NFL Player News

The Colts placed CB Xavien Howard on the reserve/retired list after a subpar four game start from the 32-year-old veteran. Howard spent last season unsigned, but had an illustrious eight seasons with the Dolphins before. He made four Pro Bowls throughout his career, tallying 95 passes defended, 29 interceptions, and 342 combined tackles through nine seasons. Howard was once one of the best cornerbacks in the league, getting a first-team All-Pro selection in 2020. He ends his NFL career after attempting to jumpstart it with the Colts, but having made a significant impact to the Dolphins teams of the late 2010s and early 2020s.

The two interceptions on Dak’s ledger were both in-and-out of his receivers’ hands, the second of which hit tight end Jake Ferguson in the face mask to allow the Buccaneers to ice the game in the fourth quarter. The first “pick” bounced off the hands of Ryan Flournoy to allow the Buccaneers to establish an 11-point lead at the beginning of the third quarter, a deficit the Cowboys would be unable to overcome. That said, Prescott wasn’t at all at his sharpest, missing numerous throws wide in addition to a few badly under-thrown balls in the second half. To make matters worse, alpha wide receiver CeeDee Lamb departed the game in the fourth quarter with a quad injury. The Cowboys fall to 2-3 and find themselves looking up at both the Giants and Eagles ahead of a Week 6 meeting with the Packers at Lambeau. Prescott returns to QB1 status in what has become a soft matchup, pending the health of Lamb.

Hurst has seen his role eaten into by downfield threat Tez Johnson as the season has progressed, clearly not yet ready to take on a full workload in the offense as he enters the second month of his rookie season. Hurst brings the size and physicality to grow into a consistent producer at the NFL level, something fantasy managers could have to be patient with in the coming weeks. Hurst safely remains a bench stash ahead of a Week 6 meeting with the Steelers.

Godwin’s three targets finished tied for fourth on the team behind Emeka Egbuka, Cade Otton, and Kenny Gainwell on a night backup quarterback Jalon Daniels attempted only 25 passes. Week 5 now marks the fourth game in five tries in which Godwin was held to four targets or fewer, leaving the veteran wide receiver completely unusable in a fantasy setting, for the time being. He can safely be stashed on benches ahead of a Week 6 meeting with the Steelers.

Egbuka’s nine targets handily led the team on a night undrafted free agent rookie Jalon Daniels attempted only 25 passes. The team also demonstrated an active desire to get Egbuka more involved following a four-target game against the Packers a week ago, feeding him a red zone carry on a jet sweep for his touchdown score. Egbuka remains at the mercy of the team’s lackluster quarterback situation for at least another week, pending Baker Mayfield’s injury. He’ll be a shaky WR3 against the Steelers in Week 6.

Two of Johnson’s five receptions this season have accounted for 113 yards in what has become a situational role for the Buccaneers behind Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, and rookie Ted Hurst. That big play ability remains unlikely to translate into consistent fantasy production while running a route on less than a third of the team’s dropbacks, meaning Johnson is likely best left on the waiver wire.

Irving cashed in on an early touchdown on the team’s first possession on a reception from quarterback Jalon Daniels on a leak to the right side of the formation, otherwise having a relatively quiet first half. Things would change in a hurry after the break as Irving ripped off a 72-yard explosive run on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter. He would cash in on his second trip to paint on the following drive from one yard out before somewhat confusingly retreating to the sideline without his helmet the following two possessions. That raised speculation that his glute injury had flared up, a notion he would dispel in the fourth quarter as he helped to ice the game. This game goes down as his first 100-yard rushing game since Week 16 of his rookie season in 2024. Irving remains a volatile RB2 ahead of a Week 6 meeting with the Steelers.

Daniels watched from the sideline as the Cowboys took the opening possession for quick touchdown drive, responding in splendid fashion by piecing together the longest Buccaneers drive since 2007 to knot the game at seven at the start of the second quarter. A last-minute Brandon Aubrey field goal at the end of the first half sent the Buccaneers to the break down by three but two early touchdowns after the break gave the Buccaneers a lead they would not relinquish. Running back Bucky Irving broke free for a 72-yard gain on the first play of the third quarter and Emeka Egbuka would punch it in on a 14-yard rush the following play. A Dak Prescott interception on the subsequent possession gave the ball right back to Daniels and the Buccaneers. Another explosive play, this time a 64-yard, catch-and-run dime to Tez Johnson got them immediately back into scoring position. Daniels picks up his first professional win in his second career start while the Buccaneers improve to 1-4, miraculously only 1.5-games back of the division lead. Daniels will be a shaky QB2 when the Bucs host the Steelers in Week 6, assuming he gets at least one more start for the injured Baker Mayfield.

Lamb departed in the fourth quarter with a quad injury. He tried to return but managed one snap before making his way back to the sideline, coming back on the field later in the drive for a two-point attempt. He was shown on the sideline in visible discomfort following the additional two snaps. Lamb managed to catch just 2-of-5 targets for nine yards prior to departing. Fantasy managers will want to track his status in the coming week, although the additional recovery time could allow him to avoid any missed games.

Benford has a chance to return for his team’s Monday Night Football game against the Rams. That said, his play declined last year, and it hasn’t exactly rebounded. If active, Benford should not dissuade anyone from treating the Rams’ wide receivers as they normally would.

Coleman should be good to go for the Bills’ Monday Night Football game against the Rams this week. He had a career day in Week 4, with a 6/116/1 receiving line. We have seen Coleman produce solid outings in the past, so caution is advised if one is to consider believing the hype. That said, he rose to the occasion last week and could do so again in what should be a high-scoring game.