Week 7 · updated Oct 20, 2026

Week 7 start/sit

Week 7 start/sit, from Week 6 usage and pass-defense EPA through Week 6. The calls are opinion; the numbers are checked.

On bye in Week 7: BUF, JAX, LAC, WAS. Injury statuses get rechecked before Sunday; Thursday is NE @ CHI.

Week 7 waiver board Pass defense chart

Start with confidence

Christian McCaffrey @ ATL: 10 targets (34%) and 16 carries (62%) on MNF, with 3 of SF's 4 goal-line carries.
Matthew Golden @ DET: 13 targets (32.5%) and 52% of Green Bay's air yards. Detroit allows +0.24 EPA per dropback, #4 in the NFL.
Emeka Egbuka @ CAR: 36% then 39% of Tampa's targets the last two weeks. The 7-48 line on 16 targets is the buy-low, not the warning.
DK Metcalf @ NO: 15 targets (34%) and 118 air yards in Week 6.

Flex plays

Omar Cooper Jr. vs MIA: 82% of snaps and 24% of targets in his first game back. Miami's pass D is #2 softest (+0.30).
Germie Bernard @ NO: 94% of snaps and 12 targets. Volume WR3.
Kendre Miller vs PIT: 20 carries and 2 of 5 goal-line carries. TD-or-bust in PPR.
Tanner McKee vs DAL (superflex): Dallas allows +0.34 EPA per dropback, the most in the league.

Sit or downgrade

Cam Skattebo @ HOU: 6 snaps and zero touches in Week 6. 96% rostered, but don't start him until the role comes back.
Alvin Kamara vs PIT: 26% of snaps and 19% of carries while playing through a back injury.
Colts pass catchers @ MIN: Minnesota allows -0.21 EPA per dropback, the stingiest pass defense in the NFL.
Chiefs passing game @ SEA: Seattle is #31 of 32 (-0.11). Downgrade, don't bench your studs.

Injury watch (check Friday)

Mike Evans (Achilles tendinitis): Kyle Shanahan hopes he plays Sunday; NBC Sports Bay Area reported he's expected to sit until after SF's Week 8 bye. Have a backup plan.
Saquon Barkley (hamstring): missed two straight. If he's out again, Dameon Pierce is the start.
Jeremiyah Love (ankle): if he sits, Bam Knight and Tyler Allgeier split the work.
Josh Jacobs: off the Exempt List and practicing; Green Bay hasn't said if he plays Sunday.

Source: Nick Wagoner, ESPN, via ESPN player news (Oct 20) · Jennifer Lee Chan, NBC Sports Bay Area, via ESPN player news (Oct 19) · Adam Schefter via ESPN player news (Oct 16) · Tyler Drake, ArizonaSports.com, via ESPN player news (Oct 19) · Matt Schneidman, The Athletic, via ESPN player news (Oct 19) · nflverse injury reports, Weeks 5–6

EPA = expected points added per dropback allowed (pass attempts, sacks and scrambles), Weeks 1–6, nflverse play-by-play. Usage numbers are Week 6 unless noted.