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Colts DT DeForest Buckner, RB Jonathan Taylor improving from injuries

Thu Oct 24 6:08pm ET
Field Level Media

Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and running back Jonathan Taylor were full participants in practice on Thursday as they move toward a return to action against the host Houston Texans on Sunday.

Both players have been sidelined with ankle injuries. Buckner was hurt in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers, while Taylor has missed the last three games with his aliment.

Buckner, 30, had missed just two games in nine NFL seasons before the current five-game absence. The team opened his 21-day practice window on Wednesday and Buckner is salivating to get back on the field.

"Just being out that long, especially throughout the season, I was itching to be out there to help my team and these guys," Buckner said Thursday. "It was tough watching from the sidelines knowing I can't do anything to help. So I was just doing everything I could in the rehab process and really attacking each day."

Buckner is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and also was a first-team All-Pro in 2020, his first season with the Colts. He was second team All-Pro in 2019 during the last of four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

Buckner has 62.5 career sacks, 10 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and 551 career tackles in 131 games (126 starts). He has 1.5 sacks in two games (one start) this season.

Taylor hasn't played this month and still leads the Colts in carries (72), rushing yards (349) and rushing touchdowns (four). He had two 100-yard outings in four games before getting injured.

Taylor felt soreness after practice but termed it "nothing major."

Taylor, 25, has rushed for 4,931 yards and 44 touchdowns in 57 games (52 starts) over five NFL seasons. He led the NFL with 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2021 when he was both a Pro Bowl pick and first-team All-Pro selection.

Receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and center Ryan Kelly (calf) were full practice participants Thursday after sitting out one day earlier. Defensive end Genard Avery (foot) and linebacker Jaylon Carlies (fibula/shoulder) sat out both days.

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Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 8

Player Notes
Jordan Mason Oct 24 6:40pm CT
Jordan Mason

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (shoulder) put in a second straight limited practice this week on Thursday. Mason suffered an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder in Week 6 but was active for the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, handling 14 carries for 58 yards while catching both his targets for 11 yards. All signs point to him being active for a Sunday night primetime showdown against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8, where Mason will once again a must-start RB1 for fantasy managers. He'll have the perfect opportunity for a big game against Dallas' beat-up defense that has allowed the third-most half-PPR fantasy points to opposing RBs through six games in 2024. Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) is eyeing his season debut after the Niners' Week 9 bye, so Mason may only have this weekend before his fantasy value takes a huge hit.

From RotoBaller

Jake Moody Oct 24 6:40pm CT
Jake Moody

San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody (ankle) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday due to a right-ankle sprain. The 49ers have already ruled Moody out for the Week 8 contest on Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys. The team has a bye upcoming in Week 9, so hopefully Moody will be ready to return to regular kicking duties for Week 10 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His replacement, Matthew Wright, was injured in his first game and subsequently placed on Injured Reserve. With Moody out again this weekend, San Fran will roll with second-year kicker Anders Carlson for a second straight week after he made both of his field-goal attempts and missed an extra point in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. At best, Carlson is a streaming option in deeper fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Oct 24 6:30pm CT
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (hip) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday. Jennings missed his first game of the year in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and is now trending toward missing a second straight game this Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys unless he's able to practice on Friday. It's bad timing for the 49ers, with Brandon Aiyuk suffering a season-ending knee injury last Sunday. The 27-year-old Jennings was a popular addition off the waiver wire this week in fantasy managers despite his injury, as he'll have added opportunities the rest of the year as the WR2 in San Fran behind Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness). If Jennings misses another game in Week 8, both rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing could start in three-wide sets if Samuel is cleared to play.

From RotoBaller

Deebo Samuel Oct 24 6:20pm CT
Deebo Samuel

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness, wrist) returned to the practice field on Thursday and was listed as limited after being listed as a DNP on Wednesday. Receiver Chris Conley (ankle) was also limited for the second straight day. Samuel put up a donut for his fantasy managers in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs when he played just four offensive snaps. The 28-year-old was later hospitalized with pneumonia, but he's feeling better this week and is trending toward a return on Sunday night for a showdown against the Dallas Cowboys. With Brandon Aiyuk (knee) out for the season and Jauan Jennings (hip) trending toward missing a second straight game, Samuel should see heavy volume in Week 8 if he's active. Check back on Friday to see if Samuel carries an injury designation into Sunday's game.

From RotoBaller

George Kittle Oct 24 6:20pm CT
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (foot) was limited in Thursday's practice session after he was listed as a non-participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday due to a foot sprain. Kittle's status bears watching on Friday, but the fact that he returned to practice on Thursday means he's trending in the right direction to be available for San Fran on Sunday night against the visiting Dallas Cowboys. The 31-year-old five-time Pro Bowler heads into Week 8 as the No. 1 scoring tight end in fantasy, making him a must-start if he's active this weekend. Kittle's target volume should remain strong moving forward with receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) out for the season and with receiver Jauan Jennings (hip) trending toward missing a second straight game. Keep him locked into your starting lineups.

From RotoBaller

Bucky Irving Oct 24 6:10pm CT
Bucky Irving

The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud reports that although Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe) missed practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday, he's trending well. The next two days will be crucial for Irving when it comes to his status for the Week 8 divisional game against the Atlanta Falcons. Irving has been Tampa's most productive back to this point in the season in his first year in the NFL, but his current injury and a bad matchup against Atlanta have his fantasy stock on the decline for this weekend. The 22-year-old will remain involved in a three-man committee backfield along Rachaad White and Sean Tucker when he's healthy, limiting his fantasy appeal as an upside RB3/flex play for the foreseeable future. If Irving is out or limited against Atlanta, Tucker would become a much more intriguing flex option for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Taysom Hill Oct 24 6:00pm CT
Taysom Hill

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (rib) has a realistic chance to play in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday after upgrading to a full practice session on Thursday. Hill was listed as limited on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Juwan Johnson (shoulder) was limited for the second straight day on Thursday. Hill fractured his ribs in Week 4 and hasn't played since. The 34-year-old veteran and multi-talented offensive weapon could be used more out of the backfield this weekend if he returns with quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) set to miss his third straight game. If Hill makes his return against the Chargers, he'll be a TE2 streamer, at best, in deeper fantasy leagues. The Mormon Missile has two rushing touchdowns in three games played but just 16 total touches in those three games before getting hurt.

From RotoBaller

Puka Nacua Oct 24 6:00pm CT
Puka Nacua

The Los Angeles Rams activated wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) from Injured Reserve earlier on Thursday, and now he is officially active for the Thursday night game against the Minnesota Vikings. Nacua suffered a right PCL sprain in the season opener and was listed as questionable for Week 8. The Vikings defense has allowed the most half-PPR fantasy points to opposing receivers this year, including 102 receptions, 1.218 yards and seven touchdowns. Nacua is normally a must-start pass-catcher for fantasy purposes, but he could disappoint in his first game back while potentially being on a snap count. Fellow wideout Cooper Kupp (ankle) is also making his return after getting hurt in Week 2. Of the two, Kupp has the safer fantasy floor in a great matchup on Thursday night.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Oct 24 5:50pm CT
Chris Olave

Updating a previous report, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice after he was listed as limited on Wednesday. Olave suffered a concussion in the Week 6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then missed last Thursday night's loss to the Denver Broncos. The 24-year-old is clearly advancing through the league's concussion protocol and will now just need to get the green light from an independent neurologist later this week in order to return to the field this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Olave should be the unquestioned WR1 for New Orleans if he's back this weekend, but quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) is still out, and the Saints are facing a Chargers defense allowing the third-fewest half-PPR points to wideouts this year. If Olave plays, fantasy managers should consider him a shaky WR3/flex against LA.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Oct 24 5:50pm CT
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (hand, rib) put in a second straight day with a limited practice this week on Thursday. Kamara is battling through both a broken hand and broken ribs, but he remarkably hasn't missed any time in 2024. He's the RB2 in half-PPR scoring heading into Week 8, although he has disappointed each of the last two weeks with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler making his first two starts in the NFL. Kamara should be expected to suit up this Sunday, but fantasy managers should once again temper expectations with quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) set to miss his third straight game. Heavy volume will continue to give the 29-year-old a high floor in fantasy, but a bad matchup against the Chargers should drop Kamara to the RB2 tier. LA's defense has allowed the third-fewest half-PPR points to opposing RBs through six games.

From RotoBaller

Josh Reynolds Oct 24 5:40pm CT
Josh Reynolds

Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (arm, head, finger), who is currently on Injured Reserve due to a broken finger injury, was injured in a shooting on Oct. 18 in Denver after being followed from a strip club. Reynolds was shot twice, once in his left arm and once in the back of his head. "Josh Reynolds was a victim of a shooting on Friday in Denver and received treatment for minor injuries. Out of respect for the legal process, we will defer further comment on this matter to the authorities," the Broncos said in a statement. The 29-year-old is extremely lucky to come away with only minor injuries after being shot twice. He is eligible to return from IR in Week 10 against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, but his new injuries may push that timetable back. Reynolds is rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues and had 12 catches for 183 yards and a TD in his first five games with Denver.

From RotoBaller

Dalton Kincaid Oct 24 5:30pm CT
Dalton Kincaid

Buffalo Bills tight ends Dalton Kincaid (collarbone) and Dawson Knox (ankle) were both listed as limited practice participants on Thursday. Kincaid was wearing a non-contact jersey for the second straight day, while Knox made his return to practice after skipping Wednesday's session. Fantasy managers will want to check back for Buffalo's final injury report on Friday, but it's trending toward both Kincaid and Knox being active for the Bills for their Week 8 game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field this Sunday. Kincaid hasn't broken out yet in 2024 in his second season like many had expected, but he's still worth low-end TE1 consideration on a weekly basis because of the lack of depth at the TE position. He currently ranks as the TE13 in half-PPR scoring and will face a Seattle defense that has been a top-10 matchup for opposing TEs on a weekly basis through seven weeks.

From RotoBaller

Kareem Hunt Oct 24 5:30pm CT
Kareem Hunt

After a limited practice session on Wednesday to start the week, Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (hip) was a full-go in Thursday's practice. Hunt's return to a full practice should assure that he'll be active this Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium unless he suffers a setback on Friday. Isiah Pacheco (leg) remains on Injured Reserve, so the 29-year-old Hunt will remain the Chiefs' lead back this weekend in an excellent matchup. In a starting role in each of the team's last two games, Hunt has 49 total carries for 180 yards (3.67 yards per carry) and three touchdowns while adding three catches for 20 yards. Fantasy managers should consider him a must-start fantasy RB this weekend against a Raiders defense that has given up the ninth-most half-PPR points per game to the position this year.

From RotoBaller

Curtis Samuel Oct 24 5:20pm CT
Curtis Samuel

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (pectoral) was briefly present while the team stretched on Thursday, but he officially missed practice for the second straight day this week. Samuel injured his pectoral muscle in the win in Week 7 over the Tennessee Titans and is now firmly in danger of missing the Week 8 game this Sunday in Seattle against the Seahawks. The 28-year-old pass-catcher is going to need at least a limited practice on Friday to avoid being ruled out entirely this weekend. Even if Samuel is active against Seattle, fantasy managers should have better options for their flex spot. In seven games in his first year in Buffalo in 2024, Samuel hasn't been a big part of the team's passing attack, catching 12 of his 18 targets for 92 yards and no touchdowns. Newcomer Amari Cooper, Khalil Shakir and rookie Keon Coleman will continue to operate in starting three-wide sets for Buffalo.

From RotoBaller

Derek Carr Oct 24 5:10pm CT
Derek Carr

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) was not seen at Saints' practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. The Saints already announced this week that rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will make his third straight start this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8. Carr resumed throwing earlier this week, but he's not recovered enough from a left-oblique strain to take part in team practices. It remains to be seen if he can make enough progress next week in practice to make his return for a Week 9 date with the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Since Carr's injury, the Saints' offense has tanked under Rattler, although injuries to receivers Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) haven't helped. Rattler and the Saints' offense could have a tough time moving the ball once again this Sunday against a strong Chargers defense.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Oct 24 4:10pm CT
Chris Olave

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) was seen practicing again on Thursday according to Sean Fazende of FOX8. Olave returned to practice on Wednesday in a limited capacity. This is a great sign to see the wideout back at practice but he will need to pass concussion protocol before being able to return to game action. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the 24-year-old's status on Friday as he may carry an injury designation into the weekend. Olave has struggled with consistency this season as he eclipsed double-digit PPR points in three games but fell under 5.0 PPR points in the other three. However, if he suits up, he should be viewed as a solid WR2 facing the Los Angeles Chargers.

From RotoBaller

Jerome Ford Oct 24 4:00pm CT
Jerome Ford

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) did not practice again on Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday. Ford was unable to suit up last week due to this hamstring injury. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during Friday's practice. However, he will likely carry an injury designation into the weekend given that he has not been able to participate in any team practices this week. If Ford misses his second-straight game on Sunday, fantasy managers should expect Nick Chubb to lead the backfield with Pierre Strong and D'Onta Foreman serving as change of pace options.

From RotoBaller

Mason Rudolph Oct 24 3:50pm CT
Mason Rudolph

Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph saw the majority of first-team reps during Thursday's practice according to Jim Wyatt of the TennesseeTitans.com. Wyatt further noted that Will Levis (shoulder) is still dealing soreness. Fantasy managers in Superflex formats should expect Rudolph to get the starting nod once again this weekend. Last week, Rudolph had a modest performance against a tough Buffalo defense as he threw for 215 yards with a score and an interception. He added 13 yards on the ground. Rudolph should only be started in deeper Superflex formats facing a Detroit Lions defense who has allowed the 20th-most points to opposing QBs this season.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey Oct 24 3:40pm CT
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers Quentin Johnson (ankle) and Ladd McConkey (hip) remained sidelined during practice on Thursday. Both wideouts sat out during Wednesday's initial practice session as well. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor their status on Friday as they both could be in danger of missing Sunday's game. Johnson sat out during last Monday's game due to an ankle injury while McConkey is still battling a lingering hip injury. He was able to suit up in Week 7. If both wideouts are unable to play or limited during Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, Joshua Palmer and tight end Will Dissly should see an increase in targets.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Taylor Oct 24 3:30pm CT
Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) returned to full participation during Thursday's practice. This is a great sign for his potential status for this Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. The star running back has been sidelined since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 4. Fantasy managers should pay close attention his status during Friday's practice as he may carry an injury designation into the weekend. If Taylor suits up, he should be viewed as an RB1 in all formats facing a tough Houston Texans defense. If he misses his fourth-straight game, Tyler Goodson and Trey Sermon will likely share backfield duties once again.

From RotoBaller