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Bucs owners double hurricane-relief donation to $2M

Thu Oct 17 1:39pm ET
Field Level Media

The owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have increased their donation to nonprofit agencies that are leading hurricane-relief efforts to $2 million.

The club announced Thursday that the Glazer family added another $1 million donation in the wake of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on Oct. 9 along Florida's west coast. The family donated $1 million to support local agencies following Hurricane Helene earlier this month.

"The Tampa Bay region has experienced traumatic hardships caused by recent Hurricanes Milton and Helene and at times such as these, our community comes together to provide the support and resources that are desperately needed," the Glazers said in a team-released statement. "As we continue the tireless work of recovering from the devastation that so many have experienced, we are committed to supporting the local agencies that are providing crucial services to our neighbors in need. Despite the difficulties of recent weeks, our resilient Tampa Bay community will persevere and thrive once again."

Raymond James Stadium, where the Buccaneers play their home games, sustained only minor damage in Hurricane Milton. The home of the Tampa Bay Rays, Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, suffered significant damage, however.

The storm left the Tropicana Field roof in tatters and the stadium won't be totally repaired by Opening Day, the Tampa Bay Times reported this week.

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Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 7

Player Notes
James Cook Oct 17 1:40pm ET
James Cook

For the second straight day, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (toe) got some work in at practice on Thursday. Cook was also limited on Wednesday for the team's walkthrough after he missed Monday night's victory over the division-rival New York Jets. With the 25-year-old's status still unclear for Week 7 this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, Ray Davis was a popular waiver-wire pickup after impressing in the lead role in Week 6. The 24-year-old saw 20 carries for 97 rushing yards and caught all three of his targets for an additional 55 yards through the air. Cook will be Buffalo's lead back whenever he returns, but if he misses another game this weekend, Davis will basically be a must-start for fantasy managers after showing out on Monday night.

From RotoBaller

Josh Downs Oct 17 1:30pm ET
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Josh Downs (toe) are both practicing on Thursday after picking up DNP tags on Wednesday. Pittman and Downs both missed two practices last week and were up in the air to play in Week 6 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans, but they both suited up and found the end zone. Pittman said after Sunday's win that he could still land on Injured Reserve due to his back injury, but the fact he's practicing on Thursday this week is a good sign that he'll be ready to roll this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. However, Pittman played a season-low 80% of the offensive snaps last week and caught just three passes for 35 yards. With quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) looking likely to return this weekend, the bust potential for both Pittman and Downs will increase.

From RotoBaller

Trey Sermon Oct 17 1:30pm ET
Trey Sermon

After not practicing on Wednesday, Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon (knee) returned for Thursday's session. Sermon has operated as Indy's lead back the past two weeks with Jonathan Taylor (ankle) nursing a high-ankle sprain, and he could have that role again if Taylor is unable to return to practice this week. The 25-year-old found the end zone in Week 5 but accumulated only 67 rushing yards on 28 carries (2.39 yards per carry) in the starting role the last two weeks. The Colts' backfield is up in the air right now with Sermon and Taylor both being questionable to play. If neither of them can go, look for the Colts to split the backfield work between Tyler Goodson and Evan Hull. If Sermon plays again and Taylor doesn't he'll be an RB3/flex, at best, for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Harrison Jr. Oct 17 1:20pm ET
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed on Thursday that rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol, but he will do some things in the first practice of the week on Thursday. Harrison's status for the Week 7 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers is up in the air, but the good news is he'll have an extra day to progress through the protocol with the team playing on Monday night this week. It's also good news that the 22-year-old will be taking part in at least a limited practice. However, he'll need to progress through the protocol later this week and get clearance from an independent neurologist in order to play against the Bolts. If Harrison is not cleared, look for Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch and tight end Trey McBride to see more looks from quarterback Kyler Murray in a tough matchup.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Taylor Oct 17 1:20pm ET
Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is unsure if he'll be able to practice at all this week. Taylor said being able to do the necessary movements is the biggest hurdle for his return to game action for the Colts. The 25-year-old was unable to practice on Wednesday and has missed the last two games with a right high-ankle sprain. He's going to need to get back on the practice field this week in order to have a shot at playing in Week 7 versus the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Trey Sermon (knee), who has been underwhelming as the team's lead back the last two weeks with Taylor out, is also dealing with an injury now and could miss Sunday's game, which would push Tyler Goodson and Evan Hull into expanded workloads. Taylor was optimistic about his chances of returning in Week 7 earlier this week, but now he doesn't seem as certain.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Oct 17 1:10pm ET
Drake Maye

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said that he's "not concerned" about rookie quarterback Drake Maye's (knee) status for the Week 7 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Maye was on Wednesday's injury report as a full participant but went for an MRI exam on his knee after practice. "Looked good to me yesterday," Van Pelt said. We'll keep a close eye on Maye leading up to Sunday's contest across the pond, but all indications are that he'll be fine to make his second career start against a porous Jacksonville secondary. The 22-year-old had ups and downs in last week's blowout loss to the Houston Texans, going 20-for-33 for 243 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions while also losing a fumble. For fantasy purposes, he'll be a low-end QB2 with upside in a great matchup against the Jaguars.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Oct 17 1:10pm ET
Malik Nabers

New York Giants rookie first-round wide receiver Malik Nabers (concussion) will practice in full on Thursday as he works his way through the league's concussion protocol. Nabers will then meet with an independent neurologist later on Thursday if things go well to see if he can be cleared. The 21-year-old pass-catcher missed the last two weeks with a concussion but was limited in practice on Wednesday and looks to be on track to return in Week 7 against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. Nabers isn't out of the woods yet, but things are looking better for the weekend. If he's able to get the green light for Sunday's contest, he should be returned to all starting fantasy lineups after going for 35 receptions on 52 targets for 386 yards and three touchdowns in his first four NFL games. Quarterback Daniel Jones will surely be happy to see Nabers return.

From RotoBaller

Jamal Adams Oct 17 10:20am ET
Jamal Adams

The Tennessee Titans are honoring Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams' (hip) request for his release, according to a source. Adams is fully healthy and is now looking forward to another opportunity with a new team in 2024. The Titans placed Adams on the Non-Football Injury list last weekend due to a hip injury that he had been dealing with all season, but he's apparently recovered from that and is hoping to prove to other teams that he's ready to go. In addition to his injury, the 29-year-old three-time Pro Bowler was frustrated with his role in Tennessee in the three games that he played, seeing just 20 total defensive snaps. The former sixth overall pick by the New York Jets in 2017 out of LSU has battled injuries his entire career and hasn't played in a full season since 2018, his second year in the league.

From RotoBaller

Justin Fields Oct 17 10:10am ET
Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that quarterback Russell Wilson will be "in contention" to play and potentially start on Sunday night against the New York Jets. The Athletic's Mike DeFabo writes that Justin Fields, who has led the team to a 4-2 start while Wilson rehabbed a calf strain, could still reclaim the starting gig. And even if he doesn't, the Steelers could use both Wilson and Fields in certain packages on offense. There's no guarantee Wilson will be an obvious upgrade over Fields, and he'll need to prove himself, especially as a passer. One of the biggest risks in playing Wilson over Fields is the former's lack of mobility -- twice in the last five seasons Wilson has led the league in sacks. In terms of Week 7 if Wilson starts, the Jets have the third-most sacks (20) in the league and the fifth-highest pressure rate (39.8%). Wilson will be a low-end QB2, at best, in fantasy if he starts.

From RotoBaller

Mike Williams Oct 17 10:10am ET
Mike Williams

The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that the Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints are among a number of teams reaching out to the New York Jets about wide receiver Mike Williams, according to sources. Williams missed practice on Wednesday due to personal reasons but is back at the team's facility on Thursday. Right before the Jets acquired receiver Davante Adams from the Raiders this week, a report surfaced that the Jets were planning to trade Williams, who has just 10 catches for 145 yards and no TDs in six games with Gang Green after tearing his ACL in 2023. Williams spent the first seven years of his career with the Chargers, while the Steelers and Saints have obvious needs at the wideout position. A change of scenery for Williams at this point could do his fantasy value wonders the rest of the season.

From RotoBaller

Nick Chubb Oct 17 9:50am ET
Nick Chubb

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) is expected to return in Week 7 this Sunday against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals for the first time since suffering a gruesome knee injury in Week 2 of 2023, and ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi writes that a struggling Browns offense could look to lean on the ground game with Chubb returning. Cleveland ran for 100 yards for the third time this season and averaged 4.0 yards per carry in the Week 6 loss to the Eagles, and multiple players said that running the ball was a point of emphasis during weekly preparation. That should especially be the case with Chubb returning after the Browns traded receiver Amari Cooper to the Bills earlier this week. It's unclear how much of a workload Chubb will see immediately, but the good news is Browns RBs are averaging 4.3 yards per carry and 1.78 yards after contact per rush, which rank 16th and 19th, respectively.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Surtain II Oct 17 9:40am ET
Patrick Surtain II

The Denver Broncos defense/special teams unit is a must-start in fantasy for their Week 7 matchup on Thursday night against a New Orleans Saints offense that has been decimated by injuries. Not only is Saints quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) not expected to play, but their top two receivers -- Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) -- have been ruled out. Denver's top cornerback, Patrick Surtain II (concussion), won't play either, but the Broncos' defense should still be able to thrive against rookie QB Spencer Rattler, who turned the ball over three times and was sacked five times in his NFL debut in last week's blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Denver's D has been a top-five unit in total fantasy points, while the Saints have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to defenses in the last two weeks.

From RotoBaller

Wil Lutz Oct 17 9:30am ET
Wil Lutz

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz will be on the streaming radar in deeper fantasy leagues when he faces his old team, the New Orleans Saints, for a Thursday night matchup to kick off Week 7 action. Lutz had an expected dud in last week's loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, making just one field goal and one extra point. In six games in his second season in Denver, he's averaging 8.0 fantasy points per week, which ranks 15th among all kickers. The 30-year-old sits 10th in overall fantasy points and has attempted 14 field goals through six games, which is tied for seventh. The Broncos offense hasn't been anything special in 2024, but they should at least be able to give Lutz enough opportunities to make him a deep-league streamer against a Saints defense that is allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers this year.

From RotoBaller

Rashid Shaheed Oct 17 5:10am ET
Rashid Shaheed

The New Orleans Saints suffered an embarrassing defeat at home in Week 6, getting crushed 51-27 by their division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even though the defense was responsible for 45 of those points, a punt return touchdown by Rashid Shaheed (knee) and the team's three interceptions salvaged the day for fantasy players. The picks made it the sixth consecutive week to start the season with at least one interception and New Orleans now ranks fourth in total takeaways with 12. Things look better in Week 7, as the Saints face the Broncos to start the week's slate on Thursday night. Denver ranks as the eighth-lowest scoring team in 2024 and is tied for the fifth-fewest touchdowns (10). Add to that the Broncos' propensity to give the ball up (nine total turnovers so far in 2024) and there is hope for a solid outcome in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Carl Davis Oct 17 2:43am ET
Carl Davis

The Washington Commanders signed free-agent DT Carl Davis (Cowboys) to the practice squad on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

From TheHuddle

Cooper Kupp Oct 17 1:53am ET
Cooper Kupp

Updating previous reports, Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) is 'trending in the right direction' to return in Week 7, per head coach Sean McVay, who added he would feel confident in Kupp playing this Sunday if he's able to practice on Thursday, Oct. 17, and Friday, Oct. 18.

Fantasy Spin: Kupp had 14 catches in Week 1 and four in Week 2 before getting injured. If he's back in action, he should immediately return to your starting lineup.

From TheHuddle

Blake Grupe Oct 17 1:30am ET
Blake Grupe

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe made the most of the Week 6 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Grupe had a perfect day, hitting field goals from 29 and 42 yards out and converting all three of his extra point attempts in the 51-27 loss which resulted in his best fantasy score since Week 1. He is 10-for-10 on field goal attempts in 2024 though he has missed two extra points. The Saints open Week 7 with a Thursday night matchup against the Denver Broncos. The game is expected to be a low-scoring affair given Denver's defensive prowess and lack of firepower on offense. As such, Grupe's upside is limited in a game where scoring chances are expected to be few and far between. Grupe has not done enough this season to separate himself from the pack so fantasy managers should have no qualms about streaming another kicker in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Julian Love Oct 17 1:20am ET
Julian Love

The Seattle Seahawks placed starting safety Rayshawn Jenkins (hand) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday and signed safety Ty Okada off the practice squad to the active 53-man roster in a corresponding move. Jenkins, who currently ranks third on the team in tackles with 38, will now be required to miss at least the next four games. The earliest he'll be able to return will be in Week 12 against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals (Seattle is on bye in Week 10). Jenkins has played every snap on defense in 2024, so losing him will be a pretty big blow for the Seahawks' secondary going into their Week 7 game this Sunday versus the Atlanta Falcons. With Jenkins sidelined for the next four games, K'Von Wallace, Coby Bryant and Okada will be options to replace him alongside Julian Love.

From RotoBaller

Juwan Johnson Oct 17 1:20am ET
Juwan Johnson

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson caught all three of his targets in Week 6 for a season-best 48 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He started off the game with a 27-yard gain on a strike from quarterback Spencer Rattler, who was filling in for an injured Derek Carr (oblique) and will likely start again in Week 7. He also had a 30-yard catch-and-run negated by an illegal shift penalty in the third quarter. With Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) ruled out and Taysom Hill (ribs) doubtful for Thursday's game against the Denver Broncos, New Orleans will be short on experienced skill position players. Johnson's usage may very well then skew more towards route running than blocking as it did in Week 6 but even so he will be a risky play so early in the week. Denver has allowed just five passing touchdowns all year (two to tight ends), limiting Johnson's upside. Tight end streamers in deeper leagues might want to take a chance but managers in the typical 10 or 12-team formats can leave Johnson on the wire in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Mike Williams Oct 17 1:10am ET
Mike Williams

New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (personal) was absent from practice on Wednesday. Over the course of just a few days, Williams was publicly called out by Aaron Rodgers for running the wrong route and then subsequently knocked down a rung on the depth chart after the acquisition of Davante Adams. His relationship with the Jets is likely coming to a close amidst reports that the team will make him available prior to the 2024 NFL trade deadline. The 30-year-old has been relatively quiet this season, catching just 10 passes for 145 yards through six games. He can be avoided in most fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller