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Brandon Graham ends retirement, rejoins Eagles

Tue Oct 21 10:52am ET
Field Level Media

Brandon Graham ended his retirement to rejoin the Philadelphia Eagles at the risk of spoiling a Hollywood ending to his 15-year NFL career.

Graham walked off the field in New Orleans in February with a second Lombardi Trophy already having planned for the final game of the 2024 season being his last.

Those plans changed and Graham made the one-year deal with the Eagles official.

"I'm coming back, baby. I'm excited," Graham said Tuesday. "No expectations. Just excited to get after it. Of course, I believe in the team. That's a big part of it too. I know they've got everything that they need. Just can't wait to add a little more."

Graham, 37, said he wanted to keep playing after returning from a torn triceps to play in the Super Bowl earlier this year. But he didn't get a sense from the Eagles that they wanted him back, and wasn't willing to play for another team. Graham is the longest-tenured player in team history.

"It was only going to be for the Eagles," he said Tuesday.

The Eagles are 26th in the NFL with 11 sacks this season. Nolan Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo are on injured reserve, and Okoronkwo was ruled out for the season.

Graham cranked up the intensity of his workouts in September with a potential return in mind. The Eagles have an open roster spot and added him directly to the 53-man roster, making Graham eligible to play Sunday against the New York Giants.

He has 76.5 career sacks, but only 6.5 total in his past 28 regular-season games.

Graham obviously knows the team and scheme. He said his timeline was adjusted by pass rusher Za'Darius Smith abruptly retiring last week.

Until Graham practices with the team on Wednesday, he isn't clear if he'll be active for the Week 8 game or wait for Nov. 10 following the Eagles' bye next week.

"I am glad I'm doing it earlier because I get a week of practice. Get another week on the bye week. Of course, I'm going to do some extra (work). I've got to get my training camp going," Graham said. "I think by Green Bay I should be a go. Just easing my way in. But who knows? It could be this week. You just never know. They want to see where I'm at."

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Player Notes
C.J. Stroud Oct 21 10:30am CT
C.J. Stroud

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had one of the least efficient games of his career in his team's 27-19 Week 7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Stroud completed just 23 of 49 pass attempts for 229 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Across six games this season, the 24-year-old has completed 64.8% of his pass attempts for 1,305 yards, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions. Houston struggled mightily to run the ball in Week 7, as Stroud was the team's leading rusher with just 25 yards. The Texans' overall offensive inefficiency makes Stroud tough for fantasy managers in single-QB formats to trust. Stroud will likely profile as a mid-tier fantasy QB2 in Week 8 against the San Francisco 49ers.

From RotoBaller

Dalton Schultz Oct 21 10:20am CT
Dalton Schultz

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz had his best game of the season so far in Week 7, recording nine catches for 98 yards on 10 targets in his team's 27-19 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Schultz has now recorded 30 catches for 284 yards on 37 targets across six games played. The 29-year-old is not an explosive player, and he's yet to find the end zone this season. Still, Schultz has now earned at least six targets in each of his last four games. For fantasy managers looking for a tight end option who can provide a safe floor, Schultz could be a decent streamer off the waiver wire. He and the Texans will host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8.

From RotoBaller

Mike Evans Oct 21 10:13am CT
Mike Evans

Dynasty | Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans broke his collarbone in Monday night's loss to the Lions. Dynasty Analysis: Oh boy. Evans will be placed on injured reserve and miss most if not all of the rest of the regular season. His streak of 1,000-yard seasons to begin a career will undoubtedly end at 11 as Evans has just 14 catches for 140 yards and one touchdown in parts of four games played this season. At 32, dynasty managers have wondered when the bottom would fall out of his value and it seems this injury will likely be the trigger for that happening.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Zach Charbonnet Oct 21 10:10am CT
Zach Charbonnet

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet recorded 12 carries for 49 yards and two touchdowns in his team's 27-19 Week 7 win over the Houston Texans on Monday night. Seattle heavily features both Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III out of the backfield, but Charbonnet has carved out a consistent role as the team's preferred back at the goal line. The 24-year-old has now recorded 72 carries for 205 yards and five touchdowns across six games played so far this season. In games where both Charbonnet and Walker III are healthy, both backs have limited upside. Still, Charbonnet provides a safe floor as a good bet for double-digit touches and a feature back at the goal line. Charbonnet profiles as a low-end flex option for fantasy managers heading into a Week 8 matchup with the Washington Commanders.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Pitts Oct 21 9:40am CT
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. tiedfor theteam lead in targets (10) and recorded the most catches (seven) in Sunday night's 20-10 loss to the 49ers, totaling 62 yards in the contest. It was a nice bounce-back performance after a 3-18-0 line in Week 6, and reestablished his place as the No. 3 pass-catcher in this offense with a 19.3 percent target share on the season, just slightly behind Bijan Robinson's 19.8 percent. The effort puts the 25-year-old on pace for 85 catches this season and 800-plus yards. ThoughDarnell Mooney was active for this game, he received only five targets and has been targeted more than Pitts only one time this season in the four games in which he's played. The 6-foot-6 tightend gets a matchup with Miami in Week 8, a defense that has yielded the ninth-most fantasy points to TEs thus far and is allowing opponents to score 29.3 points per game, fourth-most in the NFL.

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Max Brosmer Oct 21 9:00am CT
Max Brosmer

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer could be the team's starter on Thursday night, when they visit the Chargers on a short week. Carson Wentz (shoulder) has started the last four games for Minnesota, but he was banged up again in the team's loss to the Eagles on Sunday. If he can't recover in time for Thursday, it seems likely that Brosmer would get the nod over J.J. McCarthy (ankle), who is eligible to return from IR but doesn't seem to be ready to return to action. Coach Kevin O'Connell has made it clear he doesn't want to rush McCarthy back, and with limited practice reps this week, it seems unlikely he'd go to McCarthy as the starter. Brosmer is an undrafted rookie free agent the Vikings signed out of Minnesota, and he'd likely be a downgrade for the rest of the Vikings' passing game in a tough matchup against the Chargers. Stay tuned for Wentz updates from the team's practice reports this week, and be familiar with Brosmer as his potential replacement if McCarthy needs more time.

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Tyrod Taylor Oct 21 8:40am CT
Tyrod Taylor

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields could be in jeopardy of losing his starting job after another rough outing on Sunday against the Panthers. Before the game, coach Aaron Glenn dismissed any discussion about a change at quarterback, but then, midway through the game, Tyrod Taylor came on in place of Fields. Neither QB led a touchdown drive or was especially effective, but Taylor's game does seem to fit the scheme of offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand a little better. Taylor is more willing to take shots down the field as a traditional pocket passer, while Fields tends to dink and dunk while scrambling around. Taylor started against the Bucs in Week 3 while Fields was out with a concussion, and he almost led the Jets to a road win with 197 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Fields has more individual fantasy upside due to his scrambling and rushing contributions, but Taylor could make the rest of the Jets offense better fantasy contributors if he takes over.

From RotoBaller

Chris Godwin Oct 21 8:30am CT
Chris Godwin

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula) missed his team's Week 7 loss to the Lions on Monday Night Football, and even though he's recovering, Coach Todd Bowles didn't seem confident the veteran receiver will be ready to return in Week 8 against the Saints. With a bye week in Week 9, the Bucs may play it safe with Godwin, who played two games after returning from his dislocated ankle and broken fibula suffered last season. This leg injury is in a different place, according to Bowles, but he still looks like a long shot to play in Week 8. If Godwin is out again, he'll join Mike Evans (collarbone) on the sidelines, leaving lots of work for rookies Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson, while Cade Otton would also stay more involved as a pass-catching tight end option.

From RotoBaller

Bucky Irving Oct 21 8:20am CT
Bucky Irving

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) and wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula) are both recovering from their injuries, but Coach Todd Bowles said they may not play this week against the Saints. With a Week 9 bye following just one more game, it makes sense that the team would be cautious with the two playmakers, with the hopes of getting them back in Week 10 when they host the Patriots. If Irving misses a fourth straight game, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker would remain the backfield rotation for Tampa, with White taking most of the work as a strong RB2 in New Orleans. If Godwin is out, he'll join Mike Evans (collarbone) on the sidelines, leaving lots of work for rookies Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson, while Cade Otton would also stay more involved as a pass-catching tight end option.

From RotoBaller

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Oct 21 8:20am CT
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had eight catches for the third straight week and finished with 123 yards and a touchdown in his team's 27-19 win on Monday. JSN has been one of the top receivers in the league this year, and Sam Darnold continues to give him plenty of targets. He has 36 targets over the last three weeks and has emerged as a true WR1 in Seattle after the departure of D.K. Metcalf this past offseason. Smith-Njigba and the Seahawks are on a bye this week, but he'll look to pick up where he left off in a great matchup in Week 10 against the Commanders. After Washington, Seattle faces the Cardinals, Rams, Titans, and Vikings. At this point, Smith-Njigba is an every-week lock in your lineup, aside from his bye this week.

From RotoBaller

Michael Penix Jr. Oct 21 8:10am CT
Michael Penix Jr.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (leg) is dealing with a bone bruise in his lower leg, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, and the second-year QB should be "good to go" for Sunday's home game against the Dolphins. Penix and the Falcons are looking to bounce back from a 20-10 loss on Sunday Night Football to the 49ers, and they'll be in a very favorable matchup to do that against the 1-6 Dolphins, who were just crushed by the Browns. Penix threw for 241 passing yards and a touchdown in the loss while also turning the ball over once with a fumble. Since he was able to play through the injury in Week 7, it's no surprise that he should also be able to play in Week 8. If he is surprisingly out, Kirk Cousins would step in and start in his place. Most of the Dolphins' defensive troubles have been against the run, so Penix's injury could mean even more work and more success for Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier in a smash spot this Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Jaylin Noel Oct 21 8:00am CT
Jaylin Noel

Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel stepped in for Christian Kirk (hamstring) on Monday night in Seattle, and the rookie posted four catches for 77 yards. The 77 receiving yards were the highest total of all of Houston's wide receivers in the game and a new personal best for the third-round pick from Iowa State. He has been getting more work each week, and he should continue to be involved at least while Kirk is out. Kirk missed the first two weeks of the season with a hamstring injury, and he suffered another hamstring injury Friday in practice, but there's no word on how long he'll be out. Noel brings good upside out of the slot if he gets another start against the 49ers in Week 8, and there could be even more targets available if top receiver Nico Collins (concussion) is limited or out after suffering a concussion on Monday.

From RotoBaller

Woody Marks Oct 21 7:50am CT
Woody Marks

Houston Texans running back Woods Marks led the backfield in carries on Monday Night Football, and even though he wasn't very efficient, he saved his fantasy day with a late touchdown as a receiver. Marks played 61% of snaps and had 10 of the team's 15 running back carries against the Seahawks. He only had 15 rushing yards on those 10 carries, though, while C.J. Stroud led the team with 25 rushing yards on his two carries. Marks found the end zone on one of his three catches on five targets for 20 receiving yards. While his rushing total is disappointing, his workload is a positive sign moving forward that the fourth-round pick from USC maintains his role in the timeshare. Nick Chubb will still get early down work, but Marks seems to be the go-to option on passing downs and brings nice RB2 upside as a result. The Texans are home next week against the 49ers.

From RotoBaller

Mason Taylor Oct 21 7:40am CT
Mason Taylor

New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor bounced back a little bit from a one-catch game in London, hauling in three of his five targets on Sunday for 31 yards. The second-round pick played 93% of the snaps for the Jets and has been almost an every-down option for New York the last few weeks. With Garrett Wilson (knee) out, Taylor finished second on the team with five targets behind only Josh Reynolds, who drew nine targets from Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor. Neither quarterback made the offense look great, but Taylor is involved enough to be worth a look if you need help from the waiver wire at tight end, especially if Wilson is out another week. Taylor and the 0-7 Jets visit the Bengals this week before their Week 9 bye week. The Bengals have been the most generous matchup in the NFL for tight ends this season, so Taylor has upside to consider as a one-week solution.

From RotoBaller

Jaxson Dart Oct 21 7:30am CT
Jaxson Dart

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was in a tough road matchup against the Denver Broncos in Week 7, but his final numbers were excellent. He threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns while adding a fourth score on the ground with 11 rushing yards. Dart was one of the top scoring quarterbacks of the week, but his day was spoiled by taking the loss to the Broncos, who stormed back with 33 points in the fourth quarter to win 33-32. Dart did throw a brutal interception to help fuel the comeback, but the kicking game and his team's defensive struggles ultimately led to the loss. Dart and the Giants have shown a lot of promise and upside, and they'll head to Philadelphia this week for a rematch against the Eagles. The Giants beat the Eagles in Week 6 in New York, and they'll look to pull off the upset again this week, but this time they'll be on the road. Even in tough environments, Dart has shown enough upside to be considered as a starter in most formats, with his rushing potential keeping both his floor and ceiling very high.

From RotoBaller

Tez Johnson Oct 21 7:10am CT
Tez Johnson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson continued his strong string of performances with a nice game against the Lions, and he could be lined up for more work going forward as well. Johnson had four catches for 58 yards and a touchdown against the Lions and finished with nine targets, which was tied for second on the team. It was his second straight week with an impressive touchdown, and over the last three weeks, the seventh-round pick from Oregon has become a regular contributor in the passing game, producing nine catches for 158 yards to go with his two scores. With Mike Evans (collarbone) out for "most of the year" according to coach Todd Bowles, Johnson should have a clear role going forward behind his fellow rookie, Emeka Egbuka. The Bucs will look to bounce back from their Week 7 loss with a game in New Orleans next week before a Week 9 bye week.

From RotoBaller

Chimere Dike Oct 21 7:10am CT
Chimere Dike

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike stepped up with Calvin Ridley (hamstring) sidelined on Sunday against New England. The fourth-round pick from Florida played a season-high 57% of snaps and caught all four of his targets for 70 yards and his first NFL touchdown. Dike has multiple catches in three straight games and five of his last six. He should stay in a key role for the Titans as they look to develop a young core with rookie QB Cam Ward and rookie WR Elic Ayomanor, along with Dike. The Titans' offense could shift in the next few weeks with the trade deadline approaching and Mike McCoy now in place as the interim head coach. Dike has flashed enough upside, though, that he has to be included in the team's plans, and he is an interesting speculative pickup as the Titans head to Indy in Week 8 and try to keep up with the Colts.

From RotoBaller

Nico Collins Oct 21 12:40am CT
Nico Collins

Updating a previous report, the Houston Texans announced that wide receiver Nico Collins (concussion) was downgraded to out in Monday night's Week 7 game against the Seattle Seahawks after suffering a concussion early in the fourth quarter. Collins' helmet hit the turf when he came down on a contested catch in Seattle, and he will now enter the league's concussion protocol. On a short week, it's possible that he will not be cleared in time for Sunday's Week 8 tilt against the San Francisco 49ers. Before leaving, Collins caught only four of his 10 targets for 27 yards. Tight end Dalton Schultz led Houston in receiving on Monday night, catching nine of 10 targets for 98 yards, and could be in for another big workload in Week 8 if Collins doesn't get the green light. In addition to Schultz, rookie wideouts Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, and Xavier Hutchinson would be in line for more targets if Collins misses additional time. Noel was second in receiving on Monday night with four grabs for 77 yards on seven targets.

From RotoBaller

Nico Collins Oct 21 12:20am CT
Nico Collins

Houston Texans star wide receiver Nico Collins (head) suffered a head injury in the fourth quarter of the Monday night game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7 and is being evaluated for a concussion, according to the team. Collins is considered questionable to return. The 26-year-old injured his head when he went up for a catch at the beginning of the fourth quarter and hit his head on the turf when he came down to the ground. He went to the locker room with trainers after being evaluated in the medical tent on the sidelines. Collins was having a quiet night against Seattle before the injury, catching only four of his 10 targets for 27 yards receiving. If Collins doesn't return and if he misses more time going forward, tight end Dalton Schultz and receivers Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins, and Xavier Hutchinson would be asked to step up for Houston's WR corps.

From RotoBaller

Cade Otton Oct 21 12:10am CT
Cade Otton

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton caught seven of nine targets for 65 yards in Monday night's 24-9 loss to the Lions. Otton led the team in receptions and yard on Monday night with a banged up receiver room and Mike Evans (collarbone) leaving with a significant injury. Quarterback Baker Mayfield leaned on Otton as his primary short-yardage target, with Otton frequently finding space open downfield. The 26-year-old has a chance to establish himself as a reliable tight end option in the coming weeks, as the Bucs continue to deal with significant injuries on offense.

From RotoBaller