Irving is on track to play in Week 4 against the Packers, but monitoring his practice participation is worthwhile. Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said that Irving was “not on the team’s injury report” when asked by reporters why the team’s starting running back spent much of the fourth quarter on the sideline. So much for that. For now, expect him to play and be startable as an RB2, as usual.
Hendrickson broke his finger a few weeks ago. He failed to practice last Wednesday and was ultimately cleared from the injury report on Friday. We expect a similar outcome this week. Hendrickson has one sack on 14 pressures through three weeks.
Godwin’s history of lower-leg injuries makes this a little bit concerning. The veteran wide receiver is already set to catch passes from a backup quarterback. If active, he may be playing on an injured ankle. He can only be viewed as a boom-bust FLEX at this time.
Bain could be headed toward another game-day absence. Buccaneers LB Josiah Trotter (shoulder) is back on the practice field, though. The Buccaneers face the Packers in Week 4.
McVay also said that Nacua will be limited at today’s practice. Nacua has not played since injuring his groin in Week 1 against the 49ers. If active in Week 4, he will be a no-brainer WR1, though it would be great to see him log two full practice sessions over the next two days. The Rams’ pass-catching corps has dealt with an influx of injuries in recent weeks. Getting their star player back would be huge.
Dowdle did not practice once this week before being ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Browns. The mini-bye ahead of Week 5 may help him get back on the field, but his status for next week’s contest is very much up in the air. Jaylen Warren will see the bulk of the backfield work versus Cleveland. he ran 17 times and caught three passes in Week 3. With an elite workload versus a middling Cleveland defense, Warren is a high-end RB2 this week.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported earlier this week that stud Panthers LG Damien Lewis (elbow) will be out “a few weeks.” The Panthers have a fantasy-friendly matchup against the Lions this week, but Freeling’s health is worth tracking.
Bears coach Ben Johnson said Williams will not participate in today’s walkthrough, but noted that Williams is “getting better every single day.” He also said he has not decided which quarterback will start in Week 4 against the Jets. Week 3 starter QB Case Keenum was victorious over the Eagles on Monday Night Football and nominal No. 2 QB Tyson Bagent has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Ramsey was listed as limited for all three practices this week. He is attempting to play through a broken wrist and will likely wear a cast or brace if he is active. As expected, Joey Porter Jr. remains out this week admist his contrat dispute with the team.
The Bears will be without their starting left tackle in Week 4 against the Jets. Johnson said second-year OT Ozzy Trapilo (knee) is “getting closer,” but he does not know if he will be able to play this week. Johnson adds that LG Joe Thuney and his backup, OG Jordan McFadden, can play offensive tackle if needed.
Thompson missed Week 3 with the quad issue. A DNP today makes it unlikely he is cleared for Week 4. Tre’ Harris will continue to go unchallenged as the team’s WR3. He could even push Quentin Johnston for the No. 2 job if the former first-round pick continues to struggle.
The run-stuffing tackle missed Week 3 with the hamstring issue as well. James Cook gashed the Bolts for 154 yards and a score. Jadarian Price should see the majority of Seattle’s carries this week. Even after a slow start, he is still a viable FLEX play for Week 4.
Wright and RB Ollie Gordon are expected to split backfield touches moving forward, though this could be a fluid situation if one running back simply outplays the other. Gordon profiles as a burly grinder, while Wright may offer more big-play potential. It sounds like Wright has a strong chance of playing in Week 4 against the Vikings.
Everyone but Harbaugh knew Dart wasn’t returning for the playoffs the moment his meniscus repair procedure was announced. Harbaugh, meanwhile, held out hope that his starting quarterback could return in time for a deep playoff run. Even he isn’t keeping that facade up anymore, though he noted that Dart’s surgery “went well.” Coming off an ugly win, Jameis Winston will make his second start of the year in Week 4. J.J. McCarthy will get a crack at the job when the Giants inevitably start losing.
Teven Jenkins remains sidelined with a back injury. Elgton didn’t practice once this week and the short turnaround to Thursday Night Football was simply too quick for him to clear the league’s concussion protocol. Luke Wypler will start at center for Cleveland.
On the plus side, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan did not list Evans with the hip injury he dealt with last week, so that issue may already be behind him. Evans is reportedly considered day-to-day, and frequently plays through injuries, but he must be considered questionable to play in Week 4 against the Broncos at this time. Stay tuned.
Williams still has a chance to play in Week 4 against the Broncos, and he does not necessarily need to practice. The 49ers could choose to play it conservatively by sitting him until he is fully ready to go, though. We will see how the week unfolds.
Williams tore an ACL during his rookie season last year. He will resume practicing for the first time today. Before suffering the injury, he totaled 19 quarterback pressures, 13 tackles and one sack. He will be eligible to play in Week 5 against the Seahawks at the earliest.
Jefferson seemingly has a chance to face the Dolphins in Week 4, but his participation level at Thursday and Friday’s practices should give us a better sense of his availability. If active against the Dolphins, Jefferson would be startable as a WR1 despite the injury. He caught 2-of-2 targets for 32 yards on seven snaps last week before exiting.
The team also placed safety Jalen Thompson (hamstring) on IR. Thompson was already expected to miss at least four weeks, so the move doesn’t come as a surprise. Bullard signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys this offseason. He has three combined tackles and .5 sacks through three games.
Young visited the blue medical tent a couple of times after taking a cleat to the knee in Week 3 against the Browns. He reportedly underwent imaging to assess the injury. We never received an official follow-up report, but he is practicing in full already, so the imaging evidently checked out just fine. After years of frustrating performances, Young is suddenly a low-end QB1 against an injury-impacted Lions pass defense.
Canales said fellow corner Jaycee Horn faces a similar timeline. He suffered a torn quad in Week 3 but did not need surgery. Both players were placed on injured reserve earlier today. The Panthers will now be without their top two corners for most of the regular season.
Panthers coach Dave Canales said WR Xavier Legette (knee) is week-to-week, while Coker “is more day-to-day.” Canales adds that the team “has to see Coker move around before he returns to action.” Coker remains firmly in the questionable camp at this time. He might have a chance to play in Week 4 against the Lions, but fantasy managers should make a serious backup plan.
Reed suffered the neck injury in Week 1. The injury-plagued wideout will miss the rest of the year and could have a long way back to full health. It’s a difficult situation for a talented pass catcher. Reed’s absence has meant more snaps and routes for Tucker Kraft, who profiles as a top-12 tight end going forward.
Taylor missed Week 3 with the thumb issue and is currently considered week-to-week. A DNP today puts him on the wrong side of questionable for Week 4. Assuming he is out, Kenyon Sadiq, coming off a breakout performance versus the Lions, will be in line for a larger role once again.