NFL Player News

Samuel (heel) is expected to be active for Monday's game against the Bears, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Commanders haven't yet made an official decision about Samuel's status since listing him as questionable on Saturday's injury report, per Commanders writer Ben Standig, but he appears to be trending in the right direction for Monday Night Football. As such, the final word on his availability may not arrive until roughly 90 minutes prior to an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. With wide receivers Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) already ruled out for Week 6, Samuel looks positioned for a significant workload as Washington's clear No. 1 WR if cleared to suit up.

Whittington secured three of four targets for 33 yards during Sunday's 17-3 victory against the Ravens.

In the wake of Puka Nacua (ankle) missing a considerable portion of the contest due to an ankle sprain, it was the second-year pro Whittington who saw the biggest uptick in play time, leading all Rams wide receivers with 49 snaps on offense. The expanded stint on the field led to only a small uptick in Whittington's stat line, although he did set season highs in catches and targets. If Nacua were to miss any time with his injury, it appears as though Whittington is most likely to step in alongside Davante Adams and assume a larger role, especially if Tutu Atwell (hamstring) isn't 100 percent next week against the Jaguars.

Bobo wasn't targeted in Sunday's 20-12 in over the Jaguars.

Bobo has been targeted just once over his first five games, and he has averaged just 11.2 offensive snaps per game. As long as Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and rookie Tory Horton are healthy, Bobo won't have fantasy utility.

Horton didn't catch his lone target in Sunday's 20-12 win over the Jaguars.

Horton scored three offensive touchdowns over the previous four games, but he failed to catch a pass for the first time since Week 1 in this outing. The passing game continues to rely heavily on Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and with Cooper Kupp still healthy, Horton's usage likely will remain volatile moving forward. The rookie remains relevant on special teams, where he has returned 11 punts for 171 yards and a touchdown.

Valdes-Scantling had two receptions (on three targets) for 22 yards in Sunday's 30-19 loss to the Buccaneers.

Valdes-Scantling wound up playing 42 snaps (61 percent) on offense while serving as the No. 3 receiver against Tampa Bay. The 30-year-old more than doubled his entire season production in Sunday's game, which highlights his lack of usage through six weeks. Valdes-Scantling will look to stay involved against the Falcons next Sunday, but there's little to see from a fantasy perspective.

Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said Monday that Turpin (foot) is among injured players who "have a chance" to retake the field Sunday versus the Commanders, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Turpin has missed back-to-back games due to a lingering foot injury, and he hasn't yet practiced in any capacity in that span. If he's able to resume getting in at least limited on-field reps during Week 7 prep, it seems he'll have a fair shot at returning for Sunday's divisional matchup. Star wideout CeeDee Lamb (ankle) reportedly also has a chance to get back on the field against Washington.

Moore logged three snaps (four percent) on offense and did not record a touch while generating 134 return yards on six combined attempts in Sunday's 30-19 loss to Tampa Bay.

Moore reverted to primarily operating as the 49ers' punt and kick returner after recording at least one target or one carry over his previous three appearances. The 24-year-old has just one reception for 10 yards in six appearances this season, leaving no room for fantasy utility. The song will remain the same for Moore in next Sunday's tilt against Atlanta.

The Buccaneers are hoping Evans (hamstring) can return to practice this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

With Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) expected to miss some time and Chris Godwin (fibula) already essentially ruled out for Week 7 by coach Todd Bowles on Monday, Tampa Bay could really use Evans back in the lineup. Evans was injured Week 3 and has missed the Bucs' last three contests. At the time of his injury, he was initially given a return timeline of 3-to-4 weeks, so the veteran wide receiver should be inching closer to a return to the field. Fantasy players will have a better idea of Evans' upcoming availability later this week, as the Bucs travel to Detroit to face the Lions next Monday night.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Godwin (fibula) is "not in play" to return to the field versus the Lions in Week 7 on Monday, Oct. 20, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Godwin didn't practice at all en route to being ruled out for Sunday's win over the 49ers, and he now is slated to miss a second consecutive game. Bowles also said running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) won't be a candidate to return for Monday Night Football versus Detroit. Tampa Bay could get Mike Evans (hamstring) back at practice, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, but with rookie phenom Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) looking uncertain for Week 7, Godwin's absence will be a notable blow for the Buccaneers' passing game.

Thornton was not targeted during Sunday night's 30-17 win over Detroit.

Thornton fell back to earth Week 6, playing just 27 percent of offensive snaps and finishing without a target for the first time this season. His decline in usage and involvement bodes especially poorly with Rashee Rice (suspension) eligible for reinstatement Week 7 versus the Raiders. As such, Thornton looks positioned to work behind all of Rice, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster this Sunday. Such a role could relegate Thornton to little more than scripted downfield plays.