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Packers QB Jordan Love (groin) 'realistic' to not practice, then play vs. Lions

Wed Oct 30 8:15pm ET
Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love gives himself a "realistic" chance to play Sunday against the visiting Detroit Lions, even if he doesn't practice all week because of a groin injury.

Love didn't practice on Wednesday, when he was limited to being a spectator and rode an exercise bike during the stretching period. He had strained his groin and exited in the second half of the Packers' 30-27 victory last Sunday over the host Jacksonville Jaguars.

"Yeah, obviously not practicing during the week is not the ideal format for trying to play a game," Love said on Wednesday. "Like I said, things happen, if that's the scenario, I know I'll be fine. But definitely it's not the ideal scenario for going into a big week."

Still, Love called it "realistic" that he could be on the field to face the Lions (6-1), who lead the NFC North by a half-game over the Packers (6-2).

Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur will have something to say about Love playing on Sunday, but as of Wednesday he said it "potentially" could happen.

"He's moving around better," LaFleur said. "We'll see, again, we'll take it one day at a time. Certainly, yeah, we'll push the envelope with that. I know he wants to play, but we'll see where he's at by the end of the week."

Love said he will try to get back this week, even though the team has a bye next week. Love understands he has to show LaFleur that he is able to protect himself.

"I think just being able to play, move around in the pocket and not trying to hurt myself further by playing ... I think that's what he means by that," Love said. "But for me, just being able to move around a little bit and just be myself out there playing and not just trying to be stuck in the pocket not being able to move if I need to move."

If Love isn't ready to play, Malik Willis will be behind center. Willis had replaced Love in Weeks 2 and 3 when he was out due to a sprained MCL in his left knee, and the former Tennessee Titan entered in the third quarter last Sunday. Love appeared to get hurt in the first quarter and limped through several series.

Love, who turns 26 on Saturday, has passed for 1,547 yards, 15 touchdowns and a co-league-high nine interceptions in six starts this season.

Willis, 25, is 29-of-39 passing (74.4 percent) for 380 yards, three TDs and no picks in four games (two starts) in his first season with the Packers.

Green Bay was without Love at Wednesday's session as well as running back Josh Jacobs (ankle), cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) and three starting offensive linemen in left tackle Rasheed Walker (knee), left guard Elgton Jenkins (glute) and center Josh Myers (wrist).

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 9

Player Notes
Tyler Conklin Oct 30 9:20pm CT
Tyler Conklin

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin caught a touchdown, his second of the season, in a loss to the New England Patriots in Week 8. Conklin will look to keep it going against the Houston Texans in Week 9's Thursday night game. The Texans have been tough on tight ends this season, allowing just the 30th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Conklin has turned in a few nice games for fantasy this season but this is not the week to trust him in starting lineups. Treat him as a low-end TE2 this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Oct 30 9:20pm CT
Tony Pollard

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (shoulder) and running back Tony Pollard (foot) were both listed as non-participants on the team's Wednesday practice report. It's an interesting development, as neither player looked hampered by an injury in Tennessee's 52-14 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions. Pollard (82%) and Ridley (79%) were both on the field for their typical allotment of snaps on Sunday, so maybe we can chalk it up as a veteran's day of rest. Still, the DNP designation is slightly concerning. With the Titans hosting the New England Patriots in Week 9, the duo's practice participation over the next two days will be telling of their Sunday status. Considering Pollard has been solid all season, and Ridley is coming off his breakout game in Week 8 -- fantasy managers will want to monitor their progress ahead of Week 9.

From RotoBaller

Zamir White Oct 30 9:10pm CT
Zamir White

Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (quad) and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle) were both listed as limited participants for the team's first practice of the week. White logged just two snaps in the team's 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8, and the quad ailment could be the reason why. It's the second injury that's hampered his playing time this month after he suffered a groin injury that held him out of Weeks 5 and 6. Meyers, on the other hand, returned in Week 8 from an ankle injury that kept him out of Weeks 6 and 7, and this may be just a day of rest for the veteran. The 27-year-old played 81% of snaps in the loss to the Chiefs, catching 6-of-7 targets for 52 yards and a touchdown. He's worth monitoring ahead of the Raiders' Week 9 road tilt against the Cincinnati Bengals, while White will likely continue backing up backfield mate Alexander Mattison if he plays.

From RotoBaller

Garrett Wilson Oct 30 9:10pm CT
Garrett Wilson

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson has notched three 100-yard receiving games over his past four contests. He will look to keep it going against the Houston Texans in Week 9's Thursday night game. Wilson has yet to feel a target squeeze with Davante Adams in town as he has 17 in the two games since the Jets added the latter in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Texans have been vulnerable against receivers this season as they are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position in 2024. Wilson sets up as a high-end WR2 heading into Week 9.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Oct 30 9:10pm CT
Davante Adams

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams has yet to post a big game since his new team traded for him two weeks ago, catching seven passes for 84 yards in two games. He will look to make a bigger impact on his team's offense heading into Week 9's Thursday night game against the Houston Texans. Houston represents a plus matchup for Adams as they are allowing the eight-most fantasy points per game to the position thus far. Treat Adams as a low-end WR2 heading into Week 9.

From RotoBaller

Geno Smith Oct 30 9:03pm CT
Geno Smith

Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith leads the NFL with 2,197 passing yards and 274.6 passing yards per game.

Fantasy Spin: Smith has thrown for more than 280 yards in five of his eight games, but he has thrown just eight touchdowns compared to seven interceptions. The steady yardage totals give Smith a decent floor, but he will need to find the end zone more often to be more than a QB2.

From TheHuddle

Breece Hall Oct 30 9:00pm CT
Breece Hall

New York Jets running back Breece Hall ran for 80 scoreless yards on 18 carries in a Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He will look for more in Week 9's Thursday night game against the Houston Texans. Houston has been tough on opposing running backs this season as they are allowing just the 29th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Despite the tough matchup, Hall remains busy enough in the passing game to make him mostly matchup-proof from a fantasy perspective, so he can still be treated as a mid-range RB1 heading into Week 9.

From RotoBaller

Jerome Ford Oct 30 8:50pm CT
Jerome Ford

On Wednesday, Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity. It's the second straight limited practice for the 25-year-old, dating back to last week after he was tagged with a DNP in five consecutive sessions. Ford hasn't appeared in a game since the team's 20-16 loss to the Eagles, when he participated on just four snaps before sustaining a hamstring injury. However, it appears he's turned a corner in his recovery. The former fifth-round pick will have two more chances to up his practice level before Cleveland hosts the Los Angeles Chargers in their third-straight home matchup. Even if he suits up, the third-year running back is nothing more than a handcuff with Nick Chubb back in the fold. If Ford is out again, running backs D'Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong Jr. will continue to work as a change-of-pace option behind Chubb.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Oct 30 8:50pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (hamstring, knee) has thrown for two touchdowns in three of his past four games. He will look for his first three-touchdown game of the season in Week 9's Thursday night game against the Houston Texans. Rodgers has been dealing with an assortment of injuries of late, including to his hamstring and knee but he practiced fully on Tuesday and Wednesday and is good to go for Thursday. The Texans are allowing the 10th-most fantasy points per game but Rodgers has yet to post a ceiling game in a disappointing Jets offense this season. Treat him as a low-end QB2 for Week 9.

From RotoBaller

Noah Fant Oct 30 8:40pm CT
Noah Fant

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (groin) was officially listed as limited on Wednesday's practice report. The groin injury is new for the sixth-year tight end, as he presumably sustained it sometime between Sunday and today (Wednesday), though exactly when it occurred is unclear. Fant played his typical snap percentage in the team's 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. That he could practice in a limited capacity is good news for his chances of suiting up on Sunday when Seattle hosts the visiting Los Angeles Rams. The 26-year-old's injury doesn't seem serious; still, it's worth mentioning that fellow TEs AJ Barner and Pharaoh Brown have picked up more snaps in recent weeks. If he can't go, the aforementioned duo figures to split work, with a slight advantage to Barner. If Fant can play, he still won't be a recommended fantasy option.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Whittington Oct 30 8:20pm CT
Jordan Whittington

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington (shoulder) got in a limited session on Wednesday for the team's first practice of the week. The 22-year-old played just nine snaps in LA's Week 7 win over the Las Vegas Raiders before he exited the contest with a shoulder injury. Whittington logged two DNPs ahead of Week 8 before being ruled inactive, so it's nice to see him start the week off as a limited participant. It's undoubtedly a boon for his status this Sunday when the Rams hit the road to face off against the Seattle Seahawks in a divisional clash. However, he's likely more of a depth piece now with the return of star wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, who should continue to see their snap share increase the further out they are from injury. Whittington will have two more opportunities to elevate his practice participation ahead of Week 9. If he can't play, wide receivers Tyler Johnson and Tutu Atwell project to rotate in behind Demarcus Robinson in three-wide sets.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Lynn Polk Oct 30 8:10pm CT
Ja'Lynn Polk

New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (concussion) was listed as limited for Wednesday's practice. The rookie wideout was unavailable for this past Sunday's win over the New York Jets after picking up a concussion the week prior, but he's started on the right foot this week. He'll have a few more days to ramp up his activity ahead of Week 9's road tilt against the Tennessee Titans. However, Polk will still need to be cleared by an independent neurologist before he's eligible to suit up. Despite it not showing up in the 22-year-old's on-field production, he's the second-leading receiver on the roster regarding snap share, behind only DeMario Douglas. Still, it is worth noting that second-year WR Kayshon Boutte has led all Pats pass-catchers in that regard over the last three weeks.

From RotoBaller

Randy Gregory Oct 30 7:53pm CT
Randy Gregory

Free-agent DE Randy Gregory (Buccaneers) met with the Seattle Seahawks Wednesday, Oct. 30.

From TheHuddle

Leonard Williams Oct 30 7:23pm CT
Leonard Williams

Seattle Seahawks WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (knee), CB Devon Witherspoon (foot) and DE Leonard Williams (non-injury) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 30. OT George Fant (knee), OT Abraham Lucas (knee), LB Dre'Mont Jones (shoulder), CB Nehemiah Pritchett (ankle), DT Cameron Young (knee) and OG Laken Tomlinson (non-injury) were limited during practice. OT Mike Jerrell (shoulder), LB Boye Mafe (knee), CB Tre Brown (ankle) and CB Riq Woolen (ankle) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

Tyler Lockett Oct 30 7:13pm CT
Tyler Lockett

Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett (oblique) was limited during practice Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Fantasy Spin: Lockett is coming off a disappointing Week 8 performance and did not receive at least six targets for the first time in six games. He should have more success this week if he plays and can be a possible flex option in leagues.

From TheHuddle

Denzel Perryman Oct 30 7:03pm CT
Denzel Perryman

Los Angeles Chargers TE Will Dissly (shoulder), CB Kristian Fulton (hamstring), LB Denzel Perryman (toe) and TE Stone Smartt (ankle) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 30. LB Joey Bosa (hip), WR DJ Chark Jr. (groin), WR Derius Davis (hamstring), DE Morgan Fox (groin), TE Hayden Hurst (groin), LB Khalil Mack (non-injury), WR Brenden Rice (shoulder) and CB Ja'Sir Taylor (leg) were limited during practice.

From TheHuddle

Jamaal Williams Oct 30 6:53pm CT
Jamaal Williams

New Orleans Saints CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring), S Tyrann Mathieu (illness), RB Kendre Miller (hamstring) and CB Rico Payton (back) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 30. CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (hamstring), OG Nick Saldiveri (shoulder) and RB Jamaal Williams (groin) were limited during practice. OG Shane Lemieux (knee) and LB Nephi Sewell (knee) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

Cedrick Wilson Oct 30 6:43pm CT
Cedrick Wilson

New Orleans Saints WR Cedrick Wilson (hip) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Fantasy Spin: Wilson was not available for the Week 8 game and probably will miss another game if he does not practice this week. Fantasy players should look for other options and avoid Wilson for the time being.

From TheHuddle

Derek Carr Oct 30 6:43pm CT
Derek Carr

New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr (oblique) was limited during practice Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Fantasy Spin: Carr seems to have a chance to return to the lineup this week, so fantasy players should monitor his progress over the next few days. He should not be a starting option in standard leagues but could be used in two-quarterback leagues.

From TheHuddle

Alvin Kamara Oct 30 6:43pm CT
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara (hand, rib) was limited during practice Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Fantasy Spin: Kamara has been on the injury report for the last few weeks but has not missed any games. He should see touches in both the running and passing game in Week 9 and is a must-start option in all fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle