Team news: Carolina Panthers | Page 16

Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has a sprained knee and it doesn't look good for Sunday.

Related players: Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis

Hill reported that Elliott was not out at practice doing rehab during the media portion today as expected. If Zeke can't go, look for Pollard to have an increased workload with Dowdle and Davis perhaps getting some snaps behind him.

As this week of preparation begins, I’m told that Jameis Winston still isn’t 100% healthy yet.

Related players: Andy Dalton, Taysom Hill

The tweet went on to say we’ll see how that impacts the team at QB this week. If Winston can't go, Dalton likely gets the call with Hill mixing in. The Saints host the Raiders in a nice matchup in an early Sunday game.

Stunner: Panthers are trading Pro-Bowl RB Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for draft picks, sources tell ESPN.

McCaffrey returns to the Bay Area, where he attended Stanford.

Related players: D'Onta Foreman, Chuba Hubbard, Elijah Mitchell, Jeff Wilson

This should enhance McCaffrey's value since the 49ers run a more competent offense than the Panthers. Elijah Mitchell is no longer expected to be a fantasy starter upon his return from injury, and can be dropped if necessary. He's an attrition RB2 now. Jimmy Garoppolo should benefit by having such a good receiving back to throw to, but targets are already at a premium, so Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle each take a slight hit. In Carolina, we'll likely see a committee consisting of D'Onta Foreman on early downs and Chuba Hubbard as a third-down/change-of-pace back. On the season, Foreman has played 31 snaps while Hubbard has played 30. Foreman has 12 touches (all carries), while Hubbard has six carries and one reception.

"Signs are pointing towards" Andy Dalton making his fourth consecutive start. Though Jameis Winston is off the injury report, he has not gone through a full practice since Week 1.

Related Players: Taysom Hill

Both Jarvis Landry and Michael Thomas have already been declared out which makes Dalton a very easy fade in fantasy this week, particularly when we know that Taysom Hill will have his own packages to work out of. Speaking of Hill, he is a must-start at TE unless you have one of the elite, top-three options.

Andy Dalton has joined Jameis Winston on the Saints' injury report.

Related Players: Taysom Hill

According to the Saints' OurLads page, the team isn't currently carrying a quarterback on their practice squad, which would make Taysom Hill the team's only option for QB if Andy Dalton is forced to miss Thursday Night Football. With TE eligibility, he would be a no-brainer fantasy start.

Saints’ HC Dennis Allen said QB Andy Dalton will start Sunday vs. the Bengals.

Dalton may have a monumentous task ahead of him against his former team, as both Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry are still questionable for the game. He is currently ranked as 4for4's QB25.

Saints QB Jameis Winston (back/ankle) was limited at today’s practice, according to the injury report.

Related players: Taysom Hill, Andy Dalton

Perhaps the biggest question regarding a Winston return is the usage of Hill. But we reported Tuesday a Winston return could mean even more snaps for Hill, who also had to serve as the backup to Dalton with Winston out. Winston didn't practice last week so this could be a good sign.

Saints coach Dennis Allen maintained that they always had a plan [to have Taysom Hill involved at QB].

Related players: Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton

While Winston's injury seemed to be the catalyst for Hill taking quarterback snaps again at practice, keep in mind Hill was also injured and missed time before Winston got hurt. As the story pointed out, if Winston returns as a starter, it would make even more sense for Hill to have a bigger role because he would not be an immediate backup at quarterback and thus not as big of an injury concern. Hill has scored the last two weeks and makes for a sneaky TE play if your league allows it.

Jameis Winston and Michael Thomas were not at the open portion of Saints practice today.

Related players: Andy Dalton, Taysom Hill

Terrell later tweet that HC Dennis Allen said the only update on Winston is that he's still rehabbing and is getting better. "We're just trying to get him healthy." Dalton played fairly well in the team's loss to the Vikings in London. Unfortunately for owners, Hill stole a touchdown late in the game. With Winston out, Hill will likely continue to see some gadget plays lining up at QB. Hill rushed five times for 21 yards in the game.