Team news | Page 38

Rams QB Matthew Stafford, who had back soreness after loss to Packers, is "doing great and he's not going to miss any time," McVay said.

Stafford got hit around in the Week 5 loss to the Packers, which came before their Week 6 bye. It sounds like Stafford is good to go, and the bye week came at the right time, but it's always something to monitor. Stafford is as tough as the come but also getting up there in age.

Panthers plan to open the 21-day window for RB Jonathon Brooks to return, per Dave Canales.

Related players: Chuba Hubbard

The Panthers have been pretty careful with Brooks who was supposed to be ready in camp with an ACL injury from college. The open window doesn't mean Brooks is a lock to play this week, and even if he does, he probably wouldn't be a safe fantasy play right out of the gate. There isn't a lot of need to rush him with the play of Hubbard, however the team likely wants to see what they have in Brooks, and at some point this year, Brooks will probably cut into Hubbard's fantasy value.

Rams WR Cooper Kupp will workout with trainers today but no determination has been made about his availability for Sunday’s game against Raiders, McVay said. Puka Nacua will not practice this week.

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

There was some hope before the bye week that Kupp would be ready to go in Week 7, and that still looks like it could be possible, however certainly not a lock at this point. Owners will want to monitor Kupp's status leading up to Week 7 games. The Rams host the Raiders in a later Sunday game, so the matchup would be a nice one, but waiting on Kupp will come with risks if he's a game-time call. If Kupp can't go, the Rams have been going with a combination of Robinson, Atwell, Whittington and Johnson at the wideout position, all of which come with their own risks if in your lineup.

Colts HC Shane Steichen told reporters that QB Anthony Richardson will play Sunday if he does not suffer any setbacks from his oblique injury.

Related players: Joe Flacco

Richardson was close to playing in Week 6 according to reports, so this was the hopeful outcome heading into Week 7. The Colts are in an early game against the Dolphins so owners will have plenty of time to make adjustments if for some reason there is a setback. But for now, Richardson looks good to go.

Sources: Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks is considered “week-to-week” after sustaining a shoulder injury that caused him to leave Sunday’s game vs the Cardinals.

Related players: Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs

Overall it's good news for Jordan Love and Green Bay, as Wicks already has 3 TDs this season. From a fantasy perspective, it's a crowded WR room for the Packers who saw Watson return to action this past week. With Wicks listed as week to week, it's very possible he's unable to go in Week 7. The Pack host the Texans in Week 7 in an early afternoon game. Look for Reed, Watson and Doubs to lead the way again as all three scored touchdowns in Week 6.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel confirms that QB Tua Tagovailoa is expected to play again in 2024.

As the post said, it's the first time the team has said Tagovailoa will be back this season. Tua is still on Injured Reserve, however, but eligible to resume practicing on Oct. 23. There has been talk about a Week 8 return but that remains to be seen. All reports over the last several weeks is Tua is feeling good and much improved. In Week 8, the Dolphins are hosting Cardinals in an early game, so hopefully by that point we have a better idea of Tua's timetable.

Jaguars HC Doug Pederson told reporters today that RB Travis Etienne Jr. is now considered week to week due to his hamstring injury.

Related players: Tank Bigsby, D'Ernest Johnson

It's the second-straight week Etienne didn't finish a game. In Week 5, the team said it was a shoulder injury but many questioned if it was more because of a lack of production, especially after Bigsby piled up huge fantasy numbers. But in Week 6, Bigsby was held in check with the Jags playing from behind most of the game. The week to week status means Etienne is very questionable for Week 7, which is another London game for the Jags. The good news is owners will have plenty of time to figure out a plan based on Etienne's game-time status. Bigsby should be a much safer play if he gets the start in what is a favorable matchup against the Patriots. Johnson likely figures in as well. Bigsby should be a popular waiver target this week if he's still available in your league.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said after the game Sunday the team is sticking with Deshaun Watson at quarterback.

The 20-16 loss to the Eagles dropped Cleveland to 1-5, tied for the worst record in the NFL with the Jaguars, the lone win for Cleveland so far, and the Patriots. Watson did go 16-for-23 for 168 yards against the Eagles but was sacked five times. Watson has yet to throw for 200 yards in a game this season and has just one game with multiple passing touchdowns. Cleveland’s next three games are at home against the Bengals, Ravens and Chargers.

Browns RB Nick Chubb is expected to make his season debut in Week 7 against the Bengals

Chubb returned to practice this week, over a year since tearing multiple ligaments in Week 2 of last season. Jerome Ford has held down the fort pretty well so far, averaging 5.2 yards per carry on 48 attempts. But if healthy, Chubb is one of the best backs in the league. The 1-4 Browns will try to right the ship against the Eagles before getting their star rusher back.

The Lions and running back David Montgomery agreed to a contract extension that will keep the pair together through 2027.

Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have formed one of the best running back duos in the league and this will keep that intact for a few more years. Monty is now tied to Detroit for at least three more seasons after this one. Monty has 271 yards on 63 carries with four touchdowns. He's been a key piece of the Lions offense since joining as a free agent before the 2023 season.