Fantasy Football News | Page 13

WR Tank Dell, DT Kayden McDonald and T Braden Smith have returned to practice.

Related Players: C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz, Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel, Kayshon Boutte, Jared Wayne

Dell is a worthwhile speculative stash in deeper leagues, but fantasy managers should not plan on using him in Week 5. His eventual return would primarily threaten the opportunities available to Hutchinson, Noel, and Boutte. Collins remains Houston’s clear No. 1 WR, while Schultz should retain a meaningful role at tight end. Dell’s participation level and any activation decision will be more important than merely opening the practice window.

Dan Quinn said Marcus Mariota’s MCL sprain is expected to follow a timeline similar to the knee injury he suffered during the preseason. Washington did not place Mariota on injured reserve and is hopeful he can return after missing two games and resting through the Week 7 bye, potentially putting him back for Week 8.

Related Players: Jayden Daniels, Athan Kaliakmanis

Mariota has little immediate redraft value with Daniels returning, but the projected Week 8 timetable is useful for managers carrying him as Daniels insurance in deep Superflex formats. Kaliakmanis will temporarily serve as Washington’s emergency quarterback behind Daniels.

Rhamondre Stevenson did not practice Wednesday after appearing to suffer a leg or knee injury late in Sunday’s game. Mike Vrabel said there is still a chance Stevenson plays against Las Vegas, leaving Thursday’s participation as the next important checkpoint.

Related Players: TreVeyon Henderson, Corey Kiner, Lan Larison, Jamaal Williams

Henderson would move comfortably into RB2 consideration if Stevenson is ruled out and could push higher if New England indicates he will dominate the backfield. Kiner and Larison are speculative deep-league options. The Williams workout looks like contingency planning for now, but a signing would be meaningful evidence that Stevenson could miss time.

Lamar Jackson did not practice Wednesday because of the ankle injury he suffered against Pittsburgh. Jackson left the stadium Sunday wearing a protective boot on his left foot, while Tyler Huntley handled the Ravens’ preparations for Atlanta.

Related Players: Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman, Elijah Sarratt, Ja'Kobi Lane

The rankings already anticipate Huntley starting. He is primarily a superflex or two-QB option, and his presence lowers the passing-game ceiling for Flowers, Andrews and Bateman. Henry’s touch projection remains secure, though the entire offense carries greater scoring risk without Jackson. Thursday’s practice should clarify whether Jackson has any realistic chance of playing.

The Eagles are elevating RB Dameon Pierce to the 53-man roster, per source.

RB help needed due to injuries to Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby.

Related Players: Will Shipley, Jaydon Blue, Carson Steele

Shipley remains the preferred Week 5 option, but Pierce could take enough early-down and short-yardage work to limit Shipley’s ceiling. Pierce is only a deep-league stash for now. His promotion also pushes Blue and Steele further from immediate fantasy relevance.

The Vikings signed WR Odell Beckham Jr. and WR Jeshaun Jones to their practice squad Wednesday.

Related Players: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton, T.J. Hockenson

Beckham does not carry immediate fantasy value as a practice-squad addition after failing to record a catch with New York. He could be elevated if Jefferson misses another game, but Addison, Hockenson, and Jennings would remain the safer bets for targets.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels practiced last week and if he has a good week he'll be on track to play in Week 5.

Related players: Marcus Mariota, Athan Kaliakmanis

Mariota is going to miss time with the MCL sprain, Garafolo said, which looks like it will clear the way for Daniels to start in Week 5. The Commanders get the Giants this week but things are certainly pointing the direction that he's going to get the start, which is a pretty quick recovery time given the injury. Keep an eye on his practice week ahead.

RT Joe Alt (neck), WR Ladd McConkey (foot) and Donte Jackson (hamstring) are day to day.

McConkey had to leave Week 3's game with the foot injury, so owners are again risking another zero if things don't improve heading into Week 4. McConkey was limited on last Wednesday, didn't practice last Thursday and then returned for a limited Friday practice. McConkey saw two targets before not returning. Owners will need to see much more improvement in his practice time this week.

Joe Mixon’s return to the NFL is back on hold.

The veteran running back worked out for the Seahawks and head coach Mike Macdonald said on Monday that the team was “going through the process” of signing him to their practice squad. They have reportedly changed course before the process reached the finish line, however.

Related players: Emanuel Wilson, George Holani, Velus Jones, Zach Charbonnet, Jadarian Price, Robert Henry

There is no word on the specific reason why the Seahawks opted out. He may have just failed his physical. Mixon missed all of last season with a foot injury. The story said there is also word they will sign Henry off of the Commanders’ practice squad, but the deal has not been officially announced. They did sign Jones off their own practice squad.

No setbacks for Mike Evans, and Shanahan believes "he'll be a little better next week" against the Seahawks with his ribs healing.

Evans played 59.1% of snaps against the Broncos and had eight targets, catching five passes for 76 yards. All in all, not a terrible fantasy performance. While it sounds like the team expects Evans' rib issue to improve week to week, it's a tough matchup against the Seahawks in Week 5.