tradeJonathan Taylor calls trade talk "noise" as deadline nears
Jonathan Taylor told reporters Thursday the trade speculation "has become noise": "It's been dragging for a while now. At this point, it just becomes noise," adding "No one wants uncertainty." He said he hasn't requested a trade and is preparing to play. The Colts are reportedly seeking first-round-level value, with the Giants, Vikings and Packers among teams connected before the Nov. 10, 4 p.m. ET deadline.
Fantasy take
Taylor has handled a league-leading 323 carries for the Colts this season, logging an 80 percent snap share with 18 rushing touchdowns. None of that usage has shifted while the trade chatter has circulated. His own comments Thursday track with that: he says he hasn't asked out and is practicing like he's staying, even as Indianapolis fields calls tied to a first-round asking price.
Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol, Browns prep Shedeur Sanders
Watson entered concussion protocol after a helmet-to-helmet hit in Sunday's 27-6 loss to Pittsburgh; he cleared Monday's evaluation but reported symptoms Tuesday morning. He isn't expected to clear protocol by Saturday, and the Browns are preparing Shedeur Sanders to start Sunday at New Orleans.
Fantasy take
Sanders' only NFL action beyond last year's seven starts came in relief of Gabriel against Baltimore, when he went 4-of-16 for 47 yards with an interception. His full 2025 sample as a starter carries a QBR of 18.8, the lowest average for any Browns quarterback with six or more starts in franchise history, alongside 10 interceptions against 7 touchdowns over seven games. Watson's protocol timeline running into Thursday's walkthrough window means the Browns are back to leaning on that body of work.
Ravens QB room: Fagnano debuts in Jacksonville loss, Brissett trade still pending
Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano made his first career start Thursday night and the Ravens lost 33-10 at Jacksonville, with Lamar Jackson (thumb surgery) and Tyler Huntley (turf toe) both out for the season. The trade sending Jacoby Brissett from Arizona to Baltimore remains unofficial, still expected to close this weekend with Brissett in line to start Week 10 at the Chargers.
Fantasy take
Fagnano's Week 8 debut went 10-of-21 for 91 yards with an interception and a lost fumble; Thursday's Jacksonville start was his second turn in the role under the same conditions. Minter has stuck with the undrafted rookie through back-to-back starts rather than turning to Austin Reed or Kedon Slovis, which keeps Fagnano as Baltimore's quarterback of record for as long as the Brissett trade stays unresolved.
Ripples
JF
Joe Fagnanoemergency starter
QB · BAL
Undrafted rookie made his second career start Thursday, 10-of-21 for 91 yards in Week 8 debut
A.J. Brown sits out first Patriots practice of the week
Brown (ankle/knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, the Patriots' first session of Week 9 prep. Coach Mike Vrabel said of his availability, "Yeah, we'll see," adding his only concern is "trying to prepare for the Packers." Brown already sat out Week 8 and has missed four games total this season with the ankle injury.
Fantasy take
Mack Hollins has taken roughly 70 percent of New England's offensive snaps this season, with 65 targets and 46 catches, the kind of workload that expands when Brown is unavailable. No other update on Brown's practice participation is attached to Thursday or Friday sessions yet, so his Week 9 status against the Packers remains without a formal designation.
Jack Campbell: "full movement" in lower body after neck injury
Campbell released a statement Wednesday saying he has full movement in his lower body and is making progress with his upper body, five days after being carted off on a backboard in Sunday's win over Minnesota. The Lions have shared no further timeline out of respect for Campbell and his family.
Fantasy take
There's nothing fantasy-actionable here yet for a linebacker who was already marginal outside deep IDP formats.
Aiyuk files for reinstatement; NFL hasn't processed it yet
Aiyuk's agent confirmed he filed for reinstatement from the 49ers' reserve/left squad list Wednesday and planned to report to the team facility Friday. The NFL had not yet reinstated him as of Thursday. The 49ers have said he will never play for the team again, leaving a trade or release as the likely outcomes once he's reinstated.
Fantasy take
The reinstatement filing reverses the position he staked out over the summer, when he said he'd never do business with the 49ers again. It also lands four days ahead of the November 10 trade deadline, which gives San Francisco a short window to work out a trade before deciding between keeping him on the roster or releasing him. Lynch and Shanahan have both indicated little appetite for him rejoining the active roster.
Cam Skattebo (hamstring) trending toward missing Week 9
Skattebo sat out Giants practice Wednesday and Thursday with a hamstring injury suffered on a 42-yard run in overtime against Houston two weeks ago, and he's missed three straight practices since the bye. He leads the Giants with 418 rushing yards this season; the team is treating him as day-to-day ahead of Sunday's game against Philadelphia.
Fantasy take
Devin Singletary is the only other healthy running back on the Giants' 53-man roster, with Tyrone Tracy Jr. on injured reserve and Najee Harris released. Singletary has carried 119 times for 437 yards and a 30 percent snap share across the season, and he scored on a 30-yard overtime touchdown run in the same Week 7 game where Skattebo got hurt. If Skattebo sits Sunday, Singletary would work alongside rookie Gregory Desrosiers as the only other back on the roster.
Four days until the trade deadline; Jonathan Taylor, George Pickens and the Giants' RB room are the pieces still in motion.
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