Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) returned to practice, according to Dane Mizutani of the Pioneer Press. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to the injury report later Thursday afternoon as it should provide clarity on Jones' level of participation during the session. Nonetheless, seeing him back on the field after not participating on Wednesday is a good sign. The Vikings were off last week, which gave Jones additional time to recover after sustaining an injury in their Week 5 victory over the New York Jets. If Jones can suit up, he should be locked into all lineups as a solid RB2. If not, Ty Chandler and Cam Akers should split the opportunities, and both could be low-end flex options facing a tough Detroit defense.

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Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (collarbone) remained a limited participant during Thursday's practice. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report, as it will likely clarify his status heading into the weekend. The 24-year-old enjoyed his best outing of the campaign last week as he caught a season-high six passes for 51 yards en route to defeating the New York Jets. If Kincaid were to miss Sunday's game, fantasy managers should expect wideouts Khalil Shakir and newly acquired Amari Cooper to see increased opportunities. In addition, No. 2 tight end Dawson Knox will likely see more snaps. If Kincaid can play, he should be locked into all lineups as a low-end TE1.

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Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (toe) was a full participant during Thursday's practice session, according to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN. This is a great sign for the 25-year-old, who was sidelined during Week 6 and limited during Wednesday's practice. Fantasy managers should monitor his status on Friday's injury report, but seeing him return to full participation on Thursday suggests he should be ready to return to action this weekend. No.2 running back Ray Davis (calf) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice, which could set Cook up for increased opportunities on Sunday if he cannot play against the Tennessee Titans.

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (knee) was placed on the injured reserve on Thursday, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Shaheed is set to undergo meniscus surgery and will now have to miss at least the next four games. However, given the potential extended recovery period due to the operation, the 26-year-old could be sidelined for a longer period. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his progression, as he would be eligible to return during Week 11. Shaheed enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign, scoring at least 15.0 PPR points in four of the six games he played. With Shaheed and Chris Olave (concussion) ruled out on Thursday evening, rookie Bub Means will likely lead the New Orleans passing attack.

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Buffalo Bills rookie running back Ray Davis (calf) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice session. This was surprising as the Kentucky product did not face any limitations during Wednesday's initial practice session. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's report as it should clarify his status heading into the weekend. Last week, with James Cook (toe) sitting out, Davis took the lead role in the backfield and performed very well, totaling 97 yards on the ground with an additional 55 through the air. If Davis remains sidelined, Cook should be expected to play the top role. If Davis can suit up, both may limit each other's opportunities.

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Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (groin) was listed as a limited practice participant for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Kraft dealt with a groin injury during practice last week but managed to suit up for the Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals while playing 81% of the offensive snaps. The 23-year-old disappointed fantasy managers looking for a second straight big performance, as he caught just two of his four targets for a season-low 13 yards. Kraft scored three total touchdowns the previous two games, but this is a reminder that he's a volatile low-end TE1 for fantasy managers in an offense with a lot of mouths to feed through the air as long as Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks are all healthy. Barring a setback, Kraft should be active this Sunday against the Houston Texans.

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Green Bay Packers wide receivers Jayden Reed (ankle), Christian Watson (ankle) and Dontayvion Wicks (shoulder) were all limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Reed and Wicks suffered injuries in the Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals, while Watson returned last Sunday after missing one game due to an ankle sprain. The fact that all three are practicing this week is a good sign that they'll be available this weekend against the Houston Texans. Of the trio of wideouts, Reed is the best fantasy option and enters Week 7 action as the WR3 in half-PPR scoring with 27 catches for 442 yards and three TDs while adding 110 rushing yards and an additional score. Assuming all three play against Houston, Reed will be a must-start in fantasy, while Watson and Wicks are more of boom/bust WR4/flex options.

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Carolina Panthers LB Claudin Cherelus (hamstring), LB Josey Jewell (hamstring, groin), WR Diontae Johnson (ankle), OT Taylor Moton (elbow), LB Jon Rhattigan (knee, illness), DE A'Shawn Robinson (knee), RB Jonathon Brooks (knee) and LB Jadeveon Clowney (shoulder) did not practice on Thursday, Oct. 17. WR David Moore (knee), DE LaBryan Ray (ankle, knee), S Nick Scott (hamstring), OT Ikem Ekwonu (elbow), LB Marquis Haynes (back) and TE Ian Thomas (hip) were limited. CB Troy Hill (rest), RB Chuba Hubbard (rest), C Andrew Raym (concussion), TE Tommy Tremble (concussion), CB Dane Jackson (hamstring), DT Jaden Crumedy (ankle), S Sam Franklin (foot) and OT Yosh Nijman (knee) practiced in full.

From TheHuddle

After missing the first practice session of the week on Wednesday, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (ribs) looked fine in his return to practice on Thursday due to a rib issue. With Harris returning to practice on Thursday, he should be on track to suit up for Sunday night's showdown against the visiting New York Jets. The 26-year-old has had more of the backfield to himself this year with Jaylen Warren missing a few games with a knee injury, although mobile quarterback Justin Fields has taken away valuable red-zone opportunities on the ground. The expected move to Russell Wilson under center this weekend should be a good thing for Harris' fantasy upside, although the Steelers could mix in Fields in packages as a runner. Until we have a better read on the situation, treat Harris as a low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex against the Jets.

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New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (foot) is not practicing on Thursday after missing Wednesday's practice with a foot injury. His lack of practice early in the week suggests he could be trending toward missing the Week 7 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. He sat out last week's showdown against the Houston Texans. Backup Antonio Gibson could draw another start, and despite his lack of success against Houston in Week 6, he will have a favorable matchup against the Jaguars defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to RBs.

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Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) did not practice on Thursday following his limited practice session on Wednesday. The rookie out of Texas had his practice window opened this week, but the belief is he will not make his NFL debut on Sunday against the Washington Commanders. Brooks is coming off a torn ACL, and with the Panthers sitting a 1-5 through Week 6, there's no reason to rush him into action. Additionally, Chuba Hubbard has been excellent in the RB1 role, so the team isn't in dire need of running back production. Fantasy managers should follow his status through the rest of the week, but a Week 8 or Week 9 return seems more realistic for the first RB taken in the 2024 NFL Draft.

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Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) is back at practice on Thursday after logging a limited session on Wednesday with a knee injury. He missed the Week 6 game against the Baltimore Ravens. The third-year back out of Alabama has been excellent to start the season, scoring at least 13.8 half-PPR fantasy points in four of his five games. If Robinson does not suffer a setback, he could be in a smash spot against the Carolina Panthers, who have surrendered the most fantasy points per game to running backs. If he's out, Austin Ekeler has RB1 upside. However, Ekeler could be worth a flex spot even if Robinson returns. Fantasy managers with Robinson or Ekeler should monitor Robinson's status on Friday heading into Week 7 start-or-sit calls.

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Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (concussion) is practicing without a non-contact jersey on Thursday, suggesting he is logging a full practice. The second-year ball carrier out of Texas A&M practiced in full on Wednesday, so all signs are pointing toward him being available in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts. Achane has not scored more than 7.3 half-PPR fantasy points in any of the three games without Tua Tagovailoa (concussion), and he exited the Week 5 game against the New England Patriots with a concussion. However, the Colts rank 31st in rushing yards allowed per game (155.2), so Achane can be slotted in as an RB2 or RB3 in fantasy for Week 7. That said, his ceiling and floor are limited until Tagovailoa comes back.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running backs Rachaad White (foot), Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker could be set to work in a pure three-man committee, which will make fantasy football start-or-sit decisions tough for the three talented backs. Head coach Todd Bowles said the team will go with the "hot hand" approach on Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Needless to say, this is a tricky situation to navigate, but it sounds like White is trending toward playing in Week 7 after missing Week 6 with a foot injury. While all three backs have had their moments this year, the Ravens have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to RBs, meaning each ball carrier should be downgraded in the rankings this week. Their usage should be closely monitored on Monday Night Football.

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (ankle) is not practicing on Thursday due to an ankle injury. The 28-year-old also missed Wednesday's practice, so his status could legitimately be in doubt for the Week 7 game against the Washington Commanders. Johnson has also been in the middle of trade rumors, so his situation is worth monitoring. The former Pittsburgh Steeler got out to a slow start in his Carolina career, but he has been excellent since Andy Dalton took over the starting quarterback duties from Bryce Young. Johnson has scored at least 19.8 PPR fantasy points in three of his four games with Dalton under center, and the Commanders have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to wideouts. That said, Johnson is a must-start if active. If he's not, rookie Xavier Legette has at least WR3 upside in the favorable matchup.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (leg) is not practicing on Thursday to begin Week 7 preparation. The team faces the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, so Evans' status will be worth monitoring ahead of a potential late-week start-or-sit decision. As he often is, Evans has been up and down this season. Overall, the 31-year-old has hauled in 25 of his 42 targets for 310 yards and five touchdowns. However, he has three games of under 45 yards. The Ravens have allowed the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers this year, so he could be in for a big spike week if he plays. If not, Chris Godwin has legitimate WR1 overall upside, while Jalen McMillan and tight end Cade Otton could become viable options at flex and TE.

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Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) was not seen on the field at Thursday's practice and has not practiced or played since suffering a right high-ankle sprain in Week 4. Taylor said that he was unsure if he would practice at all again this week, making it more likely that he'll miss a third straight contest in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins. He still has one more day on Friday to return to practice, but as of right now, fantasy managers shouldn't be confident in Taylor suiting up on Sunday. The good news for the Colts is that Trey Sermon (knee), who has been the lead back the last two games with Taylor out, returned to practice after being a DNP on Wednesday. If Taylor misses another contest, the Colts give Tyler Goodson a bigger share of the backfield touches if Sermon ends up playing.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (leg) did not practice on Thursday, Oct. 17, due to a leg injury, according to head coach Todd Bowles.

Fantasy Spin: Bowles also noted that Evans recently "tweaked" something in his leg that had been "nagging." For what it is worth, Bowles told reporters that Evans is expected back at practice later in the week. Evans' availability takes on added importance because the Buccaneers host the Baltimore Ravens in one of the two Monday night games this week. Evans has rarely missed games throughout his career, so he will likely be good to go for Week 7. In the off-chance he cannot play, Jalen McMillan would likely step into a much larger role.

From TheHuddle

For the second straight day, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (toe) got some work in at practice on Thursday. Cook was also limited on Wednesday for the team's walkthrough after he missed Monday night's victory over the division-rival New York Jets. With the 25-year-old's status still unclear for Week 7 this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, Ray Davis was a popular waiver-wire pickup after impressing in the lead role in Week 6. The 24-year-old saw 20 carries for 97 rushing yards and caught all three of his targets for an additional 55 yards through the air. Cook will be Buffalo's lead back whenever he returns, but if he misses another game this weekend, Davis will basically be a must-start for fantasy managers after showing out on Monday night.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Josh Downs (toe) are both practicing on Thursday after picking up DNP tags on Wednesday. Pittman and Downs both missed two practices last week and were up in the air to play in Week 6 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans, but they both suited up and found the end zone. Pittman said after Sunday's win that he could still land on Injured Reserve due to his back injury, but the fact he's practicing on Thursday this week is a good sign that he'll be ready to roll this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. However, Pittman played a season-low 80% of the offensive snaps last week and caught just three passes for 35 yards. With quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) looking likely to return this weekend, the bust potential for both Pittman and Downs will increase.

From RotoBaller