play1:10Where does Kimani Vidal stand among fantasy RBs in Week 7?Eric Moody weighs in on Kimani Vidal’s impactful Week 6, and says fantasy managers should look to utilize him as an RB2 in Week 7.
play0:59Can Kayshon Boutte build on a successful Week 6 in fantasy?Eric Karabell explains why he expects Kayshon Boutte to continue his recent fantasy success in Week 7 vs. the Titans.
play0:39Why Harold Fannin Jr. shouldn’t be overlooked in fantasyLiz Loza breaks down Harold Fannin Jr.’s upward trend in fantasy ahead of the Browns matchup against the Dolphins in Week 7.
play1:35Is Rico Dowdle’s fantasy production sustainable?Tristan H. Cockcroft breaks down whether Rico Dowdle can maintain his current fantasy output.
Where does Kimani Vidal stand among fantasy RBs in Week 7?Eric Moody weighs in on Kimani Vidal’s impactful Week 6, and says fantasy managers should look to utilize him as an RB2 in Week 7.
Eric Moody weighs in on Kimani Vidal’s impactful Week 6, and says fantasy managers should look to utilize him as an RB2 in Week 7.
Can Kayshon Boutte build on a successful Week 6 in fantasy?Eric Karabell explains why he expects Kayshon Boutte to continue his recent fantasy success in Week 7 vs. the Titans.
Eric Karabell explains why he expects Kayshon Boutte to continue his recent fantasy success in Week 7 vs. the Titans.
Why Harold Fannin Jr. shouldn’t be overlooked in fantasyLiz Loza breaks down Harold Fannin Jr.’s upward trend in fantasy ahead of the Browns matchup against the Dolphins in Week 7.
Liz Loza breaks down Harold Fannin Jr.’s upward trend in fantasy ahead of the Browns matchup against the Dolphins in Week 7.
Is Rico Dowdle’s fantasy production sustainable?Tristan H. Cockcroft breaks down whether Rico Dowdle can maintain his current fantasy output.
London, Robinson shine on eventful Monday night in fantasy
Early Week 6 takeaways: Is red-hot Dowdle in line to leapfrog Hubbard in Panthers’ backfield?
Everything that happens in the NFL has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.
Our Fantasy Football Buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the NFL.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Cardinals (concussion): In the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Colts, Harrison’s head took a hard hit to the ground as he was tackled following a 21-yard reception. He was taken inside the blue tent for evaluation, as is common for an initial concussion screen; the results indicated further testing was warranted and Harrison was taken to the locker room. The Cardinals eventually announced he would not return because of a concussion.
Harrison is now in the concussion protocol and must not only pass the progressive phases to return to action, but also must be cleared by the team physician and an independent neurological consultant. While it is often the case that athletes miss at least one game following a concussion, it is not a time-based protocol but rather criterion-based.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Buccaneers (hamstring): Egbuka, in his first game serving as the No. 1 wide receiver with Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula) out, exited the game against San Francisco in the second quarter with a hamstring strain. It didn’t take long for the team to rule out his return.
After the game, coach Todd Bowles told reporters Egbuka was still being evaluated. An MRI is often used to better evaluate the specific size, location and depth of the injury, which helps shape rehab timeframes and treatment. There is no prognosis yet on the timeline for Egbuka, but if the injury is truly not serious, it could range from no missed time to 1-3 weeks.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Titans (hamstring): Just when Ridley seemed to have found his groove with a strong Week 5 performance, he suffered a hamstring injury Sunday after just one catch for 18 yards. According to coach Brian Callahan, Ridley had “a hamstring that popped up early and [he] couldn’t get through, couldn’t open up and run.”
It is unclear what the severity of Ridley’s injury is, but more details will hopefully be forthcoming after he undergoes additional evaluation at the start of the week.
Where does Kimani Vidal stand among fantasy RBs in Week 7?
Can Kayshon Boutte build on a successful Week 6 in fantasy?
Why Harold Fannin Jr. shouldn’t be overlooked in fantasy
Tristan H. Cockcroft breaks down whether Rico Dowdle can maintain his current fantasy output.
Dowdle found the end zone and rumbled his way to triple-digit yardage serving as the replacement for Chuba Hubbard for the second consecutive week. The former Dallas Cowboy touched the ball 34 times, logging 239 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown while facing his old team. Dowdle has now cleared 22 rushing attempts and collected at least three balls in back-to-back outings.
Carolina will travel to the Meadowlands in Week 7, taking on a Jets defense that gave up 78 rushing yards on 26 attempts versus the Broncos in London. Assuming Hubbard remains sidelined, Dowdle projects as a top-15 fantasy play at the position. He might have very well gained control of the backfield’s top spot even if Hubbard is healthy enough to suit up.
Omarion Hampton’s absence created a flurry of speculation as to which backup would take charge of the Bolts’ rushing opportunities. Vidal came away the clear winner, registering 18 carries for 124 rushing yards while converting three of four targets for 14 receiving yards. With volume on his side, the second-year RB took advantage of a plus matchup against Miami’s bottom-ranked run defense, posting 22.8 fantasy points in Week 6. He’ll take on an above-average Indianapolis Colts squad in Week 7.
Despite being stuffed at the goal line in the game’s first half, Henry rebounded Sunday. The Ravens fed the vet early and often, helping him reach 90 rushing yards before halftime. Despite the Ravens falling to the Rams 17-3, Henry averaged 5.1 YPC, clearing 100 rushing yards for the first time since Week 1. Baltimore goes on bye in Week 7, but Henry’s production should continue to pick up from there, especially if Lamar Jackson returns in Week 8.
Harrison suffered what was being reported as concussion-like symptoms in the first half of Arizona’s game at Indianapolis. Jacoby Brissett (who was starting in the stead of Kyler Murray) focused the bulk of his efforts on Trey McBride (8-72-1), Zay Jones (5-79) and Michael Wilson (4-44). Fantasy managers should brace for both Harrison and Murray sitting out next Sunday’s tilt versus Green Bay.
Puka Nacua, WR, Rams (ankle): Nacua appeared to injure his left leg on an attempted leaping catch in the end zone early in the second quarter. He landed awkwardly on his left forefoot with the majority of his weight coming down on the left side along with the weight of a defender. In obvious discomfort afterward, Nacua reached for his lower shin just above the ankle. He was eventually assisted off the field and into the tunnel by the medical staff, with his arms around them for support. After the half, Nacua returned to the sideline and eventually reentered the game but didn’t touch the ball again.
After the game, coach Sean McVay told reporters Nacua would undergo further testing when the team returned to the facility, adding that Nacua’s status for Week 7 (in London) was uncertain. With Nacua reentering the game, it might seem unusual that he would then be held out a week later. It’s not unusual, however, for injuries to declare themselves to a greater degree within 24-48 hours postgame, whether it be symptomatic (pain/stiffness), swelling/bruising or additional information that emerges via imaging or other testing.
Maye posted more than 20 fantasy points for the third time in five weeks this past Sunday. The second-year signal-caller led his team to a third straight victory, throwing for 261 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs while the Patriots beat the Saints 25-19. Maye also buoyed his fantasy stock on the ground, taking off nine times for 28 rushing yards. He has now managed at least 25 rushing yards and/or found the end zone in four of his past five outings. He’ll offer virtual investors top-10 positional appeal in another solid matchup at Tennessee (70.2 COMP% allowed) in Week 7.
Drake London posted season highs in targets (16), receptions (10), receiving yards (158) and fantasy points (31.8). He’s the first Falcons player with 100-plus receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in consecutive games since Calvin Ridley in 2020. After a slow start, London is finally delivering the type of performance fantasy managers expected heading into the season.
Kyle Pitts Sr. finished with a season-high 18.0 fantasy points back in Week 4 against the Commanders, but coming out of the bye, he followed it up with just 4.8 on Monday night. However, even though Pitts is splitting snaps with Charlie Woerner, he still led the tight end room in routes run by a significant margin against the Bills.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the Commanders’ backfield in snaps, routes run and touches (18). He finished with just 5.8 fantasy points against the Bears, but the usage was very encouraging. Croskey-Merritt next faces a Cowboys defense in Week 7 that has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Zach Charbonnet led the Seahawks’ backfield in snaps, routes and touches (13) against the Jaguars. Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III have both been heavily involved all season, which makes either one difficult to trust in fantasy lineups.
Michael Carter started at running back for the Arizona Cardinals against the Colts, finishing with 11 touches and 8.4 fantasy points. Bam Knight had 12 touches and 12.4 fantasy points thanks to a rushing touchdown. Both players saw a similar number of snaps, but Carter ran more routes, giving him added involvement in the passing game.