Week 7 Idle Fantasy Football: The Case of Brock Powers, Kyler Murray and Others

Who should you start with? Who should you sit with? To help you set your fantasy football lineups and avoid starting an offensive player who won’t be in the lineup, we’ll post fantasy-related updates and analysis here when NFL teams release their official inactive rosters.

Official inactives on Sunday must begin arriving approximately 90 minutes prior to scheduled kickoff times: approximately 11:30 AM ET for early games and 2:30 PM ET for late afternoon games.

Update frequently to get the latest information.


Don’t forget to check these: Mike Clay’s Playbook | Seventh week noise
Rankings for the seventh week | Expert Chat (noon to 1 p.m. ET)


What we’re seeing early on

  • The Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars face off at Wembley Stadium in London at 9:30 a.m. ET. The inactives for this game were announced around 8 a.m. ET, without any surprises.

  • Jalen Coker, WR, CAR (quad): Coker is expected to see his first start of the season, but will almost certainly fall behind Xavier Legette and Tetairoa McMillan in goals today.

  • DeAndre Swift, RB, Chi (groin): His rating was downgraded as the week went on but he still claimed he would be ready to play on Sunday. Travis Homer (calf) practiced fully all week and was activated from IR.

  • Brooke Powers, TE, LV (knee): He practiced a little on Friday, but it may not be enough for him to suit up on Sunday. Michael Mayer is more than capable of stepping up.

  • Jacoby Myers, WR, LV (knee): He also saw limited practice on Friday, so this may end up being a game-time call. If he sits, Trey Tucker will get a boost in fantasy value.

  • JJ McCarthy, QB, Maine (ankle): Carson Wentz will start again for the Vikings, and McCarthy will likely be named the emergency quarterback. Max Brosmer will be Minnesota’s No. 2 point guard.

  • Stefon Diggs, WR, NE (chest): He rushed into full practice by Friday, so it looks good to have Diggs playing.

  • Garrett Wilson, WR, New York (knee): Josh Reynolds (hip) is not listed on the Jets’ final injury report for this week, so it appears he could be the team’s No. 1 player for Week 7, with Wilson doubtful to play.


Excluded before Sunday

  • Emari Demercado, RB, ARI (ankle): Bam Knight (knee) and Michael Carter will likely split the workload in Arizona.

  • Cairo Santos, K, CHI (thigh): Jake Moody will handle the kicking duties for the Bears.

  • David Njoku, TE, CLE (knee): Harold Fannin Jr. will likely handle. With the majority of TE targets this week as Njoku sets his sights on a Week 8 return.

  • Christian Watson, WR, GB (knee): Watson still needs more time. Romeo Dobbs and Matthew Golden will start. Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) is questionable.

  • Tyler Goodson, RB, IND (groin): DJ Giddens will be the one to spell Jonathan Taylor’s name.

  • Josh Downs, WR, IND (concussion): Ashton Doolin (chest) is also out, so Alec Pearce may be pressured to get a look more than usual. Adonai Mitchell could get a chance to redeem himself.

  • Puka Nakoa, WR, LAR. Toto Atwell (hamstring) is not listed on the team’s final injury report for this week. He and Jordan Whittington received fantasy value bumps in Nacua’s absence.

  • Darius Slayton, WR, NJ (hamstring): Could we see the continued rise of Jordan Humphrey?

  • Brock Purdy, QB, SF (toe): Mac Jones (knee/oblique) took a hit, but is able to start. He’ll have George Kittle (hamstring) to throw to as the IR tight end is activated.

  • Ricky Pearsall, WR, SF (knee): Both Jauan Jennings (multiple injuries) and Jordan Watkins (calf) were removed from the team’s final injury report.

  • Calvin Ridley, WR, TEN (hamstring): Bryce Oliver (knee) is also out. Expect Van Jefferson and Elek Ayomanor to handle any passes down the field that the Giants decide to let Cam Ward throw.

  • Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (quad): With Deebo Samuel (heel) also in that spot, it’s up to the trio of Chris Moore, Luke McCaffrey and Jaylen Lynn.


What we are watching late

  • Kyler Murray, QB, ARI (foot): With the Cardinals’ upcoming bye week, Jacoby Brissett is expected to take snaps this week, allowing Murray more time to recover.

  • Zee Jones, WR, ARIs (knowledge): Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion) has been cleared to play, as has Michael Wilson (foot).

  • Darnell Mooney, WR, ATL (hamstring): Despite his absence from Friday’s practice, the team appears optimistic about Mooney’s presence in the huddle this weekend.

  • Brandon McManus, K, GB (quad): He hasn’t practiced all week, so odds are good that Lukas Havlicek will take over the kicking duties.

  • Josh Jacobs, RB, GB (illness): He also had some calf issues later in the week, so be prepared to rotate. Emmanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks will be next in line if Jacobs can’t go.

  • Hassan Haskins, midfielder, Latin America and the Caribbean (chest): Even with Haskins at 100% last week, Kimani Vidal got the ball more in that backfield.

  • Zach Ertz, TE, CAN (shoulder): Given the team’s WR issues, having an extra set of pass-catching hands would be great for the Commanders. However, the final decision may be made before inactives are announced.

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