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FFL: Week 8 | NFL: Week 8

Browns zap QB Bailey Zappe from KC practice squad

Tue Oct 22 2:14pm ET
Field Level Media

Bailey Zappe was added to a convoluted quarterback picture in Cleveland on Tuesday as the Browns chart a course on offense without Deshaun Watson.

The Browns signed Zappe off of the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad and he's the only quarterback in the rearranged quarterback room in Cleveland who is thought to be fully healthy.

Zappe made eight career starts with the New England Patriots, including a win over the Browns in Cleveland in 2022 when he passed for a career-high 309 yards and had two TD passes. He was a fourth-round pick in 2022 and has 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions in 14 appearances.

Watson is out for the season due to a season-ending Achilles injury suffered last week against Cincinnati. Dorian Thompson-Robinson replaced Watson last week but exited with a finger injury. Jameis Winston would become the starter if Thompson-Robinson is unavailable with Zappe as the backup. Thompson-Robinson was 11 of 24 with two interceptions before leaving the game.

Winston entered the game on the final drive of the Week 7 loss to the Bengals with just under four minutes remaining. He threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Njoku with 1:27 remaining, then connected with Cedric Tillman for the two-point conversion.

Winston was the No. 3 quarterback last week for the first time after serving as Watson's backup for the first six weeks of the regular season.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 8

Player Notes
Hunter Renfrow Oct 22 1:40pm CT
Hunter Renfrow

Free-agent wide receiver Hunter Renfrow has been unsigned all season following his final year with the Las Vegas Raiders which saw him catch 25 passes for 255 yards and no touchdowns in 2023. The former Clemson wideout posted 1,038 receiving yards in 2021 but battled through injuries in 2022 and never returned to form. Renfrow's name came up as a potential target for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the team lost Chris Godwin (ankle) to a serious ankle injury. However, Bucs insider Greg Auman checked on the situation and said he'd classify Renfrow as "retired" rather than "unsigned." Renfrow has not formally announced his retirement, but it could explain why he has not joined an organization in any capacity this season. If Renfrow has played his last snap in the NFL, he will finish with a total of 269 catches for 2,884 yards and 17 touchdowns across 73 career games.

From RotoBaller

Michael Wilson Oct 22 1:30pm CT
Michael Wilson

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson caught just one pass for 15 yards in Monday's 17-15 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers have one of the best pass defenses in the NFL, and that showed on Monday night as the Cardinals' wide receiver group couldn't get much going. Wilson was targeted three times and drew a crucial pass interference penalty but could only bring in one of the passes. While Wilson is a fringe roster candidate in fantasy, some managers may use this performance as a reason to drop the second-year wide receiver. However, the Cardinals' schedule does lighten up after this game, and he may be a player you don't want to let your league mates pick up. With the Cardinals traveling to Miami to face the Dolphins, Wilson remains a potential streaming option in that matchup.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Oct 22 1:30pm CT
Justin Herbert

Arizona Cardinals DST had a statement performance in Monday's 17-15 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are known for having one of the best-rushing attacks in the NFL, but Arizona out-physical the Chargers' front, limiting running back J.K. Dobbins to just 40 rushing yards. The Cardinals' defense also did not surrender a single touchdown, holding the Chargers to five field goals. They recovered two fumbles and sacked Justin Herbert three times. With Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) likely returning to the lineup for the Dolphins in their matchup against the Cardinals in Week 8, Arizona may not be a strong add this week. However, the schedule does lighten up, and managers might want to keep the Cardinals' defense on their radar if they can produce more performances as they did on Monday night.

From RotoBaller

Chad Ryland Oct 22 1:30pm CT
Chad Ryland

Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland drilled his only attempt, which was the 32-yard game-winning field goal for the Cardinals on Monday night. Ryland also hit two extra points to go along with the game-winning field goal. This was a grinding matchup between two offenses that played at a slower pace, and the Cardinals' offense didn't find themselves in a field goal situation until the end of the game, limiting Ryland's opportunities. With the Cardinals' offense still struggling to find consistency, Ryland doesn't yet crack the list of fantasy-relevant kickers. However, the Cardinals will face some mid- to lower-tier defenses in the coming weeks, which could make Ryland a potential streaming option in the future.

From RotoBaller

Bryce Young Oct 22 1:30pm CT
Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young was benched for veteran Andy Dalton after just two games in 2024, and he has remained the backup despite the Panthers' struggles in recent weeks. Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has thrown for just 3,176 yards 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions through his first 20 NFL games. He has compiled a 2-16 record as a starter. While Carolina has not suggested Young is on the trade block, Dianna Russini of The Athletic said she thinks other organizations could be interested in acquiring him. "I think there's a lot of coaches and GMs out there kind of licking their chops going 'maybe we can do something with him'," Russini said. This is an early report, but it puts Young on the radar as a potential trade target worth monitoring. We've seen several highly-drafted quarterbacks dealt in recent seasons, so Young being moved is not completely off the table.

From RotoBaller

Trey McBride Oct 22 1:20pm CT
Trey McBride

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride continues to be the top target in the team's passing offense in Monday's 17-15 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. McBride logged five catches for 51 yards on a team-leading seven targets on Monday night. He has become the team's most dependable target in crucial moments and clearly has the trust of quarterback Kyler Murray. While McBride is still looking to receive more red zone targets and gain more touchdown upside, his target share keeps him at the top of fantasy tight end rankings. The Cardinals travel to Miami next week to take on the Dolphins, and McBride should remain a lock for starting lineups in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Greg Dortch Oct 22 1:20pm CT
Greg Dortch

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch caught the team's first touchdown on a five-yard out-route in the 17-15 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. It was his only catch of the game, as Dortch was targeted just twice in Monday's victory. After being announced as the team's primary slot receiver going into the season and following a solid Week 1 performance, Dortch has not lived up to the production that some expected. The Cardinals also returned wide receiver Zay Jones from suspension, which impacted Dortch's snap count. Although he was able to find the end zone, his role may not have the potential to be fantasy-relevant. The Cardinals will travel to Miami to face the Dolphins in Week 8, and Dortch is likely not an option for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Parris Campbell Oct 22 1:20pm CT
Parris Campbell

The Philadelphia Eagles are releasing wide receiver Parris Campbell on Tuesday, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The 27-year-old signed a one-year deal this offseason to join the organization, but his time in Philly ends after just four contests. He caught just six passes for 30 yards and a touchdown through Week 7. The Eagles' wide receiver room is headlined by A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and the team traded for Jahan Dotson just before the start of the 2024 campaign. Wide receivers Britain Covey (shoulder) and Ainias Smith (ankle) could be activated from Injured Reserve soon, but neither is on the fantasy football radar unless Brown, Smith, or both get banged up.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Kupp Oct 22 1:00pm CT
Cooper Kupp

The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that the Los Angeles Rams have called multiple teams about possibly trading former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp (ankle), according to sources. The Rams have indicated a willingness to take on some of Kupp's 2024 salary and are looking for a second-round draft selection in return. Kupp suffered an ankle sprain in Week 2 and hasn't played since, but he's expected to return for LA's Week 8 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings this Thursday night. The 31-year-old veteran was also looking more like the Offensive Player of the Year he was in 2021 in his first two games with 18 catches for 147 yards and one touchdown before his injury. The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the most banged-up teams at the receiver position, so they could make the most sense if the Rams are indeed dangling Kupp. Stay tuned.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Harrison Jr. Oct 22 12:50pm CT
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. caught just three of his six targets in the Week 7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Harrison Jr's official stat line was three catches for 21 yards. He seems to be out of sync with the Cardinals' offense over the last couple of weeks. At times on the field, he appears disengaged and not consistently targeted. The usage of wide receivers in the Cardinals' offense may be alarming for fantasy managers, but Harrison Jr. is not someone to remove from your fantasy team. The Cardinals will travel to Miami next week to face the Dolphins, and Harrison Jr. will likely still be a starter in fantasy. However, fantasy managers may want to explore other options until some consistency is established.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Watson Oct 22 12:30pm CT
Jaylen Watson

Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Jaylen Watson (ankle) will have surgery in the coming days to fix a broken fibula-tibia after tests confirmed the serious injury, according to sources. There's an outside chance that Watson could return for a late-season playoff push, but his season could very well be over. In a best-case scenario, the 26-year-old might be able to return if the Chiefs make a third straight trip to the Super Bowl early in 2025. It's a big blow for Kansas City's secondary, as Watson had essentially become an every-snap starter on the outside this year before getting hurt in the Week 7 win over the San Francisco 49ers. The former seventh-rounder in 2022 had recorded 32 tackles (21 solo) and six pass breakups in his six games this year. Expect both Nazeeh Johnson and Joshua Williams to take on bigger roles with Watson now out the rest of the way.

From RotoBaller

Micah Parsons Oct 22 12:20pm CT
Micah Parsons

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday that defensive end Micah Parsons (ankle) and cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) will be game-time decisions on Sunday night in Week 8 for a showdown against the San Francisco 49ers. Parsons has missed the last two games with a high-ankle sprain, while Bland has not yet played in 2024 due to his foot ailment. Bland has been practicing with the team since being designated to return from Injured Reserve a couple weeks ago. Coming off their bye after being blown out by the Detroit Lions in Week 6, the Cowboys defense would be much more appealing as a fantasy unit if both Parsons and Bland are available against a 49ers offense that continues to be decimated by injuries to their key playmakers. While both Parsons and Bland appear to be making progress, there's no guarantee they'll actually play in Week 8.

From RotoBaller

Cordarrelle Patterson Oct 22 12:20pm CT
Cordarrelle Patterson

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) is positioning himself to potentially return for the Week 8 contest on Monday night against the visiting New York Giants, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. Patterson missed his third straight game when he was ruled inactive for the Sunday night win over the New York Jets in Week 7, but the 33-year-old veteran appears to have a shot at returning next Monday if he can make progress in practice this week. Even if he's able to return to face the Giants on Monday night, Patterson will be Pittsburgh's RB3, at best, behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, who saw more involvement in quarterback Russell Wilson's first start on Sunday night. Patterson has only 16 carries for 92 yards and five catches for 34 yards in his first year with the Steelers through four games played.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Oct 22 12:10pm CT
Chris Olave

NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill writes that New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) could be back with the team for their Week 8 contest on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Olave suffered a concussion in the Week 6 loss to the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was unable to gain clearance to play in last Thursday night's loss to the Denver Broncos. The 24-year-old former first-rounder is still in the league's concussion protocol, though, so he'll need to improve this week before hoping to gain clearance from an independent neurologist later in the week. Fantasy managers shouldn't consider Olave a lock at all to return against LA. And with Rashid Shaheed (knee) done for the year, the Saints could be forced to use rookies Mason Tipton and Bub Means and Cedrick Wilson Jr. in three-wide sets again this weekend if Olave misses a second straight game.

From RotoBaller

Bailey Zappe Oct 22 12:10pm CT
Bailey Zappe

The Cleveland Browns signed quarterback Bailey Zappe off the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad on Tuesday, according to sources. Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is out for the year after tearing his Achilles in the Week 7 loss to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, while Dorian Thompson-Robinson's (finger) status for the Week 8 game against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens is also up in the air. With DTR's status unknown, veteran Jameis Winston could start this Sunday against the Ravens, with Zappe backing him up if Thompson-Robinson is inactive. The 25-year-old Zappe was cut by the New England Patriots in training camp but quickly latched onto the Chiefs' practice squad. The former fourth-rounder could be one more injury away from making another start after he threw for 1,272 yards, six touchdowns and nine picks in 10 games (six starts) in 2023 for New England.

From RotoBaller

Joey Bosa Oct 22 11:10am CT
Joey Bosa

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.

Vita Vea Oct 22 11:10am CT
Vita Vea

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.

Mike Evans Oct 22 10:10am CT
Mike Evans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on Tuesday morning on his injured right hamstring, and his timeline for a return is to be determined. Meanwhile, Chris Godwin (ankle) needs surgery for a dislocated ankle he suffered in the Monday night loss to the Baltimore Ravens and is expected to miss the rest of the year. Evans was already battling a hamstring injury going into the Week 7 game and appeared to aggravate it as he nearly caught his second touchdown pass of the night midway through the second quarter. The 31-year-old looked to be in a lot of pain and immediately grabbed at his hammy before eventually limping to the locker room and quickly being ruled out for the rest of the game. Fantasy managers should consider Evans very iffy to play in Week 8 against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons until we know more about his injury.

From RotoBaller

Sean Tucker Oct 22 10:00am CT
Sean Tucker

With Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White back from injury in the Monday night loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Sean Tucker worked as the team's clear No. 3 behind White and rookie Bucky Irving. Tucker had five carries (four fewer than Irving and five fewer than White) for 29 yards (5.8 yards per carry) and caught one of his two targets in the passing game for a nine-yard pickup. The 22-year-old second-year back was a popular waiver-wire pickup last week after going for a season-high 14 carries, 136 rushing yards and one touchdown while adding three catches for 56 yards and another score in the Week 6 win over the division-rival New Orleans Saints when White was sidelined. Tucker should remain involved in what has become a three-headed backfield, but it will only be in a complementary role as long as both White and Irving stay healthy.

From RotoBaller

Jalen McMillan Oct 22 9:50am CT
Jalen McMillan

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan had only four touches in Monday night's 41-31 loss at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, but his production should be on the uptick soon after Tampa's top two wideouts -- Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) -- both went down with injuries. Godwin is expected to miss the rest of the season. McMillan caught three of eight targets for 15 yards receiving and had one carry for a gain of 11 yards. Although the 22-year-old wasn't efficient with his eight looks, which were third on the team, his inevitable role increase should make him a popular waiver-wire target this week, at least in deeper fantasy leagues. Through his first five NFL games, McMillan has caught six of 15 targets for 74 yards and one score. Veteran Sterling Shepard also figures to see a big role boost with both Evans and Godwin hurt.

From RotoBaller