Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III (ankle) logged a full practice on Wednesday and does not carry an injury designation ahead of Thursday's tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McCloud was a limited participant on Monday and Tuesday due to an ankle injury but was able to practice in full on Wednesday, suggesting the injury was minor. Last week, McCloud caught a season-high six passes for 52 yards and ran a season-high 31 routes. Fantasy managers should view the 27-year-old as a WR3 with upside, as he has begun to have a significant role in the Atlanta passing attack. DFS players should consider using McCloud as a flex play, as he should be on the field quite often.

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (hamstring) is off the injury report and will suit up on Thursday evening when the Falcons face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Robinson was limited during Monday's and Tuesday's practice sessions due to a hamstring injury, but seeing that he does not carry an injury designation into Thursday's game suggests the injury was not serious. Fantasy managers should feel confident slotting Robinson into their lineup as a high-end RB1. The 22-year-old has had a slow start to the season, averaging just 14.2 PPR points per game, but has an excellent opportunity to get back on track on Thursday as the Buccaneers have allowed the 24th-most points to opposing running backs.

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Pittsburgh Steelers RB Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Fantasy Spin: Patterson was productive in Week 4 before the injury, so fantasy players can keep an eye on his status during the week. He will see some touches if he is cleared to play in Week 5 but can be avoided in most leagues.

From TheHuddle

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson (calf) was limited during practice Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Fantasy Spin: Wilson is believed to be making progress in his recovery, but he probably will continue to be sidelined as long as Justin Fields is playing well. He could start for the Steelers at some point this season but should be avoided for now.

From TheHuddle

Atlanta Falcons LB Troy Andersen (knee) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 2, and has been ruled out for Week 5. RB Jase McClellan (illness) was limited during practice and is listed as questionable. WR Ray-Ray McCloud (ankle) and OT Kaleb McGary (knee) fully participated in practice and are not on the injury report.

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Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams sees the New York Jets as one of his preferred destinations if he traded because of his familiarity with QB Aaron Rodgers, according to sources.

Fantasy Spin: Adams was linked to the Jets during the offseason, so this could be a possibility before the trade deadline. He would still see plenty of targets if he joined the Jets and would still be a starting option in all fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams sees the New Orleans Saints as one of his preferred destinations if he traded because of his familiarity with QB Derek Carr, according to sources.

Fantasy Spin: The Saints probably are a longshot for Adams because they do not have much salary cap space available, but fantasy players can keep an eye on the situation. He has shown a good connection in the past with Carr and could be a starting option in all leagues if he moved to the Saints.

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Carolina Panthers LB Shaq Thompson (Achilles) underwent surgery Wednesday, Sept. Oct. 2, to repair his Achilles injury, according to head coach Dave Canales.

From TheHuddle

Carolina Panthers LB Josey Jewell (groin, hamstring), LB Shaq Thompson (Achilles), LB Jadeveon Clowney (non-injury), CB Troy Hill (non-injury) and DE A'Shawn Robinson (non-injury) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 2. LB Charles Harris (shoulder), OG Robert Hunt (hip), OG Damien Lewis (elbow), S Nick Scott (shoulder), DT Shy Tuttle (foot), CB Lonnie Johnson (hip) and C Andrew Raym (head) were limited during practice.

From TheHuddle

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (knee) will be listed as a limited participant at Wednesday's practice with a knee injury, but head coach Robert Saleh is not concerned about his availability for Sunday's contest against the Minnesota Vikings in London. Rodgers reportedly missed the team's stretching period, which will cause him to be labeled as limited, but his injury is considered minor. The four-time NFL MVP was sacked five times in the ugly Week 4 loss to the Denver Broncos and said he is dealing with a little bit of swelling in his knee. Even if Rodgers was fully healthy, he would not be worth starting in single-quarterback fantasy football leagues against Minnesota, who leads the NFL in sacks (17) through four weeks. Rodgers is the QB18 on the season and is averaging just 14.3 fantasy points per game.

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New England Patriots center David Andrews (shoulder) will undergo surgery to repair his injured shoulder and is likely to miss the rest of the 2024 season, according to head coach Jerod Mayo. This is a significant loss for the struggling Patriots offense, as Andrews has played in 124 games dating back to 2015 with New England. The Patriots already have a young and banged-up offensive line, and potential run-blocking and protection issues will only exacerbate the lack of high-end skill players on the roster. Andrew's absence could also give New England more reason to refrain from starting rookie quarterback Drake Maye this year.

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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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Washington Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) is trending in the right direction to play in Week 5, head coach Dan Quinn said on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Fantasy Spin: Ekeler was on pace to have a big game in Week 3 before his early exit, as he scored a touchdown and had two catches and 57 yards from scrimmage. He's on the flex radar entering Week 5.

From TheHuddle

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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Tampa Bay Buccaneers DL Calijah Kancey (calf), WR Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and WR Trey Palmer (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and have been ruled out for Week 5. Also, S Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) and OL Luke Goedeke (concussion) were limited but were ruled out, WR Mike Evans (knee, calf), OT Tristan Wirfs (knee) and DL William Gholston (knee) were limited but carry no designation, and C Graham Barton (ankle), DL Greg Gaines (ankle), DL Logan Hall (foot), WR Kameron Johnson (ankle), TE Ko Kieft (ankle) and DL Vita Vea (knee) practiced in full and have no designation.

From TheHuddle

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (knee, calf) was limited at practice for the second straight day on Wednesday, Oct. 2, but carries no designation for Week 5.

Fantasy Spin: Evans was limited twice and didn't practice once before posting his best game of the 2024 campaign, so there's no concern here. Evans is a high-end WR2 with upside.

From TheHuddle

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.

From RotoBaller