Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
With Calvin Ridley officially ruled out for Week 9 due to a hamstring injury, rookie wide receiver Elic Ayomanor is expected to step up as one of the Tennessee Titans' top two wideouts against the Chargers. Ayomanor, along with fellow rookie Chimere Dike, will be relied upon to lead the receiving corps, with both currently projected in low WR4 territory in Week 9 rankings.
Rookie wide receiver Chimere Dike is anticipated to be one of the Tennessee Titans' top two wide receivers for their Week 9 matchup against the Chargers. This increased role comes as Calvin Ridley has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Dike, alongside Elic Ayomanor, will be tasked with leading the receiving corps, and both rookies are currently ranked in low WR4 territory for Week 9.
New England Patriots starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson has been ruled out for Sunday's game due to a toe injury. The Patriots will be without Stevenson's services in Week 9, impacting their offensive game plan.
Following the Miami Dolphins' 28-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and the subsequent departure of GM Chris Grier, analyst Colin Cowherd has openly questioned the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the team. Cowherd suggested it might be time for the Dolphins to consider parting ways with Tagovailoa, alongside head coach Mike McDaniel, as the franchise faces potential significant changes.
Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson is set to serve as the New England Patriots' lead back for Sunday's game against the Falcons. This increased opportunity comes as Rhamondre Stevenson has been ruled out with a toe injury. Henderson, along with Terrell Jennings, will be the only two active running backs. Despite the Patriots' previous hesitation to give Henderson a large workload, he is now projected to receive 12 or more touches, with a potential ceiling approaching 20. He is considered a moderate-risk, high-reward RB2 option for Week 9.
Jonathan Ward is currently on the New England Patriots' practice squad. His presence offers depth for the team's running back position, especially with Rhamondre Stevenson sidelined for Week 9 due to a toe injury. Ward, alongside D’Ernest Johnson and Rushawn Baker, is available as a practice squad option for the Patriots.
Rushawn Baker is currently a member of the New England Patriots' practice squad. His status is noted as the team faces a depleted running back corps for Week 9, with Rhamondre Stevenson ruled out due to a toe injury. Baker, along with D’Ernest Johnson and Jonathan Ward, provides potential depth for the Patriots' running back position, should further roster moves be necessary.
Terrell Jennings is positioned as one of the two active running backs for the New England Patriots in Sunday's game against the Falcons. His elevated role comes due to the absence of Rhamondre Stevenson, who is sidelined with a toe injury. Jennings will provide depth alongside TreVeyon Henderson, who is expected to take on the primary ball-carrying duties for Week 9.
San Francisco 49ers safety Malik Mustapha lauded the team's cautious rehabilitation approach following a serious knee injury suffered during his rookie season, which he says protected him from his own eagerness to return. After missing the first five games, Mustapha's workload has steadily increased, playing 21 snaps in Week 6, 45 in Week 7, and 80 in Week 8. Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed this gradual ramp-up was intentional to ensure a safe return without re-injury risk. Mustapha, who found the rehab limitations frustrating, is now fully cleared and preparing to face dynamic Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, emphasizing strong defensive play.
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 9 game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a calf injury, marking his third consecutive missed game. Head coach Sean McDermott confirmed the news during his weekly interview with WGR550, noting that Jones has not practiced all week. This season, Jones has recorded eight total tackles and 2.0 sacks in five games, following a 2024 season where he started 16 games for the Bills.
Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins is fully embracing the significance of this week's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He openly admitted that the upcoming showdown is "more than just another game," emphasizing the historical context between the two teams. Dawkins is not shying away from the magnitude of this highly anticipated battle.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston is categorized as a "Red Light" for Week 9 fantasy football. His role in the Chargers' passing game has reportedly downshifted to the No. 4 option, especially after rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II has "spread his wings." There's also a possibility the Chargers might lean on the run game and run out the clock in the second half against a lesser opponent, further limiting Johnston's potential targets.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer will not play in Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Coach Sean McDermott confirmed on Friday that Palmer, who is dealing with knee and ankle injuries, will be sidelined. This update was reported by Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site.
Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has signed a significant four-year, $180 million contract extension this week, ensuring his long-term future with the team. Head coach Dan Campbell expressed unwavering confidence in Hutchinson, stating, "He's everything we're about. He's a productive player in all areas. He's smart, he's instinctive, he plays all out all the time, from snap to whistle. He's us, man." Campbell added that securing the deal was a "no-brainer." A local product from Plymouth, Michigan, who played at the University of Michigan, Hutchinson is now poised to potentially spend his entire NFL career with the Lions.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has agreed to a record-breaking extension, securing a staggering $60 million per year. This deal places him at the forefront of NFL quarterback salaries, reflecting the league's trend of escalating contracts for top signal-callers. Prescott's extension is a prime example of teams investing heavily to secure their franchise quarterback, even as the floor for such deals continues to rise.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is in a contract year, presenting a significant challenge for fantasy football dynasty managers attempting to assess his long-term value. As players in contract years often face uncertainty regarding their future team and role, Pitts' situation makes him a difficult asset to evaluate for dynasty leagues, requiring careful consideration of his potential keep, trade, or cut status.
In the Miami Dolphins' Thursday night game against the Baltimore Ravens, running back De'Von Achane led the team in targets with 10. This high target volume contributed to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle's nine targets, which ranked second on the team. The Dolphins struggled offensively, scoring only six points in the contest.
Despite the Miami Dolphins managing only six points in their Thursday night loss to the Baltimore Ravens, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had a notable fantasy performance. Waddle caught six of his nine targets for 82 receiving yards. He nearly added another 36-yard reception, but it was nullified by a tripping penalty on running back Ollie Gordon. Waddle accounted for 31% of the Dolphins' total receiving yardage in the game. His nine targets ranked second only to running back De'Von Achane's 10 targets, representing a 22.5% target share.
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews was a key target for quarterback Lamar Jackson in Thursday night's win against the Miami Dolphins. Andrews scored the first two of Jackson's four touchdowns in the game. His first touchdown was a two-yard reception in the back of the end zone on fourth-and-goal during the first quarter. He later capitalized on a defensive miscommunication to work open for a 20-yard touchdown in the second quarter. These were Andrews' only two catches of the night, as his third and final target was incomplete.
Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar was a recipient of one of Lamar Jackson's four touchdown passes in their Thursday night game against the Dolphins. Kolar scored in the third quarter, extending Baltimore's lead. This score was part of a dominant offensive performance by the Ravens, who secured a substantial lead by the end of the third quarter.
