Fantasy Football News | Page 17

Terry McLaurin was added to Washington’s injury report Friday with a hamstring issue. He practiced on a limited basis and is officially questionable against Indianapolis.

The injury had not appeared on either of Washington’s first two practice reports.

Related Players: Chigoziem Okonkwo, Stefon Diggs, Antonio Williams, Ben Sinnott, Marcus Mariota

A late-week hamstring addition creates legitimate risk even if McLaurin is active. The 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff will at least provide fantasy managers with an early answer. Diggs would become Washington’s safest WR if McLaurin sits, while Okonkwo and Williams could absorb additional targets.

Rachaad White has been ruled out against the Colts after missing all three practices with a shoulder injury.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Kaytron Allen and recently re-signed Austin Ekeler are Washington’s remaining backfield options. Ekeler traveled with the team to London, although it is uncertain whether he will immediately be active.

Croskey-Merritt is the best bet to lead Washington in carries and can be treated as a low-end RB2 or flex play. Ekeler could immediately compete for passing-down work if active, preventing a completely secure workload. Allen remains a deep-league contingency option.

Dan Quinn said Jayden Daniels will be OUT on Sunday. Marcus Mariota will start again.

Related Players: Marcus Mariota, Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, Chigoziem Okonkwo, Antonio Williams, Ben Sinnott

Mariota remains a viable QB2 and emergency one-QB streamer against Indianapolis after accounting for three touchdowns in his first start. Daniels practicing all week keeps a Week 5 return within reach, but fantasy managers should not assume he will automatically be cleared next week.

Jadarian Price did not practice Thursday because of his chest injury after opening the week as a limited participant.

Seattle’s backfield is unusually unsettled. George Holani remained limited by a rib injury, while Zach Charbonnet returned to practice but cannot play until Week 5 at the earliest.

Related Players: Emanuel Wilson, George Holani, Zach Charbonnet

The midweek downgrade puts Price’s Week 4 availability in legitimate doubt, although Friday’s practice will be decisive. If Price cannot play, Wilson and Holani would likely share the backfield, assuming Holani’s rib injury does not keep him out. Wilson could handle more early-down work, while Holani has been Seattle’s preferred passing-down option. Neither backup should be treated as a confident starter until the final injury report clarifies the workload.

There is not much optimism Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith will play Sunday against the Rams, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo.

Smith has been sidelined with a hamstring injury this week and the expectation is he won’t be able to go Sunday.

Related Players: Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Marquise Brown, Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley

Fantasy managers should plan to remove Smith from lineups. Wicks becomes Philadelphia’s most trustworthy available WR, with Lemon moving into deeper-league consideration and Cooper remaining a low-floor option. Ertz could also see additional targets if Goedert misses another game. The depleted pass-catching group lowers Hurts’ ceiling and could concentrate more of the offense around Barkley.

McConkey did not practice Thursday after being limited Wednesday by a foot injury. ESPN’s Kris Rhim also observed McConkey leaving the locker room with a noticeable limp, suggesting his downgrade was more than routine workload management.

Related Players: Quentin Johnston, Tre' Harris, Brenen Thompson, Derius Davis, Oronde Gadsden

The downgrade and visible limp make McConkey’s Friday participation especially important. If he cannot play, Johnston and Harris would become the Chargers’ primary WR options, while Davis would be a candidate for additional slot reps. Thompson has also missed both practices this week, leaving Los Angeles short on healthy depth. Johnston and Harris would enter the flex and DFS conversation, while Gadsden could receive additional short-area targets. McConkey managers should prepare a late-window replacement.

Jefferson did not practice Thursday because of the ankle sprain he suffered in Week 3, giving him consecutive DNPs to begin the week.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell previously called Jefferson day-to-day and said he was improving, but added that Minnesota would not rush him back until he could play like himself. Friday’s practice and final designation will provide the clearest

Related Players: Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton, Myles Price, T.J. Hockenson

Consecutive absences put Jefferson’s availability in legitimate doubt, although a limited Friday practice could keep him on track to play. Because Minnesota kicks off at 4:05 p.m. ET, managers should identify a late-window alternative before Sunday. Addison would become a strong WR2 if Jefferson sits, with Hockenson positioned for additional targets. Jennings, Felton and Price would compete for the remaining WR reps, but none would immediately become a dependable season-long option. Jennings and Felton would carry some deep-league and DFS appeal.

49ers signed WR Brandin Cooks to the 53-man roster. They have brought WR Malik Turner back to the practice squad to take his place there.

Awaiting word on corresponding move but did not see WR KhaDarel Hodge (knee) during early open portion of practice.

Related Players: Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, KhaDarel Hodge

Cooks is likely not a standard-league waiver target, but his promotion puts him within striking distance of an immediate role. If Evans cannot play, San Francisco would be left distributing WR snaps behind Samuel among Watkins, Cowing, and Cooks, with Hodge potentially no longer on the roster. Cooks’ experience could help him earn routes quickly, making him a viable salary-saving DFS consideration and a name to monitor in exceptionally deep leagues. If Evans plays, Cooks will likely be limited to a rotational role, but there's also no telling how many snaps Evans will actually be tasked with.

Bears RB D’Andre Swift did not practice Thursday because of a knee injury.

Swift was not listed on Wednesday’s report, making this a new late-week issue ahead of Sunday’s game against the Jets. Chicago has not provided any additional information about its severity.

Related Players: Kyle Monangai, Roschon Johnson

Friday’s practice will be critical because Swift went directly from an unlisted Wednesday to a Thursday DNP. Any participation would improve his chances of playing, while another absence would put his Week 4 availability in legitimate doubt. Monangai already holds a substantial complementary role and would become a strong volume-based fantasy play if Swift cannot face New York.

Travis Etienne is going to IR

Related Players: Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, CJ Donaldson, Ulysses Bentley

Etienne can be moved into an IR spot and will miss at least four games. Kamara becomes the most dependable fantasy option in the backfield, with Miller positioned for a meaningful increase in early-down opportunities. Donaldson could remain involved, while Bentley initially profiles as practice-squad insurance. The Saints’ Week 8 bye stretches Etienne’s minimum absence through the end of October.