NFL Player News

Baker was a late addition to the Cardinals Week 2 injury report and wound up missing Sunday’s matchup against the Giants. Now on injured reserve, the Cardinals will be without their best defensive player for the next four weeks, as Baker won’t be eligible to return until Week 7 when the team takes on the Seahawks.

Njoku apparently suffered some sort of burn to his face and arm during an incident at his home Friday evening and has been added to the team’s injury report as questionable to play. There aren’t any prior cases like this to judge his potential availability but fantasy managers will want to begin exploring other options if they were relying on Njoku in Week 4.

Jones will miss his third straight game, leaving the Patriots secondary a little thin. LG Cole Strange (knee) was also downgraded to out for Week 4. Strange is a starter on the offensive line and the Patriots will need to fill that hole against the Cowboys in Week 4.

Hamler is working his way back after being waived with a non-football illness designation by the Broncos prior to the season. The Colts hosted him for a visit earlier in September and now Hamler signs with their practice squad.

Barkley missed the Giants’ Week 3 game against the 49ers with an ankle injury and was able to return to practice this week. If he can’t play Monday, Matt Breida will be the lead back. With LT Andrew Thomas already ruled out, the Giants offensive line will likely struggle again, making life harder for either Breida or a hobbled Barkley. It is tricky waiting on Barkley’s status until Monday, but if he is active, he is a risky RB2 with a less-than-100% ankle for Week 4 against the Seahawks.

Thomas continues to be out for the Giants with hamstring injury. He was hopeful to play Monday night against the Seahawks, but will miss another week. The Giants offensive line has been a disappointment thus far and needs Thomas back sooner rather than later.

Carr wants to play despite a hurt shoulder that may hold him back for Week 4. He was believed to have suffered an AC sprain in Week 3’s loss to the Packers, but practiced Friday. If Carr can’t go, Jameis Winston will step up as the starter. Whichever Saints quarterback starts will have back-end QB2 value this week. Carr has a 50-50 shot of playing and it seems like it will come down to a Sunday gametime decision for Week 4 against the Buccaneers.

Hill missed Week 3 due to a turf toe injury, but returned to practice this week. Melvin Gordon is also likely to get another call-up from the Ravens practice squad. Gus Edwards is the most trustworthy Ravens back and Hill has RB3-value, but the Baltimore backfield is a messy for fantasy.

Signed to the Ravens practice squad earlier this week, Van Noy is now signed to the team’s active roster. He will provide relief to the banged-up Ravens defense. The 32-year-old played for the Chargers last season, recording five sacks. With linebackers Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo nursing injuries, the Ravens will utilize Van Noy’s services in Week 4 against the Browns.

Smith was active as an emergency option in Week 3 against the Cardinals. Fellow offensive lineman Tyler Biadasz and Zack Martin got in limited practices, boding well for their chances to play this week. Smith, however, missed practice this week and the Cowboys now rule him out for Week 4 against the Patriots.

Jackson was a healthy scratch in Week 3 against the Vikings. Reports were that a judge had issued an arrest warrant for him after being put on probation for negligent operation of a motor vehicle. His legal situation has presumably been handled and head coach Brandon Staley believes Jackson will be active Week 4 against the Raiders.