2 days agoCincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice and should be expected to see a full workload on Sunday when the Bengals face the Carolina Panthers. Chase would have been labeled as a limited participant on Wednesday, but the Bengals only held a walkthrough. Seeing Chase return to practice without limitations is a great sign and suggests the shoulder injury was minor and nothing serious. After being contained through the first two weeks of the season, the former national champion enjoyed a big game on Monday night as he caught six passes for 118 yards and two scores against the Washington Commanders. Chase should be viewed as a high-end WR1 every week and should never leave your starting lineup. When asked about his shoulder, Chase said, "I'm great."
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Charlie Goldsmith
2 days agoDetroit Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta (ankle) did not practice on Thursday due to an ankle injury, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The sophomore tight end suffered a low-ankle sprain in last week's game against the Arizona Cardinals and was forced to leave the game early. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to the injury report throughout the week as it should provide clarity on his status heading into the weekend. However, the Lions will face the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night which will provide the Iowa product an additional day to recover. Even though he has had a disappointing start to the season, the former second-round pick should still be viewed as a TE1 given his excellent rookie campaign. If LaPorta happens to miss Monday's game,
Brock Wright should be viewed as a TE2 with upside.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
2 days agoThe Los Angeles Chargers defense is a risky fantasy play in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bolts defense got the season off to a good start, scoring 14 fantasy points in Week 1 against the Raiders and 11 in Week 2 against the Panthers. They followed that up with a solid on-field performance against the Steelers in Week 3, but it only amounted to five fantasy points for the week. Week 4 against the Chiefs will be the toughest matchup so far, and with the Chargers offense expected to be limited even if starting quarterback
Justin Herbert (ankle) does play, the Chargers DST is well outside of the top-12 for the week.
--David A Marcillo - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
2 days agoAtlanta Falcons running back
Bijan Robinson (shoulder) was limited during Thursday's practice, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 22-year-old was not on Wednesday's injury report, so this situation is worth monitoring closely, as the Texas standout could enter the weekend in questionable status depending on Friday's injury report. The former eighth-overall pick has been deployed as a workhorse running back through the first three games, seeing at least 14 carries and two catches in every game. Last weekend, he carried the ball 16 times and caught both of his targets for a combined 52 yards and a score. He remains a high-end RB1 simply due to the heavy volume he will see weekly and should remain locked into all lineups.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
2 days agoChicago Bears rookie wide receiver
Rome Odunze (hip) was limited during Thursday's practice due to a hip injury, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS. The Washington product was not on Wednesday's initial injury report, but seeing that he was only limited suggests it might not be a serious injury. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report as it should provide clarity on the 22-year-old's status heading into the weekend. After two quiet outings in his first two professional games, the ninth-overall pick enjoyed a nice breakout last weekend as he caught six passes for 112 yards and a score. Odunze should be considered a WR3 with upside if he is a "full-go" against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jonathan Jones
2 days agoLos Angeles Chargers kicker
Cameron Dicker is a safe option in Week 4 fantasy lineups. Dicker was extremely accurate in his rookie season last year and has remained that way three weeks into his sophomore season. The only downside to Dicker's fantasy prospects is a slow moving Chargers offense going against a strong Kansas City Chiefs team this week. Dicker has one of the higher floors among fantasy kickers, but his ceiling is somewhat limited. He's made six field goals and four extra points through the first three weeks of the season.
--David A Marcillo - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
2 days agoMinnesota Vikings tight end
T.J. Hockenson (knee) could return to practice as early as next week, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. The 27-year-old suffered a torn ACL and MCL last season and has been on the PUP list since the beginning of the 2024 season. Earlier this afternoon, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that the team is loosely targeting a Week 7 return for the Iowa product. Seeing that he could return to practice next week is a great sign and suggests a Week 7 return could be possible. Before the season-ending injury, Hockenson was on pace to smash previous career highs in 2023 and could be in store for a strong second half, given how potent the Minnesota offense has looked early into the season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Kevin Seifert
2 days agoCarolina Panthers wide receiver
Diontae Johnson (groin) did not practice on Thursday due to a groin injury, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Meirov further reported that Carolina expects Johnson to return to practice tomorrow. As a result, fantasy managers should see this as a precautionary measure as it does not look too serious. However, Friday's injury report will clarify any potential designation the former Steeler might have heading into the weekend. After catching just five passes across the first two weeks of the season, Johnson enjoyed a breakout game last weekend as he caught eight passes for 122 yards and a score. Much of this was credited to
Andy Dalton stepping into the starting QB role in favor of
Bryce Young. If Johnson sees his expected workload on Sunday, he should be considered a high-end WR3 in PPR formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ari Meirov
2 days agoLos Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston will look to make it three weeks in a row with a touchdown when the Chargers face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. Johnston scored twice in Week 2 and followed it up with another trip to the end zone in Week 3. The scores and a few long gains have shot the sophomore pass catcher up to an overall WR21 ranking through the first three weeks. Some of his underlying metrics aren't all that pretty, but results count and he's making things happen on the field. A matchup against a strong Kansas City secondary will be a good test for QJ, who leads the Chargers with a 31.6% first read share. There's a concerning floor, but an enticing ceiling as well, leaving him somewhere in the WR3 ranks as long as
Justin Herbert (ankle) is able to start under center.
--David A Marcillo - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
2 days agoLos Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Ladd McConkey could end up with a good game in Week 4 despite a tough matchup against a strong Kansas City Chiefs defense. McConkey has been the top receiving option for the Chargers offense, logging a 25.8% target share and a 30.7% air yard share, both leading the team. He's also second on the squad in first read share at 28.9%. The Chiefs secondary has limited most opposing receivers, but they have been somewhat exploited by slot routes, with Kansas City allowing the fourth most receptions to slot receivers so far this season. With quarterback
Justin Herbert (ankle) likely to be limited if he even plays, all Chargers pass catchers should be downgraded somewhat, but McConkey is the safest bet to still produce a high floor, and he has some clear upside this week as well.
--David A Marcillo - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
2 days agoLos Angeles Chargers running back
Gus Edwards is not shaping up as a Week 4 fantasy starter in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Edwards has faded well behind
J.K. Dobbins in the Chargers backfield. Edwards was only in on 35% of the team's offensive snaps in Week 3, totaling just three runs for nine yards total and not drawing a single pass game target. Dobbins, meanwhile, has averaged around 16 fantasy points per game even after a slow Week 3 of his own. This is clearly Dobbins' backfield, and Edwards is only around to play a change of pace and maybe occasional short down role.
--David A Marcillo - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 days agoLos Angeles Chargers running back
J.K. Dobbins will look to bounce back in a Week 4 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Dobbins was outstanding in Weeks 1 and 2, averaging 20.5 fantasy points per game before slowing down to a 6.9 point performance in Week 3. He still played on 65% of the team's offensive snaps in Week 3, it was just a down week in general for the Chargers offense. Dobbins is having an excellent start to the season, ranking fourth in explosive run rate and sixth in missed tackles per attempt. He's involved as a runner and as a pass catcher, and is firmly in the RB2 conversation despite a tough Chiefs run defense in Week 4.
--David A Marcillo - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 days agoLos Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert (ankle) is trending toward playing in a Week 4 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Herbert said the team had considered resting him until the Week 5 bye, but he got in a limited practice early in the week and implied that he would at least try to play. Herbert may very well play, but he likely won't be much of a fantasy asset. His injury combined with the Chargers offensive game plan this year plus a tough matchup against the Chiefs defense leaves Herbert as a lower end QB2 for Week 4 fantasy lineups. If he is unable to play,
Taylor Heinicke would likely be under center for the Bolts.
--David A Marcillo - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 days agoNew Orleans Saints running back
Alvin Kamara (hip/ribs) is back at practice on Thursday following a Wednesday absence due to a hip and rib injury. While the veteran could be dealing with a notable injury, the team may be simply being cautious with him since he's the current NFL leader in total touches (71). Hopefully, Kamara does not suffer any setbacks and will be good to go for Sunday's NFC South clash against the Atlanta Falcons. He is currently the No. 2 scorer among running backs in half PPR leagues, so if he's active, he's a must-start in all matchups. If he surprisingly can't play in Week 4,
Jamaal Williams would likely see close to a workhorse role and would become a flex consideration.
UPDATE: Kamara was officially limited on Thursday.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Nick Underhill
3 days agoPhiladelphia Eagles wide receivers
DeVonta Smith (concussion) and
A.J. Brown (hamstring) are both absent from practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday's session with a concussion and hamstring injury, respectively. It's not looking for the star wide receiver duo heading into the Week 4 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, fantasy managers should monitor their practice statuses on Friday and see how the team officially lists them for Sunday. If both are out, young wideouts
Jahan Dotson and
Johnny Wilson figure to be in elevated roles, but tight end
Dallas Goedert should be the No. 1 option in the passing attack.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Tim McManus
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