NFL Player News

It was a rollercoaster day for the former 49er. Mason had a fumble-six overturned last week but made sure his opponent got the ball this time around with a lost fumble on Minnesota’s opening drive. Zavier Scott was the team’s top running back on the next drive, but he coughed up a fumble of his own later in the game and did not touch the ball once on the Vikings’ final three drives. Mason also briefly left the game with an injury but didn’t miss much time. Aaron Jones will be on injured reserve for one more game after the team’s Week 6 bye, meaning Mason will once again dominate the carries in Week 7. In a tough matchup with the Eagles, Mason will rank as a low-end RB2.

Wentz struggled in the first half once again. He got just seven points on the board and left early with an injury after a reckless scramble caused some discomfort in his left shoulder. He returned for the start of the second half and started to settle in. In need of at least a field goal to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, Wentz marched the Vikings down the field and delivered a perfectly thrown pass to Jordan Addison, leading him into the end zone for a game-winning score. Wentz is now 2-1 as the Vikings’ starter. He has been far from perfect, but it’s hard to argue for J.J. McCarthy to reclaim the starting job coming out of the Vikings’ Week 6 bye. Wentz will be a low-end QB2 if he draws the start in Week 7 versus Philly.

Addison did not take the field for either of the Vikings’ first two drives of the game. Kevin O’Connell told reporters after the game that Addison was benched for missing a walk-through during the week. He started to get some reps in the second quarter and was seemingly back to a relatively normal role after halftime. Addison made good on his opportunities in the second half. He reeled in a perfectly-placed end zone shot from Carson Wentz with just seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter to take the lead over Cleveland. The incredible pitch and catch ultimately won Minnesota the ball game. We will presumably get more info on why Addison was benched later this week, but the issue appears to have been handled internally. Addison will be back in the WR3 ranks when his team returns to face the Eagles after their Week 6 bye.

Jefferson now has 75, 126, and 123 yards in three Carson Wentz starts. Wentz hasn’t had the cleanest runout as a Viking, but he has more than enough arm talent to rifle intermediate and deep shots to his No. 1 receiver. Jefferson, in turn, has done his best to corral some of Wentz’s errant passes, allowing both to thrive in the absence of J.J. McCarthy. It’s too early to say who will be the team’s starting quarterback when the Vikings return from their Week 6 bye, but fantasy managers will be begging for Wentz to keep the job. Assuming he does, Jefferson will remain at the top of the WR1 ranks when he faces the Eagles in Week 7.

Fannin’s role held steady in this game. He saw a few snaps at nearly every position on offense and finished second on the team in receptions behind only David Njoku. Fannin also caught his first career touchdown on a well-designed play-action look at the goal line. Fannin has a solid floor of three to four catches per week, but the ceiling isn’t there yet. He will be a mid-range TE2 when the Browns return from their Week 6 bye.

Tracy is nursing a shoulder injury and had been listed as doubtful, but he was always a longshot to play this weekend. He’s getting closer and could make his return next week, but it will be Cam Skattebo dominating the snaps and touches for another week.

Mitchell will supposedly be limited after his mistake-plagued Week 5, but with Alec Pierce (concussion) on the shelf, consider us skeptical. Mitchell probably won’t be out there for the first series, but all bets are off after that. Joining Pierce on the shelf are QB Riley Leonard, CB Kenny Moore II, RB Tyler Goodson, LB Buddy Johnson, OT Luke Tenuta and DT Eric Johnson.

Johnson was questionable entering the weekend but will now miss his third-straight game due to the ankle injury he suffered in Week 2. Johnson was the only questionable player the Jets had heading into Sunday. In addition to him, the Jets also declared CB Michael Carter (concussion), RB/KR Kene Nwangwu (hamstring), TE Stone Smartt, TE Jelani Woods, DT Leonard Taylor, and OT Esa Pole inactive for Week 5.

No surprises here as both Sanders and Hubbard were ruled out earlier in the week. Sanders is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and is expected to miss multiple weeks. Tommy Tremble will start in his place, putting him on the TE2 periphery for Week 5.

With Foster, Mauro and Tyson Hill also both active, the Saints will have their top three tight ends all active for the same game for the first time this season. What that means for all of their usage remains to be seen, but it’s hard to start any of them with confidence this week until we see how the Saints deploy them. The Saints declared OG Cesar Ruiz, CB Isaac Yiadom, DE Chase Young, DT Khristian Boyd, OT Xavier Truss, and RB Devin Neal inactive.