Fantasy Football News | Page 5

DeVonta Smith returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session with hamstring and toe injuries. Dontayvion Wicks moved in the opposite direction, dropping from limited participation Wednesday to DNP Thursday because of his hamstring.

Related Players: Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, Dallas Goedert, Zach Ertz, Tanner McKee, Jalen Hurts

Smith would become Philadelphia’s preferred WR start if he returns to a normal role, offering WR3 value with WR2 upside despite the quarterback change. Wicks’ downgrade makes a replacement plan necessary. If Smith sits and Wicks plays, Wicks remains a WR3/FLEX option. If both miss, Lemon and Cooper would become deep-league FLEX possibilities, while Goedert’s target opportunity would strengthen his TE1 streaming case.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams reached another milestone in his recovery from a hamstring injury Thursday when he logged full participation in practice for the first time since Sept. 18.

The Bears quarterback has been listed as a full participant on the team's injury report for two consecutive days, including Wednesday's walk-through, but made clear that his status for Chicago's Week 6 game at Atlanta has not been decided.

Related Players: Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum, Luther Burden, Rome Odunze, Kalif Raymond, Zavion Thomas, Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, D'Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai, Roschon Johnson

Williams’ managers still need another quarterback available. If cleared, he returns to QB1 consideration, although his rushing contribution carries uncertainty following the injury. His return would improve the outlook for Burden, Odunze and Loveland.

Houston Texans WR Tank Dell (knee), RB David Montgomery (groin) and S Jalen Pitre (shoulder) will not travel with the team to London and have been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Related Players: Woody Marks, British Brooks, Dare Ogunbowale, Nico Collins, Marvin Harrison Jr., Kayshon Boutte, Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, Dalton Schultz, C.J. Stroud

Marks becomes a strong RB2 option with RB1 upside if he again handles most of Houston’s backfield work. He logged 19 touches after Montgomery’s early exit last week. Dell stays a stash, while Collins remains Houston’s clear WR1 play. Harrison’s Texans debut offers a speculative option for deeper leagues, but his initial workload remains uncertain.

Drew Kendall (knee) back at Eagles practice, but Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith are not. Neither is Jalen Hurts

Related Players: Dameon Pierce, Jaydon Blue, Carson Steele, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, Dallas Goedert, Tanner McKee

Pierce remains a volume-based RB2 option if Barkley misses another game, although Philadelphia’s move to McKee lowers the offense’s scoring ceiling. Blue and Steele are deep-league stashes rather than dependable starters. If Smith remains out, Wicks would be a WR3/FLEX option provided his own hamstring allows him to play.

Chiefs LT Josh Simmons (back) again on the practice field Thursday.

WR Rashee Rice (hamstring) watching his teammates go thru drills, but not practicing today.

Related Players: Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals, Cyrus Allen, Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Patrick Mahomes

If Rice remains out, Worthy would have WR2 upside from additional targets, and Kelce would remain a strong TE1 option. Royals would enter deep-league FLEX desperation, while Allen and Gray remain speculative. Mahomes stays in QB1 consideration, though Rice’s absence would reduce the offense’s receiving depth.

The Browns got multiple players back at practice today, including Maliek Collins, Tytus Howard, Carsen Ryan and Dylan Sampson.

Still not practicing: Derek Barnett, Kalia Davis, Mason Graham, Mike Hall, Teven Jenkins, Quinshon Judkins, Carson Schwesinger.

Related Players: Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime

Sampson is worth a speculative bench addition where available. If he is activated and Judkins misses Sunday, Sampson would have a path to meaningful work, although his first game back could still involve a committee. McLaughlin and/or Estime would be quite a stretch to provide bankable fantasy production.

Austin Ekeler wearing a non-contact jersey at practice.

Not seeing Jacory Croskey-Merritt during the open portion with media.

Related Players: Rachaad White, Jeremy McNichols, Jayden Daniels

The Monday kickoff makes a backup plan especially important for Croskey-Merritt’s managers. If he misses the game, White would have a chance to move from a fringe FLEX option into RB2 consideration if he inherits the early-down and goal-line work, while Ekeler could become a PPR FLEX option if available

A few guys still trickling out on practice field, but no sign of QB Lamar Jackson. Minter has consistently said that Jackson wouldn’t necessarily need to practice to play Sunday. But it’s been 10 days now since he’s been on field. Seems pretty obvious where this is headed.

Related Players: Tyler Huntley, Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Ja'Kobi Lane, Devontez Walker, Elijah Sarratt, LaJohntay Wester, Mark Andrews, Derrick Henry, Justice Hill

Jackson’s managers should secure a replacement now. Huntley would be a QB2 option in superflex leagues if he makes another start, with his rushing ability providing a path to useful production. Flowers remains the strongest Baltimore receiving play and a WR2 with Huntley; Jackson’s return would restore more upside. Henry can still be considered an RB1 regardless of starter.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is out for Sunday due to a superficial blood clot. It is safe to say that Jalen Hurts is out until his medical situation is resolved. Until then, it's Tanner McKee moving forward.

Related Players: DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, Dallas Goedert, Zach Ertz, Saquon Barkley, Dameon Pierce, Jaydon Blue, Carson Steele

McKee becomes an emergency QB2 option in superflex leagues, while managers replacing Hurts in one-quarterback formats should look elsewhere first. Philadelphia’s pass catchers take a downgrade: Goedert becomes a fringe TE1, and Wicks is a volatile WR3/FLEX if Smith remains out.

The Seahawks left for Denver on Wednesday ahead of their Thursday night game against the Broncos, and held a light practice prior to heading to the airport.

Among those practicing fully on Wednesday was receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was listed as limited the previous two days because of an ankle injury. Smith-Njigba, who leads the NFL in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, does not have a game status on the final injury report, meaning he is good to go.

Related Players: Rashid Shaheed, Cooper Kupp, Tory Horton, AJ Barner, Elijah Arroyo, Sam Darnold, Emanuel Wilson

Start Smith-Njigba confidently as a WR1. Denver’s secondary absences improve the matchup and give Darnold additional upside as a superflex option. Shaheed remains a volatile FLEX whose big-play potential benefits from the injuries.