Colts DE Samson Ebukam (MCL) out multiple weeks

Mon Oct 20 2:46pm ET
Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Samson Ebukam will miss "multiple weeks" with an MCL injury, ESPN reported Monday.

Ebukam suffered the knee injury during a collision with teammate DeForest Buckner in Sunday's 38-24 win over the host Los Angeles Chargers.

After missing the entire 2024 season with a torn Achilles suffered in training camp, Ebukam appeared in seven games this season, recording two sacks and 14 tackles (three for loss) along with seven quarterback hits.

Ebukam started all 17 games and led the Colts with a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2023. He also set career highs with 57 tackles (10 for loss) and 17 quarterback hits for Indianapolis in 2023.

Ebukam, 30, was entering his eighth NFL season and second with Indianapolis when he got hurt in 2024, having previously played with the Los Angeles Rams (2017-20) and San Francisco 49ers (2021-22).

Selected in the fourth round by Los Angeles in 2017, Ebukam has tallied 295 tackles, 35 sacks and 76 quarterback hits over 120 games (79 starts).

Ebukam also has 11 forced fumbles and five career fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown. He returned his lone career interception 25 yards for a touchdown in 2018.

Also in Sunday's game, the Colts lost defensive end Tyquan Lewis, who left the game with a groin injury in the first half, before Ebukam's injury. The Colts have not released any further information about the status of Lewis' injury.

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Five Fantasy Takeaways: Week 7

Player Notes
Mike Evans Oct 20 10:00pm CT
Mike Evans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (shoulder) suffered a broken clavicle in the Monday night loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 7 and will miss most of the season, according to head coach Todd Bowles. It's a tough break for the Bucs and Evans, who will not reach 1,000 yards receiving for the first time in his career in his 12th year in the league. What makes it even worse is that Evans was making his return on Monday night for the first time since suffering a strained left hamstring in Week 3. Before breaking his clavicle in the second quarter on a play deep down the field, the future Hall of Famer was unable to haul in any of his four targets. The 32-year-old has 14 catches on 32 targets for 140 yards and a touchdown in four games this year. It's possible he could make it back late in the season, but by that point, he may be of no help to fantasy managers. Chris Godwin (leg) is currently nursing a fibula injury and missed another game in Week 7, so right now, rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka and Sterling Shepard will be quarterback Baker Mayfield's top targets at receiver.

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Jordan Mason Oct 20 9:40pm CT
Jordan Mason

Running back Jordan Mason has had the run of the Minnesota Vikings backfield in the past few weeks, but his workload will be worth monitoring as Aaron Jones (hamstring) is now eligible to come off injured reserve. The Vikings initially were targeting Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers, a Thursday night game, to bring back Jones, but so far, have not officially activated him. Mason has been decent if not great in Jones' absence, but it's worth noting that four of five starters on the offensive line have been impacted by injuries and starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy has missed four straight games. Mason may have another week in the lead role, but Jones is likely to play a factor when he returns.

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Cam Akers Oct 20 9:40pm CT
Cam Akers

As the Minnesota Vikings face a short week and a series of injuries in the backfield, running back Cam Akers is likely the next man up if needed on Thursday at the Los Angeles Chargers. Jordan Mason should still be the Vikings' top option, but Zavier Scott (wrist) is now facing an injury and Aaron Jones (hamstring) has not yet been activated off injured reserve. If Jones is not moved onto the active roster, Akers likely would be Minnesota's answer behind Mason. No action is needed just yet, but managers in deeper leagues might want to keep an eye on the Vikings' backfield if facing a bye-week crunch.

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J.J. McCarthy Oct 20 9:30pm CT
J.J. McCarthy

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) could soon have the starting job back after the Minnesota Vikings lost 28-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, after which multiple members of the team highlighted the mistakes in the passing game that proved costly in quarterback Carson Wentz's fourth straight start. Wentz had two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and committed a baffling intentional grounding penalty while in the red zone that forced the Vikings into a field goal attempt. Wentz called his second-quarter interception "dumb" and "not a wise decision," while coach Kevin O'Connell and receiver Justin Jefferson both stressed cleaning up mistakes, which held the Vikings to one touchdown from six trips inside the Eagles' 20-yard line. McCarthy still hasn't been given the full vote of confidence as he returns from his injury and still could miss another week, but Sunday seemed to quell talk of a lingering controversy in Minnesota.

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T.J. Hockenson Oct 20 9:30pm CT
T.J. Hockenson

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson was among the many at U.S. Bank Stadium who was not thrilled that his apparent fourth-quarter touchdown catch was overturned by replay on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The big tight end made an acrobatic play in which he caught the ball in the air, though it came in contact with the ground while in his hands as he fell to the turf. He juggled as he turned over, regathered, and stayed in bounds, but replay determined the play -- called a touchdown on the field -- should be overturned. "New York can't call in and say it's not a catch when every other ref out there says it is," Hockenson told reporters after the game. "That's all there is to it. It's just crazy." Hockenson finished with a solid six catches for 49 yards, but the touchdown that wasn't surely irked a few fantasy managers as well.

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Dre Greenlaw Oct 20 9:10pm CT
Dre Greenlaw

The NFL has suspended Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw for one game without pay due to unsportsmanlike conduct following his team's Week 7 win over the New York Giants, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapoport reports that Greenlaw "chased after referee Brad Allen and verbally threatened him as (Allen) tried to leave the field." Week 7 was Greenlaw's first game of the season after he missed the first six weeks due to a thigh injury. Greenlaw recorded one solo tackle and one QB hit in Week 7 against New York. Assuming the suspension is upheld, Greenlaw will likely miss his team's Week 8 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton will likely serve as Denver's primary off-ball linebackers against Dallas.

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Samson Ebukam Oct 20 9:00pm CT
Samson Ebukam

Indianapolis Colts edge rusher Samson Ebukam (knee) is "expected to miss multiple weeks with an MCL injury," per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Fowler notes that Ebukam is in the process of getting a second opinion. Across seven games so far this season, the 30-year-old has recorded two sacks, 10 solo tackles, and seven QB hits. If Ebukam is forced to miss time, rookie edge rusher JT Tuimoloau could see an increase in playing time as a key depth piece behind Colts starters Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu. Indianapolis will play the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Atlanta Falcons over the next three weeks before its Week 11 bye.

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Trey Hendrickson Oct 20 8:40pm CT
Trey Hendrickson

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that defensive end Trey Hendrickson (hip) is "day-to-day" heading into his team's Week 8 matchup against the New York Jets, per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Hendrickson missed Cincinnati's Week 7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Thursday due to a hip injury. The 30-year-old is one of the NFL's best pass rushers and has recorded four sacks and eight quarterback hits across six games so far this season. If Hendrickson is forced to miss another game, the Bengals will likely turn to Myles Murphy and rookie Shemar Stewart for edge rush snaps alongside Joseph Ossai. Hendrickson's absence would make life significantly easier in Week 8 for a struggling Jets offense.

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Roquan Smith Oct 20 8:40pm CT
Roquan Smith

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) "says he will play" in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears, per ESPN's Jamison Hensley. Smith missed the Ravens' last two games before their Week 7 bye due to a hamstring injury. His return would be a welcome sight for a banged-up Ravens defense that has allowed an average of 32.3 points per game over its first six contests this season. In the four games he's played, Smith has recorded 24 solo tackles, three quarterback hits, and returned a fumble 63 yards for a touchdown. The 28-year-old has been named a first-team All-Pro in each of the last two seasons, and his return should make life significantly more difficult for the Bears' offense in Week 8.

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Quinn Ewers Oct 20 8:30pm CT
Quinn Ewers

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers will compete with veteran Zach Wilson for the team's backup QB job, according to Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. Ewers saw his first game action of his career in Week 7 during garbage time of Miami's 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The 22-year-old completed five of eight pass attempts for 53 yards. Ewers was named the backup quarterback over Wilson heading into Week 7, but it seems the two quarterbacks are still battling for the full-time job. It does not appear that either Ewers or Wilson is currently a threat to take the starting job from Tua Tagovailoa. However, that may change if the 1-6 Dolphins continue to struggle.

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Hassan Haskins Oct 20 8:20pm CT
Hassan Haskins

Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins (hamstring) is listed as a non-participant on his team's Monday injury report due to a hamstring injury. The Chargers did not actually practice on Monday, so this is an estimation of Haskins' status ahead of the team's Week 8 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night. In two games since Chargers RB1 Omarion Hampton (ankle) was placed on Injured Reserve, Haskins has split backfield work in Los Angeles with Kimani Vidal. Vidal has been the clear lead back, as Haskins has recorded 28 yards from scrimmage on 10 total touches over the last two weeks. If Haskins is unable to play on Thursday, Vidal would likely dominate backfield work for the Chargers even further. Veteran back Nyheim Hines could also play a role on passing downs.

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Mike Evans Oct 20 7:40pm CT
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (concussion, shoulder) returned on Monday night to face the Detroit Lions in Week 7 for the first time since straining his left hamstring in Week 3, but it didn't take long for him to get hurt again in the first half at Ford Field. Evans went down in the second quarter deep down the field and was visibly in a lot of pain before being helped to the sideline. The Bucs have since ruled him out for the rest of the game with a concussion and shoulder injury, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The 32-year-old veteran wideout was carted into the locker room, where he will most likely undergo more tests on his shoulder. Chris Godwin (leg) is inactive on Monday night, so rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka and Sterling Shepard will be quarterback Baker Mayfield's top targets the rest of the night. It's a tough blow for Evans' fantasy managers who started him in Week 7. He was unable to catch any of his four targets before leaving with his two injuries.

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Spencer Rattler Oct 20 7:20pm CT
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New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that quarterback Spencer Rattler will keep starting for the team, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. Rattler had a rough game in the Week 7 loss on the road to the Chicago Bears, turning the ball over four times. Moore noted that the Bears have been forcing turnovers all year, so he's not too worried, and that the 25-year-old signal-caller needs to learn from it and move on. Rattler will head into Week 8 as the starter, but he's going to need to play better to hold off rookie Tyler Shough before the end of the season. He'll get a little bit of leash despite throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble, mainly because he had just one pick and no fumbles before the Week 7 loss to Chicago. From a fantasy perspective, managers should keep ignoring New Orleans' quarterback situation.

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Tua Tagovailoa Oct 20 7:13pm CT
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Dynasty | Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will start the team's next game. Dynasty Analysis: The fact this had to be announced tells you just about everything you need to know about the state of the franchise. Tua was awful this week, throwing for just 100 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions in a blowout loss to the Browns. The ship is sinking here quickly with both Tua and coach Mike McDaniel on the hot seat. The concern with Tua has always been his health but it's now clearly being combined with poor play on the field. However, the Dolphins are stuck. They want to get the ball out of his hands quickly to keep him healthy but his game is much better throwing deep. Tua's dynasty value is decreasing and could be headed for a major freefall.

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Brandon Graham Oct 20 7:10pm CT
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Former Philadelphia Eagles standout linebacker Brandon Graham, who is the longest-tenured player in franchise history, is finalizing a deal on Monday to rejoin the team this week, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Graham played 15 seasons for the Eagles and will now come out of retirement to return for his 16th season in the NFL. The 37-year-old hung up his cleats back in March, but the itch to return has gotten the better of him, and he will return this week to try and help the Eagles win back-to-back Super Bowl championships. The former first-rounder will give the Eagles some more pass-rushing depth with Nolan Smith (triceps) and Ogbo Okoronkwo (triceps) on Injured Reserve. Graham will most likely be more of a rotational pass-rusher in his return to the league in 2025 after he had only 3.5 sacks and 20 tackles (15 solo) in 11 regular-season games (one start) a year ago.

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Kyler Murray Oct 20 7:00pm CT
Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon reiterated on Monday that quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) will be the team's starting QB when he is healthy, but it's "too early to say" whether he'll be ready to return coming out of the bye to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. A mid-foot sprain has kept Murray out of the Cardinals' last two games, and although backup Jacoby Brissett has played well in his two spot starts, the team isn't ready to bench the struggling Murray. The 28-year-old Murray gives the Cardinals' offense more options because of his rushing abilities, but he has mostly underwhelmed in his five starts in 2025, failing to go over 220 yards passing in any game while tossing only six touchdowns and three interceptions. Meanwhile, Brissett has thrown for 599 yards, four TDs, and one pick the last two weeks with Murray inactive.

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David Njoku Oct 20 7:00pm CT
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) remains day-to-day on Monday, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Njoku injured his knee in the Week 6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and was unable to practice all of last week before being ruled out of the blowout win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The 29-year-old's knee injury isn't all that serious, so he could have a chance to play in Week 8 against the New England Patriots if he's able to return to practice this week. If Njoku makes it back to face New England on Sunday, he'll be in play as a low-end TE1/high-end TE2 for fantasy purposes. Impressive rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. had the best game of his career against Pittsburgh with a 7-81-0 line, but disappointed with four catches for 36 yards against Miami with Njoku sidelined. Njoku's upside as a TE1 in fantasy has been capped in 2025 with Fannin involved.

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Ricky Pearsall Oct 20 6:50pm CT
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The San Francisco 49ers will continue to monitor wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) this week, and there is no certainty that he will return to face the Houston Texans on Sunday in Week 8, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Pearsall sprained his knee in the Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and has missed the last two games as a result. It sounds like the former first-rounder is in danger of missing a third straight game in Week 8, too, depending on how much he can do at practice this week. The 25-year-old didn't practice at all last week, so he'll just be trying to get on the practice field this week as the team begins preparations for the Texans. With Pearsall out, Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne have been the team's top two wideouts, but most of quarterback Mac Jones' passes have been going to do-it-all running back Christian McCaffrey.

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Brock Purdy Oct 20 6:40pm CT
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The San Francisco 49ers will continue to monitor quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) this week, and there is no certainty that he will return for the Week 8 contest on Sunday against the Houston Texans, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Purdy has been sidelined since aggravating his turf-toe injury in Week 4, and he has only played in two games through the first seven weeks due to the injury. According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, it could be a stretch for the 25-year-old to return this weekend, but it will all depend on how much he can do in practice leading up to Sunday's contest. Purdy was limited in three practices last week, and he will probably need to put in a full practice this week to have a realistic shot at returning. Fantasy managers should consider him on the wrong side of questionable as of right now. Mac Jones would make his third straight start in a tough matchup against Houston if Purdy misses a fifth game.

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Lamar Jackson Oct 20 6:30pm CT
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) remained sidelined at Monday's practice, the team's first practice since coming off their Week 7 bye, according to Jamison Hensley of The Baltimore Sun. The two-time MVP hasn't suited up since injuring his hamstring in the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs back on Sept. 28. The Ravens have expressed optimism that Jackson will return for the Week 9 game against the Chicago Bears, but the 28-year-old is going to need to return to practice at some point this week to be cleared by the weekend. For now, fantasy managers should consider Jackson to be questionable this week. Check back on Wednesday when the Ravens hold their first official practice of the week. Jackson is a must-start, high-end QB1 in fantasy if he returns to action this Sunday. But if he misses another game, Cooper Rush will be forced to make another start.

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