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Former Raiders S George Atkinson dies at 78

Mon Oct 27 3:50pm ET
Field Level Media

Former Oakland Raiders safety George Atkinson, who helped the team to five consecutive AFC Championship Games, has died, the team announced. He was 78.

Atkinson's cause of death was not revealed.

Atkinson was a seventh-round draft pick by the Raiders in 1968. In his first two seasons with the Raiders, then of the AFL, he was named an AFL All-Star as a cornerback and kick returner. He was also the 1968 AFL co-Defensive Player of the Year.

A member of the current Raiders broadcast team, Atkinson helped the Raiders to a 32-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

"George's contributions as a friend and a mentor to everyone in the Raiders organization continued long after his playing career, and his genuine personality and wonderful sense of humor will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him," the Raiders said in a statement.

In 10 seasons with the Raiders (1968-77), Atkinson had 30 interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, in 138 games (126 starts). After not playing in 1978, he returned in 1979 to play six games for the Denver Broncos.

Atkinson's son George III played 21 games as a running back in the NFL with the Raiders and Cleveland Browns, gaining 34 total yards on seven carries with a touchdown. George III was ruled to have died by suicide in 2019, while another son Josh died by suicide in 2018.

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Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 8

Player Notes
Cam Skattebo Oct 27 2:50pm CT
Cam Skattebo

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that "all went well" with rookie running back Cam Skattebo's ankle surgery on Monday, according to Dan Salomone of Giants.com. "He's recovering. Obviously, he'll be missed. On the road to recovery," Daboll said. Skattebo suffered a gruesome-looking dislocated right ankle in Sunday's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and had to be carted off the field. While there is no official timetable for the 23-year-old Arizona State product's return, he will miss the rest of his rookie season. It's a very disappointing end to 2025 for the fourth-round pick, who ran for 410 yards and five touchdowns on 101 carries while adding 24 catches for 207 yards and two more scores in his first eight games in the NFL. With Skattebo done for the rest of the year, Tyrone Tracy Jr. will be New York's lead back, with Devin Singletary elevating into RB2 duties.

From RotoBaller

Nico Collins Oct 27 2:40pm CT
Nico Collins

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Monday that "we'll see how he progresses this week" when asked about wide receiver Nico Collins' (head) status in the league's concussion protocol. Collins is "doing well and trending toward a return" for a Week 9 contest against the Denver Broncos at this point, a source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. The 26-year-old was unable to practice last week and didn't play in Sunday's win over the visiting San Francisco 49ers, but if he can get back on the field this week, he's trending toward playing this Sunday in a tough matchup against Denver. With fellow wideout Christian Kirk (hamstring) missing a second straight game over the weekend, Xavier Hutchinson led the team in receiving yards, with rookies Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins also seeing expanded workloads. Collins will be a must-start in Week 9 if he's cleared from the concussion protocol.

From RotoBaller

Joe Flacco Oct 27 2:40pm CT
Joe Flacco

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (shoulder) is being considered day-to-day with a shoulder injury after the team's Week 8 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, according to head coach Zac Taylor. Flacco is sore the day after the team's one-point loss. In the 39-38 loss, the 40-year-old signal-caller went 21-for-34 passing for 233 yards and two touchdowns while adding 14 rushing yards and a third touchdown. The Bengals gave the Jets their first win of the year, but Flacco was once again very adequate for fantasy managers who had him in their starting lineups. He has thrown for over 200 yards in each of his three starts with the Bengals, and he has made receiver Ja'Marr Chase elite again. While it sounds like Flacco's injury isn't a serious one, fantasy managers will want to monitor his status ahead of the Week 9 game versus the Chicago Bears.

From RotoBaller

Jakobi Meyers Oct 27 2:30pm CT
Jakobi Meyers

Multiple NFL teams have "shown interest" in trading for Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who is in the final year of his contract and has publicly said he still wants to be traded, sources tell Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. However, teams have "had a hard time getting a clear read on whether Las Vegas is truly willing to move him." The belief is that it would take at least "a Day 2 pick" for the Raiders to even consider moving him. The 28-year-old missed the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs due to knee and toe injuries, but he's expected to be ready to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9 after a bye in Week 8. A change of scenery might be what Meyers needs to get going, as he has a 29-329-0 line through six games in 2025 while working with quarterback Geno Smith. If Meyers is traded, Tre Tucker and rookies Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech would start in three-wide sets for the Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Puka Nacua Oct 27 2:20pm CT
Puka Nacua

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (ankle) is expected to practice on Wednesday and play in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, according to head coach Sean McVay. Nacua injured his left ankle in the Week 6 win over the Baltimore Ravens and was held out for the team's Week 7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. The Rams were on their bye in Week 8, and it sounds like Nacua has made enough progress to be able to return this weekend against the Saints. If he is active, fantasy managers need to get the second-year wideout back into all starting lineups. Even with one fewer game played than many of the other receivers in the league, Nacua ranks as the WR5 in half-PPR scoring with 54 receptions on 65 targets for 616 yards and two touchdowns through six games played in 2025. Even with Davante Adams in town, quarterback Matthew Stafford looks Nacua's way more often than not when he drops back to pass.

From RotoBaller

Bryce Young Oct 27 2:10pm CT
Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) had a good running session on Monday, according to his head coach, Dave Canales. While he is still considered day-to-day, there is a chance he returns this week after missing one game with an ankle injury. With Andy Dalton running the show in a Week 8 loss to the Bills, the Panthers' offense struggled mightily, failing to gain 250 total yards and turning the ball over three times. While Dalton completed only 16 passes on the day, seven of those went to Tetairoa McMillan for 99 yards, signaling that the rookie receiver should be able to produce a safe fantasy floor on volume alone, regardless of who is under center when the Panthers face the Packers in Week 9.

From RotoBaller

Rico Dowdle Oct 27 2:10pm CT
Rico Dowdle

When asked about the team's running back situation involving both Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said, "Chuba Hubbard has meant a lot to this team. We wanted to give him an opportunity following his calf injury. But we can't ignore the fact that Rico [Dowdle] has been exceptional." Canales' tone "suggests Dowdle will get a heavier workload," according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. In the team's Week 8 loss to the Buffalo Bills with a negative game script, Dowdle had eight carries for 54 yards and wasn't targeted in the passing game on just 36% of the offensive snaps. Meanwhile, Hubbard had a team-high 12 carries for 34 yards and a touchdown and didn't catch his only target on 57% of the snaps. Dowdle was more efficient on the ground on Sunday and has 123 yards on 25 carries in the two games since Hubbard returned from injury. Even if Dowdle sees a bit more work going forward, this backfield split is going to cap his fantasy value every week.

From RotoBaller

Joe Mixon Oct 27 2:00pm CT
Joe Mixon

In what is becoming part of his weekly routine, Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters on Monday that he has no update on the injury status of Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon (foot). Mixon has been on the team's NFI list since the beginning of training camp after injuring his ankle/foot during a spring workout. More than halfway through the fantasy football regular season, managers who have kept him stashed on IR are potentially weighing their options as injuries continue to mount around the league. With the emergence of rookie Woody Marks and the loudening rumors that Mixon could miss the entirety of the season, he should no longer be viewed as a must-hold. At the same time, managers with the luxury of an open IR spot should monitor their own league's waivers, as he's dropped in more leagues each week.

From RotoBaller

Chigoziem Okonkwo Oct 27 1:40pm CT
Chigoziem Okonkwo

Tennessee tight end Chig Okonkwo has been named among a list of Titans players that could be made available to trade. Having fired their head coach two weeks ago and recently dealing away cornerbacks Jason Brownlee and Roger McCreary, the team is clearly making moves for the future. With the emergence of rookie tight end Gunnar Helm, the 26-year-old Okonkwo is apparently no longer viewed as part of that future. A fourth-round draft pick in 2022, Okonkwo has topped 50 receptions in each of the last two seasons and is currently on pace for a career-high 57 catches. Currently playing on the final year of his rookie deal, he's the type of sensible depth piece that could help contribute to a deep playoff run.

From RotoBaller

Quinshon Judkins Oct 27 1:40pm CT
Quinshon Judkins

Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins (shoulder) is considered day-to-day after leaving Sunday's loss to the Patriots with a shoulder injury. Judkins has been a bright spot on an otherwise pedestrian Browns offense, but in limited action on Sunday, he was held to only 19 yards on nine carries by a New England defense that has yet to allow a 50-yard rusher this season. With the Browns on a Week 9 bye, Judkins' next chance to see the field will be in a much more favorable Week 10 matchup with the New York Jets. His status should be monitored over the next two weeks, but if he is active when the team returns from the bye, he could see one of the week's highest projections.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Oct 27 1:20pm CT
Tony Pollard

The Tennessee Titans have reportedly made running back Tony Pollard available in trade discussions after having already dealt away cornerbacks Jason Brownlee and Roger McCreary. The 28-year-old back has been workmanlike in his efforts this year, averaging just under four yards per carry on an offense that's had to fight for every inch. Pollard's contract runs through the 2026 season, but his dead cap for next year is only $2 million, and with him and 24-year-old Tyjae Spears seeing a near 50/50 split in recent weeks, he is clearly not a part of the Titans' long-term plans. With the NFL trade deadline just over a week away, some teams that have reportedly been in the running back market are the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and New England Patriots.

From RotoBaller

Tyjae Spears Oct 27 12:10pm CT
Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears had his best game of the 2025 season in his fourth game in the 38-14 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8 on Sunday. Spears had nine carries for a season-high 59 rushing yards and also added his first touchdown of the year while also catching all three of his targets for an additional 23 yards as a pass-catcher. He played over 50% of the offensive snaps for the second time this year and had only two fewer carries than Tony Pollard, who rushed for 44 yards on his 11 rushing attempts on the day. It looks as though the 1-7 Titans plan on giving Spears more work in the backfield alongside Pollard the rest of the season, which will at least put Spears in play in fantasy football as an RB3/flex option every week. However, in one of the weaker offenses in the NFL led by rookie quarterback Cameron Ward, fantasy managers should temper expectations for Spears.

From RotoBaller

Christian Watson Oct 27 12:00pm CT
Christian Watson

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) made his 2025 debut in the Week 8 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football and didn't disappoint. Watson finished second on the team with 85 receiving yards while catching all four of his targets from quarterback Jordan Love. The 26-year-old pass-catcher finally made it back after tearing his ACL in the Week 18 regular-season finale last year, and he immediately contributed on offense as a deep threat for Love in the Packers' passing attack. He finished behind only tight end Tucker Kraft, who went off for 143 receiving yards and two touchdowns on seven catches. Watson's big-play abilities were on display in this one, and fantasy managers in need of WR help should certainly take notice. Especially with Jayden Reed (collarbone) still on Injured Reserve, Watson should continue to have a big role in the passing attack, continuing with a Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

From RotoBaller

Dylan Sampson Oct 27 11:50am CT
Dylan Sampson

Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson is worth a look on the waiver wire in fantasy football this week after fellow rookie RB Quinshon Judkins (shoulder) was forced out of the Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots and did not return. Sampson ended up playing a season-high 46% of the offensive snaps while carrying the ball three times for no yards in the 32-13 blowout loss. However, the 21-year-old also caught five of his six targets in the passing game for 29 yards. Both Sampson and Ford should have bigger roles in Cleveland's backfield if Judkins misses additional time, but the fact that the Browns are going into their bye in Week 9 should make fantasy managers temper their waiver-wire bids for Sampson. Sampson's eight touches were the most he had seen since the regular-season opener. If Judkins isn't ready in Week 10 against the New York Jets, Sampson should lead the team's backfield.

From RotoBaller

Roman Wilson Oct 27 11:50am CT
Roman Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson had his best game of the season in Sunday night's loss to the visiting Green Bay Packers in Week 8, catching four of his five targets for a season-high 74 yards and his first touchdown of the year. Wilson's 74 receiving yards on the night led the team, even with Calvin Austin III returning from a multi-game absence due to a shoulder injury. Austin caught four of his six targets for only 28 yards. The 24-year-old's touchdown grab was a 24-yard connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers late in the game with the Packers already comfortably ahead. Fantasy managers may be looking at adding Wilson this week off the waiver wire, but with Austin now back and Rodgers spreading the ball around outside of DK Metcalf, Wilson will probably be a long shot to produce numbers like this every week moving forward. He had not topped 17 receiving yards in any game going into Sunday night against Green Bay.

From RotoBaller

Brian Thomas Jr. Oct 27 11:40am CT
Brian Thomas Jr.

According to Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, the team has "no plans" to trade wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. Thomas had a fantastic rookie season in the NFL in 2024 with 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns on 133 targets in 17 games, but so far in 2025, the 23-year-old is in the midst of the dreaded sophomore slump. Coming out of Jacksonville's Week 8 bye, Thomas has 27 catches on 55 targets for 365 yards and only one touchdown in seven games played. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been spreading the ball around much more through the air to the likes of rookie Travis Hunter, Dyami Brown, and Parker Washington. Thomas is also coming off a shoulder injury that he suffered in the Week 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in London, but hopefully, he'll be good enough to play in Week 9 in a plus matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Hutchinson Oct 27 11:30am CT
Xavier Hutchinson

Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson caught five of his six targets for a team-high 69 yards and a touchdown in the 26-15 win over the visiting San Francisco 49ers in Week 8 on Sunday, with both Nico Collins (concussion) and Christian Kirk (hamstring) sidelined by injuries. Hutchinson was tied for second on the team in targets and also tied for the team lead with his five receptions in a Houston offense that has suddenly become pass-happy in recent weeks. The 25-year-old's touchdown catch was a 30-yard connection with quarterback C.J. Stroud. Although Hutchinson is worth a look as a short-term WR replacement after his strong Week 8 performance, his role is likely to shrink again once one of Collins or Kirk returns, and the Texans have a shy-away matchup next week at home against the Denver Broncos. If you're going to pluck Hutchinson off the waiver wire this week, we wouldn't recommend spending much on him.

From RotoBaller

Justin Fields Oct 27 11:20am CT
Justin Fields

Despite leading the New York Jets to their first win of the season on Sunday over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8, head coach Aaron Glenn "would not commit" to Justin Fields as the starting QB for Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns in two weeks following the team's bye, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post. When asked about the upcoming trade deadline, Glenn said the Jets "will listen when teams call, but that does not mean they will act." The 26-year-old was benched at halftime in the Week 7 loss to the Carolina Panthers, and the Jets were leaning toward starting veteran Tyrod Taylor (knee) under center on Sunday against Cincy before a knee injury knocked him out. Fields went 21-for-32 for 244 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions in the Week 8 win, adding 11 carries for 31 yards. The Jets will evaluate things during their bye, but it would be surprising if Fields doesn't get another start in Week 10 against a tough Browns defense.

From RotoBaller

Malcolm Rodriguez Oct 27 11:20am CT
Malcolm Rodriguez

The Detroit Lions are designating linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (knee) to return from Injured Reserve, sources tell Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, meaning he'll begin practicing with the team this week. Rodriguez is returning from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 13 of the 2024 season, but he's nearing a return and will play a key role in defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard's scheme down the stretch. It's great news that the 26-year-old is returning to practice, but the Lions still need to officially activate him from the Physically Unable to Perform list before he can make his 2025 debut. He almost certainly won't be ready to play in the team's Week 9 divisional contest this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, but he could be ready to make his season debut in Week 10 on the road against the Washington Commanders.

From RotoBaller

Carson Schwesinger Oct 27 11:10am CT
Carson Schwesinger

Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger (ankle) sustained a high-ankle sprain in Week 8's 32-13 road loss to the New England Patriots. The rookie left Sunday's contest in the fourth quarter with the issue, and testing on Monday confirmed the injury. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the news. It's a significant hit to Cleveland's defense, as the UCLA product currently leads the team in total tackles (64). Fortunately for Schwesinger, his team will get a week off in Week 9, affording him a bit of extra time to heal up. However, sprains of this variety usually take about a month to fully subside, provided they don't linger. Teammate Devin Bush will take over as the position's snap leader for the time being, with Mohamoud Diabate and Jerome Baker working behind him.

From RotoBaller