Superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings has an outstanding matchup and should be viewed as a top-tier WR1 against the floundering Los Angeles Chargers defense in this week's Thursday Night Football game. The Chargers are giving up points on more than 46% of drives, which ranks 28th in the league, and were just ransacked by the Indianapolis Colts' pass-catchers, who piled up a whopping 288 yards in a Week 7 rout. Minnesota will be stuck starting backup quarterback Carson Wentz for another week, though the veteran QB is still putting up solid yardage numbers and has peppered Jefferson with double-digit targets three games in a row. Ranked as RotoBaller's No. 2 overall receiver heading into Week 8, managers should start Jefferson in every format.

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With the Minnesota Vikings set to travel to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers this Thursday, tight end T.J. Hockenson is a solid TE2 option with some additional upside. The downside for the big tight end is that he's clearly the team's third option behind two stellar receivers, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and will be reliant upon backup quarterback Carson Wentz. The positive part is he's still averaging 6.5 targets per game with Wentz, including one red-zone target per week. The Chargers have been strong against fantasy tight ends, but are still allowing points on 46% of opposing drives -- one of the worst rates in the league -- and just surrendered 281 total receiving yards to Indianapolis last week. With the Chargers' foremost concerns likely centered around stopping the run and the Vikings' receivers, Hockenson could have a handful of key chances to do some damage.

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Following an outsized fantasy performance last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard is a mid-tier option with his team facing a Thursday night matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Reichard is the No. 8 overall fantasy kicker so far in 2025, but largely because of a five-field-goal performance in Week 7 that included a make from beyond 50. However, Minnesota is still starting turnover-happy backup quarterback Carson Wentz, whose offense scored only one touchdown from six tries last week. Reichard is now 13-for-14 on field goals this year and a capable fantasy kicker, but managers should try to find a higher-volume option with a better matchup this week.

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The Minnesota Vikings will give Carson Wentz (shoulder) another start at the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, during which managers should view him as a volatile Superflex option. At this point in his career, managers should know what they're getting with the veteran quarterback. Wentz could lead a surgical game-winning drive like Week 5, throw a horrific pick-six (Week 7), be a low-volume game manager (Week 3), or chuck it for 300-plus yards (Weeks 4 and 7). The suddenly struggling Chargers are middle of the pack against fantasy quarterbacks, presenting a decent matchup, though it should be mentioned that Wentz was openly grimacing last week due to the lingering injury to his non-throwing shoulder. He is still throwing to receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison against a defense that has had its fair share of issues, however, so there is a reasonable chance for a big fantasy game. Ultimately, managers will have to gauge their risk tolerance for a gunslinging backup on a short week.

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Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (back, shoulder) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. Schultz appears to be dealing with a pair of injuries, but that didn't stop him from having success on Monday. He hauled in nine receptions for 98 yards in the loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The Texans are banged up right now, so Schultz could see a heavy workload again this weekend. If he sits, Harrison Bryant would be asked to pick up the slack during the Week 8 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

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Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason has an enticing matchup, but might not have full control of the Vikings' backfield in a Thursday game at the Los Angeles Chargers. Backfield mate Aaron Jones (hamstring) is eligible to come off injured reserve as of this week, had his practice window opened, and is listed as questionable, which is a variable worth watching prior to the game. This week brings a good matchup for any Minnesota rusher as they take on a Chargers defense ranked 28th in yards per carry allowed, 31st in rushing touchdowns allowed, and 29th in expected points added from rushing defense. Mason has earned at least 15 touches in four games in a row, giving him a solid fantasy floor as a steady RB2 option. Ultimately, managers should check back in to see if Jones is active before making a final decision.

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. It has been an injury plagued first half of the season for Mooney who has only played in four games so far. He posted a decent game last week where he hauled in three receptions for 68 yards in the loss to the San Francisco 49ers. His status is worth monitoring throughout the week, but he hasn't been a consistent option when healthy. His absence would likely just mean an increased workload for Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr. for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins.

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New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (hamstring) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. Slayton returning to practice is a good sight considering he has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring in Week 5. The fact he was able to get on the practice field at all is a good sign. Fantasy managers will need to monitor his status over the next few days. If active, Slayton could offer some flex value against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8.

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Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (knee, hip) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. He's a new addition to the injury report as Allgeier is dealing with a few minor issues. Allgeier hasn't done much on the field lately as he rushed for 16 yards on four carries during last week's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He has seen double digit carries in four games this season, but it hasn't resulted in a ton of fantasy value. Whether he's healthy or not, Allgeier isn't going to have much value while Bijan Robinson is healthy and running like he has been in the backfield.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring) was unable to practice on Wednesday. Ridley continues to deal with a lingering hamstring issue that he suffered during the Week 6 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. He sat out in Week 7 and is missing practice to begin the week here. Fantasy managers will need to continue monitoring his status throughout the week. If Ridley sits again, Elic Ayomanor and Van Jefferson figure to start against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8. Also, Chimere Dike is a sleeper player to see more work after hauling in four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown last week.

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) was unable to suit up for practice on Wednesday. It's worth noting that Jeudy was limited in practice last week due to a knee issue. However, Jeudy did end up suiting up for last week's game against the Miami Dolphins. He was quiet once again as he hauled in two of his four targets for 17 yards in the win. The expectation is that Jeudy will be fine in time for the Week 8 matchup against the New England Patriots. If he sits, Isaiah Bond would likely see an increased role this weekend. Neither player has offered much to fantasy managers this season.

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Although New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn called wide receiver Garrett Wilson (knee) day-to-day, he was unable to practice on Wednesday, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. Wilson has not practiced since hyperextending his knee in the Week 6 loss to the Denver Broncos in London, and he did not take the field in last week's loss to the Carolina Panthers. The 25-year-old is trending towards missing a second straight game in Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals unless he can return to practice in the next two days. If he does return, it looks like he could be taking passes from veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor, too. As of right now, fantasy managers should keep Wilson on their benches. The team has its bye coming in Week 9, so it would make sense for the Jets to hold him out another week and hope he can return in Week 10 against the Cleveland Browns.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially placed veteran wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday after he broke his clavicle in Monday night's loss to the Detroit Lions, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. Evans will be forced to miss at least four games while on IR, but his absence is expected to be much longer than that. However, he reportedly suffered a clean break of his collarbone and could return to the team in under eight weeks if his rehab goes well. Head coach Todd Bowles said it would be "touch and go" as to whether Evans will be able to get back on the field before the end of the regular season. Fantasy managers can go ahead and drop the future Hall of Famer in redraft leagues. It's a tough blow for Evans, who had just returned from a three-game absence due to a hamstring strain. He will finish shy of 1,000 receiving yards in 2025 for the first time in his 12 NFL seasons.

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Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (calf) is dealing with a calf injury and was limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to the team. Goedert scored five touchdowns in a four-game span leading into the Week 7 win over the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday, but he managed only three receptions for 18 yards in that game and broke his touchdown streak. Still, the 30-year-old remains a big part of Philly's passing attack, as evidenced by his 21.7% target share through six games played. Where Goedert really excels is in the red zone, as he's been quarterback Jalen Hurts' go-to target there. His calf injury doesn't appear to be all that serious, so we expect Goedert to suit up in the divisional rematch against the New York Giants in Week 8. Goedert had by far his best game of the year two weeks ago against New York, catching nine of 11 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown.

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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (calf) is still on the team's injury report and was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday as he works his way through a calf injury, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Jacobs was under the weather last week and then popped up with a calf injury that made him questionable to play in the Week 7 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The 27-year-old ultimately was cleared to play and scored two touchdowns on the ground for the third straight week. However, he did play a season-low 55% of the offensive snaps and was inefficient with his 14 total touches, accounting for 58 scrimmage yards. Jacobs should be able to play on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8 unless he suffers a setback with his calf later this week. Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting another two-touchdown performance, but Jacobs is a no-doubt, must-start fantasy RB in Green Bay as long as he's active.

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New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (neck) is dealing with a neck injury and was listed as limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Johnson apparently tweaked his neck in last Sunday's 26-14 loss to the Chicago Bears after catching five of his seven targets for 79 yards while playing 71% of the offensive snaps. The 29-year-old didn't show any sign of injury during the Week 7 contest, and the fact that he was limited on Wednesday should mean that he'll be able to play in Week 8 against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was nice to see Johnson produce last week after he had a combined seven catches on nine targets for only 60 yards and no touchdowns in the three previous games in Weeks 4-6. The Saints are likely to be in positive game script more often than not, but Johnson profiles as a boom/bust, touchdown-dependent TE2 in fantasy now that Taysom Hill is back in the fold.

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) will be limited in practice again on Wednesday, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said that "he's steadily getting better every week," according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic. Purdy suffered a turf-toe injury in the season opener, missed two games, and then aggravated it in Week 4. He has not played since and is questionable to return in the Week 8 game on the road in Houston against the Texans this Sunday. While Purdy is making slow progress, he's going to need to upgrade to a full practice session to be cleared to return under center on Sunday. Backup Mac Jones has played a very respectable QB in Purdy's absence this year, which has afforded the Niners the luxury of slow-playing Purdy's recovery. Fantasy managers should consider Purdy to be on the wrong side of questionable this week, but Week 9 versus the New York Giants could be much more realistic if he continues to make progress.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) is set to miss another practice on Wednesday, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Pearsall has missed the last three games due to a PCL sprain in his knee and is headed towards a fourth straight missed game this weekend against the Houston Texans if he cannot return to practice later this week. The 25-year-old was in a prime position to rack up valuable targets earlier this year with tight end George Kittle on Injured Reserve and receiver Jauan Jennings dealing with multiple injuries, but he wasn't able to take advantage. Kittle made his return in Sunday night's win over the Atlanta Falcons, but wasn't able to catch either of his two targets. He should have a bigger role on offense this weekend, and Jennings and Kendrick Bourne should be the top wideouts again if Pearsall misses another game.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) was listed on the team's first injury report of the week with a hamstring injury and did not practice on Wednesday, according to the team. Brown's status for the Week 8 divisional rematch against the New York Giants this Sunday is now in question after he missed his first practice of the year due to injury. The 28-year-old showed no signs of an injury in the Week 7 win over the Minnesota Vikings, playing 92% of the offensive snaps while going off for 121 receiving yards and two touchdowns on only four catches. It's unclear if this is a serious injury for Brown or if the Eagles are just giving him a maintenance day, but we should know more on Thursday. After a slow start, Brown now has 10 catches for 201 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games. He had six catches for 80 yards on nine targets on Oct. 9 in the first game against the G-Men.

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New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ankle) remains on the team's injury report heading into a Week 8 clash with the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday and was listed as limited in Wednesday's practice, according to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Kamara was a DNP last Wednesday with his ankle injury, but he ended up returning to practice and was cleared from the final injury report. The 30-year-old five-time Pro Bowler ended up handling 11 carries for only 28 yards while catching all three of his targets for just one yard in the Week 7 loss to the Chicago Bears. However, Kamara did play a season-high 84% of the offensive snaps due to Kendre Miller (knee) suffering a torn ACL. Rookie Devin Neal will spell Kamara going forward. Kamara is still the Saints' lead back, but he's averaging a career-low 3.6 yards per carry and is showing signs of his age in his ninth NFL season.

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