Wed Oct 8 4:55pm ET
Field Level Media
32. New York Jets (0-5)
Last Week: L, 37-22 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Up Next: vs. Denver Broncos, 9:30 a.m. ET (London)
Direction and discipline were the givens when the Jets hired Aaron Glenn as head coach. Now? Alarm bells sounding over a lifeless effort and the continued missteps from a high-priced defense.
31. Miami Dolphins (1-4)
Last Week: L, 27-24 at Carolina Panthers
Up Next: vs. Los Angeles Chargers (3-2), 1 p.m. ET
Might be a housecleaning warning in Miami if the Dolphins don't put up a reasonable effort on Sunday.
30. Tennessee Titans (1-4)
Last Week: W, 22-21 at Arizona Cardinals
Up Next: at Las Vegas Raiders (1-4), 4:05 p.m. ET
Cam Ward's greater command of pro offense and poise, fight to give Tennessee a glimmer of hope brighter days are closer than some projected after an 0-4 September. Last of three in a row on the road.
29. New York Giants (1-4)
Last Week: L, 26-14 at New Orleans Saints
Up Next: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (4-1), 8:20 p.m. ET (Thursday)
Rookies are going to bring energy and growing pains from week-to-week. Brian Daboll has a 1-6 record (2022 playoffs included) against the Eagles the past three seasons.
28. New Orleans Saints (1-4)
Last Week: W, 26-14 vs. New York Giants
Up Next: vs. New England Patriots (3-2), 1 p.m. ET
Beating a rookie quarterback at home still counts as one full win. Even the sum-of-parts operation in New Orleans can turn five takeaways and eight penalties into a victory.
27. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)
Last Week: L, 37-24 vs. Detroit Lions
Up Next: at Green Bay Packers (2-1-1), 1 p.m. ET
Jake Browning, this hook is for you. A fourth-quarter flurry aside, Browning has been atrocious trying to play Joe Burrow.
26. Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)
Last Week: L, 40-6
Up Next: vs. Tennessee Titans (1-4), 4:05 p.m. ET
Sixteen TDs allowed and only four takeaways compared to 10 turnovers paints the picture of another disappointing start for the Raiders.
25. Cleveland Browns (1-4)
Last Week: L, 21-17 vs. Minnesota Vikings (London)
Up Next: at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1), 1 p.m. ET
Benching Joe Flacco is likely the right move for a team going nowhere fast. Defense would be good enough to turn almost any team into a title contender. With a hyper-conversative offensive scheme, the Browns require their defense to be the hammer.
24. Carolina Panthers (2-3)
Last Week: W, 27-24 vs. Miami Dolphins
Up Next: vs. Dallas Cowboys (2-2-1), 1 p.m. ET
Not ready to dial up the Super Bowl futures by any stretch, but the Cats are capable and have been better at home. After hosting Dallas, Carolina plays the Jets. Is a winning streak and over .500 record possible before the meat of the NFC South schedule hits?
23. Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
Last Week: L, 22-21 vs. Tennessee Titans
Up Next: at Indianapolis Colts (4-1), 1 p.m. ET
Figuring out the second half is the make-or-break issue for the Cardinals. Shut out in the fourth quarter for the fourth time in five games in a brutal loss to the Titans last week. Only one third-quarter TD all season.
22. Baltimore Ravens (1-4)
Last Week: L, 44-10 vs. Houston Texans
Up Next: vs. Los Angeles Rams (3-2), 1 p.m. ET
All-around disappointment is right, John Harbaugh. We're shocked to see the Ravens near the bottom third of the NFL, too.
21. Houston Texans (2-3)
Last Week: W, at Baltimore Ravens
Up Next: Bye week
Cranked out a convincing win against the Baltimore "B" team. Bye week could be make or break for setting a course on offense.
20. Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
Last Week: Bye week
Up Next: vs. Buffalo Bills (4-1), 7:15 p.m. ET (Monday)
Still afloat after an up-and-down start. Opportunity for a statement with consecutive primetime dates (at San Francisco, Oct. 19) before schedule softens.
19. Chicago Bears (2-2)
Last Week: Bye week
Up Next: at Washington Commanders (3-2), 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday)
Pretty tasty Monday main event is a rematch of the Jayden Daniels "Hail Mary Game" win over the Bears and the only player selected ahead of him in the 2024 NFL Draft.
18. Minnesota Vikings (3-2)
Last Week: W, 24-21 vs. Cleveland Browns
Up Next: Bye week
Justin Jefferson reunited with Jordan Addison and Carson Wentz was good enough. Minnesota motivated to find out what it has in QB J.J. McCarthy.
17. Dallas Cowboys (2-2-1)
Last Week: W, 37-22 at New York Jets
Up Next: at Carolina Panthers (2-3), 1 p.m. ET
Panthers are not elite up front on either side of the ball, which plays to the favor of the Cowboys.
16. Washington Commanders (3-2)
Last Week: W, 27-10 at Los Angeles Chargers
Up Next: vs. Chicago Bears (2-2), 8:20 p.m. ET (Monday)
Jayden Daniels vs. Caleb Williams this week, but the minefield won't be easy to navigate this month. Washington packs for Dallas, Kansas City and hosts the Seahawks and Lions in the four games that follow MNF.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
Last Week: Bye week
Up Next: vs. Cleveland Browns (1-4), 1 p.m. ET
No more confident this iteration of the Steelers is legit than we were this time last year, when Pittsburgh was also 3-1.
14. Los Angeles Chargers (3-2)
Last Week: L, 27-10 vs. Washington Commanders
Up Next: at Miami Dolphins (1-4), 1 p.m. ET
Injuries everywhere, the Chargers might need to make a trade to restore the identity of a run-first group. Must keep Justin Herbert upright.
13. Los Angeles Rams (3-2)
Last Week: L, 26-23 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Up Next: at Baltimore Ravens (1-4), 1 p.m. ET
Handed the 49ers a win and a game in the standings in a heartbreaker last Thursday. Might take it out on the shorthanded Ravens, but that plan didn't play out against the Niners.
12. Seattle Seahawks (3-2)
Last Week: L, 38-35 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Up Next: at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1), 1 p.m. ET
Outscored opponents by 41 points in the first five games, only three wins to show for it because of second-half struggles.
11. New England Patriots (3-2)
Last Week: W, 23-20 at Buffalo Bills
Up Next: at New Orleans Saints (1-4), 1 p.m. ET
Drake Maye completing 73.9 percent of his passes and not making back-breaking mistakes would keep the Patriots in most games. Early arrival than expected as an AFC contender.
10. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)
Last Week: L, 31-28 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Up Next: vs. Detroit Lions, 8:20 p.m. ET (Sunday)
One more week without Rashee Rice, the Chiefs are home three consecutive games with trips to Buffalo and Denver around the corner.
9. San Francisco 49ers (4-1)
Last Week: W, 26-23 at Los Angeles Rams
Up Next: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1), 4:25 p.m. ET
Won at Tampa (23-20) last November only to lose seven of final eight.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1)
Last Week: W, 31-28 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Up Next: vs. Seattle Seahawks (3-2), 1 p.m. ET
One Week 2 breakdown at Cincinnati from being 5-0, the Jaguars are to be taken seriously. With 14 takeaways, Jacksonville is covering up a poor third-down defense.
7. Green Bay Packers (2-1-1)
Last Week: Bye
Up Next: vs. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3), 1 p.m. ET
One loss this season was to Joe Flacco. Surprise! Flacco will start for the Bengals after being acquired by the Browns. Rested after an unexpected tie in Dallas, the Packers should be closer to full strength for the team's only home game in a span of more than 50 days.
6. Denver Broncos (3-2)
Last Week: W, 21-17 at Philadelphia Eagles
Up Next: vs. New York Jets (0-5), 9:30 a.m. (London)
To avoid going from taking down undefeated Philadelphia to losing to the winless Jets, Denver has to guard against losing track of QB Justin Fields.
5. Indianapolis Colts (4-1)
Last Week: W, 40-6 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Up Next: vs. Arizona Cardinals (2-3), 1 p.m. ET
Undefeated vs. AFC and in the division, the Colts went from surprise to the team we expect to win each week. Credit Shane Steichen for the renaissance.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1)
Last Week: W, 38-35 at Seattle Seahawks
Up Next: vs. San Francisco 49ers (4-1), 4:25 p.m. ET
This says as much about the team the Seahawks can be this season. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs won at Seattle and have survived injuries at critical positions.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Last Week: L, 21-17 vs. Denver Broncos
Up Next: at New York Giants, 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday)
Still no threat through the air, the Eagles are more physical than virtually every opponent on the schedule. Teams that force them to adjust can get the upper hand.
2. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
Last Week: L, 23-20 vs. New England Patriots
Up Next: at Atlanta Falcons, 8:15 p.m. (Monday)
Not a dangerous defense, but the Bills can outscore any defense incapable of taking away one of their strengths.
1. Detroit Lions (4-1)
Last Week: W, 37-24 at Cincinnati Bengals
Up Next: at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m. ET (Sunday)
Lions return to the scene of their "surprising" upset in 2023 (21-20) and have the look of the favorite this time around.
As expected, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is not practicing on Wednesday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Bowers suffered an injury to his PCL in the season opener but then played through Week 4. The 22-year-old second-year player was inactive for Sunday's blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts. With a third straight DNP, dating back to last week, Bowers is in danger of missing a second straight contest this Sunday when the Raiders take on the Tennessee Titans. The good news for the Raiders is that TE Michael Mayer (concussion) has cleared concussion protocol and could be on track to return after missing the last two games with his head injury. Bowers is going to need to practice on either Thursday or Friday to have a shot at suiting up in Week 6. If Bowers is inactive and Mayer returns, Mayer will be on the TE2 streaming radar in a great matchup.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle) missed the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Lamb is slowly recovering from a high left-ankle sprain that he suffered in the Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears, but he's tracking towards missing a third straight game in Week 6 versus the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Fantasy managers should not expect the 26-year-old to return to practice this week or play this weekend. It's unclear if he'll have a better chance to make his return in Week 7 on Oct. 19 against the division-rival Washington Commanders. George Pickens and tight end Jake Ferguson have been target hogs in a high-volume passing attack since Lamb's injury, and Ryan Flournoy blew up in the Week 5 win over the New York Jets, with KaVontae Turpin (foot) also out. It might be another couple of weeks before we see Lamb.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (hip) will not practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Sean McVay. Higbee played through a hip injury in the Week 4 win over the Indianapolis Colts, but then was inactive on a short week in last Thursday night's upset loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The 32-year-old is still battling his hip injury and is a question mark to suit up this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Higbee still has two more days to get back onto the practice field, which would give him a chance to play this weekend. Receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams have been getting the vast majority of pass-game targets from quarterback Matthew Stafford, leaving little volume for L.A.'s tight ends. If Higbee misses a second straight game, more snaps will be available for Davis Allen, Colby Parkinson, and rookie Terrance Ferguson. Higbee has just six catches for 62 scoreless yards in his four games so far in 2025.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs) did not take part in the team's practice on Wednesday, per Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Fellow wideout Ricky Pearsall (knee) also missed practice and is not expected to be active in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Jennings is also trending toward missing his third game of the season, he has two more chances to get back on the practice field on Thursday and Friday. But as things currently stand, it looks like San Fran will have to navigate another week without Pearsall, Jennings, and quarterback Brock Purdy (toe). In last Thursday's upset win over the Los Angeles Rams, backup QB Mac Jones had another impressive performance throwing the ball, and receiver Kendrick Bourne was the WR1 with 10 catches and over 100 receiving yards. Tight end Jake Tonges will be back on the streaming radar, too, if Jennings and Pearsall miss a second straight game.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara injured his ankle during Wednesday's practice, according to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times. Head coach Kellen Moore said that the injury to Kamara is not a concern, for what it's worth. The veteran's back will be listed as day-to-day this week, and fantasy managers will want to pay attention to Thursday's injury report to confirm that he will be all good to go for Week 6. Kamara played a season low 53% of the snaps in Week 6 with the emergence of third-year back Kendre Miller. There's a possibility that the New Orleans backfield could be closer to a 50/50 split moving forward. Kamara will rank on the RB2/RB3 line if he can suit up on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) did not take part in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Purdy suffered a turf-toe injury in the season opener and missed Weeks 2 and 3 before returning in Week 4, only to aggravate his toe. The 25-year-old missed his third game of the year in last Thursday's surprising upset win over the Los Angeles Rams. Purdy is progressing from his toe injury, but he remains week-to-week and could certainly miss his fourth game of the year in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is definitely going to need to return to practice in the next two days to even have a shot at playing on Sunday. Mac Jones (knee) has been banged up himself early this year, but he should be able to make a fourth start against Tampa if Purdy is ruled out later this week.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) did not practice on Wednesday and is not expected to play in their Week 6 matchup at Tampa Bay, according to Tracy Sandler of FGSN. Pearsall is now set to miss his second straight game after suffering a PCL injury in the 49ers' Week 4 loss to the Jaguars. It's unfortunate, as Pearsall had been enjoying a fantastic start to the season, catching 20 of 29 targets for 327 yards. His absence will again open up more opportunities for Week 5's breakout performer, Kendrick Bourne, as well as another heavy workload for star back Christian McCaffrey.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Austin injured his shoulder in the fourth quarter of their Week 4 win over the Vikings, and it seems to have lingered over their Week 5 bye. Beginning the practice week with a missed practice paints a pessimistic picture of his chances to suit up on Sunday against Cleveland, but he'll have two more opportunities to practice this week. Austin has been a reliable weapon for veteran Aaron Rodgers, catching 10 of 17 targets for 139 yards and two touchdowns. If Austin can play in Week 6, he wouldn't be a recommended start coming off injury against a tough defense.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (knee) practiced in full on Wednesday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Warren missed the Steelers' Week 4 matchup against the Vikings in London and saw his backup, Kenneth Gainwell, total 134 yards and two touchdowns in his place. Before getting hurt, Warren handled the bulk of the work in the backfield. He began the season with 13 total touches against the Jets, then bumped up to 18 in Week 3 and up to a career high 23 in Week 3. He should be expected to retain his lead-back duties now that he is healthy and projects as a solid RB2 for Week 6.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (wrist) did not practice on Wednesday, according to the team. It is unclear when or how St. Brown suffered this injury, but fantasy managers should keep a close eye on the injury report for the rest of the week. It is only Wednesday, and it could be a precautionary measure for their star wideout, but it is worth monitoring regardless. St. Brown is off to a remarkable start to the season, leading the league with six touchdown catches and ranking as WR2 in PPR points per game. Other Lions pass catchers like Sam LaPorta, Jameson Williams, and perhaps rookie Isaac TeSlaa could see a boost in production if St. Brown were to miss Sunday night's game against the Chiefs.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (wrist) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 8.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players should monitor the situation to see if St. Brown is in danger of missing the Week 6 game. He is one of the top receivers in the NFL when healthy and will be a must-start option in all leagues if he is active for the game.
From TheHuddle
Indianapolis Colts RB Tyler Goodson (groin), DE Tyquan Lewis (illness), CB Kenny Moore II (Achilles), and OT Braden Smith (rest) did not practice on Wednesday, Oct. 8. WR Alec Pierce (concussion) and DL Grover Stewart (biceps) practiced in full.
From TheHuddle
Detroit Lions CB Terrion Arnold (shoulder), LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring), OT Taylor Decker (shoulder), S Kerby Joseph (knee), WR Kalif Raymond (neck), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (wrist) and RB Sione Vaki (hamstring) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 8. S Brian Branch (ankle) was limited during practice, while DT Alim McNeill (knee) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Updating a previous report, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps) was a full participant in his return to practice on Wednesday, according to David Newton of ESPN. The Panthers opened Coker's 21-day practice window on Wednesday, and he's eligible to come off Injured Reserve at any time. The 23-year-old is back at practice for the first time since suffering a quad injury on Aug. 28, but it's still unclear if he actually has a shot to be activated to make his 2025 debut this weekend against the Dallas Cowboys. Even if Coker doesn't play in Week 6, he's deserving of a waiver-wire pickup for fantasy managers looking for receiving depth. The Panthers haven't gotten much production from their receivers not named Tetairoa McMillan through five weeks. Coker became much more involved late in his rookie season in 2024 and finished with 32 catches, 478 yards, and two scores in 11 games (four starts).
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey (hamstring), WR Calvin Austin (shoulder), CB Darius Slay (rest), and LB T.J. Watt (rest) did not practice on Wednesday, Oct. 8. WR Ben Skowronek (illness), LB Alex Highsmith (ankle), and DL Cameron Heyward (rest) were limited in practice. CB Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) and RB Jaylen Warren (knee) practiced in full.
From TheHuddle
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler says he would classify the Las Vegas Raiders as "mildly concerned" about quarterback Geno Smith's rough start to the season. Fowler adds that there's "no sentiment that Smith is a broken quarterback." Smith is not expected to be benched in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans. Scouts that Fowler has talked with think Smith has "been too late" with the ball and is relying on his arm talent to force footballs into tight windows. It hasn't been pretty for the veteran QB through five games, as he's thrown six touchdowns and a league-leading nine interceptions. Smith and head coach Pete Carroll have enough equity from their days in Seattle that Carroll "could stick with him a little longer as a result." With that said, real questions are going to arise about Smith's job status if he cannot get the job done on Sunday against the one-win Titans.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said that tight end Michael Mayer (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol and will be a full-go in practice on Wednesday, per Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Mayer has missed the last two games with a concussion, but he appears to be on track to return this Sunday to face the Tennessee Titans in Week 6. The Raiders' TE corps was especially thin in the Week 5 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts, with Brock Bowers (knee) also inactive. Mayer isn't really on the fantasy radar when Bowers is healthy, but if Mayer returns this weekend and Bowers misses a second straight game, the 24-year-old would be on the TE2 streaming radar. In three games this year before suffering his head injury, Mayer was minimally involved, catching six of his seven targets for 47 yards and no touchdowns.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Grant Calcaterra (oblique) missed another practice on Wednesday and has officially been ruled out for Week 6 on Thursday Night Football against the division-rival New York Giants. Calcaterra suffered an oblique injury in the loss in Week 5 to the Denver Broncos and will miss at least one game as a result. The good news is that the 26-year-old will have extra time to recover before the team's Week 7 game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Oct. 19. When healthy, Calcaterra isn't really relevant as the No. 2 TE in Philly behind Dallas Goedert. He has four catches for 40 yards and no touchdowns in five games in 2025 after a career-best year in 2024 in which he posted a 24-298-1 line on 30 targets in 17 regular-season games. Expect Kylen Granson to back up Goedert on Thursday night.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (heel) is listed as questionable to play on Thursday night against the division-rival New York Giants. In addition, offensive lineman Landon Dickerson (ankle) has been ruled out for the Eagles. Carter was able to play through his heel injury in Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos, and he had four tackles on 66 defensive snaps. The 24-year-old was added to this week's injury report on Wednesday, putting his status up in the air for Week 6. If Carter cannot go, it will be a boost to New York's ground game and running backs Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. With Dickerson out this week, Brett Toth is expected to start at left guard for the Eagles. It's a notable downgrade for Philly's offensive line against a stout Giants defensive front.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (knee) is still wearing a sleeve over his right leg, but he's practicing again on Wednesday, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Warren injured his knee in Week 3 and was held out of the Week 4 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland as a result. The 26-year-old had last week's bye to heal up, so he might only end up missing one game. Backfield mate Kenneth Gainwell was heavily utilized in Ireland with Warren out, touching the football 25 times for 134 total yards and two touchdowns. Gainwell's big game could provoke the Steelers to give him more work moving forward, even when Warren returns. That's something fantasy managers will want to think about when setting their lineups going forward. Warren had 43 carries in his first three games, but he averaged a career-low 3.1 yards per tote. He has made up for his lack of efficiency on the ground with 11 receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown as a pass-catcher.
From RotoBaller