Fantasy Football News

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (hamstring) was not at practice on Tuesday, which represents a second straight missed practice after he was listed as a DNP on Monday's estimated practice report. After apparently getting hurt in the Week 9 blowout win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Likely is dealing with a hamstring injury that could keep him out of Thursday night's divisional battle against the Cincinnati Bengals. The 24-year-old will likely need to practice on Wednesday to avoid being ruled out entirely. After a 100-yard performance and a score in the season opener, Likely has failed to come anywhere close to that production since and has seen Mark Andrews become a much bigger contributor at the position. Even if Likely returns to practice on Wednesday and is active on Thursday night, he won't be a recommended fantasy play in Week 10.

Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard (quad) is being placed on Injured Reserve, forcing him to miss at least the next four games. In a corresponding move, the team signed free-agent kicker John Parker Romo. Reichard, a rookie sixth-round pick out of Alabama, was a perfect 14 of 14 on his field goal attempts before missing two kicks in the Sunday Night Football victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Evidently, his injury is somewhat to blame, and he will now be sidelined for the next stretch of games. Romo has not attempted a kick in the NFL, but he made 17 of his 19 field goal tries with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL in 2023.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading for Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Preston Smith, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. The 2015 second-round pick by the Washington Redskins has spent the last six years with the Packers and has collected at least eight sacks in each of the last three seasons. Smith is set to join a talented outside linebacker room headlined by T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, who combined for 26 sacks in 2023. The Steelers also acquired Mike Williams on Tuesday, so it's evident the team is looking to set up for a legitimate playoff run after several years without a postseason victory.

The Tennessee Titans are not looking to trade All-Pro defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, according to NFL insider Dianna Russini. Russini said one team called Tennessee just to see if he was available, and the answer was a firm "no." The 2019 first-round pick has been in some trade rumors as the Titans stare down a lost season, but the two-time Pro Bowler is not expected to be moved. Simmons will have two more years on his four-year, $94 deal after this season wraps up. He has totaled 259 tackles and 29.5 sacks through his first 75 career games.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (back, knee) is not practicing on Tuesday leading up to the Thursday Night Football contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. Jackson did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday last week and was listed with back and knee injuries but returned to full practice on Friday before posting a perfect passer rating and three touchdowns in Sunday's win over the Denver Broncos. The team might just be managing Jackson's workload as the season reaches the second half of the year, but fantasy managers should monitor his status and see if he carries an injury designation on Wednesday's final injury report. When active, the two-time MVP is a clear must-start in all matchups.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were interested in trading for New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton ahead of the NFL trade deadline, but the organization sent a fifth-round pick to acquire New York Jets wideout Mike Williams instead. According to Jeremy Fowler, the Giants value Slayton and likely had a higher asking price or were not interested in trading him altogether. It appears Slayton could remain with the G-Men despite trade rumors circulating. The 27-year-old has racked up 32 receptions for 469 yards and one touchdown in 2024. Assuming he remains in New York, he'll continue to be a low-end flex play in favorable matchups for WRs. However, Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson have been the clear No. 1 and No. 2 options in Daniel Jones' passing game.

The Cleveland Browns released veteran defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. The 31-year-old appeared in five games for the Browns this season, totaling six tackles and one sack. Jefferson has spent time with six NFL organizations and has compiled 198 tackles, 27.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and 15.5 run stuffs in 108 career games. There might be interest around the league for his services, as defensive line depth has become more of a focal point.

Buffalo Bills safety Mike Edwards is being released per his request on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. The team is shopping him ahead of the Tuesday 4 PM trade deadline, but if a deal isn't reached, he will be let go. Edwards, a two-time Super Bowl Champion, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft and spent four seasons with Tampa before one season in Kansas City. He signed with Buffalo this offseason but has played just seven defensive snaps this year. Most teams could use help in the secondary, so expect the veteran to land somewhere in short order.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading for New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams, according to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team. New York will get a fifth-round pick in return. The Steelers have been active in wide receiver trade talks, as the team lacks depth behind No. 1 wide receiver George Pickens. Meanwhile, the Williams-Jets pairing has not worked out, and Davante Adams took over his role in the offense after being dealt from Las Vegas. Williams, a former first-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017, has hauled in just 12 receptions for 166 yards in nine games this season. He will provide depth for Pittsburgh and could have a few spike weeks with Russell Wilson under center, but it would be a surprise if he becomes a consistent fantasy football producer at this stage in his career.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Washington Commanders are acquiring defensive back Marshon Lattimore and a fifth-round pick from the New Orleans Saints. The Commanders will send a third-, fourth-, and sixth-round pick in exchange. Lattimore will join a Washington team that is currently 7-2 and shaping up to be a legit contender this season with rookie Jayden Daniels and newly hired head coach Dan Quinn at the helm. The New Orleans have lost seven straight games and will now focus on rebuilding their roster. Through seven games this season, the four-time Pro Bowler has tallied 30 tackles (22 solo), eight assists, and two pass deflections. Lattimore should be expected to move to the top of the depth chart in the DMV and further strengthen a secondary that has allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards per game.

There has been speculation that the Seattle Seahawks could consider trading star wide receiver DK Metcalf (knee) by Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Seattle will hang onto him. Metcalf suffered an MCL sprain in his knee in Week 7 and has missed two straight contests as a result heading into the team's bye in Week 10. As of right now, the team is optimistic that Metcalf will return in Week 11 to face the division-rival San Francisco 49ers. A trade of Metcalf would have been great news for both receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who blew up in Week 9 against the Rams, and veteran Tyler Lockett. However, it looks like the 26-year-old Metcalf will remain with the team and should be considered the WR1 in Seattle when he returns from his injury. In seven games before getting hurt, Metcalf had 35 catches, 568 yards (16.2 yards per catch) and three touchdowns.

According to sources, trade talks for New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) are "warming up" and "multiple people are involved." Lattimore aggravated a hamstring injury in the Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and was held out in the Week 9 loss to the division-rival Carolina Panthers as a precaution. His injury obviously isn't serious enough to deter teams from trying to trade for him, and the 28-year-old veteran could be on the move before Tuesday's deadline. The four-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Rookie of the Year would be a solid addition to a contending team's secondary the rest of the way. In seven games in his eighth year with the Saints in 2024, Lattimore has compiled 30 tackles (22 solo) and two pass breakups. He has 15 career interceptions (two returned for TDs) and 88 pass breakups in his seven-plus NFL seasons. UPDATE: CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reports the Washington Commanders have emerged as a real contender for Lattimore. The Kansas City Chiefs have also had interest.

According to sources, New England Patriots wide receiver K.J. Osborn has been involved in trade talks over the last several weeks and is now a target for a few teams ahead of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. Osborn had some productive seasons with the Minnesota Vikings when quarterback Kirk Cousins was in town, but he's been an afterthought with the Pats and has only seven receptions on 17 targets for 57 yards and a touchdown in his first six games with the team in 2024. The 27-year-old was a healthy scratch in the Week 9 loss to the Tennessee Titans in favor of DeMario Douglas, Kayson Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. With Osborn so far down the receiving depth chart in New England, it would make sense for the Pats to deal him to a team that would give him more opportunities.

As expected, the Detroit Lions acquired standout edge rusher Za'Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday, according to sources. The Lions are adding a key pass-rusher to help make up for the loss of All-Pro defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who will miss the rest of the year with a broken leg. Along with Smith, the Lions are receiving a seventh-round pick in 2026 in exchange for a fifth-rounder next year and a sixth-round selection in the 2026 NFL draft. The 32-year-old Smith should help Detroit's defense immediately after recording five sacks, 23 tackles (15 solo), six tackles for loss and seven QB hits in nine games for the Browns this year. Smith's Lions debut will come this Sunday in a Week 10 showdown against the Houston Texans. The three-time Pro Bowler has 65 career sacks in 132 games played after debuting in 2015 with the Baltimore Ravens.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard caught four of five targets for 48 yards in Monday night's 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs, adding two rushes for 21 yards. It was the second consecutive game that the 31-year-old earned five looks from Baker Mayfield and the fourth time this season he's caught at least three passes. Jalen McMillan (hamstring) was inactive for the game and should he miss another week, then Shepard could once again be one of the top receiving options for Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have a tough matchup with the 49ers in Week 10 so even so, he's still probably only a WR4/5.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday that it's likely that quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) will be placed on Injured Reserve, which will require him to miss at least four games. If the Cowboys put Prescott on IR this week, the earliest he would be able to return would be on Dec. 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night to close out Week 14 action. The 31-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, and the injury turned out to be worse than the team initially thought it was. Dallas has announced that Cooper Rush will take over under center with Prescott sidelined, which is obviously a downgrade for the Cowboys' entire offense, most notably for receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder), who could be in danger of missing the Week 10 divisional clash against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving led the backfield in touches in Monday night's 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs, although it did not amount to much. The 22-year-old totaled 10 touches, seven rushes and six receptions, compared to Rachaad White's six touches and Sean Tucker's four, but the total gain on his opportunities was just 34 yards. With White nabbing the lone rushing touchdown, it was a fairly forgettable fantasy day for the youngster. Still, as long as the rookie out of Oregon remains involved in the passing game -- it was the third straight week he grabbed at least three catches -- then he should at least have a reliable floor in PPR leagues. There will surely be brighter fantasy days ahead, however, it may not come in Week 10 against a solid 49ers defense. Irving figures to be in the RB3/Flex conversation for that matchup.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Ryan Miller caught just one of the three passes thrown his way on Monday night, but it was a big one. The 24-year-old caught the critical one-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield at the end of the fourth quarter that helped send the game into overtime, although the Bucs would go on to lose 30-24. The Furman product has received more playing time since the Bucs have been without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, hauling in three of five targets in Week 8's loss to the Falcons, now with a total of five catches on the year. The rookie receiver does not warrant a roster spot, however, could be a DFS dart throw again if Jalen McMillan misses another game or until red zone darling Mike Evans returns.

The Carolina Panthers are trading wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and a seventh-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fourth-round pick. Mingo was a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft but has struggled to make an impact for the rebuilding Panthers. Through his first 24 games, he has hauled in 55 of his 111 targets for 539 yards and no touchdowns. Meanwhile, rookies Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker passed him up on the depth chart this season. Dallas is lacking pass-catching depth behind All-Pro wideout CeeDee Lamb and is taking a flyer on the Ole Miss product. However, given Mingo's struggles to begin his career and Dak Prescott likely headed to Injured Reserve, it would be a surprise if the sophomore wideout makes a significant fantasy impact in 2024.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss (neck) is expected to miss the rest of the regular season due to a neck injury. The 26-year-old popped up on Friday's injury report with a neck issue and was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that Moss was "out indefinitely" on Monday. He will now miss the rest of the 2024 campaign. Moss finishes the season with 242 yards and two touchdowns on 74 rushing attempts while catching 23 passes for 187 yards and a score over eight games. According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, Moss doesn't need surgery but will be rested for the next two months and then be re-evaluated. The Bengals acquired running back Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears on Tuesday to add RB depth and help fill the void left by Moss. Herbert is only rostered in 7% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues and should have a role once he becomes more familiar with the Bengals' offense. Chase Brown is expected to take over as Cincinatti's primary back after rushing for a season-high 120 rushing yards on 27 attempts while catching a season-high five passes for a season-high 37 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Raiders.