Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral, hip) did not practice on Wednesday. We don't know much about the hip issue but are tentatively expecting Big Ben to play through it vs. Denver this weekend. Check back tomorrow for another update on his status.
Steelers WR Chase Claypool (hamstring) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. He missed Week 4 after hurting his hamstring in practice last Thursday, but it looks like he has a chance to return for this weekend's game vs. the Broncos. We'll get another update tomorrow.
Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) returned to a limited practice on Wednesday. “Christian looked real good," HC Matt Rhule said afterward. "I don’t know what that means in terms of Sunday." Rhule went on to say that McCaffrey might be a game-time decision, per ESPN's David Newton. We'll get another CMC update tomorrow.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott missed Wednesday's practice with what he described as knee "tightness." He added that he feels "3 times" better today than he did on Monday. He expects to return to practice on Thursday and play vs. the Giants this weekend. This is obviously a situation to keep a close eye on over the next few days, but Zeke can stay penciled into Week 5 fantasy lineups for now
Bears HC Matt Nagy announced Wednesday that Justin Fields will remain the starting QB, despite Andy Dalton being ready to return this week. It's fair to wonder whether this decision actually came from Nagy and the coaching staff or higher up, but it doesn't really matter. The rookie remains the QB with the higher fantasy ceiling, even though he has yet to display it. He rebounded for 209 passing yards on just 17 attempts against the Lions in Week 4, coming off the dreadful Week 3 at Cleveland. But Fields will need to show us more before we can reasonably start him in 1-QB redraft lineups. David Montgomery's knee injury might force Chicago into a bit more passing volume over the next month.
The Patriots on Wednesday reached a deal with free-agent LB Jamie Collins. That report came immediately after news of New England trading CB Stephon Gilmore to the Panthers, so the 2 sides clearly had already worked out the veteran's return. We'll see just how much playing time awaits Collins in a crowded LB corps. And we'll wait to see that before sticking him into IDP lineups. The secondary, meanwhile, can continue with players in their existing roles now that no Gilmore return from the PUP looms.
Following Wednesday morning reports that the Patriots were releasing CB Stephon Gilmore, the Panthers swooped in to get him for a 2023 third-round pick. The veteran corner must remain on the PUP list through 6 weeks for a quad injury. Beyond that, though, trading for his big contract (about $5.8 million left this year) says that Carolina plans to start Gilmore. That begs the question of whether C.J. Henderson -- acquired from Jacksonville in another recent trade -- will have room to enter the lineup. The Panthers lost CB Jaycee Horn to a foot injury, but Donte Jackson has been holding down the other side. None is likely to be much of an IDP factor, though, so that question doesn't matter too much for fantasy football purposes. Overall, we'd have to say Carolina has enhanced a unit that has started 2021 well.
Dolphins WR Will Fuller has been placed on IR with his broken finger. He'll miss at least the next 3 weeks. Between his continued durability issues and a struggling Miami offense, Fuller is a drop candidate in standard-sized fantasy leagues.
The Texans are cutting WR Anthony Miller, insider Aaron Wilson reports. It's a surprise considering Miller ranked 2nd on the team with 11 targets over the last 2 weeks. But Houston doesn't seem to be making moves with winning football games in mind right now. WR Brandin Cooks will continue to dominate Texans targets.
Saints RB Tony Jones is expected to miss 3-4 weeks with an ankle injury suffered in Sunday's loss to the Giants, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Jones can be dropped from fantasy rosters. The Saints signed RB Devine Ozigbo in a corresponding move. It's now Ozigbo, Dwayne Washington and Ty Montgomery behind Alvin Kamara on the depth chart. Kamara will continue to dominate backfield work.
Seahawks RB Chris Carson did not practice on Tuesday and is on the injury report with a neck. We don't have any other details, but it's worth noting that Carson played just 45% of Seattle's offensive snaps last week. If he can't play vs. the Rams on Thursday, it'd likely be Alex Collins as the Seahawks' lead back. We'll get another update on Carson tomorrow.
Chiefs WR Josh Gordon has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. It makes him eligible to play vs. the Bills on Sunday night -- but doesn't guarantee that he will. Gordon shouldn't be in Week 5 fantasy lineups regardless, but he's a fine stash in deeper leagues. He's reportedly impressed since joining the team a week ago.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is dealing with "hip issues," HC Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. Roethlisberger has a lot of issues right now, if you ask us. He's looked completely washed through 4 weeks, ranking 31st in Pro Football Focus' passing grades among 33 qualifiers. It's unclear if Roethlisberger's "hip issues" will keep him out of Sunday's game vs. the Broncos, but he shouldn't be in your fantasy plans regardless.
Panthers LB Shaq Thompson suffered a foot injury in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys and is "expected to miss some time," according to The Athletic. Thompson played 93% of the snaps, so the injury must have occurred late. Jermaine Carter checked in next among non-edge LBs at 66% playing time and figures to lead that group while Thompson is out. Carter becomes a decent Week 5 waiver pickup for IDP leagues.
Bears RB David Montgomery is expected to miss 4-5 weeks with a sprained knee, ESPN's Dan Graziano reports. Chicago has a Week 10 bye, so it's possible that we don't see Montgomery again until Week 11. He was looking like a high-end RB2 before going down, so we'd try to keep him stashed on fantasy benches. Damien Williams is set to take over as Chicago's lead back, assuming his quad injury doesn't keep him out. Rookie Khalil Herbert is now #2 on the depth chart. Remember, too, that RB Tarik Cohen (ACL) is eligible to come off the PUP list in Week 7.
Doctors determined Monday morning that Browns S Ronnie Harrison did not actually suffer a concussion in Sunday's win at Minnesota, according to Scott Petrak of the Chronicle-Telegram. Harrison left after just 2 snaps and initially entered the concussion protocol. He should now be ready to begin Week 5 practices on time.
49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo has been diagnosed with a calf contusion and has a chance to play vs. the Cardinals on Sunday, HC Kyle Shanahan said. "It wasn't as bad as we thought it might have been," Shanahan added. "Definitely better news today than the feeling we had last night." We'll keep an eye on Garoppolo's status this week. It's worth noting that the 'Niners have a Week 6 bye, so they could get Garoppolo extended rest if they hold him out this week.
Bengals HC Zac Taylor labeled RB Joe Mixon (ankle) "more day to day" (than week to week) and said he'll be limited in practice to open the week. Taylor continues to be more optimistic on Mixon's injury than reports from the national media. We'll keep a close eye on Mixon's practice participation this week. Backup RB Samaje Perine remains worth stashing on fantasy rosters in the meantime.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (ankle) is active for tonight's game against the Chargers. It'll be his first action since Week 1. Jacobs remained limited in practice all week, and HC Jon Gruden hinted that RB Peyton Barber might still be heavily involved even with Jacobs back. We'll see how carries are distributed tonight, but it's a risky fantasy situation.
The Chargers on Monday placed LB Kenneth Murray on IR. He sustained an ankle injury in Saturday's practice that initially had him questionable for Monday night's game against the Raiders. The team then downgraded him to out on Sunday. Getting him on IR ahead of their Week 4 game starts the counter earlier for Murray to return, and we're guessing it'll be a short-term stay. That said, Murray was struggling before the injury. He's fine to drop for immediate help in most redraft IDP leagues.
Update: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Murray will "likely" be back after 3 games.
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