Team news | Page 25

Giants rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. told me as he was exiting the locker room that he is in the concussion protocol, so he was unavailable to answer questions due to the protocol's policy.

Related players: Devin Singletary

Tracy Jr. had a career night with 145 yards and a TD in losing effort, the post went on to say. Tracy has looked like the real deal and was running head of veteran Singletary on Monday night. The trend has been for players to miss their next game when in protocol, so Tracy's status for Week 9 is certainly in doubt at this point. But, he looks to have taken over as the Giants RB1, so when he returns he will likely remain a solid fantasy play in lineups again. The Giants host the Commanders in Week 9 in an earlier Sunday contest so owners should have plenty of time to adjust lineups if Tracy's status comes down to the wire.

Sources: There’s a growing belief around the NFL that the Panthers are increasingly likely to trade WR Diontae Johnson before the trade deadline.

Related players: Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Coker

Multiple contending teams are interested, though determining Johnson’s value has been challenging with him in the last year of his contract, the post went on to say. There isn't much reason to keep Johnson in Carolina. He's certainly flashed this year, but it was only with Andy Dalton under center. The Panthers would be able to give the snaps and targets to Legette and Mingo, who were early picks each of the last two seasons in the NFL Draft. Johnson going to a potential contender with a veteran QB would be a huge boost to his fantasy value.

After Greg Zuerlein missed two kicks in Sunday’s loss to the Patriots, Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said that he had no regrets about sticking with Zuerlein despite several other missed kicks that have played major roles in several of the team’s losses this season.

Ulbrich’s lack of regret isn’t keeping the team from looking at other options as they head into Thursday night’s game against the Texans, the story said. Ulbrich said at a Monday press conference that the team is “going to bring the kickers in for a workout” on Tuesday and then decide who will handle the duties. Zuerlein owners may want to take notice. At the very least, this is just a possible wake-up call for Zuerlein, but it's also possible the team makes a switch before Thursday's game.

Speaking for the first time since suffering a dislocated left ankle in Week 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin said Monday night at an event for his foundation that the "best-case scenario" would be a return in time for the playoffs, but that he's focused on taking things "day by day" for now.

The story said Godwin showed up to his Team Godwin Foundation Gala on Monday night to raise money for animals affected by Hurricane Milton and other natural disasters. While a return to the playoffs won't help fantasy owners for the rest of this fantasy season, those in keeper leagues or dynasty leagues can at least take from this that Godwin should be good to go for the 2025 season, based on this potential timeline.

The Houston Texans offense was already shorthanded at wide receiver with Nico Collins on injured reserve, and now it seems like they'll be down another key outlet for C.J. Stroud. Wideout Stefon Diggs suffered a non-contact knee injury during Sunday's Week 8 win over the Indianapolis Colts and is not expected to play when the team travels to New York to play the Jets, according to NFL Media.

Related players: Tank Dell, Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson, John Metchie, Dalton Schultz, Joe Mixon

This is a tight turnaround for Diggs as the Texans open up Week 9 on Thursday night, which makes a possible return to the field difficult, even if the injury isn't as serious as it looked on the field, the story said. The team did not practice Monday, but the initial injury report of the week -- albeit a projection -- notes that Diggs would've been a nonparticipant, the story went on to say. With no Collins and Diggs, Dell looks like he could be the top WR target against the Jets. Schultz and Mixon could also get more involved in the passing game.

Mike MacDonald again says it's “looking optimistic" that DK Metcalf will be back this week.

The post added the team will first need to see Metcalf practice this week, so it will be important for fantasy owners to monitor his status. The Seahawks host the Rams in Week 9, but it's a later afternoon game on Sunday, so owners will need a backup plan in the event Metcalf is a game-time call. He's dealing with a low-grade MCL sprain.

49ers expecting to get WR Jauan Jennings (hip) back after the bye, per Kyle Shanahan.

The Niners should be as close to full strength on offense as they'll ever be this year, only missing Brandon Aiyuk. Jennings should slide into the team's WR2 role as the Niners are expecting Deebo Samuel back as well. Factor in the return of Christian McCaffrey and San Francisco will be poised for a run in the second half of the season. The returning weapons should also boost QB Brock Purdy's fantasy value as well.

49ers plan to open Christian McCaffrey IR window next Monday.

Related players: Jordan Mason

Reports say CMC is really planning to ramp up in order to be back for their Week 10 match at Tampa Bay. The bye week is certainly hitting at the right time and the team will be looking to see if he responds well to this week's hard work to simulate practice, the post added.

Deebo Samuel will be day-to-day with an injury to his ribs and an oblique strain, Kyle Shanahan said.

He’ll be re-evaluated after the bye, the post went on to say. Hopefully Samuel will be good to go for Week 10. Several 49ers are expected back at that point so the bye week is coming at a great time for the team. The Niners will be an early Sunday game at Tampa Bay in Week 10.

An MRI confirmed optimism about Jordan Love’s status: He’ll be day to day and has a shot to play Sunday.

Related players: Malik Willis

The injury wasn't believed to be all that serious as of earlier today, but Love now being day to day gives him a shot to play in Week 9. The Packers do have a bye in Week 10, perhaps giving them a reason to sit Love in Week 9 and give him the extra week of rest before coming back for Week 11. Owners will want to continue to monitor Love's status this week as he could end up playing. The Packers do have a later Sunday home game against the Lions and they then play the Bears in Week 11.