Team news | Page 31

Adam Thielen said he thinks the plan is to open his 21-day practice window on Wednesday.

Related players: Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo

Thielen has missed the last four games the post went on to say. He's dealing with a hamstring injury. The Panther offense is struggling again, even under Andy Dalton, but Thielen's presence would be a welcome addition and perhaps be a reliable target for Dalton. He could also help to open things up for a frustrated Johnson. It remains to be seen if Thielen would play in Week 8, even if his window is opened this week.

Shane Steichen said he’s optimistic that DeForest Buckner and Jonathan Taylor could practice this week.

Related players: Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson

Taylor has been out since Week 4 and it would be a good sign if he can get back on the practice field leading up to a big game against the Texans. Goodson led the team in RB carries over Sermon 14-8, although Sermon was a bit more productive and also added a catch for 13 yards. Taylor's return would be a welcome addition to the offense and we'll hopefully know more as the week goes on. The Texans-Colts game is an early Sunday game so owners will have time to adjust lineups.

Dennis Allen said Derek Carr had a throwing session today, will have another tomorrow and they'll see where he's at. Allen said the plan is to stick with Spencer Rattler at QB if Carr doesn't play.

The post added that Allen said he feels like Rattler has played well when he has protection. Chris Olave is in protocol but the hope is he can clear before Week 8's game at the Chargers. It's not a great matchup for Rattler, or even Carr if he's ready, and it will be an even tougher go if Olave isn't able to play.

Saints WR Chris Olave is still in the concussion protocol to begin this week, per Dennis Allen. Team had meetings Monday but no bonus practice after the mini-bye

Related players: Bub Means, Mason Tipton, Cedrick Wilson

Olave will need to practice symptom-free in order to come out of protocol. He didn't have much of a chance last week on a short week but the hope is he will be able to be back for Week 8. The Saints are hurting at the position with Means, Tipton and Wilson running at the top three. Reports say the team had Marquez Valdes-Scantling in for a visit.

Tua Tagovailoa is due back on the practice field this week.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that the team will begin the process of bringing Tagovailoa off of injured reserve. Tagovailoa has been on the list since suffering a concussion in Week Two and he will remain in the concussion protocol until he takes part in practices without feeling any symptoms during or after the workouts. If he does get cleared, he’ll be on track to play against the Cardinals.

McDaniel said the plan is for Tua to practice on Wednesday. He'll need to get through the practice symptom-free. “The clearing doesn’t come until after some of the activity. We’re obviously doing so in the hope of everything going well so that he can play Sunday, but that will be to be determined,” McDaniel said in the story. The story added, according to McDaniel, “medical experts have deemed it safe” for Tagovailoa to return to the field at this point and said Tagovailoa would have to answer whether he will wear a Guardian Cap upon his return to game action.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is the latest Chiefs wide receiver to suffer an injury.

Smith-Schuster was ruled out of Sunday’s win over the 49ers after he hurt his hamstring and head coach Andy Reid told reporters at a Monday press conference that he will not play against the Raiders in Week Eight.

Related players: Xavier Worthy, Mecole Hardman, Skyy Moore, Travis Kelce

The Chiefs will go with Worthy, Hardman and Moore as their top WRs heading into Week 8, which is a game at the Raiders. The Chiefs are winning games without a dangerous passing attack from Patrick Homes, instead controlling the ball with the run game and relying on their defense. That formula should work against a struggling Raiders team as well.

Titans' Callahan: DeAndre Hopkins had some lower leg/calf soreness.

Related players: Tyler Boyd, Calvin Ridley

Hopkins had just one catch for -2 yards in Week 7. Boyd and Ridley led the way with Hopkins hampered by the injury. To further complicate things, it's unclear who will start at QB for the Titans in Week 8, an earlier game at Detroit. Owners definitely want to monitor Hopkins' status leading up to the game. This is mostly an offense to stay away from in typical leagues.

Sean McVay said Cooper Kupp's workload for Thursday Night Football vs. Vikings is "to be determined."

Related players: Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington, Tyler Johnson

The post went on to quote McVay, "That'll be something that as we're putting it together and really diving into it, we'll have a better feel for," McVay said. "But definitely excited to have him back." Kupp sounds like he could be a risky fantasy play this Thursday night, or, it could be coach-speak. The Rams sure could use Kupp back in the lineup but fantasy owners should probably be realistic about his fantasy potential - at least this week. The good news is the Rams will likely need to play catch-up against a good Vikiings offense on Thursday night. Johnson and Atwell led the way last week against the Raiders. Hopefully we'll get more indication about Kupp's usage for Week 8.

Brian Callahan said Will Levis' status is week to week. The problem with AC joint injuries, he said, is the only way for them to heal is with proper rest. Mason Rudolph said he doesn't know if he'll get a greater share of the reps heading into Week 8, and all he can do is "attack the reps (he's) given."

It sounds like Rudolph was put into a tough spot in Week 7. The story said Levis initially injured his shoulder in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins. The Titans didn't have a game the next week, giving Levis 10 days of rest before starting the Week 6 game against the Colts. Callahan explained extra rest might've proved somewhat deceptive when it came to Levis' arm strength and ability, the story went on to say. Callahan went on to say Levis was feeling it a bit by the end of last week's Colts game and it was only Saturday did Rudolph find out he was starting. Things don't get much easier this week as the Titans travel to take on the Lions. It's unclear who will get the start at QB.

Brian Daboll reiterated what he said in his post-game presser yesterday: Daniel Jones is the starting QB for Giants "going forward" to Pittsburgh and MNF.

Related players: Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito

Daboll went on to say in the post that Jones gives Giants their best chance, and the issues were collective, not solely on Jones. Lock didn't do much better, so Jones gets at least one more chance against a tough Steelers defense in Week 8.