TNF Recap, Injury News + Buy/Sell Trade Targets

Matthew Berry is preaching patience with A.J. Brown but lowering his stock slightly. In two games since returning from IR, Brown has a 27% target share with end zone targets in both games, and averaged 24.5 yards depth of target with four of six targets on deep passes. However, he finished 3 for 48 in the latest game. Berry notes Brown is still recovering from a high ankle sprain and may not be at 100% health; he was drafted as WR8 in preseason but Berry now ranks him around the WR2-3 border for the rest of season. "I feel like I'm both panicking because he should be better than this, but I am preaching patience because I do think it'll be better." The Patriots have a bye in week 11.

Dislocated thumb in week three; has been practicing in a white glove and reports no problem gripping or throwing the ball. Key concern is ball security and avoiding re-injury during snaps under center. Matthew Berry expects more shotgun usage to reduce thumb aggravation risk, which suits Mayfield's snap distribution. Projected as QB 18 this week against Carolina, though Berry notes Mayfield historically struggles against the Panthers and has averaged only 12 fantasy points per game in his three starts this season.

Matthew Berry ranks Bam Knight at 36 this week, positioning him as an RB4 for deeper leagues if Jeremiah Love misses. Despite Denver allowing the third most rushing yards per game, Arizona's offensive struggles may limit overall volume.

Blake Corum is not being used as a rest option for Kyron Williams, as the Rams are not dominating games enough to warrant second-half rest situations.

Has been doing significant work while Breece Hall has been out. Even if Hall returns, Allen is expected to maintain flex appeal and could see continued volume in a workload split. Matthew Berry ranks Braylon Allen at 16 this week, placing him in the high-end flex to low-end RB2 range. Allen has flex appeal even if Breece Hall plays.

Brandon Cooks looked good in practice this week per George Kittle's endorsement, positioning him as a potential fill-in if Mike Evans is unavailable. Matthew Berry ranks him in the wide receiver five range if Evans sits, behind Christian Kirk but ahead of Samson Watkins.

Listed as questionable; decision expected to go all the way to Sunday per ESPN's Rich Cimini. Out with a thigh/quad soft tissue injury. Matthew Berry expresses caution about automatic starting, noting that Braylon Allen has been doing so much that even if Hall returns, it will likely be a workload split, possibly not in Hall's favor in the first game back. However, if Hall is active, Berry would probably start him given Miami's second-best fantasy matchup for opposing running backs. Braylon Allen has flex appeal even if Hall plays. Berry ranks Braylon Allen at 16 and would rank Breece Hall at 20-22 if confirmed active.

Matthew Berry is buying Chase Brown, believing the market is overreacting to Samajae Perine's role. Brown is averaging 19 touches per game with a 15% target share. Though he had an inconsistent stretch before the bye, Berry believes in his talent and expects the Bengals offense to be fixed coming out of the bye. The Bengals have Super Bowl aspirations and won't win with Perine as the starting running back. Berry also likes trading for players who have already had their bye, providing an extra week of production.

George Kittle praised Christian Kirk's practice performance this week, suggesting he and Brandon Cooks are the guys likely to see increased volume if Mike Evans is out. Matthew Berry recommends picking up Kirk as a potential starter in the wide receiver four range if Evans is unavailable, preferring him over Brandon Cooks and Samson Watkins.

Matthew Berry expects Christian McCaffrey to see increased volume on Sunday if Mike Evans is unavailable, as the 49ers will likely lean on their run game and established weapons.

Expected to see increased targets if Puka Nakua is out, as the Rams ran more 12 personnel and had more tight end targets than any NFL team during Nakua's earlier absence. Parkinson is a secondary option behind Tyler Higby in this scenario.

Bears tight end Cole Kmet was carted off in the win against the Patriots and is believed to have suffered a serious, likely season-ending knee injury, per Ian Rapoport. Matthew Berry notes that while testing was ongoing and nothing was final at the time of recording, Rapoport's reporting suggests a high likelihood of significant time missed. This injury directly benefits Colston Loveland's target share and role.

Matthew Berry is bullish on Colston Loveland's elevated role following Cole Kmet's likely season-ending knee injury. In the two games since Caleb Williams' return, Loveland has a 30% target share (40% against the Patriots, team-high). Over the last two weeks, he's averaging over 19 fantasy points per game with at least 6 receptions and 60 yards in both games. He's had at least one red zone target in all but one game this season and "probably should have like three more touchdowns on the season so far." With Kmet out, Berry expects "even more work for Colston Loveland."

Matthew Berry is buying and holding DeAndre Swift while Kyle Menungai is out. Over the past three weeks with Menungai sidelined, Swift played 88% of snaps, handled 26 of the team's 28 running back touches, and is averaging almost 20 fantasy points per game with an 89 utilization score. Berry rates him as a low-end RB1 until Menungai returns, then a mid-tier RB2 with weekly RB1 upside when Menungai is back. "I don't think any of this is a fluke" given Caleb Williams' impact on the offense.

Matthew Berry ranks Drake May as the second-best quarterback for the rest of the season after Josh Allen. May has had four straight games with 23+ fantasy points since week 4, averaging 29.2 fantasy points per game with 12 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions over his last four games. He's averaging 30 rushing yards per game and has fixed his turnover problems. Berry notes: "He's been the best quarterback in fantasy football" over this stretch, and "whatever was kind of holding him prisoner there for a couple of weeks, it's gone."

May be activated from IR after four limited practices in the last two weeks. Out with a knee injury since week one. If activated, could create a workload split in the Titans backfield and potentially lower Quinshawn Judkins' passing game involvement projections.

Matthew Berry expects to see a lot of George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey on Sunday if Mike Evans is out, as the 49ers will likely lean on their established weapons and run game.

Matthew Berry is buying Jalen Coker, who has seen four more targets than Ted O'Meillian in the three full games they've played together this season and has scored 24 more fantasy points. Over the past nine games including last season's playoffs, Coker has outscored O'Meillian in seven of nine matchups. The Panthers rank third in pass rate over expected, indicating a high-volume passing game. Adam Thielen, who played for Carolina, said Coker is the best wide receiver on that team. Upcoming schedule includes Buccaneers, Packers, Broncos, and Saints.

Did not practice Wednesday or Thursday after missing the previous week with an ankle injury. Matthew Berry expresses concern, noting it's not looking good. Mike LaFleur previously stated they want to get the ankle right and integrate Love more into the passing game once he can cut better, but they want to ensure he's 100% healthy. Berry does not expect Love to play this week.

Jonah Coleman is returning from injury and Matthew Berry believes he will take over the Broncos running back job from J.K. Dobbins by season's end. Coleman has been a full participant in practice throughout the week and there is a chance he gets activated before Sunday. He is still on IR but not fully rostered in many leagues. Berry has been saying since the preseason that Coleman will be the Broncos running back you'll want by year's end. Coleman needs to be rostered in 100% of leagues.

Kirk Cousins' job security is in question. The Falcons have lost three straight games and are 3-3. If they lose to the Rams, they'll be 3-4, and the leash on Cousins is getting tighter. There is speculation that backup Marcus Mariota could be inserted into the lineup soon, which would impact the passing game volume for receivers like Ashton Gentry.

Kyron Williams is a buy at the moment due to favorable upcoming matchups. The Rams face the Raiders, Chargers, Commanders, and Cardinals over the next four weeks—all teams that can be run on. Williams has a 16% target share and has recorded 14% or more targets in four straight games, showing consistent involvement in the passing game despite the Rams' offensive struggles. The Rams are not resting him in favor of Blake Corum in the second half.

Matthew Berry is buying the Luther Burden breakout despite limited playing time. Against the Patriots, Burden had 4 receptions for 130 yards plus 7 rushing yards and a touchdown, averaging over 10 yards per target and over 7 yards after catch (51% of receiving yards from YAC). However, he's been under 80% route participation all season, with just 21% snap rate in two-WR sets and 13% target share against New England (under 10% in three of last four games). Berry's thesis: "even though the numbers are big, he's doing a lot with a little," and this performance should lead to more playing time as Ben Johnson moves him around creatively.

Mike Evans had Achilles soreness going into last week and left the game early; there is concern about Achilles pathology increasing risk for a tear. Matthew Berry is nervous about his availability and expects the 49ers may rest him this week before their bye in week eight, especially given the team's Super Bowl aspirations. Evans doesn't practice but plays due to his veteran arrangement with the team, so lack of practice participation doesn't indicate status. If he plays, start him; if out, avoid other 49ers wide receivers.

Had Achilles soreness going into last week and left the game early. Matthew Berry expresses concern about Achilles pathology increasing risk of a tear, which is what everyone fears but doesn't want to say out loud. This is a big-picture concern for the season, not just this week.

Mike Washington is playing more snaps than expected for the Falcons, suggesting Ashton Gentry may not be fully healthy. Washington is playing nearly as many snaps as Gentry, indicating a potential shift in the backfield workload.

Left practice Thursday with a calf injury; Rams dismissed it quickly, suggesting low threat to status this week. However, Matthew Berry notes ongoing concern about a pre-hernia/core muscle injury that was moving around earlier in the season. If active, he's a must-start in fantasy, but the recurring injury issues warrant monitoring.

Expected to return this week per Todd Monken's optimism. Matthew Berry ranks him as running back 19 this week. Last four weeks, Judkins has averaged 19 touches per game. However, there is potential messiness in the backfield if Dylan Samson is activated from IR, which could lower Judkins' passing game involvement projections.

Samajae Perine, 31 years old, has not averaged more than six touches per game since 2022 and is being phased out by the Bengals. Matthew Berry believes the market is overreacting to Perine's role and that the Bengals, with Super Bowl aspirations, will not win with him as the starting running back. Perine is a blocking third-down running back without explosiveness, though he did score last week.

Injured in week four with a hamstring; did not practice in weeks five or six. Expected to return Monday night against the Cowboys. Matthew Berry notes that with hamstring injuries, you don't know if a player is 100% recovered until they play and get through the game without setback. Barkley said he wants to play but needs to test it throughout the week, letting medical staff make the decision. The close timing makes Berry a little nervous. If active, Barkley is a low-end RB1, but Berry recommends having a pivot and playing him in flex rather than as a locked-in starter due to uncertainty about first-game-back performance.