When asked if he expects All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons (knee) to start practicing next week, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said, "I sure hope so," according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman. "I'm saying there's a chance." Parsons was hoping he would have a chance to return from Injured Reserve to make his season debut in Week 6 on Sunday Night Football against his old team, the Dallas Cowboys, but that did not happen. The 27-year-old star pass-rusher will not be back on a short week this Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers either, but if he makes enough progress and returns to practice next week, there is a possibility that he could play for the first time this year in a Week 9 matchup against the New England Patriots on the road. Parsons is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered last Dec. 14. When healthy, Parsons is a game-changer on defense for the Packers after recording 41 tackles (19 solo), 12.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 27 QB hits, and two forced fumbles in 14 games in his first year with Green Bay in 2025. The five-time Pro Bowler should be stashed in all IDP fantasy leagues. He has a whopping 65 sacks in just five NFL seasons.

When asked if second-year wide receiver Matthew Golden (shoulder, foot) will be available to play on Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said, "I sure hope so. We're kind of working through it," according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Golden is dealing with two injuries and has been an estimated non-participant twice this week on Monday and Tuesday at Packers practice. He played a team-high 85% of the offensive snaps in Sunday's Week 7 loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions, but Golden came out of that physical contest a little banged up, and he is now questionable to suit up to begin Week 8. The 23-year-old will probably need to practice in at least a limited fashion on Wednesday to avoid being ruled out altogether on a short week. Golden had six receptions on 12 targets for a disappointing 39 yards against Detroit, but if he plays on Thursday night, he will have a great chance to bounce back against a Carolina defense that allowed over 40 points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7. Golden already has three 100-yard games, has scored three times, and has at least 12 targets in four of his seven games so far in 2026 in the midst of a second-year breakout.

Per the league's transaction report on Tuesday, the Kansas City Chiefs did not hold any kicker tryouts amid Harrison Butker's struggles. Butker continued to miss kicks in Sunday night's 20-3 loss on the road to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7, coming up short on a 58-yard attempt and later missing a 45-yard try wide right in the fourth quarter. The 31-year-old three-time Super Bowl winner has been a staple for fantasy managers in years past in KC's explosive offense, but that is no longer the case. So far through the first six games in 2026 in his 10th year in the league, Butker has made only 68.8% of his 16 field goal attempts, including going 2-for-6 from 50-plus yards out. He has also missed one of his 15 extra-point tries. At least for one more week this Sunday against the division-rival Denver Broncos, though, head coach Andy Reid will stick with the veteran placekicker. For Week 8 fantasy lineups, managers should consider him a borderline starting kicker with increased risk, although the thin air in Denver should help his distance.

The Dallas Cowboys waived running back Emari Demercado on Tuesday for a second time this year, leaving one roster spot open, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Demercado was brought to Dallas to give the team more depth behind starter Javonte Williams, but the 27-year-old has only appeared in two games for the Cowboys and carried the ball five times for 15 yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. Tyler Goodson has settled in as Dallas' No. 2 back behind Williams, leaving Demercado out on the street once again. The former undrafted free agent from TCU could return to the Cowboys for a third time in 2026 if he goes unclaimed on waivers. In his first three years in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, Demercado had 126 rushing attempts for 819 yards (6.5 yards per carry) and three touchdowns while adding 50 receptions on 70 targets for 324 yards and another score through the air in 40 games played (two starts). Right now, Demercado should remain on the waiver wire in all fantasy leagues.