Team news: Philadelphia Eagles | Page 23

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley missed Thursday's practice with an ankle injury.

There was some hope that Saquon would be able to return for Week 8, but recent reports suggest that the Giants are now more optimistic for Week 9. With the Giants playing on Monday, there are still two more days for their star running back to take the practice field, but fantasy managers should have a backup plan at the ready. Devontae Booker will get another start for New York if Saquon is sidelined and is our 25th ranked running back for Week 8.

Giants RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) and WRs Kenny Golladay (knee), Sterling Shepard (hamstring), and Kadarius Toney (ankle) all made appearances at practice Wednesday, albeit stretching in what is a walkthrough according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.

The offense performed okay minus this group Week 7, but having some/all of them back for Week 8's tilt in Kansas City would be a boost against one of the worst defenses in football.

If the Eagles continue on this trajectory, then I believe we’ll see Gardner Minshew start this season. And that’s not necessarily to form a better evaluation of Minshew, but it could also help form an evaluation of HC Nick Sirianni. If the Eagles offense remains inconsistent (and inefficient) and the team continues losing games, how much of a sample size would one need to know that that the Sirianni-Jalen Hurts combination isn’t working? Twelve games, 14 games? If that were to happen, it would behoove Sirianni to see if the offense looks different with a different quarterback — one who is a 62.9 percent passer during the past two seasons.

The writer doesn't seem to feel that strongly it will happen, and of course, it's just one opinion. This season is more about Hurts and he feels Hurts should have a long leash when it comes to being the starter. But the offense has not looked good and when the team is maybe officially out of playoff competition, then a change to Minshew might make some sense - just to see how the offense functions with someone else.

It appears the Eagles have dodged a bullet with Miles Sanders’ injury, although Nick Sirianni said it’s unlikely the 3rd-year running back will play this weekend.

Sanders suffered an ankle injury during the second quarter of the Eagles’ loss to the Raiders Sunday in Las Vegas and was carted off the field.

Related players: Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott

Sirianni said Monday the Eagles haven’t ruled Sanders out for their game Sunday against the Lions in Detroit, but it sounds like the odds are against him playing. Scott really saw his first significant action of the season after Sanders went down, so it's expected Gainwell gets a majority of the work based on Scott really not being a part of the game plan through the first seven games. Gainwell should be a popular pickup off the wire this week, but keep in mind the Eagles are not running the ball a whole lot.

The Eagles agreed to trade Flacco to the Jets today, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The Eagles will get a sixth-round draft pick that can become a fifth-round pick depending on Flacco’s playing time, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Related players: Zach Wilson, Mike White, Jalen Hurts, Gardner Minshew

Flacco could very well end up starting, especially if Wilson has to miss four weeks. White may get at least one more chance this week until Flacco can get up to speed, but many feel the Jets have needed a veteran influence around Wilson all along. Minshew is now back on the fantasy radar as the backup to Hurts, who has not exactly looked great so far this season. It may not be all that big of a surprise to see Minshew get some time at some point this season.

There’s one player who will be added to that group of Bengal players who are stealing the show on offense and its tight end C.J. Uzomah.

The Bengals drafted Uzomah in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Uzomah and Tyler Boyd are two of the oldest players on Cincinnati’s roster and both have now played for former head coach Marvin Lewis and current head coach Zac Taylor.

The story went on to say for those who are surprised at Uzomah’s production, his quarterback is not. When Joe Burrow was asked what’s behind his connection with Uzomah this year, he said it started in his rookie season but because of his knee injury no one saw what they could do together. The story added Burrow said Uzomah was his top target before going down with a knee injury. For fantasy going forward, Uzomah likely won't produce many lines like he did this past week against the Ravens: 3-91-1. He's averaging less than three targets a game and looks to be more TD-dependent than anything at this point.

Miles Sanders is getting X-rays done on his ankle, Sirianni said. The HC doesn’t believe anything is broken.

Related players: Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott

Sanders appeared to be on track for a solid fantasy outing before the injury. After leaving, he gave way to Gainwell and Scott. Gainwell was more involved in the passing game and also caught a TD pass for the team's first score. The passing game is normally where Scott has been involved, although Scott has been the workhorse in the past when Sanders has been out. Based on the first six games however, it would appear Gainwell has the most fantasy value to gain if Sanders has to miss time, as Scott had not really been involved in the offense before this week.

The New Giants listed TE Evan Engram (calf) and WRs John Ross (hamstring), Sterling Shepard (hamstring),a nd Darius Slayton (hamstring) as questionable for Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers.

If these four are active, they will be the four best pass catchers available to Daniel Jones.

The New York Giants will be without RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) and WRs Kenny Golladay (knee) and Kadarius Toney (ankle) Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers.

Related Player: John Ross

Three big losses but there is a chance Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Evan Engram, and John Ross play.

Eagles HC Nick Sirianni told reporters Friday that TE Dallas Goedert (COVID) will play Week 7 at Las Vegas.

Big addition to the Eagles passing attack. Play him as a TE1.