San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness) was sent to the hospital with fluid in his lungs and was diagnosed with pneumonia. Samuel played just four offensive snaps before leaving the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and never returning on Sunday, and Shanahan said there's no timetable for the 28-year-old's return, meaning he could miss the Week 8 contest against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Brandon Aiyuk tore his right ACL and MCL on Sunday and is out for the rest of the season. Jauan Jennings (hip) missed the Week 7 game, but he's expected to return this Sunday and could be quarterback Brock Purdy's WR1 if Samuel is out. Rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing and Ronnie Bell could also be thrust into bigger roles moving forward, pending the health of Samuel.

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that tight end George Kittle (foot) is day-to-day due to a foot sprain that he picked up in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Kittle broke a streak of four straight games with a touchdown but still had six receptions for a season-high 92 yards on Sunday. Receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is out for the year with a torn right ACL and MCL, while receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness) is currently in the hospital with pneumonia. It means that the 31-year-old Kittle could be quarterback Brock Purdy's favorite target once again if he's able to play in Week 8 on Sunday night in a great matchup against a banged-up Dallas Cowboys defense. Fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on Kittle's practice status this week, but if he's able to play on Sunday in primetime, he'll be a must-start, high-end TE1.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is out for the rest of the 2024 season after tearing both his right ACL and MCL in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. An MRI exam on Monday morning confirmed the team's fears of a season-ending injury to one of their top wideouts. Aiyuk had a notable offseason saga with the Niners when they couldn't come to an agreement on a long-term contract extension until Aug. 29, when they signed him to a four-year, $120 million deal. The former first-rounder was a complete bust this year in fantasy, catching only 25 passes for 374 yards and no TDs in his seven games. With Deebo Samuel Sr. dealing with pneumonia, Jauan Jennings (hip) suddenly will become a hot waiver-wire pickup this week, as well as rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall in deeper leagues.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Trey Palmer (concussion) cleared the league's concussion protocol and is officially active for the Week 7 contest on Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Palmer has already suffered two separate concussions this year and has missed the last two games as a result. The 23-year-old will be active on Monday night, but don't expect him to see the field all that much behind the likes of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, rookie Jalen McMillan and Sterling Shepard. Before the second-year pass-catcher's second concussion, he caught just four of his six targets for four yards and a touchdown in four games played for the Bucs. The sixth-round selection took on the No. 3 role in 2023 when Russell Gage was injured, but he's further down the receiver depth chart in Tampa in 2024.

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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.

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New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen said the plan is to stick with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler (hip) if Derek Carr (oblique) is unable to play in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Allen feels that Rattler has played well when he has been protected. Meanwhile, Carr had a throwing session on Monday and will have another on Tuesday as the team continues to evaluate him. The Saints pulled Rattler late in a blowout loss to the Denver Broncos last Thursday due to a hip-pointer injury, but he appears to be on track to play this weekend if Carr isn't cleared. The 24-year-old was dominated by a good Broncos defense last week and threw for 172 yards and no TDs while losing two fumbles. He's been sacked 11 times in his first two NFL starts and could be without top wideout Chris Olave (concussion) again this week. If Rattler makes a third straight start, he'll be a desperation low-end QB2 against the Bolts.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (foot) is officially active and will play on Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens. White will return to the field after missing the Week 6 win over the division-rival New Orleans Saints. While White was sidelined last week, rookie Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker took over the backfield and each going over 100 rushing yards, which could easily leave White as the odd-man out in what is becoming a three-headed committee backfield in Tampa. Head coach Todd Bowles said White, Irving and Tucker will all play when they are healthy, but the team could go with the hot-hand approach, making it very frustrating for fantasy managers to decide who to play on a weekly basis. White averaged only 3.7 yards per carry on his 51 rushing attempts through five games and now figures to have a much smaller role moving forward as long as Irving and Tucker stay healthy.

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The Miami Dolphins placed wide receiver Braxton Berrios (knee) on Injured Reserve on Monday, which means he'll have to miss at least the next four games. Berrios will go on IR after injuring his knee in the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The earliest that the 29-year-old can return would be for a Week 12 matchup against the division-rival New England Patriots. Berrios wasn't on the fantasy radar to begin with, as he was unable to haul in any of the four targets he saw in six games played this year. The Dolphins will move forward with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr. and Malik Washington as their four receivers. With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) potentially returning in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals, the fantasy value of both Hill and Waddle is about to get a shot in the arm.

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Veteran free-agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling signed an undisclosed deal with the New Orleans Saints on Monday, according to sources. It's a bit surprising that the Chiefs didn't lure Valdes-Scantling back given all their injuries at the receiver position, but New Orleans has needs of their own at the position after they lost deep threat Rashid Shaheed (knee) to a torn meniscus last week. In addition, Chris Olave (concussion) could be in danger of missing a second straight game in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. If Olave doesn't clear the concussion protocol in time to play this Sunday, MVS will likely just be serving as receiving depth behind rookies Mason Tipton and Bub Means and Cedrick Wilson Jr. The Buffalo Bills released MVS after he caught only two of his nine targets for 26 yards in six games to begin this season.

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The Los Angeles Rams listed wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) as a full participant on Monday's estimated practice report ahead of their Week 8 game this Thursday night against the Minnesota Vikings. The Rams fully expect Kupp to play on Thursday night for the first time since spraining his ankle in Week 2, but head coach Sean McVay said that Kupp's workload in his first game back is "to be determined." It will likely depend on good the 31-year-old veteran wideout looks over the next couple of days in practice. And even then, Kupp will carry a decent amount of risk in his first game back. Before his injury, Kupp was looking more like the version of himself that won Offensive Player of the Year in 2021, catching 18 of his 27 targets for 147 yards and a touchdown. With Puka Nacua (knee) still on Injured Reserve, too, Kupp should be heavily targeted whenever he is on the field.

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Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) was listed as limited on Monday's estimated practice report. The team didn't actually hold a practice a day after their first loss of the 2024 season as they prepare to take on the Los Angeles Rams this Thursday night. Jones suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 5 win over the New York Jets in London and had the bye in Week 6 to heal up before returning in the Week 7 loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions. His hamstring looked just fine on Sunday, as he carried the ball 14 times for 93 yards and a touchdown while adding three catches for 23 yards. Barring a setback, the 29-year-old should be ready to rock this Thursday against a Rams defense that has allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to RBs the last three weeks. Jones should be started on Thursday as long as he doesn't suffer a setback in practice.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (knee) suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain in the Week 7 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday and is now being considered "week-to-week," according to a source. Metcalf left Sunday's game in the fourth quarter and was seen trying to test his knee out on the sideline before eventually shutting it down and heading to the locker room with a trainer. The 26-year-old did some damage for his fantasy managers before leaving, though, catching four passes for 99 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. If Metcalf is unable to play in Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills, hopefully he'll be ready for a Week 9 tilt against the Los Angeles Rams. Seattle has a bye in Week 10. If Metcalf misses any time, both Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett would immediately become much more attractive in starting fantasy lineups.

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Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) was listed as limited on Monday's estimated practice report. The Vikings didn't hold an official practice heading into Thursday night's clash against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8. Hockenson continues to work his way back from a torn ACL late last year, but head coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn't say on Monday if Hockenson will be activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list in time to be active for Thursday's game. Even if Hockenson is activated and suits up on Thursday, it would be surprising if the 27-year-old wasn't eased into action in his season debut. However, he should be rostered in all fantasy formats by now and could quickly become a strong TE1 option in fantasy after going for career-highs in catches (95) and receiving yards 960 with five touchdowns in 15 games in 2023 in his first year in Minnesota.

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Tests confirmed on Monday that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to sources. Aiyuk got sandwiched between two defenders during a hard collision on Sunday, with one hit going low and bending his knee backward in ugly fashion on Sunday. The 49ers feared a torn ACL, which could make it difficult for the 26-year-old to be ready for the start of the 2025 season. Jauan Jennings (hip) was out with an injury on Sunday, and Deebo Samuel Sr. only played three snaps due to illness, leaving tight end George Kittle to lead a decimated wideout corps that featured rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing catching their first NFL passes. Jennings, who could return in Week 8, should be a top waiver-wire priority this week with Aiyuk done for the rest of the season.

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New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen said that he thinks there's a chance that tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) can play on Sunday in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Hill is dealing with fractured ribs and hasn't played for the Saints since Week 4. The 34-year-old Swiss Army knife of an offensive weapon could return this weekend, but he'll need to prove he's ready in practices this week. It's possible that Hill could have an expanded role in the backfield, and perhaps even under center for some plays, if quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) isn't ready to return in Week 8. However, fantasy managers can't bank on that kind of role from a player whose involvement is already unpredictable. In his three games in 2024, Hill has 14 carries for 77 yards and two TDs while catching only two passes for two yards. If Hill returns in Week 8, he'll be an extremely volatile flex play or TE2.

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Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels (ribs) left Sunday's Week 7 blowout win over the Carolina Panthers early in the first half due to an injury to his ribs. While his injury isn't considered serious, Daniels will require treatment and monitoring throughout the week, according to sources, making him up in the air for Week 8 versus the Chicago Bears. The 23-year-old went for testing on his ribs when he left the game on Sunday and was due for more testing on Monday. While we don't know the exact nature of the injury to his ribs, it doesn't seem serious enough to land him on Injured Reserve, which would knock him out for at least four games. Daniels has been a must-start QB1 in fantasy as one of the best dual threats at the position early in his career, but managers may be forced to go elsewhere this week if the Commanders play it safe and hold him out. We'll know more in a few days.

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Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison was much more efficient than usual in Week 7 in the 15-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Mattison rushed 23 times for 92 yards and caught all three of his targets for 31 yards, giving him 15.3 PPR fantasy points on the day. He took the vast majority of the RB workload. The sixth-year pro was much more involved in the offense than fellow RB Zamir White (groin) who was in his first game back from injury. It appears that the former Minnesota Viking could dominate RB touches in the future, but he also averaged under three yards per carry in four games this season. The Rams defense is also very weak, so the matchup was soft. The Raiders will face the Kansas City Chiefs and their formidable run defense in Week 8. Mattison is a risky FLEX option in deeper leagues. Las Vegas' depleted offense could have difficulty doing much of anything.

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Per head coach Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is still in the league's concussion protocol, as Matthew Paras of the Saints reported. There is still a chance that the 24-year-old is active for the Saints' Week 8 road tilt against the Los Angeles Chargers. Still, seeing him progress through the process a bit more expedited would have been more encouraging. It's in stark contrast to what rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. has experienced -- suffering a concussion on the same Sunday afternoon yet gaining clearance to play a whole week sooner (albeit for a Monday Night Football matchup. Olave must still be cleared to play by an independent neurologist before being deemed active for the outing against LA. With quarterback Derek Carr's (oblique) status uncertain and the loss of WR Rashid Shaheed (knee) for the remainder of the season, it'd be an enormous boost for the Saints' offense to regain their star wideout.

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According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (hamstring) expects to suit up for his team's matchup on Monday Night Football. It's fantastic news for the Bucs, as they'll need all the help they can get against the league's top rushing offense in the Baltimore Ravens. Vea was a late addition to Tampa Bay's injury report with a hamstring issue, but he'll give it a go in what projects to be an exciting matchup of 4-2 teams. The 29-year-old is one of the premiere space-eaters in the league and has recorded a sack in three straight contests. He'll look to keep that streak going in the first game of the Monday Night Football doubleheader. With a fairly new injury designation, it's possible his snaps are limited. If that's the case, teammate Greg Gaines would likely see an uptick in usage.

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As reported by Kevin Bowen of 'The Fan,' Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen is "very optimistic" that running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will return to action in Week 8. It's excellent news for the Colts and fantasy managers, as Taylor has been shelved since Week 4 when he picked up an ankle sprain in the team's 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It'd be nice to see him return to practice -- something he hasn't done in quite some time -- but it's an encouraging statement from his head coach. Steichen noted that defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (ankle) will also return this week. Even if Taylor is active, it's fair to wonder about his workload and effectiveness coming off an injury that can sap a player's juice for a bit. However, he is one of the most dynamic backs in the league and should immediately slide back in as the Colts' RB1. Indianapolis will take on their division-rival Houston Texans this Sunday, and the 25-year-old struggled against them back in Week 1, averaging three yards per carry on his 16 rush attempts (48 yards) and scoring a touchdown.

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