into the offense, but the target pecking order could switch week-to-week later in the year. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is the biggest fantasy football winner in this trade, while Johnson, Flowers, Bateman, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely could all have lower floors in a suddenly crowded pass-catching group.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston made his first start for the organization in Week 8 following the season-ending Achilles injury suffered by Deshaun Watson (Achilles) in Week 7. Winston, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, completed 27 of his 41 passing attempts for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions en route to an upset win over the Baltimore Ravens. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Winston is viewed as the starter for the rest of the year, but the NFL is "day-to-day." Second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson came off the bench for the injured Watson in Week 7 and was somewhat in the running to be the starter in Watson's absence, but unless Winston puts a few disastrous performances together, Thompson-Robinson is likely stuck in the QB2 chair.

From RotoBaller

Per Adam Schefter, the New York Jets have placed kicker Greg Zuerlein (knee) on injured reserve. In response, they've signed kickers Spencer Shrader and Riley Patterson to their practice squad. Zuerlein popped up on the team's report Monday with a knee issue after another poor showing in Sunday's 25-22 loss to the New England Patriots. The 36-year-old missed another two kicks in Week 8 (one field goal, one extra point), and he'll now miss at least the team's next four outings. The long-time LA Ram has failed to connect on six field goal tries this season (9-of-15) and has mainly been unreliable for a reeling Jets squad. With New York set to host the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football, expect a decision to be made between Shrader and Patterson in short order.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen reported that quarterback Joe Flacco will be the team's starter moving forward. Indianapolis is going all-in on Flacco, who they believe gives them the "best chance to win right now." Steichen also noted they have not given up on second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. Evidently, Indy has finally realized what was immediately apparent when Richardson went down with a hip injury in Week 4 -- the veteran QB is far and away the most competent signal-caller on this squad. The 39-year-old will be a massive boon to all Colts' pass-catchers and should help substantiate the offense overall for the remainder of his tenure as the starter. Among the 225 quarterbacks who have dropped back 250-plus times since the year 2000, Richardson ranks 222nd in completion rate (50%).

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills WR Amari Cooper (wrist) will not practice on Wednesday, Oct. 30, head coach Sean McDermott said.

Fantasy Spin: Cooper's week is not off to a good start, but he's still got two more practices to get in some participation. After an impressive debut with the Bills, Cooper had just one catch for three yards in Week 8. He should be more consistent moving forward the more he gets acclimated to Buffalo, but for now he's just a flex option.

From TheHuddle

Cleveland Browns CB Denzel Ward (concussion) is considered day-to-day, head coach Kevin Stefanski revealed on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

From TheHuddle

Per New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, quarterback Drake Maye (concussion) will be a limited participant in Wednesday's practice as he works through the NFL's concussion protocol. Chris Mason -- the team's beat writer -- reported the news. Mayo noted that the rookie will "throw the ball at times" in Wednesday's session as he attempts to get cleared ahead of Sunday's contest. It's fantastic news for the rookie, who could play when New England lines up against the Tennessee Titans on the road in Week 9. Maye still has a few hurdles to clear before that's the case, including being cleared for action by an independent neurologist. Still, it's a positive sign that he'll participate in a limited fashion for the team's first practice of the week. If he can't play, veteran QB Jacoby Brissett will again lead the way against Tennessee.

From RotoBaller

According to the NFL's Ian Rapoport, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (groin) got "pretty good news" regarding his MRI and has a shot to play in Sunday's divisional clash against the Detroit Lions. While nothing has yet been confirmed, Rapoport reports that Love's MRI came back "relatively clean," and he is day-to-day with a groin strain. "He is determined to play," said the NFL Insider. "He does not need to be 100% to play; that makes me believe he has a really good chance." It's excellent news for Green Bay, though; if they had to turn to backup quarterback Malik Willis, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Willis has performed well when called upon this season, although his drawing the start would be a downgrade for Packers' pass-catchers. Keep an eye on Love's practice participation this week, as that should give us a better idea of his availability for the outing. However, it's possible a decision won't be made until much closer to game time. Green Bay and Detroit square off at 4:25 ET.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets PK Greg Zuerlein (knee) was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

From TheHuddle

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson "feels good" about running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) returning to action in Week 9, as Mia O'Brien of 1010 XL 92.5 XM reported. The fourth-year back has been plagued by a hamstring ailment over the last few weeks that's forced him to miss the team's previous two games and part of another. While his practice participation ahead of Jacksonville's road tilt against the Philadelphia Eagles will be telling regarding his Sunday status, it appears he has a good shot to suit up for the outing. With teammate Tank Bigsby's success and efficiency in the 25-year-old's stead, this backfield might give fantasy managers headaches over the season's final stretch until one emerges as the preferred option.

From RotoBaller

Updating previous reports, Indianapolis Colts QB Joe Flacco is the starting quarterback, and it's not a temporary move, according to head coach Shane Steichen.

Fantasy Spin: Flacco threw seven TDs to one INT in three games, and there was chemistry with this offense from the jump. Let's not get crazy here, but he could absolutely be a mix-and-match QB in the right matchup. The Minnesota Vikings present a great one this week.

From TheHuddle

The New York Jets are signing kickers Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader to the practice squad on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. Starting kicker Greg Zuerlein (knee) is reportedly dealing with a knee injury, and his performance this season has been disastrous. The 36-year-old has made just nine of his 15 field goal tries and has missed an extra point. Patterson, who has spent time with the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, and Jacksonville Jaguars, has made 59 of his 67 field goal attempts in 39 games. Shrader is an undrafted rookie free agent out of Notre Dame and appeared in one game for the Indianapolis Colts this season, connecting on all three of his extra-point tries. The expectation is Zuerlein will not play on Thursday Night Football against the Houston Texans, and one of the newly-acquired kickers will handle kicking duties for the Jets. Neither option is high on the fantasy football radar.

From RotoBaller

The Minnesota Vikings released running back Myles Gaskin but have re-signed him to their practice squad. The 27-year-old has spent most of this season on the active roster but offered minimal contributions. He had just 10 scrimmage yards on four touches, plus three kick returns for an additional 60 yards. For obvious reasons, he's off the fantasy radar.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | An arrest warrant request is being reviewed for Detroit wide receiver Jameson Williams. Dynasty Analysis: Williams is seemingly going to be the target of an investigation concerning a concealed weapon charge. It's a complicated situation involving a traffic stop and some potential confusion in terms of who may have owned which gun between Williams and his brother. Still, this is yet another red flag on a player who has a ton of them as of late. We'll let the details come out, but a troubling theme of trouble seemingly following Williams is getting hard to ignore.

From Dynasty League Fantasy