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Dont'e Thornton Jr. "Ready to Play," Worth Stashing in Deep Leagues
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (hamstring), who is on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury, said he feels great and is "ready to play," according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Thornton said he suffered the hamstring injury at the start of training camp in the summer and thought he could play through it. He feels "overly confident" in his hamstring ahead of his return to practice on Wednesday. The 23-year-old will give the Raiders more WR depth with Jalen Nailor in the league's concussion protocol and Jack Bech (forearm) on IR. Thornton is returning to the practice field this week, but that does not necessarily mean the Raiders will officially activate him so that he can play this weekend on the road against the New England Patriots. Thornton could be eased back in, and it is unclear what kind of role he will have, but a big opportunity could await in an improved Raiders offense, making him a deep-league stash candidate. The former fourth-rounder from Tennessee last year caught only 10 of his 30 targets for 135 yards and no scores in 15 games (eight starts) as a rookie in Vegas.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
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Cam Skattebo in a Non-Contact Jersey on Wednesday
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (undisclosed) was participating in a red non-contact jersey during practice on Wednesday, according to Art Stapleton of The North Jersey Bergen Record. It is unclear what injury Skattebo is dealing with, but we will pass along any details when they become available. Because he appears to at least be practicing on a limited basis in the team's first practice of the week, Skattebo should be available this weekend with the Giants traveling to Washington to face the division-rival Commanders on Sunday. The 24-year-old former fourth-rounder from Arizona State had 18 carries in Sunday's Week 4 win over the Arizona Cardinals, but it led to just 58 rushing yards. He added one catch for eight yards. Skattebo is averaging an underwhelming 3.5 yards per carry and has just one touchdown through four games in his sophomore season, but he has had at least 18 carries in three of the four games, with his volume as New York's RB1 giving him RB2 value in fantasy football leagues. He already has eight catches for 67 yards as well.
Source: The North Jersey Bergen Record - Art Stapleton
Source: The North Jersey Bergen Record - Art Stapleton
Jaylen Wright Going to Get More Opportunities
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley said that running back Jaylen Wright is going to get more opportunities going forward, according to Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald. Wright returned from multiple injuries in Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday and played 31% of the offensive snaps, compared to a team-high 56% from Ollie Gordon II in the team's first game without star running back De'Von Achane (knee), who is out for the season. DJ Herman also saw 51% of the offensive snaps in Week 4. The 23-year-old Wright had five carries for seven yards (1.4 yards per carry) and was not targeted in the passing game. The former fourth-rounder from Tennessee has only 17 rushing attempts through three games this year for 17 yards and has yet to be targeted as a receiver. He has likely been dropped in plenty of fantasy leagues after his quiet performance against the Bears, but Wright's fantasy case should not be closed completely with Achane missing the rest of the year. Wright is rostered in only 23% of Yahoo leagues but is a sneaky pickup for RB depth with a larger role still possible.
Source: Miami Herald - Omar Kelly
Source: Miami Herald - Omar Kelly
Jayden Daniels Expected to Practice in Full on Wednesday
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) is throwing again on Wednesday and is expected to be a full participant in practice, according to John Keim of ESPN. It is great timing for the Commanders, as veteran Marcus Mariota (knee) is expected to miss two to three weeks after spraining his MCL in Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London. Daniels has been out the last two weeks after dislocating his left (non-throwing) elbow in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, but he was limited all of last week in practice and now appears to be a full-go. Unless the former first-rounder suffers a setback with his left elbow in practice this week, he should be expected to make his return and start this Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. Despite developing an injury-prone label early in his career, the 25-year-old Daniels still has QB1 upside for his ability to rack up points with his arm and legs. He should at least be considered a low-end QB1 option again this weekend if he is cleared to face the Giants.
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Tee Higgins to be Limited in Wednesday's Practice
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (groin) will be limited in the team's practice on Wednesday, head coach Zac Taylor told The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. Higgins suffered an adductor injury in Sunday's Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but that did not stop him from having a big game, catching 11 of his 16 targets for 157 yards. It helped that star wideout Ja'Marr Chase left the game with a concussion, and with Chase up in the air to clear the league's concussion protocol this week, Higgins could have another monster game for fantasy managers in Week 5 on the road against the winless Miami Dolphins this Sunday if he gains clearance to play this weekend. With a limited showing on Wednesday, Higgins is in a good spot to be active against the Dolphins. Through four games to begin his seventh year in the NFL, Higgins has 25 catches on 39 targets for 401 yards and one touchdown. It has made him the WR8 in half-PPR formats, so Higgins should be locked into starting lineups this weekend, even if Chase clears the concussion protocol and plays.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Ja'Marr Chase Working Through the Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (head) is working through the league's concussion protocol, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. It is unclear what that means as far as Chase's practice status on Wednesday, but he is still in play to potentially suit up in Week 5 on Sunday at the Miami Dolphins. Fellow wideout Tee Higgins (groin) is also dealing with an injury, but he was limited on Wednesday and should have a pretty good chance of playing this weekend. We will continue to keep a close eye on Chase's participation throughout the week, but for now, fantasy managers should consider him very questionable to face Miami in South Beach on Sunday. With Cincy's bye coming in Week 6, it is very possible that the Bengals play it safe and give Chase two full weeks to heal up. If he does not play against the Dolphins, then receiver Dohnte Meyers and tight end Mike Gesicki will become very interesting fantasy options this week in an excellent matchup against the winless Dolphins. Chase is a must-start in fantasy anytime he is active. He has 21 catches for 212 yards and three touchdowns through four games in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Kyle Monangai's Thumb Not Considered an Issue by Coaching Staff
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (thumb) ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's win over the Jets, racking up a career-high 29.5 fantasy points, but he was kept off the field late in the game after injuring his right thumb. On Wednesday, head coach Ben Johnson plainly told the assembled media that the "thumb is not an issue," according to team reporter Brad Biggs. Instead, Johnson suggested that Monangai's heavy workload on Sunday could lead to reduced practice reps. With D'Andre Swift losing a fumble midway through the third quarter, Monangai saw most of the action from then on, topping 30 carries for the first time in his career. The division of labor will be one to watch moving forward, but both Monangai and Swift can be started in a Week 5 matchup against the Packers.
Source: Brad Biggs
Source: Brad Biggs
Rachaad White Practicing in Non-Contact Jersey
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White (shoulder) missed Sunday's international loss to the Colts with a shoulder injury, but he was back at practice on Wednesday, sporting a black non-contact jersey, according to team reporter Tashan Reed. In what ultimately became a pass-heavy contest, Jacory Croskey-Merritt remained the team's most involved running back, but it was veteran Austin Ekeler, playing in his first game of the year after signing with the team less than a week earlier, who led the position group with 29 rushing yards on four carries. Through three games, White had averaged only 8.5 fantasy points per contest, and should he find himself splitting third-down reps with Ekeler upon his return, he will become all the more difficult to keep rostered outside of the deepest leagues.
Source: Tashan Reed
Source: Tashan Reed
Mack Hollins Not Anticipated to Practice Wednesday
New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (calf) exited early from the team's Week 4 win over the Bills, leaving the field in obvious discomfort after sustaining a non-contact injury, and head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters on Wednesday that he is not expected to practice with the calf injury. Hollins has been the team's leading receiver through four weeks, and in his absence, Romeo Doubs, fresh off a two-touchdown performance, becomes close to a must-start player as the de facto number one receiver in an offense looking to sustain momentum. Second-year wideout Efton Chism III could also have some flex value in deeper leagues after finishing Sunday's contest with 42 yards and the game-winning touchdown grab, an early candidate for catch of the year.
Source: Evan Lazar
Source: Evan Lazar
Lamar Jackson Not Practicing on Wednesday
There was no sign of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) at the period of practice open to the media on Wednesday, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Tyler Huntley and Joe Fagnanon were the two QBs warming up before the start of practice. Although Jackson has a chance to suit up in Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons, the expectation is that he will miss at least one week after spraining his ankle in Sunday's victory over the Tennessee Titans. Fantasy managers should already be making plans to be without the All-Pro QB this weekend, and his ankle injury could limit his rushing ability for the rest of the season, which would obviously lower the dual threat's fantasy ceiling. Through the first four weeks of the 2026 season, Jackson is the QB9 in fantasy football with 967 passing yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. He has added 144 rushing yards and one score on the ground on 19 rushing attempts. If Huntley makes his first start of the year under center for Baltimore this weekend, he will merely be a low-end QB2 streaming option in superflex fantasy leagues against Atlanta.
Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
Rhamondre Stevenson Not Expected to Practice Wednesday
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (leg) found the end zone for the first time this season in the team's Week 4 win over the Bills, helping him to finish as the RB13 on the week, but he is not expected to practice on Wednesday after limping off the field late in the game. Stevenson appeared to check on his knee after a run for no gain on the final drive of the game, but he was later seen moving without any visible discomfort. Fantasy managers will need to monitor the team's injury report for an official designation ahead of a Week 5 matchup with the Raiders, and should Stevenson miss time, TreVeyon Henderson becomes a must-start player.
Source: Evan Lazar
Source: Evan Lazar
Caleb Douglas Will Not Practice on Wednesday
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas (ankle) will not practice on Wednesday, head coach Jeff Hafley told Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. Douglas is "doing better," but not enough to get back on the field yet. Douglas has missed each of the last two games and could be headed for a third straight absence in Week 5 when the Dolphins take on the Cincinnati Bengals at home this Sunday. The Dolphins are taking Douglas' injury day by day, but as of right now, he is on the wrong side of questionable for Week 5 action. With Douglas sidelined the last two weeks, Malik Washington, rookie Chris Bell, and Kevin Coleman have been Miami's top three receivers for quarterback Malik Willis. The 23-year-old Douglas, a third-rounder from Texas Tech in April, caught seven of his 10 targets for 113 yards in his first two NFL games before injuring his ankle. He is mostly just a bench stash in dynasty/keeper leagues, but fantasy managers in deep single-league formats should not ignore the opportunity that he will have once he returns from his ankle injury.
Source: ESPN.com - Marcel Louis-Jacques
Source: ESPN.com - Marcel Louis-Jacques
Marcus Mariota to Avoid Injured Reserve
Washington Commanders veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota (knee) will not go on Injured Reserve after spraining his MCL in the Week 4 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London on Sunday, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. It means that the Commanders think Mariota could be back within two to three weeks after he missed two and a half weeks after his first MCL sprain during the preseason in August. It also means that Washington may not need to sign an outside veteran QB to time them over. That will especially be the case if starter Jayden Daniels is able to return this weekend against the division-rival New York Giants after dislocating his left elbow in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. If Daniels is not cleared to play this weekend, Athan Kaliakmanis would be forced into making his first NFL start under center. The 32-year-old Mariota has already appeared in three games (two starts) for Washington this year after playing in 11 games (eight starts) in 2025 due to injuries to Daniels. He has gone 33-for-51 passing for 340 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions in limited action in 2026, but he will return to his usual backup role when he heals from his MCL sprain.
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Jadarian Price Losing Value Amid Absence, Increased Backfield Competition
Seattle Seahawks rookie running back Jadarian Price (chest) missed his first of at least four games after being placed on injured reserve with a chest injury, and in his absence, veteran Emanuel Wilson racked up 120 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Chargers. While still not expected to play in Week 5, Zach Charbonnet (knee) has had his practice window opened after beginning the year on the physically unable to perform list, and the Seahawks were briefly tied to two-time Pro Bowler Joe Mixon before the results of his physical caused them to alter course. All told, Seattle's backfield has the potential to become a mess for fantasy purposes, and with Price unable to take hold of the primary role in his three games of action, he becomes all the more difficult to trust upon his eventual return.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Eagles Excited for Dameon Pierce's Opportunity
Philadelphia Eagles running back Dameon Pierce, who was promoted from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster this week due to injuries to both Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and Tank Bigsby (abdomen), could have a significant role in Philly's backfield going forward, according to Zach Berman of The Athletic. "He's an NFL starting running back. Maybe wouldn't have said that when he was on our practice squad publicly, because of the fear of losing him. But he's an NFL starting running back. Excited for his opportunity," head coach Nick Sirianni said of Pierce. The 26-year-old was originally a fourth-round pick by the Houston Texans in 2022 from Florida. He had 220 rushing attempts for 939 yards and four touchdowns in 13 starts in his rookie campaign but could never find his footing in Houston after that. He played in only five games last year with Houston and the Kansas City Chiefs and had just 14 carries for 36 yards combined. Pierce will have an opportunity with the Eagles this Sunday in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars, making him worth deep-league waiver consideration at the position, but Will Shipley should see most of the backfield work if Barkley is unavailable.
Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman
Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman
Terry McLaurin Won't Practice on Wednesday
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that wide receiver Terry McLaurin (hamstring) will not practice on Wednesday, but he will work off to the side, according to Tashan Reed of The Athletic. McLaurin tweaked his hamstring in practice last week and was unable to play in the blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London on Sunday. The 31-year-old will have two more chances to return to practice on Thursday and Friday, but as of now, he is very much up in the air to play in Week 5 at home against the division-rival New York Giants. If Scary Terry misses a second straight game, Antonio Williams will be a sneaky deep-league WR streamer against the G-Men, especially if quarterback Jayden Daniels makes a return from a dislocated left elbow that he suffered in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. McLaurin had only four total catches for 64 yards in the first two games of the season, but he rebounded in the Week 3 upset win over the Seattle Seahawks with six catches on nine targets for 77 yards and his first touchdown of the season. He will need to return to practice in the next few days to have a chance at returning this weekend.
Source: The Athletic - Tashan Reed
Source: The Athletic - Tashan Reed
Adonai Mitchell Still Considered Week-to-Week
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (finger) is still considered week-to-week with his finger injury, head coach Aaron Glenn told The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt on Wednesday. Mitchell suffered a finger injury last week during practice and was inactive in the Week 4 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. In the 23-year-old's absence, Isaiah Williams played 90% of the offensive snaps but was targeted just twice by quarterback Geno Smith. It sounds like Mitchell is not a lock at all to practice on Wednesday or return to play this Sunday versus the visiting Cleveland Browns. Despite potentially missing multiple games, Mitchell is a worthy bench stash at WR for his elevated role in New York's passing attack when healthy. The former second-rounder by the Indianapolis Colts in 2024 from Texas caught nine of his 15 targets for 123 yards in the first two games of the season as the clear WR2 behind Garrett Wilson in an improved Jets offense. Mitchell might not play again this weekend, but he is still an intriguing upside stash in 2026, especially in PPR leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Breece Hall Still Considered Week-to-Week
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (quadriceps) is still considered week-to-week, head coach Aaron Glenn told Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Hall missed the Week 4 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday due to a quad injury, and the 25-year-old is trending toward missing a second straight contest this weekend when the Jets take on the visiting Cleveland Browns. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on Hall's practice status from Wednesday to Friday, though. If he misses a second straight game in Week 5, backup Braelon Allen would once again be at least on the flex radar in fantasy football as New York's primary ball-carrier. With Hall out last weekend, Allen played all but two of the team's offensive snaps and saw a season-high 14 rushing attempts for 59 yards while also catching both of his targets for eight yards as a receiver. If Hall returns to face the Browns, he will be extra risky as an RB2 who is in danger of losing key backfield touches to Allen. After his first 1,000-yard season in 2025 and a big contract extension in the offseason, Hall has averaged just 3.2 yards per carry for 163 yards and one touchdown on the ground through three games in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Chris Brooks Won't Practice on Wednesday
Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks (ankle) will not practice on Wednesday, head coach Matt LaFleur told Weston Hodkiewicz of the team's official website. Brooks was set to undergo tests on his ankle earlier this week after getting injured in the Week 4 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The 26-year-old has had a bigger backfield role through the first four weeks of the season with Josh Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list, but it has not amounted to much production while sharing touches with MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson. Brooks has seen 15 carries through four games for 70 yards and has caught three of his five targets for 24 yards in the passing game. He will obviously need to get back on the practice field on Thursday or Friday to have a shot at playing in Week 5 against the division-rival Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Even if Brooks is cleared to play this weekend, he will not have any realistic standalone fantasy value as a flex play, even in deeper leagues, with Lloyd and Johnson being the better upside plays in a struggling Packers offense.
Source: Packers.com - Weston Hodkiewicz
Source: Packers.com - Weston Hodkiewicz
Josh Jacobs' Stash Value Continues to Fall as Absence Continues
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs remains on the commissioner's exempt list after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property in a case stemming from a May domestic-violence incident, and although his time on the exempt list could equal time served in any potential suspension from the NFL, the 28-year-old's stash value in fantasy football leagues continues to fall with each passing day he is not with the team. Green Bay's running game has struggled mightily in Jacobs' absence through the first four weeks of the 2026 season, as they rank dead last in the NFL with just 58.0 rushing yards per game. They have gone with a committee approach involving MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson, and Chris Brooks (ankle), but nobody has really stood out so far. Jacobs, who has four 1,000-yard rushing seasons in his seven years in the league, cannot be outright dropped in most fantasy leagues, but managers are surely losing patience as he wastes a bench spot. Right now, he is rostered in 74% of Yahoo leagues, and he is fully expected to return to lead-back duties in Green Bay whenever he is allowed to rejoin the team.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Lamar Jackson Has Outside Chance to Play in Week 5
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) has only an outside chance to play Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons. Ian Rapoport reported that Jackson is dealing with a sprained ankle and could miss multiple games depending on how his rehab progresses. The injury is considered unusual, with Rapoport describing it as neither a traditional high nor low ankle sprain. Jackson left Sunday's 24-18 win over Tennessee after the first half and did not return, finishing 15 of 20 for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Huntley completed eight of nine passes for 63 yards in relief and would start if Jackson cannot go. Baltimore has not ruled Jackson out, but fantasy managers should be preparing another option with his Week 5 availability looking increasingly doubtful.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
More News About Dont'e Thornton Jr.
