The Jamaal Williams role travels. Returning from a Week 3 absence with a deep thigh bruise, Montgomery ended up matching his career high for carries, originally set back in Week 15, 2020 for the Bears. Montgomery was a bulldozer all night long but most acutely near the goal line, where he continues to monopolize work over ballyhooed rookie Jahmyr Gibbs. D-Mont has now scored in all three of his Lions appearances, with five total touchdowns to his name as the calendar flips to October. Montgomery is averaging just 3.8 yards per carry, but efficiency was never the thesis of coach Dan Campbell’s play. He wants thunder and he’s getting it. Fantasy managers simply need to get on board. There should be plenty of drives to finish in Week 5 against the rebuilding Panthers.

At long last, Watson will make his 2023 debut. It’s highly unclear how healthy Watson actually is, but he’s a player the Packers have seemed to sit unless he’s 100 percent or something close to it. Although there is obvious re-injury risk and volatility, Watson is a perfectly fine upside option in the low-end WR3 ranks.

Jones is suiting up for the first time since Week 1. Jones practiced last week before sitting out, so he should probably be close to 100 percent, or at least as close as a player with a mid-season hamstring issue can get. He belongs on the RB1/2 borderline as an obvious focal point for a Packers offense that has been getting lucky with its passing attack through three weeks. AJ Dillon is a barely-there RB3. Inactive for the Packers are CB Jaire Alexander, WR Malik Heath, S Anthony Johnson, S Zayne Anderson, LB Brenton Cox, LB LB De’Vondre Campbell and G/T Elgton Jenkins.

All the “limited” tag means is that Brown suffered the injury mid-session. It’s possible, if not probable, he got in zero reps afterward. It is certainly something to watch ahead of Friday’s session. Even another “limited” day would keep Brown on track to face the 49ers. If he’s DNP, he should be considered on the wrong side of questionable.

Garoppolo still officially remains in the concussion protocol, but this is a huge step in the right direction. He now has a realistic shot of suiting up against the Chargers’ awful defense. That would be much needed for Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, who would be in danger of withering with Brian Hoyer under center. Friday’s practice will be critical, but Garoppolo has until Saturday to get cleared.

Aiyuk not only practiced on Thursday, but shed his blue non-contact jersey according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. With Deebo Samuel (ribs) sidelined to start the week, Aiyuk returning to action is all the more important for the 49ers. Aiyuk appears to be trending in the right direction heading into Week 4’s matchup against the Cardinals. If Samuel is unable to go, Aiyuk would have high-end WR2 upside.

Samuel was ruled day-to-day by head coach Kyle Shanahan after the 49ers Week 3 win over the Giants, but Samuel has yet to participate in either of the team’s first two practices to open this week. If he’s unable to log a limited session on Friday, Samuel will be considered questionable at best heading into the weekend. We’ll check back in on Friday to see how the team lists him heading into Week 4. The team also listed Jauan Jennings as limited with a shoulder injury.

Smith wasn’t on Wednesday’s injury report, indicating this is something that arose over the last 24 hours. The Eagles play their Week 4 matchup on Sunday against the Commanders, giving him nearly three days to get right ahead of game day. Assuming he’s healthy, Smith will be on track for high-end WR2 week against the Commanders.

Bakhtiari will miss at least the next four games, but the veteran left tackle could be sidelined for much longer. Bakhtiari continues to be plagued by a leg injury suffered in 2020, and has appeared in just 13 games since 2021. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, it’s “unclear when or if Bakhtiari will return this season.”

Assuming he’s cleared by an independent neurologist ahead of Sunday’s Week 4 matchup against the Rams, Richardson will be ready to return after his one game absence. The dynamic rookie has logged two-straight practices to open the week, and simply needs to be cleared by said independent neurologist to clear protocol. We’ll wait for the official word on his Week 4 status, but things are looking good for the young signal-caller.