Fantasy Football News

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is in the final stages of returning to play, according to Sheena Quick of 1340 AM. Brooks suffered a torn ACL in November and has been sidelined since the beginning of training camp. The former second-round pick in this year's draft could return in Week 5 at the earliest, and this new report suggests that could be the case. In his final season at Texas, Brooks ran for 1,139 yards and ten scores and added 286 yards off 25 catches through the air. Fantasy managers should expect the rookie to be eased into game action when he is cleared to return. However, Brooks should eventually become the lead option in the Carolina backfield and could be a valuable fantasy asset down the stretch.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (ribs) was deemed "day-to-day" at practice on Wednesday, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the NFL. The sophomore wideout was dealing with soreness in his ribs following Sunday's game and was held out of practice on Wednesday as a result. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Dell's status throughout the week. In Week 3, the Houston product posted a season-high 62 receiving yards on five catches against the Minnesota Vikings. Dell has a favorable matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, who allowed 47 points on Monday to the Buffalo Bills, and Dell should be viewed as a WR3 with upside if he is able to suit up.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (shoulder) is dealing with a shoulder issue, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. Baby further reported that the star wideout would have been deemed a limited participant if the team held a full practice on Wednesday instead of just a walkthrough. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Chase's status throughout the week, but seeing that he would only have been labeled as a limited participant suggests that this injury is not too severe. After averaging just 48.5 yards through the first two weeks of the season, the former LSU Tiger had a nice breakout game on Monday evening, as he caught six passes for 118 yards and two scores. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable locking in Chase as a high-end WR1 if he is a full-go on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ribs, hip) did not practice on Wednesday due to hip and rib injuries, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Kamara's status throughout the week, but this injury does not seem serious after his workload was not limited in any way in Week 3. Last weekend, Kamara carried the ball 26 times and caught three passes. This was the second time this season he ran the ball at least 20 times and saw at least three targets. The star running back will have two more practices during the week to get himself ready to face the Atlanta Falcons. If Kamara sees his full workload on Sunday, he should be viewed as a safe RB1.

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) was ruled out for this weekend's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, according to JP Finlay of 1067 The Fan. Ekeler suffered a concussion in their Week 3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. The 29-year-old will now prepare to return to action in Week 5 when the Commanders host the Cleveland Browns. Before the injury on Monday, Ekeler scored his first touchdown of the campaign and tallied 35 yards on the ground. Fantasy managers should expect Brian Robinson Jr. to see an increased role this weekend, and he should be viewed as a high-end RB2 in what should be a three-down role.

The Denver Broncos signed veteran linebackers Kwon Alexander and Zach Cunningham on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. These moves come after Alex Singleton (knee) was diagnosed with a torn ACL, meaning the will miss the rest of the 2024 season. Alexander has spent time with five organizations, but he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season and collected 41 total tackles, one sack, and one interception in nine games. Cunningham, a former second-round pick by the Houston Texans in 2017, spent last year with the Philadelphia Eagles and posted 85 total tackles and a fumble recovery in 13 games. Both will be given opportunities to earn legitimate roles following Singleton's unfortunate injury.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (concussion) were not spotted at the start of practice on Wednesday as the star duo deals with a hamstring injury and concussion, respectively. Brown has missed each of the last two games, while Smith took a nasty hit to the head in the Week 3 win over the New Orleans Saints and is at risk of missing Week 4. Wideout Britain Covey (shoulder) was placed on Injured Reserve this week, meaning he must sit out at least four games. Needless to say, the Philadelphia wide receiver room is beginning to get thin. Former Washington Commander Jahan Dotson and rookie Johnny Wilson appear to be next up on the depth chart, but neither is guaranteed to produce strong fantasy showings against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. That said, Brown nor Smith are officially ruled out to this point, so fantasy managers should continue to monitor their practice participation later in the week. Even if both players are out, quarterback Jalen Hurts can still post a solid fantasy outing with rushing production, but his floor and ceiling are likely reduced.

Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton (knee) has been diagnosed with a torn ACL, meaning his 2024 campaign has come to an end after just three games. Since joining the Broncos in 2022, the 30-year-old has racked up 371 total tackles, two sacks, and one interception in 37 games. He's been one of the leaders of the defense, so this is a crushing blow for a rebuilding team led by Sean Payton. In his absence, fourth-year pro Justin Strnad figured to get more snaps in the middle of the Broncos' stop unit.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) is set to practice on Wednesday after missing each of the last two games with an ankle injury. Addison's ankle was banged up in the preseason, but he returned in Week 1 and caught three passes for 35 yards before being sidelined again. Head coach Kevin O'Connell said Addison would likely be limited on Wednesday, but the team is optimistic he'll be able to suit up against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. The Packers have been a neutral matchup for wide receivers this year, so Addison will be firmly on the fantasy football radar if he plays. Quarterback Sam Darnold is off to a monster start in 2024 and has thrown for 657 yards, eight touchdowns, and just two interceptions. Jalen Nailor has hauled in three touchdowns in three games, but he'd likely take the biggest hit when Addison returns to action.

New York Jets offensive tackle Morgan Moses (knee) suffered an MCL sprain in the Week 3 win over the New England Patriots. The veteran is expected to miss time, but he is not currently viewed as a candidate to be placed on Injured Reserve, according to head coach Robert Saleh. The injury to Aaron Rodgers' right tackle is far from ideal, but the good news is the ailment should not keep Moses out long-term. On another positive note, the Jets drafted former Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, so the rookie could provide solid play in relief of Moses on the opposite side of future Hall of Fame left tackle Tyron Smith. New York's offense looks to be getting on track, but injury concerns are present for its aging quarterback and offensive line.

New York Giants cornerbacks Adoree' Jackson (calf) and Dru Phillips (calf) have both officially been ruled out of the Week 4 game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. The pair of defensive backs did not practice all week with calf injuries and didn't have enough time to be ready for the NFC East clash. This is a troublesome development heading into a matchup with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and the explosive Cowboys' passing offense. On the bright side, New York will get cornerback Nick McCloud back, who missed last week's contest against Cleveland with a back injury.

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (thumb) is officially questionable to play against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. The veteran wideout suffered a thumb injury in the Week 3 win over the Cleveland Browns and turned in limited practices on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Although not having Slayton in the lineup could hurt the New York offense a bit, he's not on the fantasy football radar even if he suits up. Slayton led the Giants in receiving in each of the last four seasons, but first-round rookie Malik Nabers has emerged as a target hog, and Wan'Dale Robinson is operating in the No. 2 WR role. However, Jalin Hyatt could be utilized as a punt play in DFS lineups if Slayton is ruled out on Thursday.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that tight end Trey McBride (concussion) remains in the league's concussion protocol on Wednesday, which means he won't be practicing with the rest of the team. McBride suffered a concussion in the Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions and is now firmly up in the air to suit up in Week 4 against the Washington Commanders. The 24-year-old will need to clear the league's protocol and also be given the green light by an independent neurologist before Sunday's game, so fantasy managers that have been rolling with McBride as their TE1 need to have a backup plan in place this week. If he cannot gain clearance to play this weekend, Tip Reiman and Elijah Higgins would most likely split tight end duties for the Cardinals, with neither player being a particularly enticing TE streamer in fantasy.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) is returning to practice on Wednesday and will be a limited participant, according to head coach Matt Eberflus. Allen injured his heel in the season-opening win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 1 and hasn't played since. However, with his return to the practice field in the first practice of the week, the 32-year-old veteran is lining up for a return to action in Week 4 to face the Los Angeles Rams. Allen could be limited in his playing time if he returns this weekend, though, and his heel injury may be something he has to manage the rest of the season. Allen's return will inevitably mean fewer targets for rookie Rome Odunze and tight end Cole Kmet, who both went off in the Week 3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Allen caught just four of 11 targets for 29 yards in his Bears debut in Week 1.

The Cleveland Browns placed right guard Wyatt Teller (knee) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday, which means he'll miss at least the next four games. The earliest Teller will be able to return will be for a Week 8 contest against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens at home. Teller suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in the Week 3 loss to the New York Giants. The three-time Pro Bowler will be a big loss for an offense that has looked below average through the first three weeks of the 2024 season. Heading into their Week 4 contest this Sunday versus the Las Vegas Raiders, rookie Zak Zinter will likely be forced into a starting role at right guard for the Browns. Cleveland can only hope that Teller will be ready to go once he's eligible to return from IR after Week 7.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (Achilles, foot, thigh) is expected to miss the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Garrett has been playing through multiple injuries of late and was seen walking off the field gingerly during the team's Week 3 loss to the New York Giants. The good news is that the All-Pro pass-rusher and reigning Defensive Player of the Year had clean results on his MRI exam on Monday and will attempt to play through his injuries for now. The Browns are considering the 28-year-old to be day-to-day for now. Garrett probably isn't going to practice much while working through these injuries, but we'd expect him to suit up in Week 4 in a juicy matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Garrett is a must-start in IDP fantasy lineups as long as he's active, but his injuries certainly give him more of a bust factor.

Cleveland Browns running backs Jerome Ford (knee) and Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) are both expected to miss the first practice of the week on Wednesday. It's unclear right now if Ford's knee injury is serious enough to potentially keep him from playing in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders or if they're just giving him a day of rest. The 25-year-old had 10 carries for 37 yards and also caught three passes for 33 yards in the Week 3 loss to the New York Giants. We'll have a better idea of Ford's status for Sunday's contest on Thursday, but this is definitely a situation to watch going forward. If Ford is indeed in danger of missing the Week 4 game, D'Onta Foreman would become a popular waiver-wire pickup for fantasy managers hurting at the position early in the year. In the Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Foreman had 14 carries for 42 yards.

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (ankle) remains out of the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Njoku suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and has missed the last two games as a result. With a DNP to open the week, he's off on the wrong foot in terms of returning to play in Week 4 versus the Las Vegas Raiders. Njoku will need to get on the practice field later this week to at least give himself a chance to return. As things stand right now, fantasy managers should be planning to go in another direction for their starting TE spot. In the last two contests with Njoku sidelined, Jordan Akins has been Cleveland's top pass-catching TE but has produced just five receptions on eight targets for 39 receiving yards. If Njoku misses his third straight game, Akins will be a TE2 sleeper play, at best.

In a positive development for the Houston Texans, running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is expected to return for a Week 4 matchup against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday, according to league sources. Pierce has been sidelined the last two games with a strained hamstring, but he figures to lead the backfield if Joe Mixon (ankle), who is regarded as week-to-week, misses his second straight game. With both Mixon and Pierce out in the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Cam Akers played a team-high 43% of the offensive snaps and carried the ball nine times for 21 yards, adding an eight-yard touchdown reception. Pierce is currently rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues, so he's certainly an interesting waiver-wire pickup ahead of Week 4 for fantasy managers in a pinch at the RB position if Mixon is eventually ruled out. UPDATE: Pierce wasn't seen at practice on Wednesday in the session open to the media.

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) is still regarded as week-to-week due to an ankle injury that kept him out of the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, according to sources. It's no lock that Mixon is able to return to action in Week 4 versus the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. We'll have a better idea of Mixon's status for this Sunday's game later in the week. Dameon Pierce (hamstring) hasn't played the last two weeks, but he's trending in the right direction and is expected to return in Week 4. So if Mixon misses a second straight game, both Pierce and Cam Akers figure to split Houston's backfield against the 0-3 Jaguars. Fantasy managers that used Mixon in their starting lineups the first two weeks of the season need to plan as though he'll miss another game this weekend. This is your cue to check the waiver wire and add Pierce if you're in dire straights at the RB position. UPDATE: Mixon did not practice on Wednesday.