The Atlanta Falcons have signed linebacker Rashaan Evans to their practice squad, per Adam Schefter. The former first-round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft recently spent time in Dallas last season when he started nine games for the Cowboys but played a full 17 for Atlanta the year prior -- totaling 159 tackles. With linebacker Nate Landman (quad/calf) on injured reserve and Troy Andersen (knee) forced from the team's 26-24 divisional victory over the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta has sought veteran help. Landman is expected back "sooner than later." Still, there is uncertainty around whether Andersen will be able to suit up for the team's Thursday night matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If he can't, Evans will likely be signed to the active roster and soak up some snaps in the contest. The Falcons have other options at the position, but as of now -- Andersen and Landman are the only right-inside-linebackers on the active depth chart.

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Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (ACL) is still in the final stages of his return from an ACL injury and will not have his 21-day practice window opened this week, per Sheena Quick. It was initially anticipated that Brooks could return to the team in Week 5 before his NFL debut. However, he evidently still has "a couple of hurdles to clear." He'll now have to wait at least one more week. The Panthers may be playing it slow with their rookie second-round pick -- heeding more of a cautious approach with the 21-year-old coming off a severe knee injury. Additionally, the breakout of Chuba Hubbard over the last two weeks could play a part in this, too. With Brooks still sidelined, Hubbard will continue to see the majority of backfield touches, with Miles Sanders mixing in when he needs a breather. The former will look to continue to build on his back-to-back standout performances in Week 5 when the team visits Soldier Field and the Chicago Bears. Hubbard will be an RB2 with upside, while Sanders presents as just his handcuff for the contest.

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Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison is due to receive a larger share of the team's backfield touches moving forward, according to head coach Antonio Pierce. "He's deserved more reps," Pierce said, "and he'll get them." Mattison has been involved in the offense, but primarily as the "third-down" back and a change of pace behind backfield mate Zamir White. White has out-carried the former 49-to-17 through the season's first four weeks, but the former Viking has been more effective with his work -- sporting 5.1 YPC while White averages a whole two yards less. Mattison has looked like the better back, and now he'll get the opportunity to prove it. Fantasy managers may want to exhibit caution before slotting him into their lineup, as he's racked up just two double-digit fantasy point outings thus far. Still, the increased usage and his work in the passing game could keep him in the conversation of a weekly FLEX option moving forward. Las Vegas will gear up for a divisional road matchup when they head to Denver to take on the Broncos in Week 5.

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Dynasty | Tight end Mark Andrews dropped his only target in the Ravens win against the Bills. Dynasty Analysis: After two straight weeks with no production at all, Andrews currently sits at just six catches for 65 yards on the season. It's an unfathomable development for a player of his caliber, making many wonder if he's truly healthy or if there's more to the story somewhere. At this point, Andrews should be planted on fantasy benches and is getting to roster clogger territory quickly. He may need a trade to find value again.

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Dynasty | Ravens running back Derrick Henry ran for 199 yards, caught three passes for ten more yards and scored two touchdowns in a demolition of the Bills. Dynasty Analysis: Henry was a one-man wrecking crew and took the first carry of the game 87 yards to the house. He didn't slow down from there, churning out another 112 yards on the ground, punishing defenders who stood in his way. After some questionable usage the first two weeks, the King now has 49 carries the past two weeks, posting 350 yards and three touchdowns in the process. The 30-year old Henry is a prime target for a contending team as he looks poised for a big season.

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Dynasty | Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has a high ankle sprain. Dynasty Analysis: The news likely sounds worse than it is. The Colts are classifying this as a mild injury and are hoping to have him back in the fold this week. If he does miss time, Trey Sermon is going to be a hot desperation play for as long as Taylor misses time. One thing seems clear, though - this certainly doesn't seem like a repeat of the injury Taylor had last season that derailed his year. Stay tuned.

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Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said that linebacker Josh Hines-Allen (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol after being forced from the Week 4 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans with a head injury. Before getting injured on Sunday in Houston, Hines-Allen had three tackles (two solo). The injury puts the 27-year-old pass-rusher's status for the Week 5 contest against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts firmly in question as the Jaguars seek their first win of 2024. The former seventh overall pick in 2019 out of Kentucky had a career-high 17.5 sacks in 17 games for the Jags in 2023 but has only taken an opposing quarterback down one time through the first four weeks of 2024. Fantasy managers in IDP formats will need to have a backup plan in place this week in case Hines-Allen isn't cleared for Week 5.

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The New York Jets situation with defensive end Haason Reddick still has no resolution in since, and some have wondered if the Jets could just trade him back to the Philadelphia Eagles. However, per NFL rules, that scenario is not possible. Teams cannot trade a player, then reacquire him via trade until two years elapse. The 30-year-old was expecting the Jets to give him a new long-term contract extension after they acquired him in the offseason, but that hasn't been the case, leading to his holdout extended into the 2024 regular season. Reddick has already requested another trade, but the Jets have no plans to accommodate him, although league sources believe eventually that will have to be the solution. An already strong Jets defense would benefit from the presence of Reddick, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen.

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The Kansas City Chiefs are saying that wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) is still undergoing tests on his injured knee on Monday, but he will not be available to play in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints. Rice injured his knee early in the Week 4 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers and is feared to have suffered a season-ending torn ACL. It hasn't been confirmed yet, but fantasy managers need to be bracing for the announcement that the 24-year-old pass-catcher is indeed out for the year. With Marquise Brown (shoulder) also expected to miss the entire season and with running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) on Injured Reserve with a fractured leg, the Chiefs are running out of playmakers on offense. Rookie Xavier Worthy will now have a much bigger role, as well as receivers Justin Watson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman and tight end Travis Kelce.

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Denver Broncos promising running back Tyler Badie (back), who left the Week 4 win over the New York Jets on a backboard on Sunday, has full movement of his arms and legs and is back in Denver with the team, according to sources. Badie suffered a back injury that could land him on Injured Reserve, but there's a chance he can return this season. The 24-year-old would be forced to miss at least four games he he's placed on IR. A sixth-rounder in 2022 by the Baltimore Ravens out of Missouri, Badie had 11 carries for 86 yards in three games this year and was potentially going to have a shot at a bigger role with both Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin struggling early on out of the backfield. Before being stretchered off on Sunday, he lost a fumble on his only carry and recorded two catches for minus-four yards receiving against the Jets.

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Carolina Panthers standout linebacker Shaq Thompson (Achilles), who was playing his best football early on this year, is believed to have torn his Achilles in the Week 4 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and is out for the season, according to sources. Thompson is undergoing an MRI exam on Monday to confirm the devastating injury. The 30-year-old former 25th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft out of Washington had recorded 35 tackles (19 solo) in the first four games in 2024 after playing in just two games last year. It's a massive blow the rest of the way for a Panthers defense that already had plenty of question marks. Thompson will eventually be placed on Injured Reserve and will have surgery on his torn Achilles. Fantasy managers will want to target Carolina's defense even more so moving forward in 2024.

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After the New England Patriots' blowout loss on the road to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4 on Sunday, head coach Jerod Mayo once again reiterated that quarterback Jacoby Brissett is the starter moving forward. "Jacoby is 100% our starter, and that's how we're going to look at this going forward," Mayo said. Brissett went 19-for-32 for 168 yards, one touchdown and a pick-six in the 30-13 loss to the Niners and also fumbled once. A report surfaced before Sunday's game that rookie first-round quarterback Drake Maye isn't exactly close to being ready to take over, so it's more about Maye's progress than Brissett actually earning the gig. Through four weeks, Brissett checks in as the QB32 with 536 passing yards, two touchdowns and a pick in four games while leading New England to a league-worst 13.0 points per game. Even in superflex leagues, fantasy managers should be looking to avoid him in Week 5 against the division-rival Miami Dolphins.

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Carolina Panthers LB Shaq Thompson (Achilles) suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the remainder of the season, according to sources Monday, Sept. 30.

From TheHuddle

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze had a quiet outing in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams, catching just one of his three targets for 10 yards. This performance was a letdown after his breakout game the previous week. The return of veteran receiver Keenan Allen (heel) likely affected Odunze's targets, as he shifted back to a No. 3 role with Allen coming off a two-game absence. Consequently, Odunze saw a notable decline in production. Throughout his rookie season, he has struggled to make a consistent impact, recording two or fewer receptions in three of four games. His target and yardage totals this week marked his lowest yet, leaving him with ample opportunity for improvement in a Week 5 home matchup against the Panthers.

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Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet had a modest outing against the struggling Los Angeles Rams secondary, finishing with three catches for 34 yards, including a long reception of 22 yards. After a quiet performance in Week 1, Kmet has maintained steady involvement in the offense, registering at least three targets in each of the last three games. However, this game was a disappointment following his breakout performance last week. The return of veteran receiver Keenan Allen (heel) may have affected Kmet's target share, as he experienced a notable reduction in workload compared to his 10-catch game against the Colts in Week 3. Kmet tied for second on the team in receptions and was the runner-up in receiving yards for the day. Nonetheless, his production on Sunday is likely more in line with his typical performance than what he achieved in the loss to Indianapolis.

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Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen had a muted return from injury in Week 4 against the Rams. He finished the game with just three receptions for 19 yards on three targets. Coming back from a two-game absence due to a heel injury, Allen played a secondary role in the passing attack as Caleb Williams threw for only 157 yards and one touchdown. However, he may see a more prominent role in a favorable Week 5 home matchup against the Panthers. While Allen is a game-changer, his value for fantasy managers largely depends on the Bears' ability to establish a more consistent offensive rhythm.

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New England Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett is '100% our quarterback going forward,' according to head coach Jerod Mayo.

Fantasy Spin: Brissett is the QB32 after four weeks, and he's maybe a matchup play in two-QB leagues.

From TheHuddle

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore capitalized on a favorable matchup against the Los Angeles Rams' struggling secondary in Week 4. He caught three of six targets for 22 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' 24-18 victory. Moore tied with Cole Kmet for second on the team in both receptions and targets. The highlight of his day came when he made a perfectly executed nine-yard touchdown catch from Caleb Williams, extending the Bears' lead to 17-9 late in the third quarter. Although his production was slightly lower this week, it's likely an outlier, considering his consistent involvement in previous games. Moore will look to rebound against a weak Panthers secondary at home in Week 5.

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Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift delivered his best performance of the season in Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams. Swift totaled 165 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown, leading the team in rushing and receiving yards. The Bears successfully established a run game by utilizing Swift and getting him into open space. He finished with 16 carries for 93 yards, averaging a solid 5.8 yards per carry, and added seven receptions for 72 yards. Notably, he broke off a 36-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to 24-15. Signed to a three-year, $24 million contract in March, Swift managed 114 total yards through the first three weeks, averaging only 1.8 yards per carry. The Bears combined for 131 rushing yards after only managing 63 against the Colts. Swift also achieved season highs in receptions and receiving yards, making it a successful outing both on the field and for fantasy football owners. With the lead-back role firmly in his hands, he will next face the Panthers' defense in a Week 5 home matchup.

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Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson saw increased usage in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams, serving as a change-of-pace option to help secure tough yards. He scored a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter, capitalizing on a strip-sack by Montez Sweat deep in Rams territory. Johnson's downhill rushing style made him an ideal choice for goal-line situations, while D'Andre Swift, who had struggled early in the season, found his rhythm once the Bears got him into open space. Chicago finished the game with 131 rushing yards, a significant improvement from the 63 they managed against the Colts. After impressing in his first outing of the season in Week 3, Johnson solidified his role as the clear No. 2 running back behind Swift. Although Swift had his best game yet, Johnson may have established himself enough to maintain his change-of-pace role and secure future goal-line opportunities.

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