RADIO
Jaylen Wright Upgrades to Full Practice on Thursday
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (foot) was listed as a full participant in Thursday's practice as the team prepares to face the Minnesota Vikings. Wright missed Week 3's 24-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs due to a foot injury and a stinger he suffered the previous week. With Wright trending in the right direction for Week 4, he should see a significant increase in usage, especially with star running back De'Von Achane (knee) out for the season with a torn ACL. While second-year back Ollie Gordon II was the clear workhorse last week, the team listed Wright as the starter on their depth chart. If Wright can suit up in Week 4, the tough matchup against the Vikings makes both backs risky fantasy options.
Source: David Furones
Source: David Furones
Joonas Korpisalo Out Week-to-Week With Lower-Body Injury
New York Rangers goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (lower-body) will be on the shelf to start the season. He was placed on Injured Reserve Thursday and is considered week-to-week. It's unclear when Korpisalo was hurt. The Finnish veteran dressed as Igor Shesterkin's backup on Tuesday as the Rangers opened the season with a 3-0 loss to the Boston Bruins. With the Rangers starting a back-to-back set on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Korpisalo was expected to make his Rangers debut. Instead, Dylan Garand has been called up from the minors and could face the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, with Shesterkin confirmed as the starter for Thursday's matchup.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Dylan Larkin Ruled Out for Two Games
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (upper body) will miss the first two games of the season, Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com reports. The former Red Wings captain has failed to shake off an upper-body injury. Detroit faces the New York Rangers on Friday, then takes on the Winnipeg Jets in a Sunday matinee. In Larkin's absence, Andrew Copp has worked as the first-line center in practice. He is also poised for increased power-play usage until Larkin returns. Copp had one of the best seasons of his career offensively in 2025-26 and is now in a great position to keep the momentum.
Source: Nicholas J. Cotsonika
Source: Nicholas J. Cotsonika
Devon Levi Starting Thursday Night
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Devon Levi has been named the starter for Thursday's rematch against the Vancouver Canucks. Edmonton also faced Vancouver in its season opener a couple of nights ago, with Tristan Jarry between the sticks. The former Penguin had a horrible outing, giving up six goals on 23 SOG in a 6-5 overtime loss. Jarry's early struggles gave Levi a chance to earn a bigger role. He already benefits from the absence of Frederik Andersen (knee), who isn't expected to be available until December. Levi has been a highly rated goaltender, but his 2025-26 campaign with the Buffalo Sabres wasn't good, as he finished with a 2-7-0 record, a 4.12 goals-against average, and a .872 save percentage.
Source: TSN
Source: TSN
Damon Severson Considered Week-to-Week
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (shoulder) is week-to-week. He's already been ruled out for the first two games of the season, but Severson could miss even more time as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery. Ivan Provorov (lower body) and Dante Fabbro (upper body) are also week-to-week, so Columbus will miss half of its regular defense in Thursday's season openers against Buffalo. Denton Mateychuk, Carson Soucy, and Emil Andrae all have added fantasy value due to the injuries.
Source: TSN
Source: TSN
Ivan Provorov Added to Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (lower body) will miss the start of the season after being placed on Injured Reserve. Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness labeled Provorov week-to-week before Thursday's season opener against the Buffalo Sabres. Thursday's matchup will mark the first time in his career that Provorov has missed a game due to injury. He has sat out only three games due to COVID protocol in 2022, making 375 consecutive regular-season appearances. Columbus is also dealing with several other absentees on defense, meaning Denton Mateychuk will join Zach Werenski on the first defensive pairing. At the same time, recently joined Carson Soucy and Emil Andrae will play a vital role as the second defensive pairing.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Mattias Samuelsson Will Play Thursday
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (lower body) will suit up for Thursday's season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He sustained a lower-body injury in a preseason game on Sept. 22 and was initially expected to sit out a pair of games at the start of the regular season. Samuelsson adds a lot to the Sabres' lineup, recording a career-high 41 points (13 goals, 28 assists), 109 SOG, 154 blocks, and 132 hits in 78 games last season. He will skate with his usual partner, Rasmus Dahlin, on the first defensive pairing.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Zach Hyman to Miss Two Weeks
Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman (upper body) will miss approximately two weeks, according to head coach Mike Babcock. The veteran forward reportedly sustained an upper-body injury in Edmonton's preseason finale against Calgary. He logged 20:33 of action in Tuesday's regular-season opener against Vancouver but is now set to miss several games. The Oilers are already badly banged up early in the season, so Max Jones and Colton Dach will join the top six in Thursday's rematch with the Canucks. The available forwards can also expect extra time on the power play.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Chris Godwin Jr. Upgraded to Full Practice Participation on Thursday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (ankle) was a full participant in his team's practice on Thursday. The veteran wideout did not participate in practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury, but it appears he's trending in the right direction ahead of Tampa Bay's Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Godwin Jr. has gotten off to a quiet start to the 2026 season, recording 10 catches for 111 yards on 11 targets across three games. Things may not get any easier for Godwin Jr. in Week 4, as Tampa Bay will start rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels in place of the injured Baker Mayfield (thumb). While it's a positive sign for fantasy managers that Godwin Jr. appears to have avoided a serious injury, he profiles as a deep-league flex option for fantasy managers at best, given the quarterback uncertainty in Tampa Bay.
Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Zay Flowers Practices in Full on Thursday
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) was upgraded to full practice participation on Thursday. The 26-year-old has been battling a hamstring injury since Week 1, but he was able to play through it in Week 3 and appears to be getting closer to full health ahead of Baltimore's Week 4 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Flowers' snap share has been limited by the hamstring issue so far, as he's yet to play more than 33% of the Ravens' offensive snaps in a game this season. Still, the 26-year-old has been remarkably productive in his limited opportunities, recording 10 catches for 234 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets across two games. As he moves further away from the injury, Flowers profiles as a must-start WR1 option for fantasy managers in Week 4.
Source: Baltimore Ravens
Source: Baltimore Ravens
Travis Etienne Jr. Being Placed on Injured Reserve with Hamstring Injury
The New Orleans Saints are placing running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. Etienne Jr. will now miss the Saints' next four games at least, leaving him ineligible to return before Week 9. The 27-year-old had gotten off to a slow start to his first season in New Orleans, recording 30 carries for 128 yards and 11 catches for 51 yards on 13 targets across the first three weeks of 2026. With Etienne Jr. sidelined, the Saints will likely split backfield work between Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, and CJ Donaldson. Kamara is obviously the most established back between the three, but he's 31 years old and has averaged 2.8 yards per carry so far this year. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Miller could be a worthy waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
Ladd McConkey Absent from Chargers Practice on Thursday
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (foot) was not seen during his team's practice on Thursday, according to ESPN's Kris Rhim. McConkey was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday due to a foot injury, and he could be trending in the wrong direction ahead of his team's Week 4 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Across three games so far in 2026, McConkey has recorded 12 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets. Health is now a major concern for the 24-year-old, as he was already playing through a rib injury that he sustained in Week 1. If McConkey is unable to play against Seattle, Chargers wide receivers Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris would likely be in line for an increase in target volume in Week 4.
Source: ESPN - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN - Kris Rhim
Brandin Cooks Signed to 49ers Active Roster
The San Francisco 49ers have signed veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks from their practice squad to their active roster, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN. The 49ers wide receiver room has been ravaged by injuries so far this year, with Ricky Pearsall (knee) out for the season and De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) both currently on Injured Reserve. The injuries don't stop there, as WR1 Mike Evans (rib) and depth piece KhaDarel Hodge (knee) are both questionable for the team's Week 4 matchup against the Denver Broncos. If Evans and/or Hodge are unable to play against Denver, Cooks would join wideouts Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowings as the top complementary options to Deebo Samuel Sr. The 33-year-old Cooks recorded 24 catches for 279 yards on 36 targets across 15 games split between the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills in 2025. In deeper fantasy leagues, he could be worth a speculative add given the injury situation in San Francisco.
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
DeVonta Smith's Status for Week 4 in Doubt
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) is "legitimately questionable" to play in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Smith was listed on the Eagles injury report ahead of the team's Week 3 contest against the Chicago Bears but was able to play. However, the 27-year-old has yet to practice this week, and Garafolo reports that his status for Week 4 is "murky." Across three games so far in 2026, Smith has recorded 19 catches for 235 yards and a touchdown on 27 targets. The Eagles are already likely to be without tight end Dallas Goedert (knee), so losing Smith would leave them missing their top two pass-catchers against the Rams. If Smith is inactive, Eagles wideouts Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon could both be candidates for increased usage in Week 4.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
D'Andre Swift Misses Practice on Thursday with Knee Injury
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (knee) did not participate in his team's practice on Thursday due to a knee injury. The 27-year-old was not listed on Wednesday's injury report, so it appears the knee issue is a new development. Swift has gotten off to a strong start to the 2026 season, recording 321 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 62 touches across three games. While the severity of his knee injury is not yet known, the veteran back could be in danger of missing Chicago's Week 4 contest against the New York Jets. If Swift is inactive this week, Bears running back Kyle Monangai would likely handle the majority of the team's backfield duties and would profile as a must-start running back for fantasy managers against the Jets.
Source: Chicago Bears
Source: Chicago Bears
