Fantasy Football News | Page 12

WR Ja’Marr Chase returned for the open portion of Thursday’s practice after sitting out Wednesday. Chase remains in concussion protocol, and his return to practice does not establish clearance for Sunday against Miami.

Tee Higgins was working on a side field and remained out of uniform during Thursday’s open practice period. Higgins missed Wednesday with groin and neck injuries

Related Players: Dohnte Meyers, Mitchell Tinsley, Colbie Young, Mike Gesicki, Joe Burrow

It's a step in the right direction for Chase, but obviously more iffy news for Higgins. Prepare an alternative for either/or wherever possible, but we could see some serious usage for Meyers and Gesicki should one or both of them miss Week 5.

Ravens have four players not present during media viewing of Thursday’s practice:

QB Lamar Jackson (ankle)
OLB Trey Hendrickson (finger)
CB Marlon Humphrey (calf/hamstring)
C Cam Jurgens (concussion)

Hendrickson was observing off to the side.

WR Rashod Bateman (shoulder) is wearing a red non-contact jersey but is participating in individual and team drills.

Related Players: Tyler Huntley, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Justice Hill

Managers should prepare an alternative because Baltimore plays Sunday night. Friday’s participation and game designation will be important, although Jesse Minter previously said Jackson could play without practicing during the week. Huntley remains a fallback for deep Superflex leagues if he starts.

Commanders WR Stefon Diggs was back at practice Thursday after missing Wednesday with a hamstring injury, according to Tashan Reed. Terry McLaurin, also dealing with a hamstring injury, was absent from Thursday warmups after missing Wednesday. Their official Thursday participation designations remain pending.

Related Players: Antonio Williams, Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown, Chigoziem Okonkwo, Jayden Daniels

Diggs’s return is encouraging for his availability and Daniels’s receiving options. McLaurin’s second absence adds concern ahead of Sunday. If McLaurin sits, Williams remains a player to consider in deeper leagues. Diggs’s participation level and Friday’s report will help determine confidence in starting him.

Steelers HC Mike McCarthy said WR Michael Pittman Jr. re-injured his foot and now is expected to miss multiple weeks.

Related Players: DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Germie Bernard

We've already seen Wilson notch six targets in four-straight games, so we could expect that usage to continue while Pittman is sidelined. He's an interesting WR4/FLEX play for teams looking to fill some holes over the first bye weeks. Metcalf is a stronger WR2-type.

Offensive coordinator David Blough said Thursday that Jayden Daniels is “full go” when asked whether the quarterback’s return from an elbow injury would limit Washington’s game plan against the Giants.

Related Players: Stefon Diggs, Antonio Williams, Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown, Chigoziem Okonkwo

Encouraging clarification for his return. The current projection still assigns a modest rushing contribution, so his receivers’ availability remains a meaningful part of the Week 5 outlook.

Dallas Goedert returned to practice for the first time suffering a knee injury in Week 2. He might be able to play against the Jags. If so, the Eagles could have four tight ends active for Sunday: Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Zach Ertz, and E.J. Jenkins. Will be interesting to see how that snap count plays out.

Related Players: Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, Jalen Hurts

That report pretty much says it all. Ertz would be a deep, deep play if Goedert can't make it back in time.

Ladd McConkey did not practice Wednesday because of his foot injury, according to the Chargers’ official report. Quentin Johnston was limited with a chest injury, leaving both WRs’ participation worth watching ahead of Sunday’s game against Denver.

Related Players: Justin Herbert, Tre' Harris, Oronde Gadsden, Derius Davis

Wednesday’s absence supports keeping a contingency plan for McConkey. Harris and Gadsden would benefit from additional opportunities if he misses Sunday, with Johnston also positioned for more work if his chest injury does not interfere.

Justin Jefferson (ankle) will participate in practice on a limited basis today.

Jordan Addison will sit out practice with soreness, per Kevin O’Connell, who calls the situation “minor.”

Helps explain the Beckham Jr signing.
Related Players: T.J. Hockenson, Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton, Myles Price, Odell Beckham Jr.

Jefferson’s return to practice is an encouraging first step, but he will need to progress during the week before managers can count on him. Addison remains Minnesota’s projected No. 1 WR for now, assuming his soreness remains minor. Beckham is a name to monitor, but his practice-squad signing does not create immediate fantasy value.

D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai both sat out Chicago’s opening practice ahead of Sunday’s game against Green Bay. Swift is listed with hip and knee injuries, while Monangai is managing thumb and toe issues.

Related Players: Roschon Johnson, Tyson Bagent

Thursday will tell us whether either absence deserves concern. Monangai is coming off a 30-carry, 146-yard performance and has pushed this backfield toward a more balanced split. Johnson would become the contingency option if either starter is unavailable, but there is no reason to add him outside very deep formats yet.

Malik Nabers did not practice Wednesday because of a knee injury, although he worked with trainers on the side. Nabers described himself as more sore than usual and declined to predict whether he would play against Washington.

Related Players: Jameis Winston, Isaiah Likely, Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney

Nabers remains in starting lineups for now, but the knee designation makes this more notable than a routine Wednesday rest day. Fields would presumably become the leading Giants WR option if Nabers cannot play, while Likely would likely absorb the largest share of available targets from another position.