NFL BUZZ - OCTOBER 24th RAPID FIRE

Welcome back to NFL BUZZ! Saturday brought some major Week 7 developments, including a quarterback officially ruled out, several key players returning from extended absences, and significant changes to multiple NFL offenses.

Let's get into it!

🌵 Arizona Cardinals

• Bam Knight / Tyler Allgeier: With Jeremiyah Love sidelined, Knight is expected to handle the majority of early-down work, while Allgeier contributes on third downs and in short-yardage situations. Knight could be a useful fantasy fill-in this week. (Mike LaFleur; Jeff Mueller; Rotoworld Football)

🍑 Atlanta Falcons

• Khalil Herbert: ELEVATED for Week 7. (RotoWire NFL)

🐦‍⬛ Baltimore Ravens

• Lamar Jackson: OFFICIALLY RULED OUT against Cincinnati! Jackson will miss his third consecutive game with a high-ankle sprain. Tyler Huntley will start again in his absence. (Baltimore Ravens; Adam Schefter; Ian Rapoport; Jamison Hensley)
• Zay Flowers / Mark Andrews: Jackson's absence creates additional uncertainty for Baltimore's passing attack. Fantasy analysis continues to favor Flowers as a starting option, while Andrews becomes a less appealing play despite a potentially favorable tight end matchup.

🐻 Chicago Bears

• Colston Loveland / Sam Roush: With Cole Kmet out for the season, Chicago could lean more heavily on its remaining tight ends. Adam Jahns expects Roush's workload to increase, while Loveland remains a central part of the offense. (Adam Jahns; 32BeatWriters)

🟤 Cleveland Browns

• Dylan Sampson: OFFICIALLY ACTIVATED FROM IR! Sampson is expected to play against Tennessee after recovering from his knee injury. (Cleveland Browns; Adam Schefter; RotoWire NFL)
• Teven Jenkins: Placed on INJURED RESERVE with a back injury, creating another offensive line concern for Cleveland. (Fred Greetham; Adam Schefter)

🐴 Denver Broncos

• Jonah Coleman: OFFICIALLY ACTIVATED FROM IR! Coleman is set to return against Arizona after recovering from an ankle injury. With Denver struggling to establish its rushing attack, Coleman becomes an intriguing fantasy stash. (Denver Broncos; Adam Schefter; Ian Rapoport; Matthew Berry; Jeff Mueller)
• Tyler Badie: Placed on injured reserve. (Adam Schefter; Chris Tomasson)

🦁 Detroit Lions

• Cade Mays: ACTIVATED FROM IR and expected to play against Green Bay. Mays returns after recovering from a broken wrist sustained during training camp, providing a boost to Detroit's offensive line. (Detroit Lions; Adam Schefter; Ian Rapoport)
• Sam LaPorta: Detroit is reportedly considered more likely than not to reach a contract extension with LaPorta before free agency. (Jonathan Jones via Rotoworld Football)

🧀 Green Bay Packers

• Josh Jacobs: OFFICIALLY ACTIVATED from the Commissioner's Exempt List! Jacobs is expected to play Sunday against Detroit after his extended absence. (Green Bay Packers; Adam Schefter; Ian Rapoport; Jeremy Fowler)

🐂 Houston Texans

• Tank Dell: HE'S BACK! Houston officially activated Dell from injured reserve following his knee injury. Dell is set to return Sunday for his first NFL action in almost TWO YEARS! (Houston Texans; Adam Schefter; Ian Rapoport)

🐎 Indianapolis Colts

• Jonathan Taylor: Trade speculation continues to build, but Indianapolis has NOT begun discussing a Taylor trade, according to Jonathan Jones. The Giants and Vikings are mentioned as potential suitors IF Taylor becomes available. (Jonathan Jones; Sleeper NFL; Underdog NFL)
• Quenton Nelson: Tom Pelissero reports significant interest in Nelson and DeForest Buckner, with the Colts potentially willing to consider offers if they decide to sell before the November 10 trade deadline. (Tom Pelissero; Underdog NFL)

🐆 Jacksonville Jaguars

• Brian Thomas Jr.: A NAME TO WATCH AT THE TRADE DEADLINE! Jeremy Fowler reports league executives believe Jacksonville will seriously consider moving Thomas. Kansas City and Pittsburgh have been mentioned as possible destinations. (Jeremy Fowler; Sleeper NFL; Rotoworld Football)

☠️ Las Vegas Raiders

• Ashton Jeanty / Mike Washington Jr.: Washington remains QUESTIONABLE after missing his final two practices with foot and back injuries. If Washington is unable to play, Jeanty could be in line for a significantly larger workload. (Dwain McFarland; Jeff Mueller)

🐏 Los Angeles Rams

• Puka Nacua: His Week 7 status remains uncertain because of the calf injury. Medical analyst Jeff Mueller believes Nacua could potentially suit up, but no final clearance has been reported. If Nacua misses time, Tutu Atwell, Konata Mumpfield, and Jordan Whittington are among the receivers who could see additional opportunities. (Jeff Mueller; Sosa Kremenjas)
• Kyren Williams / Blake Corum: A potentially favorable matchup against Las Vegas awaits. The Raiders have allowed the most rushing yards and yards per carry over the past three weeks, according to Sleeper. No new workload split between Williams and Corum has been announced. (Sleeper NFL)

🟣 Minnesota Vikings

• Jordan Mason: OFFICIALLY ACTIVATED FROM IR! Mason has recovered from thumb surgery and is expected to return against Indianapolis. He'll rejoin Aaron Jones in Minnesota's backfield. (Minnesota Vikings; Kevin Seifert; Adam Schefter; Ian Rapoport)

🇺🇸 New England Patriots

• A.J. Brown: Medical analyst Jeff Mueller continues to express concern about Brown's explosiveness following his early return from a high-ankle sprain. Mueller estimates the accelerated timeline may be affecting his performance. (Jeff Mueller)

🔵 New York Giants

• J.J. McCarthy: Matt Nagy revealed that approximately 20–30% of the Giants' playbook had been unavailable and is now back for McCarthy's first start. This could open up additional offensive concepts. (Matt Nagy; Ryan Dunleavy)
• Theo Johnson: DOWNGRADED TO OUT against Houston with a neck injury. (Adam Schefter)

🦅 Philadelphia Eagles

• DeVonta Smith / Dontayvion Wicks: BOTH RULED OUT for Monday Night Football against Dallas! Smith continues dealing with a hamstring injury, while Wicks is sidelined with an ankle injury. (Philadelphia Eagles; Adam Schefter; Ian Rapoport)
• Saquon Barkley: QUESTIONABLE with a hamstring injury after practicing for the third consecutive day. Ian Rapoport expects Barkley to play Monday. (Philadelphia Eagles; Ian Rapoport)
• Dallas Goedert: Carries NO injury designation and expects to play Monday after dealing with a knee issue. Medical analyst Jeff Mueller has expressed concerns about possible aggravation and reinjury risk, but Goedert has not been ruled out or placed under an announced restriction. (Philadelphia Eagles; Jeff McLane; Jeff Mueller)
• Makai Lemon / Hollywood Brown: Nick Sirianni praised Lemon's development and versatility, indicating Philadelphia wants to get him more involved. Hollywood Brown also received positive practice feedback. With Smith and Wicks out. (Nick Sirianni; MicNuggets; Zach Berman)

🟡 Pittsburgh Steelers

• Germie Bernard: Continues emerging as an intriguing young receiver, recording at least 80 receiving yards in consecutive games. Pittsburgh is reportedly moving him around the formation as its confidence in him grows, making Bernard a player worth monitoring in fantasy. (Kevin Gorman; Sleeper NFL)

🌉 San Francisco 49ers

• Christian Kirk: OFFICIALLY ACTIVATED FROM IR! Kirk is set to make his San Francisco debut against Atlanta after recovering from his calf injury. With Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel both ruled out, Kirk could play an important role in the passing game. (San Francisco 49ers; Adam Schefter; Ian Rapoport)
• Brandin Cooks / Jordan Watkins: Both could see opportunities in San Francisco's depleted receiving corps. (Jeff Mueller)

🎓 Dynasty Draft Watch

• Arch Manning / 2027 QB Class: Tom Pelissero reports that several NFL executives are questioning whether some of the projected top quarterbacks, including Arch Manning, will declare for the 2027 NFL Draft. No decision by Manning has been announced, but it's a development worth monitoring for dynasty managers holding future rookie picks. (Tom Pelissero; Sleeper NFL)

Data & Analysis Credit

A special thank you to the NFL teams, beat reporters, national insiders, medical analysts, 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, Jeremy Fowler, Tom Pelissero, Jonathan Jones, Jeff Mueller, MicNuggets, Matthew Berry, Dwain McFarland, and the many original reporters and analysts credited throughout. Your dedication to keeping the NFL community informed is greatly appreciated!