The Week 7 Injury Report

The Week 7 Injury Report

By Steven Stump | OG Fantasy Football | AngleRanks

Updated October 24, 2026 | Half-PPR

Many moons have passed since Stephen King first introduced us to a particularly cruel curse. One word, whispered with malicious intent. Thinner.

There's something terrifying about watching your entire life disappear right in front of you, knowing there's seemingly nothing you can do to stop it. Sound familiar, fantasy managers? It starts innocently enough. A questionable tag here. A limited practice there. Then your RB1 disappears, your quarterback suddenly goes down sliding on a run, grabbing his hamstring like he just got shot, and that bench you were so proud of in September starts looking like the aftermath of an Arizona State Halloween party where someone spiked the punch with bath salts.

Fortunately, we're not entirely helpless against this curse. Injuries create opportunities. Depth charts shift, and players who were barely an afterthought in August suddenly find themselves playing meaningful snaps in October.

I'm not here to diagnose injuries; that's for our resident injury expert, Dr. Ribu Thomas, PT, DPT (@Ribu18). I'm just the big dummy here to examine what happens on the football field when those players aren't available, or more importantly, how we can use that information to our advantage in our fantasy lineups.

Because while everyone else is staring at the names disappearing from their lineups, we should be looking at the players preparing to take their places. That's how you win championships.

Welcome to Week 7. Let's see who's still standing.

🔴 Dead Lights: Already Ruled OUT 🔴

Lamar Jackson | Baltimore Ravens

Status: OUT | Fantasy Replacement: Tyler Huntley

Well, we can finally put this one to bed.

After spending the entire week wondering whether Lamar Jackson would return, Baltimore officially ruled him out Saturday afternoon. That means Tyler Huntley will make his third consecutive start against Cincinnati.

Baltimore's offense without Lamar Jackson is a completely different animal. Huntley can create opportunities with his legs, and that's valuable from a fantasy perspective. But Jackson's impact extends far beyond rushing statistics. His presence changes how defenses operate and how the offense opens up. Without Jackson, Baltimore loses a major part of the identity that makes it so dangerous. And that impacts everyone.

Zay Flowers can still command targets with Huntley under center, but the overall efficiency becomes more concerning. Mark Andrews also becomes a less dependable weekly option when touchdown opportunities are harder to project. Huntley has already shown he can keep the offense competitive, but competitive NFL football and productive fantasy football aren't necessarily the same thing.

Bottom Line: Huntley is a viable Superflex replacement, but I'm not interested in chasing him in single-QB leagues. Flowers remains playable, although I'm lowering expectations for Baltimore's passing game as a whole. Andrews carries additional touchdown-dependent risk.

DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks | Philadelphia Eagles

Status: BOTH OUT | Fantasy Beneficiaries: Dallas Goedert, Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown

Apparently, Philadelphia looked at its injury report and decided there were still too many healthy receivers. DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks have both officially been ruled out for Monday night's matchup against Dallas. Tanner McKee is suddenly operating without the two receivers who have been leading Philadelphia's passing attack. Rookie Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown, and Darius Cooper are among the receivers who could receive additional opportunities. But just because those targets are available doesn't mean we should immediately expect WR2 production from the replacements. We're still dealing with essentially a backup offense at this point.

Dallas Goedert is the name that really stands out to me. He's cleared to play and provides McKee with an experienced receiving option capable of working underneath and through the intermediate portions of the field. And against a Dallas defense that has struggled this season, there's an opportunity for someone to produce. The question is whether Philadelphia can sustain enough offense to make that opportunity meaningful. The matchup also makes Makai Lemon interesting, especially if you need a late Puka pivot. When life gives you injuries, make Lemon-ade.

Bottom Line: Goedert is my favorite fantasy beneficiary and belongs in the TE1 conversation. Lemon is an upside flex consideration, while Hollywood Brown offers another potential replacement for managers scrambling to fill a Monday-night lineup. I'm avoiding the other receivers unless absolutely necessary.

David Montgomery | Houston Texans

Status: OUT | Fantasy Beneficiary: Woody Marks

This is one of the more straightforward situations of the week. With Montgomery officially ruled out against the Giants, Woody Marks is staring at an opportunity to take control of Houston's backfield. Marks has demonstrated the ability to contribute in both the running and passing game, and additional opportunities are exactly what we're looking for in an injury replacement. And let's be honest, he's just flat-out looked better this season.

Lots of shiny, healthy new toys for Coleridge Bernard Stroud IV to play with. Houston should have an opportunity to establish the running game against a middling New York defense. If Marks handles the majority of that work, we're looking at a player who legitimately can be an RB1 this week. He's finished as RB22 the past two weeks and has been the only back to rush for more than 40 yards against the lights-out Jacksonville defense.

Bottom Line: I'm starting Woody Marks. He is our consensus RB17 this week. Dare Ogunbowale is nothing more than deep-league insurance unless the backfield situation changes. Montgomery remains a hold while we wait for further news.

Emeka Egbuka | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Status: OUT | Fantasy Beneficiaries: Chris Godwin, Cade Otton

Tampa Bay is finally getting a thumbs-up from Baker Mayfield, but its receiving corps can't seem to catch a break. Egbuka has been ruled out against Carolina, leaving an already shorthanded offense searching for additional production. Chris Godwin is the obvious name here. However, I'm not putting my money on a nearly 31-year-old slot receiver averaging fewer than five targets a game and who has yet to put up double-digit fantasy points this year. For those more optimistic, Godwin is an established option underneath and is capable of absorbing additional targets. I'm an optimist…but I'm not crazy.

Cade Otton is another player I'm interested in. When an offense loses one of its primary receivers, the vacated targets can end up benefiting tight ends and running backs rather than another wideout. That's important if Mayfield returns and Tampa Bay wants to establish a rhythm with its short and intermediate passing game. Also, Ted Hurst is really, really good at football! If you're desperate or looking for a home run, his floor is a little lower than Godwin's, but "Oh my Lanta," the upside.

Bottom Line: Godwin is a WR3/flex consideration, while Otton offers streaming appeal at tight end. Bucky Irving remains a strong starting option regardless of Egbuka's absence. I'd avoid treating any depth receiver as a guaranteed breakout simply because additional targets are available.

Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel | San Francisco 49ers

Status: BOTH OUT | Fantasy Beneficiaries: George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco might need to start putting its wide receivers on ze' buddy system so they can stop losing them. With Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel both ruled out against Atlanta, Kyle Shanahan has some interesting decisions to make. Fortunately for the 49ers, this is an offense that has never been entirely dependent on traditional wide receiver production. Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle provide two entirely different ways to create mismatches against opposing defenses. McCaffrey is a freak of nature. Kittle is about to celebrate National Tight End Day like it's his 21st.

Rather than automatically assuming Brandin Cooks or another receiver inherits every missing target, I'm more interested in whether Shanahan simply leans harder into his established playmakers. We did get one piece of good news Saturday: Christian Kirk has officially been activated from injured reserve and had his questionable designation removed. That gives San Francisco another experienced receiver, although how much work Kirk handles immediately remains uncertain.

Bottom Line: Kittle is an elite TE1 this week, and McCaffrey remains an automatic start. Kirk becomes an interesting deeper-league flex option, while Cooks offers another emergency alternative. Don't blindly chase the next man up when the offense already has established stars capable of handling additional responsibilities.

Rashee Rice | Kansas City Chiefs

Status: OUT | Fantasy Beneficiaries: Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy

Kansas City enters Sunday night's matchup against Seattle without Rashee Rice. His absence creates additional opportunities in an offense that remains capable of producing. Travis Kelce obviously stands out. Xavier Worthy offers a different kind of opportunity. His speed and ability to stretch defenses make him dangerous, but explosive-play potential doesn't always translate into a dependable fantasy floor.

Cyrus Allen (did you forget he was still on the team too?) and the remaining receivers could also see expanded opportunities, although projecting exactly how Pat distributes those targets is a mystery to me. If I don't have to, I'm not starting anyone that isn't K9 or Kelce, and even that looks gross. Seattle's defense is not a force to be trifled with, and the implied point total for this game was only 42.5 points when I checked. I'm expecting a ground-and-pound, old-school slugfest in this one, ladies and gentlemen.

Bottom Line: I'm starting Kelce, but temper your expectations, and I’m treating Worthy as a flex with benefits. Cyrus Allen is worth monitoring in deeper leagues.

Jeremiyah Love | Arizona Cardinals

Status: OUT | Fantasy Beneficiaries: Tyler Allgeier, Bam Knight

Arizona will once again be without Jeremiyah Love, leaving Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight to handle the backfield. Allgeier offers a physical rushing presence, while Knight has demonstrated enough recent production to warrant consideration. Unfortunately, neither player gets a particularly friendly matchup against Denver.

This is where we want to be careful. Just because a player inherits additional touches doesn't mean he's suddenly an automatic start. We still need to consider offensive efficiency, game script, and how those opportunities are divided.

Bottom Line: Allgeier and Knight are flex considerations for managers dealing with bye weeks or injuries. I'm not particularly excited about the matchup, and I'd avoid aggressively chasing either unless your roster needs the depth.

Tyler Warren | Indianapolis Colts

Status: OUT | Fantasy Impact: Colts Passing Game

Warren's absence removes an important receiving option from Indianapolis. Unlike a running back injury, however, losing a tight end doesn't necessarily mean the replacement tight end inherits the same opportunities. The Colts could choose to distribute those targets among their receivers or lean more heavily on Jonathan Taylor and Seth McGowan. Indy and Daniel Jones have not been running on all cylinders this year, and on top of that, they now have to play a Minnesota defense that can only be described in one word. DAMN!

Bottom Line: Mo Alie-Cox is fun to say, but look elsewhere for a tight end streamer this week. Warren remains a valuable rest-of-season asset, but managers need an immediate replacement rather than waiting for him to return.

Zach Charbonnet | Seattle Seahawks

Status: OUT | Fantasy Beneficiaries: Emanuel Wilson, George Holani

Charbonnet practiced fully this week but has officially been ruled out against Kansas City. Mike Macdonald confirmed there hasn't been a setback and that Seattle is continuing with its planned return process. That leaves Emanuel Wilson and George Holani handling the backfield for at least another week. The problem? This backfield has become increasingly difficult to trust.

Wilson has been inefficient; he was one of my sits of the week last week, and I don't see a sudden leap in talent level happening anytime soon. Wilson managed just 52 yards on 14 carries against Denver last week while playing only 33% of the offensive snaps. Holani played 56%, largely because Seattle was forced into a pass-heavy game script. Kansas City's run defense presents another difficult matchup, making it hard to get excited about anyone in this rotation.

Bottom Line: Wilson is a desperation flex based on projected carries. Holani offers limited receiving upside in deeper PPR leagues, but neither is someone I'm particularly interested in starting. Charbonnet remains a worthwhile stash as Seattle prepares for his eventual return.

Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia Eagles

Status: INJURED RESERVE | Fantasy Replacement: Tanner McKee

Philadelphia's problems extend well beyond a single position. Hurts remains sidelined for the year with the unfortunate blood clot news, leaving Tanner McKee in charge of an offense that is apparently in a full-blown fire sale. Saturday's news didn't make things any better, with DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks officially ruled out. McKee offers immediate value in Superflex formats simply because starting quarterbacks are difficult to replace. Don't expect him to replicate Hurts' fantasy production. Hurts' rushing ability fundamentally changes how defenses must account for Philadelphia's offense.

Removing that element can affect the rushing game and passing opportunities even when the surrounding personnel remains unchanged. And right now, the surrounding personnel is anything but healthy. At least Dallas Goedert has been cleared to play. That's one less problem for McKee to worry about.

Bottom Line: McKee is a viable Superflex replacement, but that's about the only value he holds. I'm honestly hesitant about starting most Eagles until we have a better understanding of how the offense operates without Hurts. Goedert is the exception I'm most interested in, especially with Smith and Wicks ruled out.

🟡 Yellow Light: Set Alarms & Check the News 🟡

Puka Nacua | Los Angeles Rams

Status: QUESTIONABLE | Sunday, 4:25 PM ET

The Fantasy Gods are cruel. This might be the most important injury decision of the weekend. Davante Adams is already on injured reserve, and now Nacua is questionable after missing Friday's practice with a calf issue. The Rams could potentially enter Sunday's matchup without their two most important receivers. That doesn't just change the target distribution. It changes what defenses have to respect and how Matthew Stafford can attack them.

Konata Mumpfield, Jordan Whittington, and the remaining wide receivers could see increased opportunities. I'm particularly interested in whether Tyler Higbee and the Rams' tight ends become more involved; Colby Parkinson is back as well. Instead of asking which receiver replaces Nacua, we should be asking how the Rams intend to replace the production of an entire receiving unit. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum could also become more important if the Rams attempt to reduce the pressure on their depleted passing game.

Bottom Line: If Nacua plays, he's forever going into my lineup. Unfortunately, the outlook is looking bleak; I’m about 98% sure the Rams sit him. Mumpfield is worth rostering as insurance, while Higbee becomes an interesting streaming option if the receiving corps remains depleted.

Also, don't forget about Terrance Ferguson, who's still on IR, if you're looking for a stash with upside.

Breece Hall | New York Jets

Status: QUESTIONABLE | Fantasy Beneficiary: Braelon Allen

Hall's quad injury has once again placed Braelon Allen in an interesting position. If Hall misses another game, Allen could receive the kind of workload that makes running backs extremely valuable in fantasy football, and Miami presents a juicy matchup. Braelon has been solid for our fantasy teams, finishing as RB8 and RB18 the last two weeks, respectively.

Allen gives New York a player capable of handling significant rushing volume and enough in the receiving department to be a three-down back. And with Hall still carrying a questionable designation, this remains one of Sunday's more important decisions.

Bottom Line: If Hall is ruled out, I'm comfortable starting Allen as a high-end RB2. If Hall plays, both backs require a closer look at the expected workload distribution. Allen has looked good, and honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the Jets decide to give Hall another week. There's little reason to rush him back if the current RB room can continue producing.

Saquon Barkley | Philadelphia Eagles

Status: QUESTIONABLE | Monday, 8:15 PM ET

Monday night injury situations just flat-out suck. Barkley returned to limited practice earlier in the week and then participated fully Saturday. That's encouraging, but Philadelphia still gave him an official questionable designation for Monday night. The Eagles are just a ghost of themselves at this point. DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks have now been ruled out, leaving Tanner McKee without two of his most important receiving options.

Dallas Goedert, fortunately, is cleared to play. With McKee starting at quarterback, the offense may want to establish the running game and avoid asking its inexperienced quarterback to carry an already depleted passing attack. This is a golden opportunity for Barkley, as the Dallas defense has been getting absolutely shredded by opposing running backs. If Barkley isn't ready, Dameon Pierce could once again receive substantial opportunities.

Bottom Line: Barkley appears to be trending in the right direction, but have a Monday-night contingency plan. He's a strong starting option if active, while Pierce becomes considerably more interesting if he sits. Don't assume either outcome until Philadelphia confirms its plans.

Baker Mayfield | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Status: QUESTIONABLE | Practiced fully Friday

We're finally starting to get some healthy players back, and Baker looked good stepping off the team plane Saturday afternoon. Mayfield's expected return is one of the more encouraging developments of the week. Head coach Todd Bowles indicated Friday that Baker looks ready to go, although he remains officially questionable against Carolina.

Without Egbuka, Mayfield would return to a receiving group with fewer established options. That makes Chris Godwin and Cade Otton interesting beneficiaries. I'd also argue that Bucky Irving benefits the most here from a more functional passing game. Defenses have to respect the quarterback.

Bottom Line: Mayfield is a QB2 consideration if active. His return improves the outlook for Godwin, Otton, and Irving, but I wouldn't make a final lineup decision until he's confirmed active. If you want to play it safe, grab another quarterback off waivers. But three consecutive full practices and the coach's comments are encouraging signs.

Other Questionable Players Worth Monitoring

A few more situations deserve a final check before kickoff.

Rico Dowdle | Pittsburgh Steelers

Dowdle is questionable with a knee injury heading into Sunday's 9:30 AM ET game in Paris. Check the early inactive report before leaving him in your lineup. There's no reason to take a zero because you forgot about the international kickoff.

Dylan Sampson | Cleveland Browns

Sampson is questionable with a knee injury. Quinshon Judkins carries no injury designation, but Sampson's availability could influence how Cleveland distributes its backfield work.

Tyjae Spears and Calvin Ridley | Tennessee Titans

Both remain questionable. Spears' availability could affect Tony Pollard's workload, while Ridley's status creates additional uncertainty in Tennessee's passing game.

None of these situations is worth forcing into your starting lineup without considering the available alternatives.

🟢 Green Light: We're Back BABY (No Tags) 🟢

T.J. Hockenson | Minnesota Vikings

Status: NO GAME DESIGNATION | Full Practice

Now it's a party, and right on time to celebrate the holiday! Hockenson's return gives Minnesota another legitimate receiving weapon. Hockenson offers a solid floor at a position that has been highly volatile for fantasy managers. It's a much-welcomed return. Kyler's connection with Hockenson is something I want to see continue to develop, particularly in an offense that already features Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

The addition of another receiving threat creates competition for targets, but it can also make an offense more difficult to defend. It's also been a bit of a rollercoaster for Hock managers. He doesn't need to command every target to be productive, but a little consistency would be appreciated.

Bottom Line: I'm comfortable returning Hockenson to the TE1 conversation. His involvement and potential red-zone opportunities make him a viable starting option.

Jordan Addison | Minnesota Vikings

Status: NO GAME DESIGNATION | Full Practice

Same situation as above. Super talented receiver, whole lotta mouths to feed! The important part is that Minnesota gets another capable playmaker back, which should help the offense even if the individual target distribution becomes more difficult to project.

Bottom Line: Addison is an upside flex option. I'd be more comfortable using him when chasing a higher ceiling than relying on him as the foundation of my receiving corps.

Jordan Mason | Minnesota Vikings

Status: ACTIVATED FROM IR | Cleared for Week 7

Remember when I said the Fantasy Gods are cruel? Here's a perfect example. Minnesota officially activated Jordan Mason on Saturday, bringing another capable running back into an offense that has been leaning heavily on Aaron Jones. That's good news for the Vikings.

For Aaron Jones managers? Maybe not so much. Jones has benefited from Mason's absence, and another legitimate back entering the rotation threatens some of that workload. The biggest uncertainty is how quickly Minnesota works Mason back in after Jones has continued to grow and produce, scoring more points than the previous week in each of his first six games this season. We know Mason is available. What we don't know is how the opportunities will be divided.

Bottom Line: Mason is worth holding and could become a flex option immediately. Jones remains playable, but I'm cautious about projecting his recent workload forward without accounting for Mason's return.

Christian Kirk | San Francisco 49ers

Status: ACTIVATED FROM IR | Questionable Designation Removed

A healthy 49ers receiver? Who had that on their bingo card? San Francisco officially activated Kirk on Saturday and removed his questionable designation, giving Brock Purdy another capable receiving option with Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel sidelined.

But let's not confuse being available with immediately being ready to dominate. Shanahan can manufacture offensive production through McCaffrey and Kittle without forcing the ball to a receiver returning from injury. Kirk is capable, Purdy is en fuego, and the opportunity is certainly there. That doesn't mean I'm immediately trusting him with my fantasy season.

Bottom Line: Kirk is an interesting deeper-league flex option. If you're desperate, I understand the appeal, but I'd prefer to see his role established before treating him as dependable.

Dallas Goedert | Philadelphia Eagles

Status: NO GAME DESIGNATION | Full Practice Saturday

And just when Philadelphia's injury report was starting to look like a Stephen King casualty list, we finally got some good news. Goedert returned to full practice Saturday and has no final injury designation for Monday against Dallas. With DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks both ruled out, he could be one of Tanner McKee's most important receiving options.

That doesn't automatically mean Philadelphia's offense will suddenly become efficient. But tight ends who command meaningful opportunities in the short and intermediate passing game are exactly the kinds of players we should be considering when the wide receiver room is depleted. The matchup against Dallas doesn't hurt. Giddy up!

Bottom Line: Goedert is a TE1 for me this week. I'm much more comfortable starting him than trying to predict which Eagles depth receiver will have the breakout game.

Bucky Irving | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Status: NO GAME DESIGNATION | Full Practice

Irving is so good to go, and that may have been the best news so far this week! While much of the attention is understandably focused on Mayfield and the receiving injuries, Irving controls that backfield at this point, and the matchup is absolutely beautiful against the Panthers. He benefits from being a bona fide three-down back, more than capable of catching the ball out of the backfield. Mayfield's expected return Sunday would only improve that outlook and Bucky's floor.

Bottom Line: Start Irving. Don't overthink this one. Start your studs!

Alvin Kamara | New Orleans Saints

Status: NO GAME DESIGNATION | Limited Practice

Kamara appeared on the practice report throughout the week but enters Sunday's matchup without a final injury designation. The more interesting story may be the increasing involvement of Kendre Miller. Miller has been receiving meaningful rushing opportunities; however, neither back has been very efficient this year with those opportunities.

Bottom Line: Kamara remains playable, but Miller is becoming an increasingly interesting volume-based flex candidate. Both players' roles deserve attention going forward. If I have other options, I'm playing them. Alvin remains a low-end flex play with TD upside, but I will be doing my best to avoid having to start any Saints rusher in this game.

And remember, New Orleans plays Pittsburgh at 9:30 AM ET Sunday in Paris. Set those lineups early.

Final Thoughts: Surviving the Curse

For those looking for the quick version before setting lineups, here's where I stand heading into Week 7.

My Favorite Injury-Driven Starts:

- Woody Marks
- George Kittle
- Bucky Irving
- Dallas Goedert
- Braelon Allen, if Hall sits

Players Worth Adding or Holding:

- Konata Mumpfield
- Jordan Mason
- Tyler Higbee
- Makai Lemon
- Terrance Ferguson (IR)

Biggest Decisions Still Pending:

- Puka Nacua's Sunday afternoon availability
- Breece Hall's Sunday game-time status
- Saquon Barkley's Monday night return
- Baker Mayfield's official activation for Sunday

Every fantasy season reaches a point where the roster you spent months constructing barely resembles the team you drafted. Did I envision Bam Knight and Devin Singletary as my starting running backs in my grand master plan? Hell no! The difference between surviving those injuries and watching your season disappear often comes down to preparation and staying active.

I've seen 0-6 teams make the playoffs. I won my first championship with a 1-5 team. We can't control who's available on Sunday. But we can control how prepared we are when the injury report starts getting longer. That's gonna wrap it up, folks. Remember to stay informed, stay active, and we still have a fighting chance to survive this injury curse.

The roster may be getting thinner. That doesn't mean your chances have to.