Team news: New England Patriots | Page 10

Mac Jones, who has been inactive the past three games, has told teammates his recovery from a high left ankle sprain he suffered Sept. 25 has progressed, with a final hurdle to be cleared in practice. The Patriots' first practice of the week is scheduled for Thursday.

Related Players: Bailey Zappe

Bailey Zappe and Jones's efficiency stats don't look too terribly different on the year, though the team has two impressive wins under their belt in Zappe starts. Neither option should be under consideration outside of 2QB leagues.

Playing with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs this season, more of JuJu Smith-Schuster's routes have been run from an outside position rather than from the slot.

Playing with the Steelers, JuJu mostly played the slot, but the Chiefs felt that moving him around could expand his role and potential in the Chiefs offense. As the story said, he busted out with two catches of more than 40 yards -- one going for a touchdown -- and the Chiefs’ first 100-yard game of the season from a wide receiver this past week. Including a 53-yard catch earlier in the season, Smith-Schuster has delivered the Chiefs’ three longest plays of the season. His per-catch average of 13.7 yards is best among the Chiefs’ seven leading receivers.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson will start and be the team’s lead back tonight against the Bears. Robinson made his NFL debut Sunday, logging 18 snaps. He’ll see more action against Chicago after proving he’s back from two gunshot wounds in August.

Related Players: Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic

In limited Week 5 action, Robinson out-carried teammate Antonio Gibson 9-to-3 but wasn't involved in the passing game at all. This backfield is now a mess for fantasy purposes, but this is an incredible turnaround for the rookie. All three backfield options can be under consideration for your Flex position but none of them should give you great confidence.

Patriots injury report for the first practice before facing the Browns Sunday. Of note: Mac Jones (ankle) is still listed as limited. Damien Harris (hamstring) also limited.

Related players: Bailey Zappe, Rhamondre Stevenson

Zappe lead the Patriots, also helped by the defense, to a shutout victory over the Lions last week. Stevenson ran 25 times for 161 yards after Harris got hurt, so if Harris misses this week, Stevenson would be a very good fantasy play getting the bulk of the work. Zappe would get the start again if Jones can't go, but Jones did practice last week and seemed close to playing.

Patriots RB Damien Harris is likely to miss multiple games because of the hamstring injury.

Related players: Rhamondre Stevenson, Ty Montgomery, Pierre Strong Jr.

Harris suffered the injury in Sunday's win over the Lions. Harris is still getting tests, but the expectation is he'll be out for a bit, the tweet went on to say. We already posted a story about Stevenson's big day on the ground with Harris out, and Stevenson should get a bulk of the work going forward with Harris sidelined, making him a great fantasy option.

With this team there are so many variables, including how often it gets down in games, forcing it to rely more on the pass.

Related players: Brian Robinson, Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic

The story said the Commanders want Robinson to carry the ball, but we just haven't seen enough to know if he'll be the top fantasy option in the backfield. The offensive line is not great, so it will depend how the flow of the game is going. The blurb added Gibson could get in the range of 10-12 touches a game and be the dynamic back with McKissic the third down option. It's certainly a crowded backfield right now, and it probably needs some time to sort out for fantasy owners.

Bill Belichick's postgame comments spoke volumes when he said of Rhamondre Stevenson, "He's a really good football player. So glad we have him. Love him. Love him."

Related players: Damien Harris

The blurb pointed out the Patriots will likely always have some type of RB committee, but the piece thinks Stevenson has now put himself in position to be the top option in any pairing as he rushed for 161 rush yards.

Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, who's listed as questionable with quad and hamstring injuries, is expected to play tonight against the Raiders.

Related Players: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mecole Hardman, Skyy Moore

The target distribution outside of Travis Kelce is hard to swallow, but Smith-Schuster remains the best WR option for fantasy as long as he is on the field. If you kept him in your Flex spot throughout the weekend, hoping he would play, he should deliver a solid floor on MNF.

Patriots TE Jonnu Smith, who has had tests done on his injured ankle over the last few days, was diagnosed with a low-ankle sprain, source said.

Related players: Hunter Henry

The tweet went on to say he's week-to-week. That likely means he could miss Week 5 and possibly beyond. Smith has just a 5-58-0 line for the season. While Henry could see a bump in production, his line for the season is 5-41-0.

Washington Commanders announced that running back Brian Robinson has been designated to return to practice this week.

Related players: Antonio Gibson

Reports say Robinson will practice today and the team has 21 days to activate him. Other reports say that could happen sooner than later. With Gibson's snaps seemingly already on the decrease, the return of Robinson likely won't help that situation. Robinson was expected to be a big part of the running game before getting shot before the season. He should be picked up if he's on your wire.