NFL Player News

An upgrade from the Monday DNP and a good indication that Evans will likely be good to go for Thursday Night Football. The Wednesday practice report will be key as the Buccaneers only conducted a walkthrough today. This is an estimated participation. Still, it’s a good sign for Evans’ availability in Week 5.

Head coach Mike Tomlin called Warren doubtful for Week 6 yesterday. Warren told reporters he feels great before returning to practice on a limited basis. It’s possible Warren is nearing a return, but the Steelers plan to give him one more week off as a precaution. Najee Harris will contniue to dominate the backfield touches if Warren sits this week.

O’Connell has taken over for Gardner Minshew mid-game two weeks in a row. He hasn’t done much to earn the starting gig, completing 19-of-32 passes for 172 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Still, having lost two of their past three contests, Pierce clearly felt the need to try something else on offense. Like Minshew before him, O’Connell is at risk of being pulled before the final whistle and isn’t a strong fantasy option even when he gets the full game. O’Connell is only worth adding in deep Superflex leagues.

Brown technically logged one limited practice before being ruled out for Week 4, but this can still be considered his return to practice for practical purposes. He went down with the hamstring injury in Week 1 and has been out ever since. A Week 5 bye is expected to be enough time off for him to make his return this week. Assuming he makes it to Sunday without any setbacks, Brown will reclaim his spot in the WR1 ranks versus Cleveland.

Smith suffered the concussion in Week 3 and was forced to sit out of Philly’s Week 4 game. The Eagles got their bye last week, giving Smith some extra time to recover. He remains in the league’s concussion protocol, though all signs point to him being cleared for action by the end of the week. With A.J. Brown also set to return, Smith will rank as a fantasy WR2 for his upcoming matchup with Cleveland.

Johnson missed Week 4 with a concussion. Philly got their bye last week, giving the stalwart right tackle plenty of time to clear the protocol. He is good to go for a tough matchup versus Cleveland’s vaunted pass-rush.

Tremble suffered the concussion in Carolina’s Week 5 loss to the Bears. Rookie tight end J’Tavion Sanders took his spot in the lineup annd caught three passes for 13 yards. With Ian Thomas elgibile to come off injured reserve, Sanders isn’t guaranteed a full-time role even if Tremble doesn’t play this week. Fantasy managers can find better tight ends than Sanders on the waiver wire.

Clowney left the Panthers’ Week 5 game against the Bears in the second quarter. He was initially listed as questionable to return, but the team ruled him out after halftime. A DNP to start the week puts him at risk of missing Sunday’s game versus the Falcons. Clowney has one TFL and one sack through five games.

Moton left Week 5 with an elbow injury and did not return. The Panthers already lost starting center Austin Corbett to a season-ending bicep injury. Losing Moton, even for a short period of time, would be another massive blow to an offense whose best strength is its bigs.

Johnson played through the ankle injury last week. Though he only caught three balls for 23 yards, it was the Carolina offense that limited his output, not a bum ankle. Johnson will have his reps limited throughout the week but is not at risk of missing Week 6 because of the ankle injury. He will look to get back on track as a volume-based WR2 versus Atlanta.

Legette left Week 5 with a shoulder injury. He went into the locker room just before halftime and was listed as questionable to return. The Panthers were blown out by the Bears, so it’s possible Legette could have returned but was held out anyway. A full practice to start the week means he is good to go for Week 6. Legette is a volatile WR5 heading into his matchup with Atlanta.