The Akron Beacon Journal’s Chris Easterling said Watson “threw a couple of halfhearted passes before stopping and talking to the trainer during the open portion of practice.” Watson has dealt with shoulder soreness this week and did not do any throwing at Wednesday’s practice. The Browns are being cautious with their franchise quarterback ahead of an AFC North battle with the Ravens on Sunday. Struggling mightily in the season’s first two games, Watson broke out in Week 3 for 289 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Titans. He’s a top-15 fantasy option against Baltimore.

Smith’s return to practice after missing Thursday’s session suggests he’ll be a full go for Week 4 against the Commanders. Through three games, Smith is a distant second to A.J. Brown in target share and air yards share. His spotty production has been smoothed over by two long touchdowns. Smith is a decent WR2 option against Washington.

Whether Taylor returns to the Colts or another team is yet to be determined. Placed on the PUP list before Week 1, Taylor reportedly looks good while ramping up for a return to game action. “He looks great. And I can’t wait to actually physically get a chance to work with him, see him move around, see that speed and feel that speed,” Colts running backs coach DeAndre Smith said. The Colts have given Taylor permission to seek a trade, though no suitor were willing to part with players and draft picks in exchange for the 24-year-old back. Taylor has remained at odds with the Colts; he hasn’t attended any of their first three games. Once he’s activated from the PUP list, the Colts will have 21 days to bump Taylor onto the 53-player roster, meaning Taylor could still be 2-3 weeks away from making his season debut. In the meantime, Zack Moss has become an every-week fantasy starter, filling in admirably for Taylor. Taylor drafters can hold out hope they get some production from him in 2023.

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.