NFL Player News

Dike corralled seven of eight targets for 93 yards while taking his only carry for one yard in Sunday's 38-14 loss to the Colts.

Dike was able to follow up his first career touchdown in Week 8 with a new career high in receiving yards Sunday. The Florida product has seen his role balloon in the two games following head coach Brian Callahan's departure, with 163 of the rookie's 189 receiving yards this season coming in the Titans' last two contests. Dike has quickly developed a strong rapport with rookie QB Cam Ward, making the former an intriguing fantasy option against the Chargers next Sunday. His Week 9 value will be solidified if Calvin Ridley (hamstring) is forced to miss a third straight contest.

Noel brought in five of six targets for 63 yards in the Texans' 26-15 win over the 49ers on Sunday. He also logged two punt returns for 11 yards.

Noel finished tied for the team lead in receptions and for runner-up status in targets while also finishing second in receiving yards. It was the second straight productive showing in less than a week for the rookie third-round pick, who'd also produced a career-best 77 receiving yards on four catches during the Week 7 Monday night loss to the Seahawks. The absences of Nico Collins (concussion) and Christian Kirk (hamstring) have both played a part in Noel's recent surge -- Collins exited early in the fourth quarter in Seattle while Kirk has missed the last two games -- but Noel could be carving out a larger role for himself that will endure even when his veteran teammates are back in action. Noel also reclaimed his duty on special teams as a punt returner following a one-week hiatus when Braxton Berrios handled that chore.

Spears rushed nine times for 59 yards and a touchdown while catching all three of his targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 38-14 loss to Indianapolis.

Tony Pollard led Tennessee with 11 carries, but Spears outproduced the veteran starter in every other facet Sunday. The nine carries also represented a new personal best through four healthy appearances this season. The 1-7 Titans may opt to feature the 24-year-old more prominently in the second half of the season if the team offense continues to struggle. As for Week 9, Spears remains stuck in a timeshare with Pollard, limiting both players' value to deeper formats against the Chargers next Sunday.

Pollard rushed 11 times for 44 yards while adding one reception on two targets for nine yards in Sunday's 38-14 loss to the Colts.

Pollard finished with a team-high 11 carries in Sunday's blowout loss, but it was backup Tyjae Spears (9-59-1) who produced the superior fantasy score. The 28-year-old Pollard has seen his production dip in recent weeks, tallying just 96 rushing yards with no touchdowns over his last three starts. The untimely dip in production has come alongside Spears' return from injury in Week 5, with a less-than-appealing timeshare developing in Tennessee's backfield. Pollard still retains deep-league value so long as he is starting, but expectations should be kept in check for larger formats against the Chargers next Sunday.

Ward completed 22 of 38 pass attempts for 259 yards, one touchdown and one interception while taking two carries for four yards in Sunday's 38-14 loss to the Colts.

Ward threw his fifth touchdown pass of the season Sunday, but he maintained a TD/INT below 1.0 after throwing the sixth pick of his rookie campaign. The first-overall pick has shown marginal improvements in the two games following the firing of head coach Brian Callahan, throwing for over 250 yards in both contests. Ward still hasn't had that breakout game to excite fantasy managers through eight weeks, making him a low-end option against the Rams in Week 9.

Franklin had six receptions on eight targets for 89 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Sunday's 44-24 win over the Cowboys.

Franklin matched his previous season highs in receptions (eight) and yards (89) set back in Week 2, but he usurped that fantasy score by hitting pay dirt twice in Week 8. The second-year wideout finished below 20 receiving yards in three out of the five contests in between his standout performances, highlighting his volatility as a fantasy asset on a week-to-week basis. Managers should be wary of Franklin's downside before starting him ahead of more-proven options in a tough matchup against the Texans next Sunday.

Sutton finished with four receptions on six targets for 67 yards in Sunday's 44-24 win over the Cowboys.

Sutton took a back seat to Denver's younger receiving options Sunday, watching Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant and RJ Harvey collect all of Bo Nix's touchdown passes in the blowout win. The veteran starter still produced adequate receiving totals despite failing to reach the end zone, duplicating the 67.0 yards/game average he posted over his previous seven appearances. Fantasy managers are hoping Sutton can return to the end zone against the Texans in Week 9 after he scored all three of his touchdowns in Denver's first four games of the season.

Elliott (knee) is out for the rest of Sunday night's matchup with the Packers, Burt Lauten of the Steelers' official site reports.

The safety had five tackles (one solo) when he left the contest. Elliott suffered a knee injury in Week 1 and missed the next two games, though it's unclear if this issue is related. Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers are Pittsburgh's backup safeties.

Seumalo (pectoral) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday night's contest against the Packers.

Seumalo suffered an apparent pectoral injury, and he's now officially unable to return to the game. Spencer Anderson has taken over at left guard in his place versus Green Bay.

Beck caught his only target for nine yards in Sunday's 39-38 win over the Bengals.

Beck has registered a reception in three of the Jets' last four games. The team is desperate for pass catching production after multiple injuries to wide receivers, but the fullback is unlikely to expand his contributions much.