NFL Player News

Frank Reich was recently fired as head coach of the Panthers, who are 1-10 after drafting QB Bryce Young first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson received head coaching interest from the Panthers last off-season, but had declined an interview and chose to stay in Detroit. Reich, who was hired by the Panthers instead, is now out after 11 games and the 37-year-old Johnson is expected to receive interest for the Panthers’ head coaching vacancy again.

Horton was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma in November of 2023 and was forced to step away from football to battle the illness. Now 11 months removed from the diagnosis and in remission, Horton will return to the field for the first time in almost a year in Week 5 against the Bills.

Edwards-Helaire was limited in practice all week with an illness but ultimately drew the doubtful tag. Considering only two players played after being listed as doubtful in 2023, it’s safe to consider Edwards-Helaire a long shot to face the Saints. Kareem Hunt led the Kansas city backfield in snaps and opportunities in their Week 4 win, with Edwards-Helaire’s expected absence paving the way for him to do so again in Week 5.

Hardman exhibited solid progression in practice this week, going from a ‘DNP’ on Thursday, to a limited participant Friday, to a full practice Saturday. That should theoretically give him a solid chance of suiting up against the Saints on Monday Night Football, with final word to come 90-minutes prior to the team’s kickoff.

Hill reportedly suffered fractured ribs in the team’s Week 4 loss to the Falcons, an injury that will keep him sidelined when the team takes on the Chiefs on Monday Night Football. There has yet to be an indication as to the expected recovery timeframe for the veteran do-it-all “tight end,” but we are now certain he won’t suit up in Week 5.

Speaking Saturday, Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst said “Unfortunately, we had to make the difficult decision to suspend Romeo for this week’s game. His decisions and actions during the week negatively impacted the team and required us to take this action.” Doubs, unhappy with his current role in the offense, skipped practice on Wednesday and Thursday and was sent to the suspended list for “conduct detrimental to the team.” There is no telling how this situation will ultimately pan out, but a key player intentionally missing practice during the season does not bode well for Doubs’ chances of increasing his involvement in the offense moving forward.

Engram has been on the shelf since Week 1 after suffering a hamstring injury in pre-game warmups ahead of the team’s Week 2 contest and is reportedly unlikely to play against the Colts despite getting in a week of limited practice sessions. Expect Brian Thomas Jr. to be featured heavily against the Cover-3-heavy Indianapolis defense considering Christian Kirk’s recent struggles against the primary coverage shell.

McBride cleared concussion protocol earlier in the week only to be downgraded with a ribs injury. It is uncertain when the injury occurred, but late-week injury additions are never a good sign for a player’s chances of suiting up. The Cardinals struggled to get much of anything going on offense against the Commanders in Week 4 with McBride on the shelf, a situation that could repeat itself against a much more imposing opponent. His game-day status will be updated 90-minutes prior to the team’s kickoff, which occurs in the late portion of the Week 5 games. Fantasy managers may want to make other plans at tight end considering the timing of the game.

This was thought to be the likeliest outcome after Richardson did very little in practice all week, with previous reports indicating that Joe Flacco took most of the first-team work. Flacco is now expected to lead a Colts team also without lead running back Jonathan Taylor against a divisional opponent that functions as a pass-funnel defense.

Cooks will now miss the next four game after developing an infection in his knee following a preseason knee scope surgery. The Cowboys will be forced to lean on Jalen Tolbert in a secondary role, but Cooks’ absence is most likely to benefit tight end Jake Ferguson in the immediate future.

Bourne started the season on the physically unable to perform list after a torn ACL suffered early in 2023. He will make his season debut against the Dolphins in Week 5, although the current state of the New England quarterback room has left all pass-catchers with little fantasy upside for the time being.