NFL Player News

Graff notes that this may be dependent on whether or not Kendrick Bourne (knee) needs more time to recover from his torn ACL. However, he also says Polk was “a steady, reliable target in minicamp” as the rookie worked in more with the first-team offense. The Patriots drafted Polk with the No. 37 overall pick in this year’s draft. The former Washington Husky totaled 69 receptions for 1,159 and nine touchdowns in his final college season, and while it sounds like his impact in 2024 is somewhat contingent on when Bourne returns, it’s worth noting that the Patriots have one of the worst receiver rooms in the league. It’s possible Polk will show enough in camp to earn a significant role regardless of Bourne’s availability, which could set the stage for a strong rookie season. With that said, expectations should be tempered, as the Patriots have a long way to go before becoming a high-end offense for fantasy purposes.

Kamara is rarely absent from the injury report. We have yet to see any reason to believe he will miss Sunday’s contest against the Bucs. Both Kamara’s floor and ceiling take a huge hit with Derek Carr giving way to rookie Spencer Rattler, but he is still going to see low-end RB1 usage.

The third-round rookie has missed back-to-back contests. With Trey Palmer battling a concussion, McMillan’s status has taken on increased importance. It is still going to be awfully difficult for McMillan to develop consistent WR4 value behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rachaad White and Cade Otton. We will probably know his Week 6 status by Friday, as this isn’t the kind of situation a team will take down to a game-time decision.

Uh oh. Mid-week downgrades are rarely good news, and we didn’t see anything to convince us to the contrary Thursday. This puts White at more doubtful than questionable to face the Saints, especially since Tampa will probably reckon they don’t need him to beat a team starting a rookie quarterback. Friday will tell the tale, but fantasy managers should be planning on alternatives this weekend. Bucky Irving would be a high-end RB2 in White’s absence.

It’s an “every little bit” counts for a banged-up Seahawks defense vs. an elite but struggling 49ers offense. Inactive for the ‘Hawks are CB Riq Woolen, LB Trevis Gipson, C Olu Oluwatiki, OG Sataoa Laumea, DT Byron Murphy II, WR Dareke Young and EDGE Myles Adams.

Ward’s short-week absence leaves the 49ers severely short-handed in the secondary, and turns into a big green light for underdog DK Metcalf and company. Ward seems merely day to day, but the quick turnaround was too much to overcome. We like his chances of being back for Week 7. Joining Ward on the shelf are TE Brayden Willis, LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, DL Jordan Elliott, K Jake Moody, OL Ben Bartch and QB Josh Dobbs.

It means Estime will be coming off injured reserve. What it does not necessarily mean is that he will be active Sunday, though we would expect so. The next question then becomes if he can muscle in on Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin’s workloads after Tyler Baide had begun to do before injuring his back. Williams and McLaughlin’s recent play and efficiency have improved, perhaps making it more difficult for fifth-round rookie Estime to get on the field. He’s only worth a flier in the most desperate of deeper-league RB situations.

This is the same ankle Herbert played through in Week 4. With the Chargers coming off a Week 5 bye, Herbert has had plenty of time to rest his ankle and should be good to go, barring any setbacks. He’ll need to be at the top of his game against a Broncos defense that has been among the league’s best this season. Herbert shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a QB2 in fantasy this week.

Meyers is the kind of veteran who could get back on track to play with even a “limited” Friday session, but he is now firmly on the wrong side of questionable as the Raiders prepare to change quarterbacks from Gardner Minshew to Aidan O’Connell. It’s a nightmare scenario for O’Connell, who is already without Davante Adams. Meyers joining Adams on the shelf would make Tre Tucker a desperation WR3. For his part, Meyers will crack the top 36 if he manages to suit up.

Two straight DNPs to open the week for Edwards puts him on track to miss Week 6’s game against the Broncos. He’ll have one more day to try and get on the field, but if he’s unable to go, we could see rookie Kimani Vidal activated for the first time this season.

White seems all but certain to miss his second consecutive contest, leaving behind the deeply uninspiring duo of Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah as the Raiders switch quarterback horses from Gardner Minshew to Aidan O’Connell. Everything about this setup is screaming “fiasco week” against the Steelers’ tough defense, rendering Mattison a low-upside FLEX.