Fantasy Football News

Steelers WR Michael Pittman is expected to miss multiple weeks after aggravating his foot injury, HC Mike McCarthy said Thursday. Pittman has totaled just 7 catches for 89 yards across his three games this season and can be dropped from redraft rosters. His absence should mean a boost in playing time for rookie WR Germie Bernard, who registered an 86% route rate and 8 targets when Pittman missed Week 2. Bernard is a fine stash in deeper leagues, but we wouldn't trust him in Week 5 fantasy lineups. WRs D.K. Metcalf and Roman Wilson and TEs Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington could also see more targets with Pittman out.

Broncos HC Sean Payton is taking over offensive play-calling duties for Sunday's game vs. the Chargers. The news was initially reported by former NFL WR Brandon Stokley and has since been confirmed by Pro Football Talk. Denver's offense has been a major disappointment with OC Davis Webb calling plays over the first four weeks.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. ESPN's Adam Schefter said today that Jackson still has a "realistic chance" to play vs. the Falcons on Sunday night. We'll keep a close eye on his status leading up to that one, but fantasy owners should still be making other plans for Week 5.

Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice. He injured the opposite ankle of the one he hurt in August in the Week 4 loss to the Giants. He never left the game but wound up playing just 46% of the offensive snaps, and then expressed frustration about his health after the game. HC Mike LaFleur said Wednesday that he expects Love to play vs. the Lions this weekend. "The best I can tell you guys is maintenance," LaFleur said of Love's limited practice. "Just maintenance throughout the day, and then when we get to Sunday." It'll be very difficult to know how big a workload Love will be ready for come Sunday, leaving him as a volatile fantasy play.

Chargers WR Ladd McConkey (foot) did not practice on Wednesday. He dealt with this issue last week and then aggravated it in the loss to the Seahawks. We're tentatively projecting McConkey to miss this Sunday's game vs. the Broncos but will keep you updated on his status.

Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (knee) returned to a limited practice on Wednesday. That gives him a shot to return for Sunday morning's game vs. the Jaguars in London. We'll keep tabs on his progress over the next few days. A Philly offense missing RB Saquon Barkley and WR DeVonta Smith could certainly use Goedert this weekend.

Eagles WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice. Insider Jeff McLane reported this past weekend that Smith's hamstring injury is expected to cost him multiple games, so don't count on him playing vs. the Jaguars on Sunday. That'll again leave Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, and Darius Cooper as Philly's top 3 WRs.

Commanders RB Rachaad White (shoulder) returned to a limited practice on Wednesday. That should have him on track to play vs. the Giants this weekend after missing Week 5. We'll see how White fits back into a backfield that added Austin Ekeler ahead of last week's game. The entire situation is best avoided in Week 5 fantasy lineups.

Commanders WRs Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs were sidelined on Wednesday with hamstring injuries. McLaurin missed Week 4 after hurting his hamstring in Friday's practice and seems unlikely to play against the Giants on Sunday. We don't have any other info on Diggs' status. WR Antonio Williams could be in for a significant Week 5 role.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (elbow) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. He was still wearing a bulky brace on that left elbow, but he's seemingly on track to return for this weekend's game vs. the Giants. We expect Daniels' rushing volume to be scaled back in that one, and he'll be at some risk of re-injury. Daniels lasted just 39 snaps when he tried to return from this same injury last year.

Giants WR Malik Nabers (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. He admitted afterward that he's sore and said "we'll see" when asked whether he'll play vs. the Commanders this weekend. We'll update Nabers' status again tomorrow, but fantasy owners should make sure to have a backup plan in place for Week 5 fantasy lineups.

Texans WR Tank Dell (knee) was designated to return from IR and got in a limited practice on Wednesday. He continues to work back slowly from his December 2024 multi-ligament knee injury. We remain skeptical that Dell will make a fantasy impact this season and wouldn't bother adding him to redraft rosters right now. But we'll continue to track his progress.

Colts WR Keenan Allen (groin, rest) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. That should give him a shot to play vs. the Steelers this weekend after missing last week's game in London. We'll keep you updated on Allen's status over the next few days.

Steelers RB Rico Dowdle (toe) was officially limited in Wednesday's practice. HC Mike McCarthy said beforehand, though, that Dowdle would still be working with the rehab group. We'll see how he progresses over the next couple of days, but Dowdle still seems iffy for this weekend's game vs. the Colts.

Jets TE Mason Taylor (thumb) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, putting him on track to return for this weekend's game vs. the Browns. TE Kenyon Sadiq saw a usage boost with Taylor out the past two games, climbing from a 45% route rate and 9% target share in Weeks 1-2 to a 60% route rate and 22% target share in Weeks 3-4. Taylor's return adds some risk to Sadiq's Week 5 profile, but we still expect the rookie to play a significant role for a Jets offense in need of playmakers.

Jets WR Adonai Mitchell (finger) remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice. Don't bank on him playing vs. the Browns this weekend. We'll let you know if Mitchell's outlook improves over the next couple of days.

Jets RB Breece Hall (quad) remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice. We're not expecting him to play vs. the Browns this weekend, which would again leave Braelon Allen as New York's lead back. He handled all 16 RB touches in last week's loss to the Bears.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara (back) did not practice on Wednesday. He played 28 snaps just two days ago, so this could just be early-week rest for the veteran. We'll update Kamara's status again tomorrow. His absence vs. the Vikings this weekend would leave New Orleans' backfield to Kendre Miller and C.J. Donaldson.

Vikings WR Jordan Addison (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. It's the first we've heard of the hamstring issue but puts Addison's availability for this weekend's game vs. the Saints in question. We'll see if he gets back on the practice field tomorrow.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (ankle) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero said Friday that Jefferson was expected back for ths Sunday's game vs. the Saints, and this early-week practice should have him on track. Jefferson can be penciled into Week 5 fantasy lineups, although it'd be nice to see him get in a full practice on Thursday or Friday.