NFL Player News

Gardner-Johnson had been a mainstay on the back end for the Lions over the first two weeks but is now likely to miss the remainder of the season. The injury big has hit hard and often for the Lions to start the season, with running back David Montgomery, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Gardner-Johnson all leaving Sunday’s overtime loss to the Seahawks.

Speaking with media, Carr said of his injury, “I do anything and everything I can with my rehab, everything with the trainers, I’m going to do everything I can to be out there with my guys and if I can play, I’ll play.” Carr’s injury is to his throwing shoulder, so until he can function enough to make all of the throws, we’d expect him to be sidelined in favor of Jameis Winston. Carr is considered week-to-week with his injury, and could be sidelined beyond Week 4’s matchup against the Bucccaneers.

This should serve as an immediate red flag to fantasy managers who were hoping to roll out Watson in his first game back. The Packers boast the eighth-highest scoring offense in the league through three weeks, and have gotten by just fine without Watson. While his return will bolster the passing game, the 2-1 Packers probably don’t feel much urgency to rush Watson back to action after he spent nearly three full weeks recovering from a hamstring injury. Unless you’re desperate for a spark, Watson may be best left on fantasy benches in Week 4.

Decker’s two-game absence is expected to come to an end on Thursday night when the Lions take on the Packers. The veteran OT has been sidelined since Week 1 after going down in the season-opener against the Chiefs, but will provide a much-needed boost against a stout Packers defense.

After previously reporting Montgomery would miss Thursday night’s contest, Pelissero took to social media to correct his report, saying Montgomery is expected to play vs. the Packers. Montgomery’s return will likely relegate Jahmyr Gibbs back to more of a backup role in Week 4, after Montgomery had 38 opportunities to Gibbs’ 25 through the first two weeks. Montgomery will have RB2 upside against the Pack on Thursday night, while Gibbs could be more of a boom/bust RB3.

The Texans could be without their top two left tackles in Week 4, as Tunsil and Josh Jones (hand) are both unlikely to play against the Steelers. EDGE T.J. Watt could feast against a depleted offensive line, which could make CJ Stroud difficult to trust against an already stout defense.

Decker hasn’t played since going down in Week 1 against the Chiefs, and is trending toward missing his third-straight game. Decker was a limited participant in every practice throughout the week, but it sounds like he’ll be sidelined with fellow linemen Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Matt Nelson. With so many injuries to the line, the Lions could have their hands full on the road against the Pack.

Watson’s first action of 2023 will come in prime time when the Packers play host to the Lions on Thursday night. The second-year receiver steps into an offense that’s averaging 26.7 points per game, with Jordan Love throwing for 655 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception through the first three weeks. Watson will be best trusted as a WR2 in his season debut, as Love has shown a knack to spread the ball around early on.

Fire up Jahmyr Gibbs for another week, as the rookie would be in line to receive the bulk of the touches if Montgomery is sidelined. Gibbs handled 58 percent of the backfield touches in the Lions’ Week 3 win over the Falcons and finished the day with 82 yards from scrimmage. Montgomery was listed as a limited participant in practice throughout the week, and could be in line for Week 5’s matchup against the Panthers.

Jones nearly gave it a go in Week 3 against the Saints but was ultimately held out for an additional week. The return of the Packers’ No. 1 back will be a welcomed one, as the team’s ground game has struggled during his two-week absence. Jones is nearly three full weeks removed from his injury, and should have some high-end RB2 upside against a Lions defense that’s allowing 18 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.

Watson has been out with a hamstring injury he suffered prior to Week 1. In his absence, Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs have been the Packers’ leading receivers. Watson’s return will add a more vertical aspect to the offense. He will be a back-end WR2 for his expected season debut in Thursday’s Week 4 matchup against the Lions.