Team news | Page 23

A QB change for the Colts: Indianapolis is benching former first-round pick Anthony Richardson and turning to veteran Joe Flacco.

Schefter added the Colts coaches met this morning and made the decision. The signs were there after HC Shane Steichen said everything will be evaluated. Reports Monday said the team also met privately with Richardson after he took himself out of the game this past week because of needing a break. It's not really clear if this is a one-week benching or more long term. The Colts are in the thick of things sitting at 4-4 and likely feel that Flacco gives them a better chance to win and remain in the hunt for a playoff spot.

The 2-6 Giants are not yet making a quarterback change.

Coach Brian Daboll told reporters on Tuesday that Daniel Jones remains the starting quarterback going forward.

Related players: Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito

The Giants host the Commanders on Sunday. The story mentioned that at some point, the Giants will likely bench Jones in order to avoid his $23 million injury guarantee for 2025. They’re apparently not at that point yet, the story added. The other options behind Jones are Lock and DeVito.

The Jacksonville Jaguars received some good news on Monday. They may not be without their best receiver for very long -- and maybe not even at all.

Brian Thomas Jr. suffered a chest contusion in Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers, but an MRI showed no additional damage.

Coach Doug Pederson said on Monday that there's a chance the rookie could play in Sunday's game at Philadelphia, the story said. Thomas leads the team in receiving yards (573) and touchdowns (five). Thomas' play will come down to pain tolerance, but he's listed as day to day, which gives him a shot to suit up. It was previously reported Thomas could miss 2-4 weeks.

Losing Christian Kirk means a bigger role for Parker Washington, a sixth-round pick in 2023. Last season, Washington didn't capitalize on the opportunity when he had to replace an injured Kirk as the Jaguars' primary slot receiver, but the team has no doubt he can now.

Washington was up and down last season when having a chance to get regular snaps. He had two TDs but also missed a route adjustment that led to Trevor Lawrence getting injured. Washington did have a great offseaosn, according to the story, and the team is confident Washington can step up with Kirk out for the season. Those needing help at WR may want to take a gamble on at least stashing Washington.

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.