October 2, 2025
Ottawa Senators defenseman Nick Jensen (hip) is on track to be available for opening night and could suit up for Saturday's preseason finale against the Montreal Canadiens. Senators head coach Travis Green said Thursday that he hopes to have Jensen in the lineup for the game. The veteran defenseman has sat out the preseason so far while recovering from an offseason hip procedure. He began practicing fully last week, so it appears that the team has been cautious with him to avoid risking a setback in Jensen's recovery. Jensen moved to Ottawa last year and played well with the team. He finished the season with 21 points (three goals, 18 assists), 77 shots, 95 blocks, 55 hits, and a plus-18 rating across 71 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
October 2, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders tight end
Brock Bowers (knee) was downgraded to a DNP in practice on Thursday after he put in a limited session to begin the week on Wednesday, according to Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee. It remains to be seen if Bowers actually had a setback with his left knee, which he initially injured in Week 1, or if the Raiders are just giving him some extra rest before Week 5 versus the Indianapolis Colts. Despite injuring his knee in the season opener, Bowers has played in all four games this year. However, since going over 100 yards receiving in Week 1, the second-year TE hasn't cleared 47 yards, and he hasn't found the end zone yet, either. Bowers might need a full practice on Friday to avoid a questionable tag going into Sunday's game at Lucas Oil Stadium, but if he's active, he's a must-start in fantasy despite his slow start.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Fresno Bee - Anthony Galaviz
October 2, 2025
Ottawa Senators center Lars Eller (abdomen) could make his first appearance for the team this weekend. Senators head coach Travis Green told reporters on Thursday that he is "hoping" Eller will be available for Saturday's preseason finale against the Montreal Canadiens. Eller underwent an abdominal procedure during the offseason. Last week, the Danish veteran told reporters that he is pain-free and close to 100 percent. Eller looks to be a great veteran presence on this Senators team, but he should be a free agent in fantasy leagues.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
October 2, 2025
Calgary Flames left wing Jonathan Huberdeau (undisclosed) is still being evaluated after getting hurt in Wednesday's preseason game against the Vancouver Canucks, general manager Craig Conroy told reporters on Thursday. Huberdeau was injured late in the game when he collided with Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen. Losing Huberdeau long-term would be an unexpected blow for the Flames, as the 32-year-old has missed only a handful of games over the past four seasons. He was available for 81 contests last season, posting 62 points (28 goals, 34 assists). Connor Zary may start the campaign as a member of the top six if Huberdeau isn't available for opening night. The Flames kick off the year with the Battle of Alberta against the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 8.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
October 2, 2025
San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy (toe) suffered a setback with his turf-toe injury in the Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday and is now considered week-to-week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Purdy was ruled out for the Thursday night divisional clash against the Los Angeles Rams to start Week 5, and he could miss additional games beyond Thursday night. The 25-year-old suffered turf toe in the regular-season opener, which caused him to miss Weeks 2 and 3. He threw for over 300 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in his return against Jacksonville, but now he's injured again and could miss more than one game. Backup
Mac Jones will make his third start of the year on Thursday night in a bad matchup against L.A. without the team's top two wideouts in
Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs) and
Ricky Pearsall (knee).
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
October 2, 2025
Winnipeg Jets center Jonathan Toews (undisclosed) is out day-to-day, head coach Scott Arniel told reporters on Thursday. The veteran forward "tweaked something" in Tuesday's preseason game against the Minnesota Wild and may not be in top condition for the start of the season. Winnipeg begins its campaign on Oct. 9 against the Dallas Stars, giving Toews a week to get healthy for opening night. Adam Lowry (hip) has already been ruled out for the first few weeks of action, so having Toews available would be very important for the Jets. Toews hasn't played in the NHL for two years, which makes him a risky fantasy option.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
October 2, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (groin) finds himself on the Week 5 injury report, but he was able to practice in full on Thursday. Mahomes is a little banged up, but since he's practicing in full for the first practice of the week, he shouldn't have any issues playing on Monday night against the 3-1 Jacksonville Jaguars to close out Week 5 action. In the first couple of weeks, Mahomes played through a wrist injury, but this is the first time in 2025 he's been listed with a groin injury. It's worth watching, but it shouldn't sway fantasy managers to bench him in Week 5 against the Jags. However, it's worth noting that Mahomes hasn't run much the last two weeks after going for over 100 yards on the ground and two touchdowns in Weeks 1 and 2. The Jags have been a top-10 matchup for opposing QBs so far in terms of fantasy points, and KC's offense is much more dynamic now that receiver
Xavier Worthy is back from his shoulder injury.
--Keith HernandezSource: Chiefs.com
October 2, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (lower body) will be unavailable for the first few games of the season after the team announced that he has to sit out at least two weeks of action. Rust couldn't finish Wednesday's practice session due to a lower-body injury. If he can return within 14 days, Rust will only miss five regular-season games. However, there's also a chance he might have to miss more than two weeks. Due to Rust's absence, rookie Ville Koivunen could get a look on the first line early in the season. The 22-year-old showed a lot of promise last season, racking up seven assists in his first eight career NHL games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
October 2, 2025
Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola was signed to an eight-year extension by the team on Thursday. He agreed to a $40 million deal, giving Mikkola a cap hit of $5 million starting next season. Mikkola rarely makes headlines, but he's a highly rated player in Florida. "Niko has proven himself to be a dependable defenseman who uses his speed and physicality to impact both ends of the ice," Panthers general manager Bill Zito said in a statement. "He was an indispensable piece of our past two championship campaigns, and we are thrilled that Niko will be continuing his career with the Florida Panthers." Over the past two seasons, Mikkola has notched 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 46 postseason appearances. He registered 22 points (six goals, 16 assists), 116 shots, 88 blocks, and 137 hits in 76 regular-season outings last term.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
October 2, 2025
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe signed an eight-year extension with the team on Thursday. While the team didn't disclose the financial terms of the contract, multiple reports state it's a $72 million deal for LaCombe, marking the largest contract the Ducks have ever handed out to a player. The 24-year-old will complete a two-year, $1.85 million pact with the upcoming campaign. Last season, LaCombe made great strides in his development, and his massive extension indicates that the team believes he still has a lot of room to grow. In 75 outings during the 2024-25 season, LaCombe recorded 43 points (14 goals, 29 assists), 134 shots, 129 blocks, and 69 hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
October 2, 2025
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Tyler Higbee (hip) has officially been ruled out for the Thursday night divisional matchup in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers, according to Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Higbee was listed as doubtful coming into Thursday's game after missing practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. His next chance to return on game day will come in Week 6 on the road against the Baltimore Ravens. With Higbee out against San Francisco, the Rams could go with a committee approach at tight end with
Colby Parkinson,
Davis Allen, and rookie
Terrance Ferguson. Fantasy managers who have been streaming TEs this year should probably look elsewhere in Week 5. Higbee hasn't been much of a streamer himself through four weeks, catching only six of 11 targets for 62 yards, with receivers
Puka Nacua and
Davante Adams getting the bulk of all the targets.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
October 2, 2025
After being limited in practice on Wednesday, Houston Texans wide receiver
Nico Collins (knee) was a full participant on Thursday. It means that Collins should be just fine to suit up this weekend in a Week 5 tilt against the Baltimore Ravens. Houston's top wideout got off to a slow start through his first two games, but he's picked up the pace since and has caught 12 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown in Weeks 3 and 4, with the offense picking things up. The offensive line is probably going to be an issue for the Texans' offense all year, but if active, Collins is always a must-start WR1 as the target hog for quarterback
C.J. Stroud. Collins has an excellent chance to go off against a struggling and banged-up Ravens defense this Sunday. Through the first four weeks, the Ravens have allowed the fifth-most half-PPR points to opposing wideouts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Texans
October 2, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles tight end
Dallas Goedert (knee) did not practice on Wednesday, but he was limited in his return to the field on Thursday, according to Zach Berman of The Athletic. Goedert's status is still worth watching heading into Sunday's Week 5 matchup against the visiting Denver Broncos, but his return to practice on Thursday is a good sign that he'll be a go this weekend. The 30-year-old missed Week 2 after injuring his knee in the season opener. He's obviously not completely over the knee injury, but he has played two weeks in a row. Although Goedert hasn't gone over 37 receiving yards in the last two games, he's been a key red-zone weapon for quarterback
Jalen Hurts, scoring three times in the last two weeks. Goedert should play this weekend against Denver, where he'll be a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE1 against a stout Broncos defense.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Zach Berman
October 2, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels (knee) is fully on track to return from a two-game absence due to a knee sprain to play in Week 5 on Sunday on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers, as he practiced in full for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Daniels has been medically cleared from his knee sprain and should be active on Sunday at SoFi Stadium as long as he doesn't suffer a setback on Friday. However, fantasy managers should temper their expectations for the second-year signal-caller in his first game back against a stingy defense. Not only is the matchup a difficult one on the road, but Daniels' scrambling ability could be curtailed. He'll also be without top wideout
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps), and No. 2 WR
Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) has not practiced this week. In DFS, we'd suggest staying away from Daniels.
--Keith HernandezSource: Commanders.com
October 2, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
KaVontae Turpin (foot) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. The same can be said for top wideout
CeeDee Lamb, who looks headed for a second straight absence in Week 5 against the New York Jets after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 3. Turpin could also be held out this Sunday if he's not able to get on the practice field on Friday. Fantasy managers who picked up Turpin off the waiver wire in light of Lamb's ankle injury were disappointed with his production in the first game without Lamb in the Sunday night tie against the Green Bay Packers. It was
Jalen Tolbert, not Turpin, who saw his role grow the most in the passing attack without Lamb. If Turpin misses Week 5, both Tolbert and
Ryan Flournoy will be asked to step up behind
George Pickens.
--Keith HernandezSource: Dallas Morning News - Calvin Watkins
October 2, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
CeeDee Lamb (ankle) remains out of practice on Thursday, according to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. Lamb appears headed for a second straight absence in Week 5 against the New York Jets after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 3. The 26-year-old pass-catcher still has another day to try to get in more work, but in all likelihood, the Cowboys will rule him out on Friday. Fantasy managers need to remain patient and keep him on their benches until further notice. Lamb's next chance to play will be for a Week 6 matchup on the road against the Carolina Panthers.
KaVontae Turpin (foot) has now missed back-to-back practices this week as well, so Dallas could be down to
George Pickens,
Jalen Tolbert and
Ryan Flournoy this weekend if both Lamb and Turpin are unable to play.
--Keith HernandezSource: Dallas Morning News - Calvin Watkins
October 2, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie first-round wide receiver/defensive back
Travis Hunter's snaps on both sides of the ball will likely remain fluid on a week-to-week basis moving forward. When asked about how the team decided on Hunter's usage in the Week 4 win over the San Francisco 49ers, head coach Liam Coen said it was "a decision we all made together.. wanted to give some guys some opportunities, given what we felt their game-plan was gonna be, [and then it] ended up becoming more of a passing game." Coen added that Hunter's snap count in Week 5 on Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs will be determined "as we go." Hunter played 64% of the offensive snaps in the season opener, which has been his highest number through four weeks. He played 56% on Sunday and caught three of five targets for a season-high 42 yards. It's hard to imagine Hunter's snaps on offense drastically increasing anytime soon, making him a boom/bust WR4/flex in fantasy lineups.
--Keith HernandezSource: Mia O'Brien
October 2, 2025
Denver Broncos tight end
Evan Engram (back) is practicing again on Thursday, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Engram missed the Week 3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers due to a back injury, but he returned in the Monday night win over the Cincinnati Bengals, catching four of seven targets for a season-high 29 yards. He was not even listed on the initial Week 5 injury report, so it appears that Engram has put his back ailment in the rearview mirror as the Broncos head into a difficult road matchup this weekend against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. Engram should continue to get more involved in Denver's offense after a slow start in his first three games in blue and orange. However, with quarterback
Bo Nix spreading the ball around through the air, Engram is looking like a low-upside, touchdown-dependent TE2 until further notice.
--Keith HernandezSource: DNVR - Zac Stevens
October 2, 2025
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Marvin Mims Jr. (ankle, hip) is practicing on Thursday for the second straight day this week, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Mims was limited on Wednesday, but it's unclear what his practice participation was on Thursday. Either way, the fact that he's practiced two days this week means that he should be active for a showdown on the road in Week 5 against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. After three quiet weeks to begin the 2025 season, Mims caught all six of his targets for 69 yards in the Monday night win over the Cincinnati Bengals and added a rushing touchdown for his second score of the year. Quarterback
Bo Nix has been spreading the wealth on offense so far in his second season, making it hard to rely on any wideout in Denver every week in fantasy other than WR1
Courtland Sutton. Mims will be a boom/bust WR4/flex against Philly on Sunday if he's active.
--Keith HernandezSource: DNVR - Zac Stevens
October 2, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) did not practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday, but the fact that he's on the team's flight to face the Chargers in Los Angeles on Sunday is a promising sign for his availability in Week 5, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. The Commanders have already ruled out wideouts
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and
Noah Brown (groin, knee), so they definitely can't afford to lose another pass-catcher in a road tilt against a stingy Chargers defense. Samuel's Week 5 status could depend on whether he's able to practice at all on Friday. If he's active, Samuel should be heavily targeted with quarterback
Jayden Daniels (knee) returning from a two-game absence. If Samuel is out or limited on Sunday,
Luke McCaffrey, rookie
Jaylin Lane, and
Chris Moore would be the team's starting receivers.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Washington Post - Nicki Jhabvala
October 2, 2025
There remains no timetable for San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy's (toe) return, according to Albert Breer. Purdy suffered from turf toe in the Week 1 regular-season opener and sat out of Weeks 2 and 3. He returned in the Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but aggravated his toe, and the severity of it is similar to what it was after Week 1. On a short week for a Week 5 divisional tilt against the San Francisco 49ers, Purdy didn't have enough time to get ready. Purdy is considered week-to-week for now and could be in jeopardy of missing another game in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mac Jones, who was adequate in leading San Fran to two wins in Weeks 2 and 3, is back in the starting role on Thursday Night Football against the Rams. He won't be a recommended QB2 streamer, though, with top wideouts
Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs) and
Ricky Pearsall (knee) both out this week.
--Keith HernandezSource: Albert Breer
October 2, 2025
The Washington Commanders have officially ruled out wide receivers
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and
Noah Brown (groin, knee) for the Week 5 game on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. McLaurin was trending in this direction after another missed practice on Thursday. He has not practiced or played since injuring his quad muscle in the Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. While he has improved, McLaurin is no lock to return for a Week 6 tilt on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears. Fantasy managers need to keep McLaurin on their benches for a second straight week.
Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) should be active this weekend despite battling a heel injury this week, and he should remain heavily involved in the offensive game plan.
Luke McCaffrey and rookie
Jaylin Lane will also see expanded roles in the passing attack, and they'll get a boost with quarterback
Jayden Daniels (knee) returning.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
October 2, 2025
Tennessee Titans running back
Tyjae Spears (ankle) was listed as a limited practice participant for the second straight day on Thursday. Spears spent the first four weeks of the season on Injured Reserve due to a high ankle sprain, but the team opened his activation window earlier this week. Spears may not be ready for his team's Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, but he should play a role alongside Titans running back
Tony Pollard in the team's backfield once he returns. Across 12 games in 2024, Spears recorded 536 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on 114 total touches.
--Will BradySource: tennesseetitans.com - Jim Wyatt
October 2, 2025
Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Calvin Ridley (knee, elbow) did not practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Ridley appears to be at risk of missing the team's Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The 30-year-old is off to a slow start to the 2025 season, recording 10 catches for 141 yards on 24 targets. If Ridley is unable to play on Sunday, Titans wideouts
Elic Ayomanor and
Tyler Lockett could see an increased number of targets, while wide receivers
Van Jefferson and
Chimere Dike could see an uptick in snaps. Even if Ridley suits up, he's hard to trust as a fantasy starter given his questionable health status and lack of production so far.
--Will BradySource: tennesseetitans.com - Jim Wyatt
October 2, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Alec Pierce (concussion) practiced in full for the second straight day on Thursday. Pierce missed his team's Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams due to a concussion, but could be trending towards playing in Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Pierce has recorded nine catches for 171 yards across three games on 13 targets. The Colts could be shorthanded at wide receiver in Week 5 with
Michael Pittman Jr. (hamstring) popping up on Thursday's injury report with a hamstring injury. If he's healthy enough to play on Sunday, Pierce is a downfield threat who could see significant playing time in Week 5.
--Will BradySource: Indianapolis Colts
October 2, 2025
Boston Red Sox outfielder
Masataka Yoshida is serving as the designated hitter and will bat cleanup in the deciding Game 3 of the wild-card series on Thursday in the Bronx against the division-rival New York Yankees and right-hander
Cam Schlittler. Yoshida did not start either of the first two games of this series, but he did come off the bench in Game 1 on Tuesday to deliver a big two-RBI hit late in the game in what ended up being a one-run victory. The 32-year-old Japanese native got a late start to the year in 2025 while recovering from an injury and was limited to a career-low 55 games. In those 55 games in the regular season, he hit .266 (50-for-188) with four home runs and 26 RBI for the BoSox. Masataka has never been a big power bat in his three years in the majors in the States, but he has hit .295 in his career against righties with 24 of his 29 home runs against them.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
October 2, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Michael Pittman Jr. (hamstring) was added to the team's Thursday injury report and listed as a limited practice participant, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. A mid-week addition to the injury report is never a good sign, as it could indicate that Pittman Jr. suffered the injury during practice. Pittman Jr. is off to an excellent start to the season with 21 catches for 234 yards and three touchdowns on 29 targets through four games. If he is unable to play in Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Colts wide receivers
Josh Downs and
Adonai Mitchell would both be in line for more targets. Indianapolis wideout
Alec Pierce (concussion) missed Week 4 with a concussion, but he's logged two full practices so far this week and would factor in as well if he can suit up in Week 5.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
October 2, 2025
ESPN's Adam Schefter said on the Thursday edition of his podcast that he thinks Arizona Cardinals running back
Michael Carter will be "thrust to prominence" following injuries to fellow Cardinals backs
James Conner (ankle) and
Trey Benson (knee). Carter has been active for just one of Arizona's games so far in 2025 and opened the season behind Conner, Benson, and
Emari Demercado on the team's running back depth chart. However, Schefter reports that Demercado is expected to remain Arizona's third-down back, creating an opportunity for Carter to step in as the team's primary rusher. Carter has recorded 2,131 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns on 439 touches across 49 career NFL games (22 starts). Heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Carter profiles as a high-end fantasy RB3/flex option.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
October 2, 2025
In a winner-take-all Game 3 of the wild-card series on Thursday against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees first baseman
Paul Goldschmidt will take a seat despite a left-hander being on the mound.
Ben Rice is starting at first base and will bat fifth against Red Sox rookie left-hander
Connelly Early. The Yankees are also starting left-handed-hitting infielder
Jazz Chisholm Jr. after he started on the bench in Game 1 of the series against a lefty. Goldy typically starts against lefties, but with everything on the line to advance to the American League Division Series to face the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays, manager Aaron Boone is changing it up. Goldy got off to a good start in the Bronx before quickly showing his age. Rice has been the more consistent bat for the Yanks for most of the year. In the Game 2 win on Wednesday, Rice went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
October 2, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Emari Demercado will "be what he's always been, a third-down back," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Cardinals have plenty of available playing time in their backfield after losing
James Conner (ankle) for the season and
Trey Benson (knee) for four to six weeks due to a meniscus injury. However, Schefter reports that it could be Cardinals running back
Michael Carter, not Demercado, who sees the most backfield touches. Demercado has recorded 21 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on six total touches so far in 2025. The 26-year-old has appeared in 31 career games for the Cardinals but has not logged more than four carries in a game since October 2023. Heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Demercado looks like a low-end flex option in deep leagues at best.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
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