The 2025 campaign is now in full swing. We will focus on waivers and trades until later in the season, when we will transition to players to stash, buy, and sell for the offseason. In today's "Dynasty News," we will examine some of the week's larger happenings from a dynasty perspective.
Dynasty News: QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals pulled off a big win Thursday night and are now thinking about a playoff run. Before the game, Ian Rapoport reported that Burrow is eying a mid-December return.
From The TNF pregame show on @NFLonPrime: #Bengals QB Joe Burrow is on track to return in mid-December; Plus, what does the future hold for #Bengals star edge Trey Hendrickson? pic.twitter.com/eBlzLlevVZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 16, 2025
The trade for Joe Flacco gave Cincinnati hope for the playoffs. He also boosted the dynasty values of Chase and Higgins. The AFC North will be a competitive division down the stretch. We advise dynasty managers to target a trade for Burrow, especially if the other team is in contention and needing a starting quarterback. Given the big numbers Joe Flacco put up on Thursday night, Burrow is a top fantasy option every week, when healthy.
Dynasty News: QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
In the early minutes of second half's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Jayden Daniels grabbed the back of his knee after being sacked. Dr. Jeff Mueller does not think the injury is overly serious:
Officially a hamstring injury, questionable to return.
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) October 19, 2025
Hopefully a mild strain considering Jayden Daniels was able to stay in a low position without the hamstring getting elongated too much.
Good that it’s not his knee. https://t.co/5JBGQqWRjM
The Washington offense has been wrecked with injuries as the team now has a 3-4 record. They need him back on the field as soon as possible or the season will quickly slip away. Coach Dan Quinn had a positive report for Daniels' prognosis in his Monday afternoon press briefing.
Dan Quinn: Jayden had an MRI on his hamstring and good news, it's not significant or long-term, but not sure of his status for Monday night."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 20, 2025
While Washington would love to have Daniels back as soon as possible, his fantasy upside would be limited by his lacking of scrambling ability.
Dynasty News: QB Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson is not top-of-mind for many dynasty managers, but he will play again in the NFL, possibly this season. In an appearance last week on the "Pat McAfee Show", Adam Schefter reported that Deshaun Watson is a "good month away from being cleared for any football activity." Then, beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot gave a complementary update:
#Browns Kevin Stefanski on if Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is getting closer to having his practice window open: 'No update there. He's doing great' in his rehab.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 15, 2025
According to Spotrac, the Browns would take on $131,163,378 in dead cap if releasing Watson before the end of the 2026 season. Even though it seems like he has been around a long time, the veteran quarterback is still only 30 years of age. There is a good chance that the Browns draft a quarterback high in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dynasty News: RB TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots
Most dynasty managers are anxious to see the same level of excitement from rookie TreVeyon Henderson that they saw in the preseason. Last week, New England running backs coach Tony Dews was asked where Henderson is in his development. He responded, "He’s progressing. He’s getting better each day, each week. It’s not a learning curve, because he understands exactly what he’s doing. Just as he keeps going, and sees more looks -- in the preseason, everything is pretty vanilla. Then all of a sudden you get into the season and the game-planning part of it, and now people are game-planning us based on what they see and what they’ve seen us do. So looks change. Things change. When you’re playing a lot in the preseason, you’re not playing against the same vets that you’re playing against [now]. He is progressing well, moving right along. Sometimes when I talk to Josh [McDaniels] and ask about the guys that were here in the past [at running back], it sounds like from Josh he’s very much on par with some of the other guys who played early as rookies. He feels like he’s in that same world, where they were at this point in their rookie seasons." Henderson was awesome in preseason but has been a non-factor so far in 2025. The rookie will improve as he progresses. It will just take time.
Dynasty News: RB MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers
The Packers do not have much behind Josh Jacobs and are anxious to get MarShawn Lloyd back healthy. Ace beat reporter Rob Demovsky gave an update last week:
Matt LaFleur said RB MarShawn Lloyd is getting closer to returning to practice from the IR list, but it won’t be this week. Meanwhile rookie Collin Oliver’s return from PUP is “up in the air.”
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) October 15, 2025
Dynasty managers should scour the waiver wire for Lloyd. Jacobs has almost 2,000 touches since being drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Dynasty News: RB Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
After missing much of his first two NFL seasons, Kendre Miller was in the middle of carving out a regular role until leaving Sunday's game with a knee injury.
Sources: #Saints RB Kendre Miller tore his ACL on Sunday and will miss the remainder of the season.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 20, 2025
A tough blow for Miller, who was starting to carve out a role in the offense with 193 rushing yards and 1 TD on the year. pic.twitter.com/JL4vHTZ1Al
It is sad news as Miller had looked sharp this season. He is an under-the-radar trade target in deep dynasty leagues. Rookie Devin Neal steps into the backup role behind Alvin Kamara. Neal is a player to roster if he is on the waiver wire. He amassed 4,343 rushing yards and 49 rushing touchdowns during his four years at Kansas. Kamara has been nicked up throughout his career and Neal could see a prominent role if the veteran misses time.
Dynasty News: WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans made his return Monday night from a hamstring injury, but went down after a just-miss long pass. Evans stayed down on the field for a long time as trainers attended to him. Coach Todd Bowles told reporters after the game, “He has a broken clavicle and he will be out mostly towards the end of the year ... We’ll see what happens, but he broke it.” The veteran Evans is in the last year of his contract and may be playing elsewhere next season. Also, the injury will prevent Evans from achieving his 12th consecutive 1,000-yard season. The only glimmer of light was provided by Jordan Schultz:
The initial timeline for #Bucs WR Mike Evans’ broken clavicle injury is 6–8 weeks, per sources.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 21, 2025
There’s hope he’ll be able to return before the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/gUrxfSXZqo
Broken clavicles do not heal in six weeks. Eight weeks means that Evans could return for the last few games. Rookie Tez Johnson will see a large bump in targets. He and tight end Cade Otton are the two beneficiaries, as Chris Godwin is out at least through the team's bye week.
Dynasty News: WR Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Last week, San Francisco 49ers head coach told reporters that star receiver Brandon Aiyuk is getting "closer and closer" to returning from his knee injury. When pressed, Shanahan threw out Week 10 as a rough estimate for Aiyuk's return. We should not take this estimate as anything specific as Shanahan has historically been opaque regarding return timeframes for injured players. Dynasty managers are encouraged to temper expectations until Aiyuk's 21-day return window is announced.
Dynasty News: WR Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
Meyers has not been as prolific as dynasty managers hoped this season. He has been nicked up the past few weeks. Last week, Jeremy Fowler opined that Meyers might be traded, "Teams I've spoken to believe the Raiders are open to trading wide receiver Jakobi Meyers but are not actively trying to move him. The sense is the Raiders would prefer to play out the season before making major determinations about the roster. But Meyers requested a trade in the preseason, so a potential deal feels at least on the table." There have been many rumors involving Meyers over the past few days, so keep an eye on the situation. Rookie Jack Bech would step into the void created by trading Meyers. The Raiders are a sinking ship and could be in liquidation mode, trading veterans like Meyers.
Dynasty News: WR Kyle Williams, New England Patriots
Much was expected from the rookie after flashing in training camp. Last week, New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was asked about the rookie. He responded, "I think some of that is the opportunities. What we’ve done is look at the things we’re doing when the ball doesn’t come to you – are you doing the right things? A lot of the times, he is. Like I keep saying, I feel like a broken record, the ball hasn’t quite found him on certain things yet, but if it does, then I think we’ll see what that looks like ... I think the fact he continues to practice well, continues to have the ability to play at multiple positions, gives him the ability to be in the game. We’re not like, 'hey, put him in a position where he can’t get it.' He’s in there running plays. Last week, he subbed in for [Stefon] Diggs. He subbed in for [Kayshon] Boutte. He subbed in for the slot receiver. So I think opportunities are there, he’s present and available every day at practice, he’s doing a really good job of understanding his assignments. Like I’ve said about Pop, Kayshon and Diggs-y, and different guys at different times, I think it will find him. We just have to continue to try to press forward on the process of doing the right thing and I’m excited when he gets his opportunity. I really am. I’m looking forward to it." New England is rumored to be in the trade market for receivers, so it may be next year before Williams can get his shot.
Dynasty News: Christian Kirk, Houston Texans
Christian Kirk has been nicked up for most of the season and exited practice last week with a hamstring injury, causing him to miss Monday's game in Seattle.
#Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk, who injured his hamstring Friday in practice, isn't at practice during portion open to reporters @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 18, 2025
Saturday, he was ruled out for the game, indicating a serious nature to the injury. We do not expect him back for at least another week or two. Kirk's absence should open up opportunities for the rookies, Higgins and Noel.
Dynasty News: WR Tyler Lockett, Tennessee Titans
Veteran receiver Tyler Lockett has not had a large role in the Titans offense this season. Monday night, he asked for - and was granted - his release. Lockett will be a depth option for receiver-needy teams in contention for a ring.
Veteran WR Tyler Lockett has asked for and received his release from the Tennessee Titans, per source. Lockett is expected to be free to sign with another team after 4 pm ET Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/GpDxmoOe3U
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 20, 2025
Dynasty News: WR Jordan Watkins, San Francisco 49ers
Rookie Jordan Watkins was a prolific collegiate receiver with 185 catches (142 coming the final three years at Mississippi). He was taken in the fourth round of this year's draft, but has battled injuries. Last week, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Watkins will practice soon as he recovers from his calf injury. He flashed well in training camp before suffering a high-ankle sprain. With the myriad of injuries to the 49ers receivers, Watkins is a player to stash now before he hits the field.
Dynasty News: WR Ray-Ray McCloud III, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons receivers have not been overly productive outside of star Drake London. The Atlanta receiver depth took a hit last week when Ray-Ray McCloud III was sent home. This rarely happens, so it is noteworthy, especially with Darnell Mooney's inability to stay healthy.
Raheem Morris says WR Ray Ray McCloud was sent home. He said it was a private matter between the team and McCloud. Morris said he doesn’t know if McCloud will return. #Falcons
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) October 17, 2025
Dynasty News: TE Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins
Darren Waller injured his pectoral muscle in Sunday's loss in Cleveland. He was quickly ruled out for the game. Waller has been a rare bright spot for the Miami offense and his loss would be felt if he misses extended action. There are very few "mild" pectoral injuries so we expect him to miss at least a few games. Adam Schefter gave an update Monday afternoon:
Tests showed that Dolphins TE Darren Waller has a strained pectoral that is not expected to require surgery, per source. He will be considered “week to week at this point.” pic.twitter.com/3KxDuYhhmN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 20, 2025
His ansence will create even more pressure for Achane and Waddle to carry the Miami offense.
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