NFL Player News

Highsmith sat out on Wednesday before getting in two limited sessions. The difference-making EDGE rusher boasts a 16.6 percent pass-rush win rate, 19 quarterback pressures and six sacks. Bears QB Caleb Williams should have a far easier time staying upright and comfortable in the pocket with Highsmith expectedly sidelined.

Chism came down with some big catches to keep the chains moving. He seems to have earned the trust of the Patriots coaching staff and Drake Maye in recent weeks. Even so, his route participation has been limited and his role could shrink next week if A.J. Brown returns from his high ankle injury. For now he’s an OK stash in deeper fantasy leagues in case he carves out a bigger role in the rejuvenated New England passing offense.

With the Bears trailing 31-7, Keenum was subbed in for Tyson Bagent for the fourth quarter. He provided more passing production in one quarter than Bagent did in three, but the Packers were obviously sitting back a bit in coverage. Keenum also equalled Bagent’s turnover total, as he lost a fumble in addition to his pick. Keenum was livelier than Bagent, but hardly better. With Caleb Williams appearing likely to return from his hamstring injury in Week 6 against the Falcons, this is hopefully the last we hear of the Bears’ backup situation for the foreseeable future. If it’s not, we would have to assume it’s now “advantage Keenum.”

Higgins saw just four targets against the Dolphins after seeing 16 targets in Week 4. The adductor/neck injuries didn’t limit his playing time as much, seeing 45 snaps on the day, No. 2 among Bengals receivers. With Ja’Marr Chase back on the field, Higgins’ target volume decreased considerably and he totaled just 22 yards in a more run-favorable game script. Despite the dud, Higgins still belongs in the WR2 ranks and gets a mediocre Ravens defense in Week 7 after a Week 6 bye.

The good news is that Downs ran a route on 44 of the Colts’ 47 dropbacks. He was also targeted down the field a few times. The bad news is that Daniel Jones was not effective and hasn’t been throughout the season. Downs did have another 15-yard completion called back due to a penalty away from the ball, but it wouldn’t have made a huge difference in his day. Downs is still on the WR3 radar because the Colts play the Titans next week, but until Jones can get it going, it’s hard to trust anybody other than Tyler Warren in this passing attack.

Drake Maye carved up the Vegas secondary to the tune of 376 yards and four touchdowns, with almost none of it going to be nominal No. 1 wideout. Doubs, who last week against the Bills had 58 yards and two touchdowns, nearly came down with a short touchdown grab in the third quarter on a nice touch throw from Maye. The potential return of A.J. Brown (ankle) in Week 6 against the Jets could limit Doubs’ targets going forward. With Maye cooking, Doubs remains a potential flex option in 14-team formats going forward.

Chase returned from a concussion he suffered last week, seeing 10 targets in a productive fantasy day. He saw a goal-line fade target on the Bengals’ first drive and was later tackled at the one-yard line towards the end of the first half. Joe Burrow missed Chase for a 70-yard touchdown in the second half but Chase made a miraculous catch with his right arm for a 45-yard touchdown later in the half. He finishes with a successful fantasy day and is squarely in the WR1 ranks heading into the Bengals’ Week 6 bye.

Stevenson was splitting the backfield workload with TreVeyon Henderson before Henderson sustained a potentially serious ankle injury in the second quarter and did not return. Stevenson was somewhat efficient with his opportunities, breaking a few tackles against a low-energy, low-effort Raiders defense. His touchdown came on a goal line carry in the first half. It was his second score of the year. Stevenson will be a top-12 fantasy option next week against the Jets if Henderson is sidelined.

Taylor added 37 receiving yards on three catches. As JJ Watt noted on the broadcast, the Steelers knew that the Colts love running off tackle, so they sent extra rushers and had their defensive ends bracket the tackles to force the Colts to run up the gut. It didn’t work out well for the Colts. Taylor had no running room all day and was stuffed inside the three-yard line three separate times. Things will likely be better next week against the Titans, but the Colts are going to need to fix their issues in the interior of their offensive line.