Fantasy Football News
Brian Branch Listed As Doubtful For Week 4
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (illness) is listed as doubtful for the Week 4 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Branch was on the injury report earlier this week with a concussion after taking a shot to the helmet in Week 3. However, he was removed on Saturday, but Branch was added again now due to an illness. The loss of Branch would be a significant hit to this defensive unit. He has 22 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one interception through three games. Loren Strickland would be the next man up, assuming Branch is unable to play.
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Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara Cleared For Week 4
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) and running back Alvin Kamara (hips, ribs) are both active ahead of the Week 4 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. As expected, both players will suit up and will resume their roles as focal points on this offense. Kamara has been nearly unstoppable through the first three games and remains an elite RB1 for Week 4. Olave has 12 receptions for 178 yards and one touchdown through the first three weeks. He's coming off back-to-back 80-yard performances and needs to be in fantasy leagues in Week 4.
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Joe Mixon Ruled Out For Week 4
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) has been ruled out for the Week 4 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It sounds like Mixon is feeling better, but the team decided to take the cautious approach here. Mixon tested out his hamstring and feels good, so hopefully he'll be able to return next week. In the meantime, Cam Akers figures to be tasked with making another start in the backfield. Akers rushed for 21 yards last week on nine attempts, but salvaged his fantasy value with a touchdown through the air. He'll be worth a look as a low-end flex option for Week 4.
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Chris Olave Confident He'll Play In Week 4
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) is currently listed as questionable ahead of the Week 4 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The star wideout was a late addition to the injury report after suffering a hamstring injury during Friday's practice. Despite that, the Saints are confident that Olave will suit up for this game. He plans to test out his hamstring during pre-game warmups before the team makes a final decision. Rashid Shaheed would be more involved if Olave sits out, but it sounds like Olave is trending in the right direction. There is always risk of re-injury, especially with a hamstring issue, but fantasy managers need to play Olave if he's active.
1 hour ago
Mike Gesicki A TE2 For Week 4
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki was able to stay involved during last week's loss to the Washington Commanders. Gesicki hauled in four of his five targets for 47 yards in the loss. The veteran tight end has seen four or more targets in every game this season. He's not going to see a huge volume of work considering the Bengals have plenty of weapons at wide receiver. However, Gesicki should remain involved enough that he holds TE2 value against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4.
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Lane Johnson Unavailable For Week 4
Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson (concussion) has been ruled out for the Week 4 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran tackle was unable to clear concussion protocol in time for this game. The loss of Johnson is going to hurt considering he's the leader on this offensive line. The Eagles are 91-54-1 when Johnson plays, 14-22 when Johnson sits out. Fellow tackle Fred Johnson will be tasked with taking over at right tackle for at least one game.
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Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence Out For Multiple Weeks
Dallas Cowboys defensive ends Micah Parsons (ankle) and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) are expected to miss multiple games after suffering injuries during Thursday's win over the New York Giants. The Cowboys have already ruled out Parsons for Week 5 versus the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a high-ankle sprain. The superstar pass rusher could be sidelined as long as Week 8. Lawrence is expected to miss four games due to a foot sprain. The loss of both players is going to be a significant hit to this defensive unit. Chauncey Golston and Marshawn Kneeland are expected to fill in, but they aren't going to be able to give the same production as Parsons or Lawrence.
1 hour ago
Emanuel Wilson Hopeful For Bigger Role
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson is coming off his best performance of the season during last week's win over the Tennessee Titans. Wilson rushed 12 times for 50 yards while hauling in two passes for an additional 25 yards with a touchdown as well. It's nice to see Wilson getting more involved after seeing only nine carries through the first two games of the season. Possibly, the Packers will trust him with a bigger role going forward. However, Josh Jacobs will remain the clear lead back in this offense, which is going to limit Wilson's upside. Wilson is worth rostering in deep and dynasty formats but probably not worth starting against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4.
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Christian McCaffrey Could Return By November
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) recently returned from seeing a specialist in Germany. It sounds like the plan is for McCaffrey to continue working on the ground, but he won't be back on the field anytime soon. The earliest McCaffrey can resume practicing with the team will be Week 6. Right now the plan is for McCaffrey to possibly return by early November. That isn't great news for fantasy managers, but at least the superstar back will only miss a handful of more games. In the meantime, Jordan Mason figures to continue being the lead back. Mason should be considered a RB1 in fantasy formats until McCaffrey returns.
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D.J. Chark Expected To Practice Next Week
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver D.J. Chark (hip) has spent the first four weeks of the season on the PUP list and is expected to resume practicing ahead of Week 5 when the team is on its bye, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Chargers' early bye week is convenient for Chark as it gives him extra time to practice while (potentially) missing no more than the minimum four games. Once activated, Chark figures to command a few looks per game in an offense where the other top wide receivers are Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Josh Palmer. Still, Chark is off the fantasy radar ahead of his eventual return.
2 hours ago
Kendrick Bourne Expected To Practice In Week 5
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) is expected to practice in Week 5 as he gets closer to returning from the PUP list, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Bourne is recovering from an ACL tear that abruptly ended his promising 2023 season. Through just eight games, he had caught 37 passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns. That type of production put him on the fantasy radar as a FLEX play, but we're not sure he'll be able to replicate it when he returns this year given the state of New England's run-heavy offense led by Jacoby Brissett. Still, we can't discount the reliable, veteran presence he offers when on the field.
2 hours ago
Odell Beckham Jr. Slated To Practice Next Week
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (undisclosed) is expected to practice in Week 5 as he gets closer to returning from the PUP list, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Beckham has been sidelined since early training camp due to an undisclosed issue, so even if he does practice this week, it could be a while longer before he plays in a game. It's been hard for the Dolphins to extract much production out of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle with Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) sidelined, so Beckham doesn't figure to have much fantasy value when he returns, either. He can be left on waivers in most leagues.
2 hours ago
Clyde Edwards-Helaire Expected To Practice In Week 5
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) is expected to practice in Week 5 as he prepares to return from the non-football injury list, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Edwards-Helaire was placed on the NFI list coming out of the preseason as he dealt with personal mental health issues, including PTSD. This move forced him to miss the first four games of the 2024 season, at a minimum. After the Chiefs' Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Edwards-Helaire will be eligible to return. He's expected to practice right away as the Chiefs get ready for Week 5, and he could immediately slot into the starting running back role with Isiah Pacheco (fibula) on IR. He would rank as a fantasy RB3 while operating alongside rookie standout Carson Steele and veteran pass-catching specialist Samaje Perine.
2 hours ago
T.J. Hockenson Nearing Return To Practice
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) is almost ready for the team to trigger his 21-day practice window, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Hockenson tore his ACL and MCL in Week 16 last year but has made a speedy recovery and hopes to return within the next few weeks. It's important to note that once the Vikings designate Hockenson to practice, he'll have 21 days where he can practice with the team while not counting toward the 53-man roster. Once those 21 days go by, the team must activate him from injured reserve or rule him out for the remainder of the season. Schefter notes that the former is more likely for Hockenson, with Week 7 or 8 being his target for a return. Once he's back on the field, Hockenson will rank as a high-end fantasy TE1.
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Browns Expected To Open Nick Chubb's Practice Window In Week 5
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) is expected to have his practice window opened on Wednesday in Week 5, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Chubb opened 2024 on the PUP list as he continued to recover from two surgeries to repair ligaments in his left knee that were torn against the Steelers on Sept. 18, 2023. Once his practice window is opened, the star running back will be allowed to practice with the team for 21 days without counting toward the 53-man roster. Before those 21 days expire, the Browns must elevate him to the active roster. If they don't, he'll be ineligible to play this season. We don't know an exact timetable for Chubb's return, and while Cleveland has no interest in rushing him back before he's ready, it sounds like he's ahead of schedule in his recovery. Chubb was a solid fantasy RB1 when healthy but will likely drop the low-end RB2 tier when he returns to the mix.
2 hours ago
Trent Williams Expected To Suit Up Versus Patriots
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams (illness, toe) is "likely" to play in Week 4 versus the New England Patriots, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Williams will still undergo pregame testing to ensure he's good to go, but it sounds like he's trending in the right direction. San Francisco would benefit from having Williams on the field in a huge way. He's widely regarded as the NFL's best offensive lineman, setting up numerous opportunities for Brock Purdy, Jordan Mason, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel Sr., Brandon Aiyuk, and others to make plays. A healthy Williams truly does bump Purdy and Mason up a spot or two in the weekly fantasy football rankings.
2 hours ago
Joe Mixon Faces Uphill Climb, Still Trying To Play
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) "has worked hard to be back and even though it seems to be an uphill climb to play, he hasn't given up trying," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Mixon will test his injury pregame to see whether he can suit up on Sunday afternoon. The veteran hasn't played since Week 2 when he was on the receiving end of a hip-drop tackle. He was able to finish the game but then was sidelined for Week 3. Through two games, he has 228 scrimmage yards and one touchdown. Houston would benefit from having him available on Sunday against the Jaguars, but they also won't rush him back before he's ready. If Mixon can't play this week, Cam Akers would lead the Texans' backfield for the second consecutive game, ranking as a fantasy RB3.
3 hours ago
Chris Olave Likely To Be On The Field In Week 4
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) is anticipated to play versus Atlanta. The wideout is listed as questionable, with his official availability not expected until near opening kick. However, barring a setback, he should be good to get on the field in Week 4. Olave was relatively quiet during the first two contests of the season. Yet, he finished the Week 3 loss to the Eagles by catching all six targets for 86 yards and a touchdown. With that in mind, Olave is one of the best receivers in the National Football League. As such, he should be featured in all fantasy lineups despite a challenging matchup with the Falcons on the horizon. Olave's likely presence could also mean fewer targets for Rashid Shaheed, although he's at least a flex option after finding the end zone in two of the Saints' three games.
9 hours ago
Deebo Samuel Sr. In Line To Play In Week 4
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) is expected to play in Sunday's showdown with the Patriots. Although the wideout was expected to be out longer, it appears he is ready to roll. While there is a chance he could see fewer snaps than usual, he remains a starting fantasy option in any format. On the other hand, Jauan Jennings, coming off a three-touchdown performance in Week 3, will now go from a must-start to a borderline flex option, especially with George Kittle (hamstring) also anticipated to suit up. Kittle and Samuel's impending returns could also mean Brandon Aiyuk may continue to struggle.
9 hours ago
Bucky Irving Likely To Suit Up Versus Philly
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (hamstring) is expected to play on Sunday versus the Eagles. The rookie was limited in a few practices throughout the week while missing Thursday's session altogether. Fortunately, the Bucs should have him on the field, barring a setback. Despite Irving seeing considerably fewer snaps than Rachaad White (illness), who is also anticipated to suit up, he has been more productive on the ground. Still, both men are hard to trust, although White still has a higher fantasy ceiling. With that in mind, if the workload changes moving ahead, Irving's value could shift, meaning he's worth stashing for now.
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