NFL BUZZ - OCTOBER 23rd RAPID FIRE

Welcome back to NFL BUZZ! Friday brought some major injury decisions heading into Week 7, including season-ending news in Chicago, significant receiving corps concerns, and several backfields worth watching closely.

Let's get into it!

🌵 Arizona Cardinals

• Jeremiyah Love: OUT against Denver as he continues recovering from a high-ankle sprain. With Love sidelined, head coach Mike LaFleur says Bam Knight will handle much of the early-down work, while Tyler Allgeier will contribute in complementary situations, including pass protection and third downs. (Mike LaFleur; Ian Rapoport; MicNuggets)

🍑 Atlanta Falcons

• Brian Robinson Jr.: RULED OUT against San Francisco with a hamstring injury. (Will McFadden; Adam Schefter; Underdog NFL)

🐦‍⬛ Baltimore Ravens

• Lamar Jackson: QUESTIONABLE against Cincinnati after practicing on a limited basis all three days this week. Jackson confirmed he is dealing with a painful high-ankle sprain and says the pain is affecting his movement. He believes he's trending in the right direction, but a final decision has not been made. (Baltimore Ravens; Jamison Hensley; Adam Schefter; Ian Rapoport)
• Rashod Bateman: Carries NO injury designation after recovering from his shoulder injury. Bateman is cleared to play in Week 7. (Underdog NFL)

🐻 Chicago Bears

• Cole Kmet: OUT FOR THE SEASON! Kmet suffered a right-knee injury during Thursday Night Football against New England and was carted off. Head coach Ben Johnson confirmed the injury is season-ending and Kmet will be placed on injured reserve. (Ben Johnson; Ian Rapoport; Adam Schefter)
• Colston Loveland: Could be one of the biggest fantasy beneficiaries of Kmet's absence. Loveland has drawn 33 targets over his last four games and ran routes on 74% of Chicago's dropbacks Thursday, earning targets on 38% of those routes. (Sleeper NFL; Underdog NFL; Internal Analysis)
• Luther Burden III: Continues to make a strong case for an expanded role. Burden posted an impressive 4.81 yards per route run Thursday, and Ben Johnson praised his intermediate-route running while expressing interest in using him more downfield. (Ben Johnson; Caleb Williams; Internal Analysis)
• D'Andre Swift: Took a hit to his left knee Thursday, briefly spent time on the stationary bike, and returned to the game. Swift dominated Chicago's backfield opportunities, but his health and Kyle Monangai's eventual return remain important fantasy considerations. (Jeff Mueller; Internal Analysis)
• Caleb Williams: Threw for 308 yards and two touchdowns in Chicago's 30–24 victory over New England. Through his first two games back, Williams has completed 52 of 69 passes for 613 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. (Adam Schefter; Underdog NFL)

🟤 Cleveland Browns

• Quinshon Judkins: Carries NO injury designation after dealing with an ankle injury. Judkins says he is ready to play against Tennessee. (Mary Kay Cabot; Scott Petrak)
• Dylan Sampson: QUESTIONABLE with a knee injury. Head coach Todd Monken expects him to play, but he has not received final clearance. (Todd Monken; Underdog NFL)

⭐ Dallas Cowboys

• George Pickens: Returned to FULL practice Friday after dealing with a shoulder injury and says he expects to play Monday against Philadelphia. (Tommy Yarrish; Joseph Hoyt; Underdog NFL)

🐴 Denver Broncos

• Jaylen Waddle: Says he is GOOD TO GO against Arizona despite being limited earlier in the week with a chest injury. (Chris Tomasson; RotoWire NFL)
• Jonah Coleman: Expected to be activated from injured reserve Saturday after progressing through practice with his ankle injury. (Chris Tomasson; Underdog NFL)

🧀 Green Bay Packers

• Josh Jacobs: ON TRACK TO PLAY Sunday, according to Matt LaFleur. Jacobs is expected to return after his extended absence. (Matt LaFleur; Rob Demovsky)
• Jordan Love / Christian Watson / Matthew Golden: All three carry NO injury designation heading into Week 7. Love has recovered sufficiently from his back issue, while Watson and Golden are available after managing ankle and shoulder injuries, respectively. (Green Bay Packers; Underdog NFL)

🐂 Houston Texans

• David Montgomery: OFFICIALLY RULED OUT against the Giants with a groin injury. (Aaron Wilson; Adam Schefter)
• Woody Marks: Could be headed for a substantial workload with Montgomery sidelined. Houston has indicated Marks will receive a good amount of carries, making him one of the more intriguing fantasy options this week. (Nick Caley; Rotoworld Football)
• Dalton Schultz: Carries NO injury designation after dealing with a quadriceps injury. Schultz is available for Week 7. (Adam Caplan; Underdog NFL)

🐎 Indianapolis Colts

• Tyler Warren: RULED OUT against Minnesota with a groin injury after missing practice throughout the week. (Shane Steichen; Mike Chappell; Adam Schefter)
• Jonathan Taylor: Trade speculation continues to grow. Ian Rapoport expects significant interest if Indianapolis makes Taylor available, with Seattle mentioned as a possible interested team. (Ian Rapoport; Sleeper NFL)

🐆 Jacksonville Jaguars

• Anton Harrison: OUT FOR THE SEASON! Surgery revealed a torn ACL for Jacksonville's starting left tackle. The Jaguars will now be without Harrison for the remainder of 2026. (Ian Rapoport)

🏹 Kansas City Chiefs

• Rashee Rice: RULED OUT against Seattle due to hamstring and knee injuries. (Kansas City Chiefs; Adam Schefter)
• Travis Kelce: Remained limited Friday with an ankle injury but carries NO game designation. Kelce is available for Sunday's matchup against Seattle. (Kansas City Chiefs; Underdog NFL)

☠️ Las Vegas Raiders

• Brock Bowers: Finished the week as a FULL participant after dealing with hamstring and calf injuries. (Ryan McFadden; Sleeper NFL)
• Mike Washington Jr.: QUESTIONABLE with foot and back injuries after missing practice twice this week. Head coach Klint Kubiak expects him to be ready, but his status remains uncertain. (Sam Warren; Klint Kubiak)

🐏 Los Angeles Rams

• Puka Nacua: GAME-TIME DECISION! Nacua is officially QUESTIONABLE after missing Friday's practice with a calf injury. Sean McVay revealed that Nacua experienced reduced power and explosiveness in his calf Thursday, prompting the team to shut him down. His availability will depend on how he looks during pregame warmups. (Sean McVay; Sarah Barshop; Ian Rapoport)
• Konata Mumpfield: An intriguing contingency option if Nacua misses time, particularly with Davante Adams already sidelined. (Jeff Mueller; Internal Analysis)

🐬 Miami Dolphins

• Jaylen Wright / Caleb Douglas: Head coach Jeff Hafley says both players WILL PLAY Sunday against the Jets. Wright has been recovering from a foot injury, while Douglas has been managing an ankle issue. (Jeff Hafley; Barry Jackson; Underdog NFL)

🟣 Minnesota Vikings

• Justin Jefferson / Jordan Addison / T.J. Hockenson: ALL CLEARED TO PLAY! Jefferson, ankle; Addison, hamstring; and Hockenson, concussion, carry no game designations heading into Sunday's matchup against Indianapolis. (Adam Caplan; Rotoworld Football; Underdog NFL)
• Jordan Mason: QUESTIONABLE with a thumb injury despite practicing fully throughout the week. Kevin O'Connell says things are trending positively, but Mason's availability has not been finalized. (Kevin O'Connell; Alec Lewis; MicNuggets)

🇺🇸 New England Patriots

• Rhamondre Stevenson: Continued to dominate the high-value passing-down work Thursday, controlling all of New England's third-down and two-minute running back snaps. Stevenson handled 55% of total RB opportunities and 60% route participation, despite sharing early-down carries with TreVeyon Henderson and Corey Kiner. (Internal Analysis)
• TreVeyon Henderson: Handled 25% of the backfield opportunities Thursday, compared with Corey Kiner's 20%. Neither played a third-down snap.
• A.J. Brown: Another disappointing fantasy outing, with his last three receiving lines as 3/26, 3/27, and 3/48. Medical analyst Jeff Mueller believes Brown's recovery from his high-ankle injury may still be affecting his effectiveness. (Sleeper NFL; Jeff Mueller)
• Eli Raridon: An intriguing name for dynasty managers after another productive showing Thursday. Raridon scored a touchdown and ran routes on 43% of dropbacks, earning targets on 27% of his routes. His role in multiple-tight-end sets makes him worth monitoring in deeper and TE-premium leagues. (Internal Analysis; Jacob Gibbs)

⚜️ New Orleans Saints

• Alvin Kamara: Carries NO injury designation despite being limited Friday with a back injury. Kamara is available for Week 7. (Katherine Terrell)

✈️ New York Jets

• Breece Hall: QUESTIONABLE against Miami with a quad injury. His status may not be determined until game day. If Hall returns, a shared workload with Braelon Allen is possible. (Aaron Glenn; Brian Costello; Sleeper NFL)
• Adonai Mitchell: WILL PLAY against Miami, according to Aaron Glenn. Mitchell's return from his finger injury could affect Omar Cooper Jr.'s opportunities in the Jets' receiving rotation. (Aaron Glenn; Brian Costello)

🦅 Philadelphia Eagles

• DeVonta Smith / Dontayvion Wicks / Dallas Goedert: All three missed Friday's practice. Smith is dealing with a hamstring injury, Wicks an ankle injury, and Goedert a knee injury. Reports suggest Smith and Wicks could miss Monday's matchup against Dallas, while there is more optimism surrounding Goedert. (Philadelphia Eagles; Jeff McLane; Brooks Kubena)
• Saquon Barkley: Practiced on a LIMITED basis for the second consecutive day while recovering from his hamstring injury. Barkley continues trending toward a return Monday. (Philadelphia Eagles; Underdog NFL)

🟡 Pittsburgh Steelers

• Rico Dowdle: QUESTIONABLE for Sunday's game in Paris against New Orleans because of a knee injury. Jaylen Warren could see a significant increase in opportunities if Dowdle is unable to play. (Alan Saunders; Underdog NFL)

🌉 San Francisco 49ers

• Mike Evans / Deebo Samuel: BOTH RULED OUT against Atlanta. Evans continues dealing with Achilles issues, while Samuel remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. (Kyle Shanahan; Adam Schefter; Ian Rapoport)
• Christian Kirk: QUESTIONABLE with a calf injury but reportedly expected to play. With Evans and Samuel unavailable, Kirk could be positioned for an important role if active. Brandin Cooks, Jordan Watkins, and Jacob Cowing are additional receiving options. (Kyle Shanahan; Rotoworld Football; Underdog NFL)

🌊 Seattle Seahawks

• Zach Charbonnet: RULED OUT Sunday night against Kansas City despite being activated from PUP earlier this week. Mike Macdonald says the decision is part of the team's return plan and NOT the result of a setback. (Mike Macdonald; Adam Schefter; Sleeper NFL)

🏴‍☠️ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Baker Mayfield: QUESTIONABLE but EXPECTED TO START against Carolina. Mayfield practiced fully Friday and will wear a modified glove to protect his injured throwing-hand thumb. Todd Bowles says Mayfield looks ready. (Todd Bowles; Greg Auman; Adam Schefter)
• Emeka Egbuka: OFFICIALLY RULED OUT with concussion and foot injuries. His absence could create additional opportunities for Tez Johnson. (Greg Auman; Todd Bowles; Adam Schefter)
• Bucky Irving / Sean Tucker: Both carry NO injury designation. Irving returned to full practice Friday after dealing with illness, while Tucker has recovered sufficiently from his quadriceps issue. (Greg Auman; Pewter Report)

⚔️ Tennessee Titans

• Calvin Ridley: QUESTIONABLE with a hip injury after missing Friday's practice. (Turron Davenport; Underdog NFL)
• Tyjae Spears: Also QUESTIONABLE while managing a knee injury. (Turron Davenport; Underdog NFL)

Data & Analysis Credit

A special thank you to the beat reporters, national insiders, medical analysts, team communications staffs, and data providers whose work helps make NFL BUZZ possible. Reporting and analysis credits include RotoWire NFL, Sleeper NFL, Rotoworld Football, Underdog NFL, 32BeatWriters, Adam Schefter, Ian Rapoport, Jeff Mueller, MicNuggets, JJ Zachariason, Next Gen Stats, and the many original reporters and analysts credited throughout. Your work and dedication to keeping the NFL community informed are greatly appreciated!