NFL Player News

Slayton saw 10 targets last week and went for 53 yards on four grabs. He failed to repeat the solid performance and instead committed yet another drop. His hands have been a liability all year and his latest drop could result in less playing time next week. He isn’t on the fantasy radar heading into Week 17.

Dolphins coach Jeff Halfey said Douglas is “doing better” but is not ready to practice yet. It sounds like the rookie will miss another week. Malik Washington will continue to operate as the Dolphins’ No. 1 receiver, putting him in the WR3 mix for Week 5. Fellow rookie Chris Bell has seen his role grow every week, but the fantasy numbers aren’t there to match. He was held without a catch on three targets in Week 4. Bell is a solid long-term stash but barely cracks the WR5 ranks for Miami’s matchup with the Bengals.

Hollins injured his calf in Week 4 and was listed as questionable to return. He immediately went to the locker room and did not return. Hollins is unlikely to play in Week 5. Romeo Doubs finally broke out last week with six catches for 58 yards and two scores. He will be in line for another sizable role once Hollins is ruled out. Kyle Williams will take on a starting role, though he is only worth a stash in deeper fantasy formats.

Stevenson tweaked his knee or ankle on his last touch of Week 4. The game ended shortly after that, so we didn’t get an official update on his injury from the team. Vrabel told reporters there is a chance he plays in Week 5, but it sounds like the veteran is on the wrong side of questionable as of Wednesday. TreVeyon Henderson’s role was dwindling in recent weeks, but Stevenson’s absence will thrust him right back into a workhorse role. He would be a high-end RB2 if Stevenson is unable to go.

Johnson did add, “He had 30 carries, and he feels like he had 30 carries.” Monangai will play in Week 5 versus the Packers, but it doesn’t sound like he will double up D’Andre Swift in carries for the second week in a row. Expect a more even split of the work this week, with Swift potentially returning to his normal lead-back role. Even with fewer carries, Monangai is locked in as a fantasy RB3.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo already reported that Daniels is expected to play in Week 5 and a full practice to open the week all but confirms his update. With Marcus Mariota also banged up, seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis would have been the next man up. He will back Daniels up as long as the latter doesn’t suffer any setbacks. The Commanders will likely dial back the designed runs for their franchise quarterback, but fantasy managers have to start him as a low-end QB1 as long as he’s on the field.

Higgins went down with the injury in the fourth quarter of Week 4. He tried to play through it but ultimately ended the game on the sidelines. A limited practice today is a good sign for his Week 5 availability. That will be doubly important with Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) also questionable for Sunday’s game. If Chase can’t clear protocol in time, Higgins will operate as the Bengals’ No. 1 receiver. Even at less than full strength, he would be a fringe WR1 play.

Chase suffered the brain injury in Week 4 and did not return. He entered the league’s concussion protocol after the game. Taylor didn’t give much of an update on where he stands for Week 5, but Chase has several hurdles to clear before he is given the green light. He is likely on the wrong side of questionable to start the week, but it’s too early to say anything definitively. If he can’t go, Tee Higgins, who is dealing with an injury of his own, would take on the lion’s share of the targets in the Cincy offense.

The Ravens have sustained several interior offensive line injuries in recent weeks. Things got so bad that they did not have a healthy center on the active roster or practice squad after Week 3. Jurgens is currently in concussion protocol and may not suit up this week, but he will take over as the team’s starter once healthy. The Eagles, in turn, will move forward Drew Kendall at center.

Pierce will probably operate as the team’s No. 2 back behind Will Shipley this week against the Jaguars, one of the league’s best rush defenses. Tank Bigsby and Saquon Barkley are sidelined, leaving the Eagles scraping bottom for backfield depth. Look for Pierce to get some early-down work against the Jaguars. Shipley, who had six carries for 23 yards last week, is the only viable fantasy option of the two, though head coach Nick Sirianni heaped praise on Pierce Wednesday. “He’s an NFL starting running back,” Sirriani said of Pierce. “Maybe wouldn’t have said that when he was on our practice squad publicly, because of the fear of losing him. But he’s an NFL starting running back.”

Mitchell will likely miss his third straight game with the finger issue. He suffered the injury just as he was coming on as the team’s clear No. 2 wideout behind Garrett Wilson. With Mitchell sidelined last week against the Bears, Isaiah Williams was second on the team in pass routes, saw three targets, and caught a 58-yard touchdown from Geno Smith. Williams will have some deep-league viability in Week 5 against a Browns defense allowing the most air yards in the NFL.