NFL Player News

Leonard appears in line to serve as the top backup to starting quarterback Daniel Jones for a second straight game Sunday against the Chargers after the Colts placed Anthony Richardson (orbital) on injured reserve Monday, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.

After being inactive for the first five games of the season, Leonard suited up as the Colts' No. 2 quarterback during this past Sunday's 31-27 win over the Cardinals due to Richardson sustaining an orbital fracture in a freak pregame accident. With Richardson's injury now set to keep him out for at least four more games, Leonard is the lone healthy option at quarterback on the 53-man roster beyond Jones, though Indianapolis signed veteran Brett Rypien to its practice squad Wednesday. Rypien brings more experience to the table and could eventually make a push for the No. 2 role if he's able to quickly familiarize himself with head coach Shane Steichen's playbook, but Leonard, a rookie sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame, would offer far more fantasy upside if he's forced into action in the event of an injury to Jones. Leonard put his dual-threat abilities on full display during the preseason, carrying seven times for 58 yards while completing 34 of 56 pass attempts (60.7 percent) for 345 yards, one touchdown and one interception over three games.

Njoku (knee) is not slated to practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Njoku is in line to miss Wednesday's practice due to the knee injury that forced him to leave Sunday's 23-9 loss to the Steelers early. Coach Kevin Stefanski said the tight end is "truly day-to-day," per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. Njoku will almost certainly need to resume practicing on at least a limited basis Thursday and/or Friday, and if he's unable to suit up in time to face the Dolphins in Week 7, rookie Harold Fannin -- who led the Browns in receptions and yards versus Pittsburgh -- will again benefit from increased target opportunities.

The Bengals placed Gesicki (pectoral) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Gesicki will be forced to miss at least four games due to a pectoral injury sustained during the Bengals' loss to the Packers on Sunday. Since Bengals have a Week 10 bye, Gesicki's first chance to return to action will arrive Week 12 against the Patriots on Nov. 23. With Gesicki sidelined, Noah Fant is expected to step up as the No. 1 tight end for Cincinnati, beginning with Thursday's game versus the Steelers. Reserve tight end Tanner Hudson (concussion) also may benefit from increased receiving opportunities, though he looks uncertain to be available Thursday.

Heyward recorded a 12-yard touchdown reception on his lone target in Sunday's 23-9 win over the Browns.

Heyward was on the field for just six of the Steelers' 59 offensive snaps, but he was able to make the most of his limited playing time by connecting with quarterback Aaron Rodgers on a touchdown grab midway through the third quarter to gave Pittsburgh a 13-point lead. The touchdown was the first of the season for Heyward, who has notched just two receptions through the team's first five games. The fullback/tight end will continue to handle a limited role on offense in the weeks to come.

Miller didn't draw a target while playing 26 of the Steelers' 59 snaps on offense in Sunday's 23-9 win over the Browns.

Miller has been active for all five of Pittsburgh's games to date but has yet to record a reception and has drawn just one target. The 26 snaps he played Week 6 were a season-high total and ranked second among Steelers wideouts, but Miller was unable to capitalize on the increased time on the field. Despite the underwhelming showing in Week 6, Miller could in store for another boosted snap count Thursday against the Bengals with fellow receiver Calvin Austin (shoulder) seemingly trending toward missing a second straight game.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday that Palmer (ankle) is viewed as week-to-week, Alec White of the team's official site reports.

Palmer was forced out of the first half of Monday's 24-14 loss to the Falcons with an ankle injury, finishing the night with two receptions for 60 yards. Though Palmer may have been hard-pressed to make it back to the field if the Bills played on Sunday this week, he'll benefit from Buffalo being on bye for Week 7. The wideout will still need to resume practicing in some fashion during Week 8 to have a chance at playing in the Bills' next game Oct. 26 versus the Panthers.

Musgrave caught one of his two targets for seven yards in Sunday's 27-18 win over the Bengals.

Musgrave had a quiet day Sunday as he continued to fill his role as Green Bay's No. 2 tight end behind starter Tucker Kraft. The 25-year-old Musgrave played just 21 of Green Bay's 61 offensive snaps in the contest, while Kraft played 56 snaps. Barring an injury to Kraft, Musgrave is not worthy of consideration for fantasy lineups. With that said, next up for the Packers is a road game against the Cardinals in Week 7.

Heath failed to record a single target in Sunday's 27-18 win over the Bengals.

Heath saw his highest snap share of the season Sunday, playing 46 percent of the Packers' offensive snaps after averaging a 26 percent snap share over the team's first four games. Despite the uptick in playing time, the third-year wideout was unable to get anything going against a vulnerable defense. Considering Heath is already buried on the depth chart and teammate Christian Watson (knee) is nearing his return, the 25-year-old is best ignored for fantasy purposes going forward. Up next for Green Bay is a Week 7 matchup against the Cardinals.

Brooks rushed once for one yard in Sunday's 27-18 win over the Bengals.

Brooks continued to operate as the No. 3 running back behind Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson, playing just five of the Packers' 61 offensive snaps Sunday. The 25-year-old can be ignored for fantasy purposes going forward based on his extremely limited usage. Next up for the Packers is a road game against the Cardinals in Week 7.

Wilson rushed three times for 11 yards and caught his lone target for minus-four yards in Sunday's 27-18 win over the Bengals.

Wilson continued to operate as the primary backup to Josh Jacobs in Week 6. The 26-year-old running back played just 11 of the Packers' 61 offensive snaps Sunday, while Jacobs handled 48 snaps. Barring an injury to Jacobs, Wilson remains far off the fantasy radar as anything more than an insurance policy. The Fort Valley State University product will have his next chance to spell Jacobs out of the backfield in Week 7 when the Packers visit the Cardinals.