Chargers WR Tyrell Williams (shoulder) is questionable for this weekend’s game against the Bucs. He put in a limited practice on Friday after sitting out the previous 2 days. "I feel good so far,” Williams said after Friday’s workout. “I should be 100 percent by Sunday.” It sounds like Williams will play this weekend, but the shoulder certainly adds risk to his fantasy outlook.
Bills RB LeSean McCoy (thumb) practiced for the 2nd straight day on Thursday. RB Mike Gillislee, meanwhile, sat out after tweaking his hamstring on Wednesday. At this point, it looks like McCoy has the better chance of playing against the Jaguars this weekend. We'll have another update on both guys tomorrow.
The forecast for today's Steelers-Browns game calls for a 30% chance of snow with winds of 27-29 mph and gusts up to 40. That wind is a significant concern. We'd avoid both kickers and downgrade the passing games, especially the guys who rely on downfield stuff. Bang it here for updated projections for the Steelers and Browns.
Eagles DT Bennie Logan (groin) and CB Leodis McKelvin (hamstring) are active for today's game against the Falcons. Neither is a strong IDP option, but their presence helps the defense -- which still isn't a strong fantasy option against Atlanta.
Titans RB DeMarco Murray (toe) is not listed on the team’s final injury report. He practiced all week, including full workouts on Thursday and Friday. We might see a bit more Derrick Henry this weekend, but Murray remains a good bet for 20+ total touches.
Redskins TE Jordan Reed has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Eagles. He never had much of a shot to play after experiencing concussion symptoms on Tuesday. It's Reed's 4th concussion as a pro, so he might be looking at an extended absence. We'll see exactly how Washington divvies TE duties between Vernon Davis and Niles Paul, but neither is a reliable Week 6 fantasy play.
Bengals RB Jeremy Hill (chest) is not listed on the final Week 6 injury report. He practiced all week, including full workouts on Thursday and Friday. The chest issue isn’t a major concern. But a matchup with a tough Patriots run defense and a Pats offense that figures to have the Bengals playing from behind are certainly concerns. Hill is a TD-dependent RB3.
Cardinals QB Carson Palmer (concussion) has received full clearance. Barring a setback, he'll be back under center for Monday night's game against the Jets. Only 3 teams have allowed more fantasy points to QBs than the Jets.
Giants RB Rashad Jennings (thumb) is not expected to play against the Packers on Sunday night, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. That'll again leave the backfield to Orleans Darkwa, Bobby Rainey and Paul Perkins. Darkwa served as the lead ball-carrier last week, finishing with 48 yards and a score against a tough Vikings run defense. Rainey handled most of the passing-down work, hauling in 7 of 9 targets for 43 yards -- although most of those came in garbage time. Raanan expects Perkins' role to "increase slightly," but his pass-blocking deficiencies will continue to limit his playing time. This is a situation to try to avoid against Green Bay's top-ranked run defense. If you're forced to dabble, Darkwa is your best non-PPR bet; Rainey the best PPR play.
Chargers TE Antonio Gates (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday’s game after a limited week of practices. We might not find out his official status until 3 pm ET. We’d keep Gates on fantasy benches this week regardless. He might be limited in his 1st game back and will likely lose targets to impressive rookie TE Hunter Henry.
The Cardinals have ruled out QB Carson Palmer (concussion) for Thursday night's game against the 49ers. No surprise there. Palmer will work toward getting cleared for Week 6's game against the Jets. QB Drew Stanton starts against the 'Niners and is a significant downgrade -- even to a struggling Palmer. Stanton completed just 4 of 11 passes with 2 INTs last week and completed just 55% of his passes in his last extended action back in 2014.
ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms that Cowboys WR Dez Bryant (knee) is not expected to play against the 49ers on Sunday. He's likely looking at a multi-week absence. We've removed Bryant from the Week 4 Rankings, lowered QB Dak Prescott and given bumps up to Cole Beasley, Terrance Williams and Jason Witten.
Steelers ILB Lawrence Timmons had to go to the hospital after suffering a left shin injury in Sunday's loss at Philadelphia. He was back with the team after the game, though, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports he had a stent on the injured shin. That indicates some sort of bloodflow issue. Timmons reportedly indicated he'd be fine, however. We'll keep an eye on his status heading into Week 4 (and beyond) for IDP lineups. Vince Williams filled in after Timmons left.
Browns WR Corey Coleman broke his hand during Wednesday's practice. "The injury is being further evaluated in order to determine when he will return to play," the team said in a statement. Coleman will visit a specialist on Thursday to determine treatment and a timetable for return, per insider Nate Ulrich, but expect him to miss at least 4 weeks. His effectiveness beyond this will be in question considering a hand is pretty important to a WR. Whenever Coleman returns, he'll be vying for targets with WR Josh Gordon. And who knows who Cleveland's QB will be at that point. The rookie isn't a must-hold in leagues of 12 or fewer teams.
Vikings insider Matt Vensel expects a 65-35 carry split in favor of Jerick McKinnon over Matt Asiata for as long as Adrian Peterson is out. "Asiata as the goal-line guy," Vensel adds. McKinnon figures to handle most of the passing-down work. Over their final 7 games together with Peterson out back in 2014, McKinnon out-carried Asiata 93 to 58 and out-targeted him 30-20. A similar split this year would make McKinnon a RB2 with upside and Asiata a TD dependent RB3 or flex.
Browns QB Robert Griffin has a "potentially serious" shoulder injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. RG3 downplayed the issue after the game, but it sounds like there's a chance he misses time. He's undergoing additional testing today, so we should get another update soon. QB Josh McCown would step in if Griffin is sidelined and might be an upgrade for the offense.
NFL Network reports that the Broncos have released QB Mark Sanchez and that the Cowboys are already expected to sign him. Sanchez lost the Denver starting competition to Trevor Siemian after arriving from Philly via trade. In Dallas he'd back up QB Dak Prescott while Tony Romo's out with his back injury. Romo's return might leave Sanchez looking for work again in a couple of months.
The Lions have released RB Stevan Ridley. He mustered just 3.0 yards per carry on 9 preseason totes. Ridley's departure locks in Zach Zenner as Detroit's #3 RB -- and potential goal-line back. He's worth a look late in drafts, especially in non-PPR or TD-heavy formats. Rookie RB Dwayne Washington has had a strong preseason and now looks like a better bet to make the team.
The Titans on Tuesday morning traded WR Dorial Green-Beckham to the Eagles for swing O-lineman Dennis Kelly. This is the biggest statement to date against DGB's work ethic, which has been questioned and called out by Tennessee all offseason. If he finally gets his stuff together, though, he'll find a wide-open WR situation in Philly. The Eagles obviously remain unhappy with Nelson Agholor's development and couldn't have been impressed with Rueben Randle's preseason debut against the Bucs. Jordan Matthews, meanwhile, remains out with a knee bruise. Green-Beckham remains a hold in dynasty leagues, but you shouldn't be any more excited about his 2016 outlook today than you were yesterday. Rishard Matthews and Tajae Sharpe, meanwhile, gain safety as late-round fantasy football draft picks without the spectre of DGB's talent looming.
Cowboys RB Darren McFadden is "on schedule" to be ready for Week 1, according to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole. A scan of the elbow he broke in June came back "good." The missed training camp and preseason time still gives Alfred Morris a shot to win the #2 RB job behind Ezekiel Elliott, though. Both Morris and McFadden are only worth considering in deep fantasy leagues.
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