The Minnesota Vikings are opening tight end T.J. Hockenson's (knee) practice window this week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Last year's PPR TE1 in fantasy points per game is working his way back from a late-season ACL tear and began the 2024 regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He has missed the required four games to be able to return and is now set to get back on the practice field. While this is a promising development for fantasy managers who are stashing him, it would be somewhat of a surprise if he's active for the game against the New York Jets on Sunday. The organization has 21 days from his return to practice to move him to the active roster, and he'll likely need a ramp-up period. That said, given the lack of production at the tight end spot this season, Hockenson is arguably a must-start as soon as he's ready to play. Minnesota's offense led by Sam Darnold is far exceeding expectations so far, so Hockenson could finish as a high-end TE1 in 2024.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) has not played since Week 1 against the Washington Commanders, and he has already been ruled out of the Week 5 Thursday Night Football contest against the Atlanta Falcons with a foot injury. Winfield was able to get a limited practice session in on Wednesday, but he evidently is not ready to suit up. There is optimism that he will be able to return in Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints given the mini-bye ahead after a Thursday night game, but for now, the Pro Bowler remains sidelined, and Christian Izien will continue to see extended playing time.

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Earlier this week, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams let the organization know that he would prefer to be traded. The team is out to a 2-2 start and Adams is reportedly working through a hamstring issue, but it appears his time in the Sin City could be coming to an end. Many have speculated that he could be eyeing a reunion with Aaron Rodgers with the New York Jets, but according to sources, the New Orleans Saints are also a preferred destination. The six-time Pro Bowler notably wanted to be traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Raiders in 2022 to play with his former college teammate Derek Carr, so he might have the chance to rejoin Carr with New Orleans. If he is eventually traded to New Orleans, wideouts Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed would likely take significant hits to their rest-of-season fantasy football outlooks. Needless to say, this is a situation worth keeping a close eye on.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Trey Palmer (concussion) have been ruled out of the Thursday Night Football contest against the Atlanta Falcons, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. McMillan suffered a hamstring injury in last Friday's practice and did not play in Week 4, while Palmer suffered a concussion in the win over the Philadelphia Eagles. With both wideouts banged up, veteran receiver Sterling Shepard caught three passes for 51 yards. He has since been signed to the active roster following last week's practice-squad elevation, so he should occupy the WR3 role behind Chris Godwin and Mike Evans in Thursday's NFC South clash. Shepard is not a great option for traditional leagues, but he can be utilized as a desperation flex play in deeper setups.

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New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 201 yards and two touchdowns in his first two games of the 2024 campaign, but over the last two weeks, he has mustered just 66 yards on the ground. He has also fumbled one time in all four contests, which has led to head coach Jerod Mayo considering starting Antonio Gibson ahead of him. "That's definitely under consideration," Mayo said. "We can't preach ball security is job security and still have him out there the majority of the time." Gibson has averaged 5.3 yards per carry and 11.7 yards per reception through his first 36 touches this year, so it would not be surprising if he at least starts to eat into Stevenson's workload. However, New England extended Stevenson's contract this offseason, so it would be somewhat of a surprise if he's benched for a significant stretch. All that said, there's a chance the New England backfield morphs into more of a committee approach, which would hurt Stevenson's fantasy outlook and enhance Gibson's. Gibson should be picked up in leagues of 12 teams or more based on Mayo's comments.

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New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson has flashed with limited touches in his first four games with the organization. The former Washington Commander has rushed 29 times for 155 yards (5.3 YPC) and caught seven passes for 82 yards (11.7 YPR). Meanwhile, starter Rhamondre Stevenson has averaged just 4.1 yards per carry and 3.8 yards per reception. He has also fumbled in every game this season, leading head coach Jerod Mayo to consider starting Gibson. "That's definitely under consideration," Mayo said. "We can't preach ball security is job security and still have him out there the majority of the time." Ironically, Gibson was often benched in Washington for his fumbling issues, but it sounds like he could be looking at an elevated role soon. Even if he does not become the established starter, there's a good chance he will see more touches given Stevenson's early-season struggles. Gibson is available in over 80% of Yahoo leagues, so fantasy managers needing help at running back should consider adding him ahead of the Week 5 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

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Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that tight end Trey McBride (concussion) will be coming out of the concussion protocol and will be at practice on Wednesday. McBride suffered a concussion in the Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions and was unable to play in the Week 4 loss to the Washington Commanders. However, he appears to be improving this week and could be cleared to face the division-rival San Francisco 49ers on the road this Sunday. We'll keep an eye on how much McBride does, with a good chance he's limited for most, if not all, of the week. If the 24-year-old is cleared by an independent neurologist later this week, fantasy managers will want to get him back into their lineups as a TE1. Backup Elijah Higgins caught just two of three targets for 12 yards against Washington and failed to take advantage of McBride's absence last week.

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When asked about being on the Week 5 injury report with a shoulder injury last week and a hamstring injury this week, Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (hamstring) said, "I'm good." "Just like these little nicks and bruises that I got, but I'm ready to go for tomorrow," Robinson said. The second-year back was limited in practice on both Monday and Tuesday as he prepares for Thursday's divisional tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fantasy managers shouldn't be worried that Robinson won't suit up in Week 5, and he should be locked into all starting lineups as a high-end RB1. The 22-year-old will most likely be removed from the final injury report on Wednesday. If by chance he's limited at all on Thursday, backup Tyler Allgeier could see a slightly bigger workload. Through the first four weeks in 2024, Robinson checks in as the RB21 in half-PPR scoring. Robinson and the rest of Atlanta's offense have underwhelmed so far.

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New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (concussion) will not practice on Wednesday as he is still in the early stages of the league's concussion protocol. The Giants are taking it day-to-day with the impressive young pass-catcher from LSU. Nabers suffered a concussion in last Thursday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys but said after the game that he'd be alright. The fact that the 21-year-old remains in the concussion protocol means he's not a lock to be given the green light to play this Sunday in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks on the road. If Nabers is ultimately questionable to play, it will make life more difficult on fantasy managers with New York's game coming in the later window on Sunday. The sixth overall pick this year has burst onto the scene in his first four games and has become a must-start in fantasy quickly. He has a league-high 35 catches (52 targets) for 386 yards and three touchdowns.

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New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (groin) will not take part in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Singletary is on the injury report with a groin injury that isn't considered a long-term concern, but it could affect his availability for the Week 5 contest this Sunday in Seattle against the Seahawks. If the 27-year-old is limited or out this weekend, rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Eric Gray would both be asked to take on more in the backfield at Lumen Field. In his first year in the Big Apple, Singletary has been the RB23 in half-PPR scoring with 56 carries for 221 yards (career-low 3.9 yards per carry) and two touchdowns while adding 10 catches on 11 targets for 72 additional yards. Right now, Singletary is shaping up as a shaky RB2 option for fantasy managers against a Seahawks defense that has been much better at defending the run so far in 2024 than they were last year.

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (abdomen, oblique) is feeling much better on Wednesday but will be held out of the first practice of the week. Head coach Shane Steichen said that Richardson could still play in Week 5 against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars even if he doesn't practice at all this week. Richardson left the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers with what was initially called a hip pointer and was replaced by veteran Joe Flacco, who finished off the victory. The 22-year-old's injury doesn't appear to be too serious, so fantasy managers should expect him to be able to play this coming Sunday if he's able to return to practice on either Thursday or Friday. In four weeks in 2024, Richardson has been a disappointment for fantasy managers with a league-high six interceptions and a 50.6 completion percentage. The good news is he has a nice bounce-back matchup against the Jags' porous defense this week if he's able to play.

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The Dallas Cowboys will be without wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) for at least the Week 5 tilt on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he could potentially miss more time after an infection developed in his right knee after a procedure he had after remaining in New York following last Thursday night's win over the division-rival New York Giants, according to multiple sources. Fantasy managers that are in need of receiving help with byes starting in Week 5 may want to look to the waiver wire and pick up Jalen Tolbert, who will serve as Dallas' WR2 behind CeeDee Lamb with Cooks sidelined this weekend. Tight end Jake Ferguson should also see an uptick in targets from quarterback Dak Prescott. The 31-year-old Cooks has caught nine of his 19 targets for 91 yards and one touchdown through four weeks in his second season with Dallas. It sounds like he could miss time beyond Week 5.

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The Cleveland Browns officially designated running backs Nick Chubb (knee) and Nyheim Hines (knee) to return to practice on Wednesday. The Browns were expected all along to open the 21-day practice windows for both Chubb and Hines this week as they recover from their respective devastating knee injuries. Both players opened the 2024 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list and will be eligible to come off the PUP and play in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders, but that is unlikely to happen. Cleveland will ease both Chubb and Hines back in at practice, and there remains no definitive timetable for their return to game action. Before Chubb's gruesome injury in Week 2 of last year, he was firmly on the RB1 radar, but it remains to be seen if he can get back to that level of production in 2024. For now, Jerome Ford will continue to handle lead-back duties.

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Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will not practice on Wednesday. Taylor suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, although his high-ankle sprain is considered relatively mild. Still, Taylor's status for the Week 5 contest this Sunday versus the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars is firmly up in the air, which has made backup Trey Sermon a popular speculative waiver-wire pickup this week. The 25-year-old Taylor has two more days to get back on the practice field, but as of right now, fantasy managers need to have a backup plan in place in case he doesn't get the green light to suit up. In addition to Sermon, Tyler Goodson would also have an elevated role in Indy's backfield if Taylor cannot play in Week 5. The good news is that Taylor's injury doesn't appear serious enough to land him on Injured Reserve, which would keep him out for at least four games.

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney is surprisingly the team's leading receiver after four weeks, and he'll look to maintain that position when the Falcons face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. Mooney has shown good chemistry with his quarterback, Kirk Cousins, and as a result, he is averaging six targets per game, hauling in 15 total for 225 yards and a touchdown. Mooney is firmly the team's No. 2 wide receiver, having earned 24 targets to lead receiver Drake London's 31. The 26-year-old will still have a role, and if Cousins can return to his 2023 ways, Mooney could have a solid day. Mooney is still a WR3/FLEX only in 14+ team leagues and looks to build on his production in 2024 in a tough matchup against the Bucs in Week 5.

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts will be set on getting back on track when his team faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. Pitts laid a goose egg in Week 4, drawing three targets but failing to catch a single pass. The 23-year-old is amid an incredibly disappointing season, hauling in just eight passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. He won't have the easiest matchup, as the Bucs have allowed just 7.8 PPR points per game to opposing tight ends this season. The former No. 4 overall pick is unlikely to have a breakout game in Thursday's matchup. Pitts struggles with separation and is regularly blanketed by opposing defensive backs and linebackers. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for tight end production in Week 5. Pitts is not a definite drop from fantasy rosters yet, but he's approaching that.

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will do what he can to improve his play when the Falcons take on the Tampa Buccaneers on Thursday night. Cousins has a 4:4 TD: INT ratio in 2024, so he's hardly earning the $180 million contract he signed in the offseason. Tampa Bay has allowed the sixth most points to opposing quarterbacks this year. However, the numbers can fool you as they've allowed just one passing touchdown, which is tied for the least amount in the league. The Bucs had to face quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts, and their rushing production accounted for a large portion of those points. Tampa Bay isn't an easy team to pass against, and with Cousins and the entire Falcons pass-catching corps being massively disappointing so far, it might be difficult for them to put together good drives consistently. Cousins isn't worth starting in single-quarterback leagues against the Bucs in Week 5. He has no rushing upside, has mediocre production, and is facing a formidable defense against the pass.

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New England Patriots center David Andrews (shoulder) needs surgery that would end his season but is deciding whether to play through the injury, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. The veteran center is a big part of New England's offense and would be a significant loss for the fantasy prospects of running back Rhamondre Stevenson and could potentially affect whether the Patriots move to rookie Drake Maye at quarterback.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have discussed preliminary interest in a trade for Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams according to Josina Anderson. Meanwhile, Adam Schefter reports that the Chiefs are not one of the teams interested in a potential trade for the star receiver. The Steelers are among the growing teams interested in a trade for Adams while the Chiefs are not likely to pursue Adams. Adams has requested a trade out of Las Vegas as soon as possible. Schefter also mentions that Adams has an interest in the Jets and Saints as a potential destination. This is a situation to continue to monitor for fantasy implications with a potential move to the Steelers slating Adams opposite George Pickens as a weapon for Justin Fields. Adams missed last week's game with a hamstring injury and has 18 catches for 209 yards and one touchdown in three games this season. Fantasy managers will want this situation resolved as quickly as possible.

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Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter expressed his confidence in wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, saying "It just hasn't quite happened yet". Mitchell has been good in one-on-one situations according to the Colts OC and he still expects big plays to come for the rookie receiver. Mitchell has just two receptions for 32 yards on the season on 13 targets. With Michael Pittman, Jr., Alec Pierce, and Josh Downs all in the mix now, Mitchell will be reliant on his big-play ability and will have to convert on a better percentage of his targets in order to be fantasy-relevant. It might take time for the rookie to find himself in this offense, so he could be an option by the end of the season. But right now he is not worth rostering until he shows more.

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