Bears could be without best playmaker in Week 8
#Bears coach Matt Nagy says WR Allen Robinson is in concussion protocol. (Brad Biggs on Twitter)
Nerdy Football Analysis: Robinson suffered a concussion late in Week 7 against the Rams. Given that was a Monday night game, he has one less day to get cleared for Week 8. The Bears passing attack would come to screeching halt without Robinson in the lineup against the Saints.
Eagles TE taking “important step” in return to practice field
The Eagles on Wednesday morning activated the 21-day practice window for tight end Dallas Goedert, the first important step to his returning to game action. Goedert has been on IR with a fractured ankle since Sept. 29. (NBC Sports)
Nerdy Football Analysis: Goedert will immediately be a plug-n-play TE with Zach Ertz already sidelined and Richard Rodgers offering moderate value.
Could return Week 9
Bucs WR Chris Godwin fractured his left index finger making a touchdown catch Sunday at Las Vegas that required surgery Tuesday. He will miss Monday Night’s game against the Giants. Depending on how it heals, he could return for the Week 9 game vs. New Orleans. (Rick Stroud on Twitter)
Nerdy Football Analysis: Antonio Brown is not eligible to play until Week 9 so Tampa Bay will move forward with Mike Evans, Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson as the top three wideouts against the Giants. Both Evans (ankle) and Miller (hip) are dealing with nagging injuries.
Hamstring injury
The 49ers might also have to play without receiver Deebo Samuel, who has been an integral part of the offense over the past two weeks while the team has gotten back to its run-first identity. Samuel had eight touches for 72 yards, including a handful of running plays. But on his final carry, an outside run to the left sideline in the fourth quarter, he grabbed his left leg and was quickly ruled out with a hamstring injury. Shanahan indicated the team fears Samuel will miss some time after he already missed four games to start the year with a broken foot sustained over the summer. (The Modesto Bee)
Nerdy Football Analysis: It’s been a season to forget for Samuel, who missed the first three games of the season with a foot injury he suffered while working out over the summer. The 49ers’ bye doesn’t come until Week 11, meaning the team will probably bring him back as soon as they can (as opposed to playing it conservatively and giving him an extra week to recover). Samuel’s absence should allow rookie Brandon Aiyuk to re-enter the WR3 conversation in fantasy.
Foot injury
Bengals RB Joe Mixon (foot) is out today and he’s considered week-to-week with this injury, meaning he could miss next vs. the #Titans too, source said. It’s Gio Bernard at RB until Mixon makes his way back. (NFL Network – Ian Rapoport)
Nerdy Football Analysis: With Cincinnati sitting at 1-5-1 and looking at a Week 9 bye, it makes little sense for the Bengals to bring Mixon back before he feels right again. Giovani Bernard produced 96 total yards and a touchdown in his absence in Week 7, although he was largely unsuccessful as a rusher (13 carries, 37 yards). Another reason to sit Mixon: the Bengals are unlikely to hang with the Titans.