Travis Etienne, Christian Kirk, and Alvin Kamara staked their fantasy football owners to early leads on Thursday night, but it's nothing that can't be made up even with six teams on bye in Week 7.
On top of the already-reduced player pool, several key players are OUT (Justin Fields, Jimmy Garoppolo, Deebo Samuel, Pat Freiermuth, David Montgomery, Kyren Williams, Roschon Johnson, and Daniel Jones), and several more are "questionable" (Christian McCaffrey, DK Metcalf, Aaron Jones, Deshaun Watson, Hunter Henry, Kareem Hunt). Fortunately, two key players are coming off IR (Jeff Wilson Jr., Diontae Johnson), and the weather forecast (see below) is mostly mild, so it's not all bad.
We'll be here to help all morning, reacting to injury news, monitoring the active/inactive lists for any surprises, watching the weather, and providing start 'em, sit 'em advice based on all the latest developments.
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Fantasy football live news for NFL Week 7
Live updates will begin at 9 a.m. ET.
Injury updates for NFL Week 7
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Saturday evening that Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is expected to play against the Colts. Given the matchup, he has QB1 upside.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Saturday evening that Daniel Jones (neck) is a "long shot" to play against the Commanders. Tyrod Taylor will once again start and only be a consideration in two-QB/superflex leagues.
UPDATE (9:30 a.m. ET): NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Hunter Henry (ankle) is expected to play against the Bills.
UPDATE (9:30 a.m. ET): NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported DK Metcalf (hip) will be a true game-time decision. If he's out, Jaxon Smith-Njigba will become a solid flex/WR3 in all formats.
UPDATE (9:30 a.m. ET): ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Craig Reynolds (toe, hamstring) is expected to play against Baltimore. Given the six-team bye and injuries to other key RBs, Reynolds is a potential flex in standard leagues.
UPDATE (9:30 a.m. ET): ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Kareem Hunt (thigh) will be a true game-time decision. Deon Jackson was elevated to the team's active roster yesterday, which would seemingly be a bad sign for Hunt's availability, which echoes Schefter's report that Cleveland has "concerns" about his availability.
UPDATE (9:30 a.m. ET): ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Aaron Jones (hamstring) is expected to play against Denver. Start him as usual given the matchup, and AJ Dillon can still work as a flex.
UPDATE (11:10 a.m. ET): ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that "all signs" point to Christian McCaffrey (oblique) playing on Monday night. Start him as usual, but expect a few more carries for Jordan Mason, who could work as a low-end flex in deep leagues.
WEEK 7 INJURY UPDATES:
QBs | RBs | WRs | McCaffrey
OFFICIAL NOTABLE EARLY ACTIVES (11:35 a.m. ET): Kareem Hunt, Craig Reynolds, Deshaun Watson, Hunter Henry
OFFICIAL NOTABLE EARLY INACTIVES (11:35 a.m. ET): Justin Fields, Roschon Johnson, Daniel Jones, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jimmy Garoppolo, David Montgomery
Playing time updates for NFL Week 7
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman are expected to be "leaned" on by the Rams, which would seemingly leave popular waiver pickup Zach Evans as the odd man out. Henderson and Freeman are worth adding, but at this point, none of the Rams' backs can be started against Pittsburgh.
With Kareem Hunt (thigh) officially ACTIVE, fantasy owners should expect a fairly even split between him and Jerome Ford again. Ford will likely see a few more touches, but both backs have RB2/flex upside.
Craig Reynolds (toe, hamstring) is in line for around 10 touches, but Jahmyr Gibbs should handle the bulk of the touches like he did when he started in Week 4 (17 carries, one catch, two targets). It's a tough matchup, but both Gibbs (RB2 in PPR) and Reynolds (flex in standard) have value today.
Look for D'Onta Foreman to handle the bulk of the RB work for the Bears again, but Travis Homer's return could have a bigger effect on the backfield than most think. We'd only consider Foreman here, but don't trust him as anything more than a flex.
Weather updates for NFL Week 7
For a full breakdown of all of the Week 7 weather worries, click here.
The early forecast for Week 7 featured a fair amount of wind and some rain across the league, but as we've moved closer to the weekend, things have settled down. The Commanders-Giants game will likely see the most wind (sustained winds in the 15-20-mph range, gusts up to 25 mph), but Bills-Patriots and Lions-Ravens will see noticeable winds, as well. Cardinals-Seahawks has the highest chance for rain (around 30 percent), but it's unlikely to be sustained or heavy. Overall, fantasy owners shouldn't bench any usual offensive starters because of weather, though some kickers are slightly riskier.
Who should I start in fantasy football today?
Advice based on 12-team, half-point PPR leagues
The recommendations below are from Vinnie Iyer's Week 7 start 'em, sit 'em column.
Must-starts
QB: Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. MIA), Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (at PHI), Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. LAC), Josh Allen, Bills (at NE), Justin Herbert, Chargers (at KC), Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. DET)
RB: Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at MIN), Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (vs. ARI), Travis Etienne, Jaguars (at NO), Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at CHI), Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at TB), Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. JAX), D'Andre Swift, Eagles (vs. MIA), Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (at PHI), Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs. LAC), Austin Ekeler, Chargers (at KC), Aaron Jones, Packers (at DEN), Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (at NYG), Saquon Barkley, Giants (at WAS)
WR: Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at PHI), A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. MIA), Stefon Diggs, Bills (at NE), Cooper Kupp, Rams (vs. PIT), Keenan Allen, Chargers (at KC), Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at BAL), Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at MIN), Davante Adams, Raiders (at CHI), DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at CIN), Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. PIT), Chris Olave, Saints (vs. JAX), Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at PHI), DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. MIA), Marquise Brown, Cardinals (at SEA), Amari Cooper, Browns (at IND), Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (at NO), Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. ATL), DJ Moore, Bears (vs. LV), Christian Kirk, Jaguars (at NO), Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (vs. ARI), Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. DET), Christian Watson, Packers (at DEN), Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (at CHI)
TE: Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. LAC), Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. DET), George Kittle, 49ers (at MIN), Sam LaPorta, Lions (at BAL), T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. SF), Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs. MIA), Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at TB), Evan Engram, Jaguars (at NO)
D/ST: Bills (at NE), 49ers (at MIN), Raiders (at CHI), Packers (at DEN), Browns (at IND), Seahawks (vs. ARI)
Smart sits
QB: Kirk Cousins (vs. SF), Russell Wilson (vs. GB), Baker Mayfield (vs. ATL)
RB: Jonathan Taylor (vs. CLE), Kareem Hunt (@ IND), Zack Moss (vs. CLE), Gus Edwards (vs. DET), Rachaad White (vs. ATL), Jaylen Warren (@ LAR)
WR: Courtland Sutton (vs. GB), Jerry Jeudy (vs. GB), Romeo Doubs (@ DEN), Josh Palmer (@ KC), Josh Downs (vs. CLE), Diontae Johnson (@ LAR), K.J. Osborn (vs. SF)
TE: Logan Thomas (@ NYG), Zach Ertz (@ SEA), Tyler Higbee (vs. PIT), Hunter Henry (vs. BUF)
D/ST: Ravens (vs. DET), Chiefs (vs. LAC), Giants (vs. WAS), Rams (vs. PIT)
Read more coverage from Sporting News' team of fantasy football experts, including Week 7 rankings for PPR and standard formats, sleepers, busts, DFS picks, and other projections below.
WEEK 7 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts
WEEK 7 DFS: DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
WEEK 7 TOOLS: RotoBaller "Who To Start?" tool | Draft Sharks' Week 7 projections
Fantasy football rankings Week 7
Below are Sporting News' updated fantasy football rankings for Week 7. Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring.
Quarterback
1 Jalen Hurts, Eagles vs. Dolphins
2 Josh Allen, Bills @ Patriots
3 Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. Chargers
4 Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins @ Eagles
5 Lamar Jackson, Ravens vs. Lions
6 Justin Herbert, Chargers @ Chiefs
7 Brock Purdy, 49ers @ Vikings
8 Sam Howell, Commanders @ Giants
9 Geno Smith, Seahawks vs. Cardinals
10 Jordan Love, Packers @ Broncos
Running back
1 Christian McCaffrey, 49ers @ Vikings
2 Austin Ekeler, Chargers @ Chiefs
3 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins @ Eagles
4 D'Andre Swift, Eagles vs. Dolphins
5 Travis Etienne, Jaguars @ Saints
6 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks vs. Cardinals
7 Bijan Robinson, Falcons @ Buccaneers
8 Alvin Kamara, Saints vs. Jaguars
9 Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Bears
10 Aaron Jones, Packers @ Broncos
11 Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots vs. Bills
12 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs vs. Chargers
13 Saquon Barkley, Giants vs. Commanders
14 Zack Moss, Colts vs. Browns
15 Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs. Browns
16 James Cook, Bills @ Patriots
17 Javonte Williams, Broncos vs. Packers
18 Gus Edwards, Ravens vs. Lions
19 Rachaad White, Buccaneers vs. Falcons
20 Keaontay Ingram, Cardinals @ Seahawks
Wide receiver
1 Tyreek Hill, Dolphins @ Eagles
2 Stefon Diggs, Bills @ Patriots
3 Cooper Kupp, Rams vs. Steelers
4 A.J. Brown, Eagles vs. Dolphins
5 Keenan Allen, Chargers @ Chiefs
6 Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions @ Ravens
7 Davante Adams, Raiders vs. Bears
8 Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers @ Vikings
9 DJ Moore, Bears vs. Raiders
10 Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins @ Eagles
11 DK Metcalf, Seahawks vs. Cardinals
12 Michael Pittman Jr., Colts vs. Browns
13 Mike Evans, Buccaneers vs. Falcons
14 Chris Olave, Saints vs. Jaguars
15 Amari Cooper, Browns @ Colts
16 Puka Nacua, Rams vs. Steelers
17 Terry McLaurin, Commanders @ Giants
18 Drake London, Falcons @ Buccaneers
19 George Pickens, Steelers @ Rams
20 Zay Flowers, Ravens vs. Lions
21 Christian Kirk, Jaguars @ Saints
22 Tyler Lockett, Seahawks vs. Cardinals
23 Calvin Ridley, Jaguars @ Saints
24 Christian Watson, Packers @ Broncos
25 DeVonta Smith, Eagles vs. Dolphins
Tight end
1 Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Chargers
2 Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. Lions
3 Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Dolphins
4 T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. 49ers
5 Sam LaPorta, Lions @ Ravens
6 Evan Engram, Jaguars @ Saints
7 George Kittle, 49ers @ Vikings
8 Luke Musgrave, Packers @ Broncos
9 Darren Waller, Giants vs. Commanders
10 Michael Mayer, Raiders @ Bears
Defense/Special teams
1 San Francisco 49ers @ Vikings
2 Buffalo Bills @ Patriots
3 Cleveland Browns @ Colts
4 Washington Commanders @ Giants
5 New Orleans Saints vs. Jaguars
6 Seattle Seahawks vs. Cardinals
7 Detroit Lions @ Ravens
8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Falcons
9 Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
10 Atlanta Falcons @ Buccaneers
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers
