17 hours agoNew 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.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
17 hours agoMiami 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.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
17 hours agoKansas 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.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
17 hours agoMinnesota 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.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
17 hours agoCleveland 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.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
17 hours agoSan 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.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
17 hours agoHouston 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.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
24 hours agoNew 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.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
24 hours agoSan 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.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
24 hours agoTampa 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.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
1 day agoTampa Bay Buccaneers running back
Rachaad White (illness) is expected to play against the Eagles. He had a case of food poisoning, resulting in his name being added to the Bucs' injury report. Fortunately, it appears he's feeling better. White has struggled throughout the first three games of the year, running for 66 yards off 31 carries and adding 12 catches for 98 yards. Even worse, he hasn't found the end zone. With that said, despite the added involvement of
Bucky Irving (hamstring), who is also in line to play in Week 4, White remains a flex option versus Philly.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
1 day agoJacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Gabe Davis (shoulder) is expected to be on the field for Sunday's showdown against the Houston Texans. It doesn't appear the shoulder injury will be enough to keep him out of the lineup for Week 4. However, the 25-year-old has only eight catches for 123 yards throughout the first three games of the 2024-25 campaign. But, he has at least logged more snaps than any of the other Jags' wideouts, so he has that going for him. Still, Davis is hard to trust from a fantasy standpoint, although he remains a flex option, especially with
Evan Engram (hamstring) sidelined again.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
1 day agoCarolina Panthers wide receiver
Diontae Johnson (groin) is expected to suit up for Sunday's clash with the Cincinnati Bengals. The wideout currently carries a questionable designation heading into this one because of a groin injury. Fortunately, it appears the Panthers will have him on the field as the team searches for their second win of the season. Johnson was quiet through the first two contests of the 2024-25 campaign. However, with
Andy Dalton under center for the Week 3 win over the Raiders, Johnson erupted by amassing eight catches (14 targets) for 122 yards and a touchdown. Keep him starting in all fantasy setups
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
1 day agoAccording to ESPN's Adam Schefter, New Orleans Saints running back
Alvin Kamara (hip, rib) "is planning to play" in Week 4 versus Atlanta. The 29-year-old didn't practice on Wednesday before logging limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. However, it appears he'll be good to go on Sunday. Kamara has had an excellent 2024-25 campaign thus far, totaling five touchdowns. As such, he's a must-start in all fantasy formats despite a challenging matchup on the horizon.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
1 day agoIndianapolis Colts wide receiver
Alec Pierce reeled in one of his two targets for 44 yards in the team's win over the Chicago Bears in Week 3. Pierce has surprisingly led the way for the Colts' receiver room, racking up 225 yards through the first three weeks. Pierce has been the most successful recipient of deep passes from QB
Anthony Richardson and has caught a number of touchdowns in the process. It's unlikely he will retain this success in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. The Steelers have allowed the fifth-least passing yards and the fourth-least fantasy points to opposing WRs. Given his low target share and reliability on big plays for fantasy production, Pierce is not a strong start this week in most lineups. He is the WR63 in our staff's half-PPR Week 4 rankings.
--Mo Aneizi - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
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