Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Panthers QB Sam Darnold has cleared the concussion protocol. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that he's still a game-time decision for Sunday against the Patriots, though, because of the shoulder injury. P.J. Walker would start if Darnold can't go. We're hoping you don't need either for your fantasy football lineups.

Update: ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Darnold is "expected to start."

Updating a previous item, Panthers QB Sam Darnold (concussion, shoulder) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Patriots. QB P.J. Walker is in line to make his 2nd career start. He went 24-of-34 for 258 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs in a Week 11 start vs. the Lions last year. Walker has gone 3-for-15 for 33 yards in relief of Darnold this season. As poorly as Darnold has played lately, Walker will likely be a downgrade for this offense.

Panthers QB Sam Darnold (concussion, shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game vs. the Patriots. He was limited in practice all week. HC Matt Rhule said Friday that Darnold still has the clear the concussion protocol and that the shoulder injury is as big an issue as the concussion. We're still expecting QB P.J. Walker to get the start this weekend, but we'll keep you updated on the situation.

Panthers QB Sam Darnold (concussion, shoulder) remained limited in Thursday's practice. NFL Network's Mike Giardi hears that Darnold's shoulder injury is as much of a concern as the concussion. We continue to expect QB P.J. Walker to start Sunday's game vs. the Patriots.

Panthers QB Sam Darnold was officially limited in Wednesday's practice with a concussion and shoulder injury. HC Matt Rhule said Darnold was "extremely limited," which doesn't make it sound like he'll be ready for Sunday's game vs. the Patriots. Look for QB P.J. Walker to start that one.

Panthers QB Sam Darnold sustained a concussion after taking a big hit in the 4th quarter of Sunday's win over the Falcons. It's his 1st documented concussion. We'll track his progress through the protocol this coming week. QB P.J. Walker would start vs. the Patriots if Darnold isn't cleared.

Panthers HC Matt Rhule said after Sunday's loss to the Giants that Sam Darnold remains his starting QB. "Just felt like we needed some sort of a spark," HC Matt Rhule said of the decision to bench Darnold. "Not that anything was necessarily him, I think it was all of them. Hoping P.J. [Walker] would go out there and make a run or do something to kind of get us going. Sam will be our quarterback next week, he'll be our quarterback moving forward." Darnold won't be a bankable fantasy play in Week 8, even in a plus matchup vs. Atlanta.

Panthers QB Sam Darnold was benched in the 4th quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Giants. He struggled again in this one, completing 16 of 25 passes for 111 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT. QB P.J. Walker will finish this one out for Carolina. We'll see what HC Matt Rhule does at QB next week.

Update: Rhule told reporters after the game that he made the switch seeking a spark and that Darnold remains the starting QB. Walker certainly didn't do anything to help himself, completing just 3 of 14 passes for 33 yards and producing an even lower QB rating (39.6 vs. 57.2).

Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) is active for today’s game vs. the Bengals. He remained limited in practice this week and won’t be playing at 100% today.

ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms that Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) is expected to play vs. the Bengals today. Hockenson played through this injury last week, registering his usual 80+% snap rate. He, of course, finished with just 2 catches on 3 targets for 22 yards.

Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Bengals after getting in limited practices on Thursday and Friday. He was in the same boat last week and ended up playing 81% of the offensive snaps in the loss to Minnesota. Hockenson is fully expected to play this Sunday.

Vikings WRs Justin Jefferson (ankle) and Adam Thielen (foot) aren't listed on the final injury report. Both guys got some time off in practice earlier this week but should be ready to play their usual roles vs. the Panthers on Sunday.

Vikings WRs Justin Jefferson (ankle) and Adam Thielen (foot) missed their 2nd straight practices on Thursday. We haven't heard any concern about their availability for this weekend's game vs. the Panthers, but make sure to check back tomorrow afternoon for another update.

Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. He seems to be following the same routine as last week, when he put in limited practices on Thursday and Friday. Hockenson is fully expected to play vs. the Bengals this weekend, but don't expect him to be at 100%.

Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) was sidelined for Wednesday's practice. He played through this knee issue last week but mustered just 2 catches on 3 targets for 22 yards. It'd be nice to see him get in a full practice before this weekend's game vs. the Bengals.

Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) is active for today’s game against the Vikings. He got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday and admitted that he won’t be at 100% today. Hockenson is a riskier fantasy play than usual.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) is expected to play vs. the Vikings today. Hockenson got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday but admitted that he won't be at 100%. We downgraded him a bit in the Week 5 TE Rankings.

The Cardinals have ruled CB Byron Murphy out for Sunday's game against the 49ers because of a rib injury. Fellow CB Marco Wilson is also dealing with a rib injury that has him questionable. We'll update Wilso'ns status when the inactives come out Sunday afternoon, though he's probably not worth waiting for in most IDP lineups.

Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game against the Vikings. He got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday. “Obviously, a couple more days left, and we’ll see where it is on Sunday and just go from there,” Hockenson said Friday. “It is what it is. You never play in this game 100%, so it’s one of those things.” We’re expecting Hockenson to play vs. Minnesota, but he won’t be at 100%.

Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. That seemingly puts him on track to play vs. the Vikings this weekend, but we'll get another update on his status tomorrow.