Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) was able to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday. Ekeler suffered a concussion in the Week 3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals and wasn't cleared to play in the Week 4 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Dan Quinn said that Ekeler's status is trending up heading into their Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns, although Ekeler still has steps to clear in the league's concussion protocol and must be cleared by an independent neurologist later this week. The 29-year-old's improving status and the fact that Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) was a DNP on Wednesday makes Washington's backfield one to watch heading into the weekend. Even if B-Rob is able to play, Ekeler will have RB3/flex appeal in PPR leagues if he's cleared to return. Ekeler has a rushing touchdown and nine receptions for 121 yards through his first three games in D.C.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving has continued to work his way into a larger role on this offense. Last week, Irving saw a career-high 10 carries for 49 yards and scored his first rushing touchdown of his career. Irving has seen 12 touches or more in three of the first four games this season. Lead back Rachaad White has struggled and Irving has played so well that it has turned into more of a committee approach. Honestly, Irving seems more like the lead back as his big-play ability is hard to ignore. He'll head into a tough matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. A defense that has done a nice job at holding running backs in check. Irving should continue seeing an increased workload which should only increase his fantasy value. He's worth rostering in most fantasy formats and has flex appeal in certain formats for Week 5.

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The Kansas City Chiefs officially designated running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (personal) to return from the Non-Football Illness list on Wednesday. It doesn't mean that Edwards-Helaire will be active for the Monday night contest against the New Orleans Saints in Week 5, but he is getting close to a 2024 debut after dealing with some personal issues. Isiah Pacheco (leg) remains on Injured Reserve, so there is opportunity in KC's backfield, but CEH could still be a long shot for fantasy production in 2024 alongside the likes of Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine and rookie Carson Steele. The former first-rounder in 2020 out of LSU has been a bust in the NFL so far through four seasons and averaged a career-low 3.2 yards per carry on a career-low 70 rushing attempts in 15 regular-season games in 2023. Fantasy managers in standard 12-team leagues should continue to ignore Edwards-Helaire.

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Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (groin) was reportedly injured in practice on Wednesday and was listed as limited on the injury report. It's more bad news for White, who has been a big disappointment for the Raiders and fantasy managers through the first four weeks of 2024. White's status for the Week 5 divisional clash against the Denver Broncos this Sunday is now firmly in question. If he is limited or unable to suit up, Alexander Mattison would instantly become at least an RB3/flex option in Denver. White has been afforded double-digit carries in three of four games so far, but he's averaged a career-low 3.1 yards per carry and hasn't found the end zone. In addition to Mattison, Ameer Abdullah would have an expanded role in the Raiders' backfield against the Broncos if White's groin injury sidelines him. White has also added just five catches for 16 yards this year.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters on Wednesday that "hopefully we have him back soon" when referring to wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee), who was feared to have torn his ACL in the Week 4 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. Further testing on Rice's knee earlier this week has offered a glimpse of hope that he didn't suffer a season-ending injury last Sunday. He is currently seeking a second opinion, and his timetable for a return remains unclear. Mahomes isn't exactly a doctor, but fantasy managers in single-year leagues definitely shouldn't drop Rice just yet. Rice leads the team with 24 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns but will not play on Monday night against the Saints. The Chiefs are expected to spread the ball around more with Rice out, with rookie Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson and JuJu Smith-Schuster expected to be Mahomes' top three wideouts. Tight end Travis Kelce will also have a higher fantasy ceiling.

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) was limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Love sprained his left knee in the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil but returned in the Week 4 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings this past Sunday. Head coach Matt LaFleur said Love "did a really nice job" at practice and "it looks like he's just getting back into the groove." The 25-year-old went 32-for-54 for 389 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions against Minnesota in his first game back. He will start in Week 5 in a great matchup against the Los Angeles Rams this weekend as long as he doesn't have a setback with his knee this week. Even with receiver Christian Watson (ankle) likely out this week, Love should be considered a must-start QB1 against a Rams defense that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks through four weeks.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is coming off a game where he threw for nearly 350 yards in the win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Mayfield tossed two touchdowns and even rushed into the end zone for a score as the Bucs picked up their third win of the season. The veteran signal-caller has eight touchdowns with only two interceptions on the season as he heads into a Thursday night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. A defensive unit that has been average in terms of holding opposing quarterback in check. Fantasy managers should be able to continue believing in Mayfield as he should be considered a high-end QB2 for this Thursday night contest.

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Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed on Wednesday that wide receiver Christian Watson (ankle) will avoid going on Injured Reserve, which would have cost him at least four games. Watson suffered a minor high-ankle sprain in the Week 4 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings and did not take part in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. The 25-year-old hasn't officially been ruled out for Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams, but that's expected to come later this week. It's still quite possible that the oft-injured Watson misses multiple games, which will mean bigger roles for Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, who scored twice last Sunday against Minnesota. Wicks was a popular waiver-wire pickup this week with Watson likely to miss time. Tight end Tucker Kraft could also get more involved.

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (ankle) was unable to practice with the team on Wednesday. Crosby suffered an ankle injury in the Week 3 loss to the Carolina Panthers and missed the first game of his career in the Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns. Posting a DNP in the first practice of the week isn't a good sign for Crosby returning in a Week 5 divisional matchup against the Denver Broncos, but he does have two more days to return to practice. Not having the 27-year-old, who is one of the best pass-rushers in football, would make the Raiders' defense/special teams unit less attractive as a streamer this week, although the matchup this week against Denver rookie quarterback Bo Nix is a nice one. Crosby, a three-time Pro Bowler, already has 14 tackles (eight solo), three sacks, five tackles for loss and five QB hits in his three games played in 2024.

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) is not expected to play in Week 5 this Sunday on the road against the division-rival Denver Broncos, according to league sources. Not only has Adams told the organization that he wants to be traded, but he's considered week-to-week after injuring his hamstring in practice last week and missing the Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns. The 31-year-old missed another practice on Wednesday and may not play again for the Raiders until he traded. The problem with that for fantasy managers is that the trade deadline isn't until early November. The six-time Pro Bowler is a must-start in fantasy lineups when he's on the field, and a trade out of Vegas should eventually improve his fantasy value. Moving forward, all of Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, DJ Turner and rookie tight end Brock Bowers will receive a boost with Adams' tenure in Vegas likely coming to an end soon.

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team "just doesn't feel" that rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) is ready to have his 21-day practice window opened this week. "I know he is really close. When he's good to go, himself and the medical staff, we'll be pumped to have him back," Shanahan said. Pearsall, who was a surprise first-round selection back in April, missed time in training camp due to a nagging hamstring injury and was then shot in the chest shortly before the start of the regular season during a burglary attempt. The 24-year-old recovered quickly from his gunshot wound but doesn't have a clear timetable for a return. When Pearsall is finally cleared to make his NFL debut, he'll have a lot of ground to cover and shouldn't be expected to make much of an impact in single-year fantasy leagues.

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) did not take part in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Adams suffered a hamstring injury in practice last week, missed the Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns, and is considered week-to-week. In addition to his injury, Adams has told the Raiders he wants to be traded, making it likely that he'll miss a second straight game for Vegas this weekend versus the division-rival Denver Broncos. The 31-year-old six-time Pro Bowler unsurprisingly is drawing plenty of interest around the league, but no trade is currently imminent. With Adams likely out again in Week 5, expect Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker and DJ Turner to work as the top three wideouts for quarterback Gardner Minshew II for the second straight week. A trade out of Vegas should boost Adams' fantasy value the rest of the way, but in the meantime, he might be on benches for a bit.

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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ribs) did not take part in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Kittle was forced from the Week 4 win against the New England Patriots with a rib injury but later returned to the contest and caught a jump-ball touchdown in the end zone in the blowout victory. The team considers him day-to-day for now, but a DNP in the first practice of the week isn't a great sign. The Niners could just be giving him the day off, but either way, the 30-year-old will need to return to practice in the next two days to give himself a chance to face the division-rival Arizona Cardinals in Week 5 on Sunday. When healthy and active, the five-time Pro Bowler is a must-start TE1 in fantasy. Kittle has missed one game due to a hamstring injury but has caught 15 of 17 targets in his three games for 161 yards and two touchdowns.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (calf, knee) won't carry an injury designation into Thursday night's divisional contest against the Atlanta Falcons to kick off Week 5 action. Evans was held out of practice on Monday but was limited on Tuesday and Wednesday and is good to go. Fellow receivers Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Trey Palmer (concussion) will not play, which means veteran Sterling Shepard will serve as the WR3 for Tampa behind Evans and Chris Godwin against Atlanta. Now that we know for sure that Evans is good to go, he should be locked into all starting fantasy lineups as he looks for a second straight strong week. In the win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, Evans had season-highs in catches (eight) and yards (94) while finding the end zone for the third time in 2024. It was a nice bounce-back after catching just two passes for 17 yards the week prior.

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Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (shoulder) is on the team's Week 5 injury report after being limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Fellow RB Tank Bigsby (shoulder) was also listed as limited. Etienne injured his shoulder in the Week 4 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans before eventually returning, but it led to a bigger role for Bigsby, who had seven carries for a season-high 90 yards on the ground. The 25-year-old Etienne had 11 carries for 50 yards and caught one pass for 10 yards. Both RBs should be available to play in Week 5 versus the division-rival Indianapolis Colts, but Bigsby's efficient performance last week could lead Jacksonville to give him a bigger piece of the backfield pie as the Jags look for their first win of 2024. Etienne should be viewed as an RB2 in fantasy, with Bigsby becoming a more appealing RB3/flex in deeper formats.

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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (ankle) was able to put in a limited practice on Wednesday. Njoku is slowly working his way back from a high-ankle sprain that he suffered in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Njoku hasn't played in a game since, but he could be tracking toward his return in Week 5 this Sunday to face the Washington Commanders. The Browns coaching staff still wants to see a little more out of Njoku in practice the rest of the week before clearing him, so fantasy managers will need to continue monitoring his progress before throwing him back into starting lineups as a low-end TE1 in what has been a mediocre Browns offense to this point. Backup Jordan Akins hasn't been an answer for fantasy managers as a streamer the last three weeks, as he's caught just six passes for 49 yards and no scores in the three games that Njoku has missed.

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Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Engram injured his hamstring before the Week 2 contest and hasn't played since. However, the fact that he's back on the practice field should at least give him a shot to play this weekend in a divisional contest against the Indianapolis Colts. Engram will likely need to put in a full practice later this week to avoid a questionable tag on Friday. The 30-year-old caught just one of his four targets for a five-yard gain in the season-opening loss to the Miami Dolphins. When he returns, Engram should become a bigger part of Jacksonville's offense as they look for their first win of the season. Backup Brenton Strange has caught eight of his 14 targets for 96 yards and one touchdown in an elevated role the last three weeks with Engram sidelined.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (chest) was listed as limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Dell is reportedly expected to return in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday after missing the Week 4 win over the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. The fact that the 24-year-old is already back at practice is a great sign. Through the first four weeks of his second year in the NFL, Dell has been the clear No. 3 wideout in Houston behind Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs, which has limited his fantasy upside considerably as a WR4/flex. The former third-rounder in 2023 out of Houston has nine catches on 17 targets for 99 yards and no scores through his first three games in 2024. The Week 5 contest against Buffalo lines up as a potential shootout, so Dell will have boom/bust appeal if he returns on Sunday.

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Updating a previous report, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (abdomen, oblique) was officially limited in Wednesday's practice. Richardson said he wasn't going to practice earlier on Wednesday, but he was just referencing the team portions of practice. Head coach Shane Steichen said Richardson wouldn't necessarily need to practice in order to play in Week 5 against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The fact that the 22-year-old is practicing at all in the first session of the week is good news for his status this weekend. The second-year signal-caller was injured in the Week 4 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and had veteran Joe Flacco replace him. After a tough start to his second year in the NFL in 2024, including a league-high six picks, the dual-threat QB has fallen to fringe QB1/2 territory. The good news is he has a great matchup on tap if he's cleared to play in Week 5.

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Miami Dolphins running backs Raheem Mostert (chest) and Jeff Wilson Jr. (knee) were both limited in practice on Wednesday. Mostert injured his chest in the Week 1 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and hasn't played since despite being limited in practice all of last week as well. As long as he doesn't suffer a setback this week, though, Mostert should have a good chance to return on Sunday in Week 5 against the division-rival New England Patriots. The 32-year-old doesn't offer a ton of flex appeal for fantasy managers behind De'Von Achane and now that Miami's offense is being run by quarterback Tyler Huntley for at least one more week. Wilson hurt his knee in pre-game warmups before Monday's loss to the Titans and played only two offensive snaps as a result. The 28-year-old should be available this Sunday but is well off the radar for starting fantasy lineups, especially if Mostert comes back in Week 5.

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