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FFL: Week 5 | NFL: Week 5

Chiefs place WR Rashee Rice (knee) on injured reserve

Thu Oct 3 5:04pm ET
Field Level Media

The Kansas City Chiefs placed wide receiver Rashee Rice on injured reserve on Thursday with a knee injury, meaning he will miss at least four games.

Rice was injured in the first quarter of the Chiefs' 17-10 victory over the host Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday when he took an inadvertent hit from his quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes threw an interception to Los Angeles cornerback Kristian Fulton, whose 29-yard return ended when Rice came up from behind him and poked the ball loose. Mahomes was simultaneously trying to make a tackle as Rice forced the fumble, and the signal-caller crashed into Rice's right knee.

The quarterback said on Thursday that he felt terrible that he hit Rice.

"I wasn't really worried about myself," Mahomes said. "I was worried about his injury and, hopefully, it wasn't as bad as it looked because I was the one that hit him."

While reports earlier this week said the Chiefs feared Rice tore his ACL, head coach Andy Reid said Thursday that the team is waiting for swelling to go down before further testing the knee.

"I think just wait-and-see is where we're at," Reid said. "For his sake, we're really hoping things work out for the best, but let's just see where it goes. Leave it up to the doctors to see. I'm definitely not a doctor."

Rice, 24, already had been ruled out of Monday night's home game against the New Orleans Saints. Kansas City (4-0) then has a bye week, followed by games at San Francisco on Oct. 20, at Las Vegas on Oct. 27 and at home against Tampa Bay on Nov. 4.

Rice is the Chiefs' leading receiver in catches (24), targets (29), yards (288) and touchdowns (two, tied with Xavier Worthy).

A second-round selection by Kansas City in the 2023 NFL Draft out of SMU, Rice has hauled in 103 passes for 1,226 yards and nine TDs in 20 career regular-season games (12 starts).

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Player Notes
D.K. Metcalf Oct 3 6:50pm CT
D.K. Metcalf

Seattle Seahawks wide receivers DK Metcalf (hand) and Tyler Lockett (thigh) were both limited in Thursday's practice. Metcalf was a full-go on Wednesday, so he was downgraded a day later. Lockett has been limited in both practices this week. The Seahawks were likely just giving Metcalf a little extra rest on Thursday. Neither he nor Lockett are in any danger of missing the Week 5 matchup against the visiting New York Giants. Metcalf had just three catches for 29 yards in the season opener but is now on a three-game run of going over 100 yards receiving while also scoring twice. He is a must-start against the Giants in fantasy this weekend. Lockett has been dealing with a thigh injury since training camp but hasn't missed any time. He has a lower floor and ceiling in fantasy as a WR4/flex with Jaxon Smith-Njigba eating into his targets. Lockett has 18 receptions (26 targets) for 199 yards and no touchdowns through four games.

From RotoBaller

Noah Fant Oct 3 6:50pm CT
Noah Fant

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (toe) and Pharaoh Brown (foot, knee) were both limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Fant has been listed on the injury report all year with his toe injury but he hasn't missed a single contest through four week. He's been a TE2 in fantasy so far, checking in as the TE22 in half-PPR scoring with 11 receptions on 15 targets for 111 yards and no touchdowns. The 26-year-old should be fine to suit up for the Week 5 game at home on Sunday against the New York Giants, where he'll continue to be a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE2 for fantasy managers as long as all three receivers DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett remain healthy. Quarterback Geno Smith has been slinging the ball around and currently leads the NFL with 1,182 passing yards, but most of his targets are going towards his receivers in 2024.

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Kenneth Walker III Oct 3 6:40pm CT
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice but was downgraded to limited on Thursday. Walker suffered an oblique injury in the season opener and then did not play in Weeks 2 and 3 before returning for the Monday night matchup against the Detroit Lions in Week 4. The 23-year-old returned with a bang in the loss on Monday, touching the ball 16 times for 116 scrimmage yards and three rushing touchdowns. The Seahawks are likely just giving Walker a little extra rest on Thursday, but we'll have a better idea about his status on Friday. As long as Walker is active on Sunday, he should be considered a must-start in fantasy lineups. Through only two games played so far in 2024, Walker has averaged a career-best 5.7 yards per carry and has scored four times on the ground for Seattle.

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Aaron Rodgers Oct 3 6:30pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (knee) was listed as a full practice participant on Thursday after he was limited on Wednesday. Rodgers admitted earlier this week that he was a bit banged up and dealt with some swelling in his knee following the Week 4 upset loss to the Denver Broncos, but his participation at practice this week shows that he should be just fine to play in Week 5 on the road against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings. The Jets are not concerned with his status. Rumors have been floating this week that Raider receiver Davante Adams is angling to be traded to the Jets to reunite with Rodgers. That would certainly be a boost for the 40-year-old's fantasy value the rest of the season if that comes to pass. Rodgers isn't going to have Adams this week against an aggressive Vikings defense in a hostile environment. He will remain a low-upside QB2 in Week 5.

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Kyle Pitts Oct 3 6:20pm CT
Kyle Pitts

Going into their Thursday night divisional clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night to kick off Week 5, the Atlanta Falcons offense and quarterback Kirk Cousins hasn't been as explosive as they'd hoped. Cousins is still making a key impact and the Falcons players think a breakout is coming soon. One player they want to get more involved, starting on Thursday night, is tight end Kyle Pitts. The 23-year-old has just eight catches for 105 yards and one touchdown on 15 targets in four games, which includes a zero-catch game (three targets) in last week's win over the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Expect Pitts to get the squeaky-wheel treatment on Thursday night, especially in the red zone and on third downs, where this offense has struggled. Fantasy managers may be upset with Pitts after his donut last week, but he should still be considered a low-end TE1 going into this tilt against Tampa.

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Trey McBride Oct 3 6:10pm CT
Trey McBride

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (concussion) was able to log a full practice session on Thursday after he was limited to begin the week on Wednesday. McBride suffered a concussion in the Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions and was held out for the Week 4 loss to the Washington Commanders. With a full practice under his belt this week, it looks as though McBride is well on his way to clearing the league's concussion protocol in time to play this Sunday against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers. In his first three games of the season in his third year in the NFL, McBride has been a big part of the team's passing attack, catching 14 of 21 targets for 122 yards, although he has yet to find the end zone. This weekend will be a difficult matchup on the road against a stout Niners defense, but McBride should be considered a top-five fantasy tight end if he gets the green light to suit up.

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Matt Prater Oct 3 6:10pm CT
Matt Prater

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (knee) is dealing with a left-knee injury that kept him out of his second straight practice this week on Thursday. Prater is now firmly in danger of missing the Week 5 divisional tilt on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals signed Chad Ryland to their practice squad on Wednesday, further signaling that they are worried about Prater's ability to kick this weekend. Prater is the No. 19 fantasy kicker through the first four weeks of the 2024 NFL campaign, so it's not like he was coming into this week really on the fantasy radar of managers in standard 12-team leagues. The 40-year-old has made all six of his field-goal attempts and all 10 of his extra-point tries, but the Cardinals offense so far has been too inconsistent to make Prater a viable fantasy kicking option on a weekly basis.

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Evan Engram Oct 3 5:50pm CT
Evan Engram

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) was limited in the team's practice for the second day in a row this week on Thursday. Engram suffered a hamstring injury during pre-game warmups before the team's Week 2 loss to the Cleveland Browns and hasn't played since. However, with two limited practices under his belt this week, he's at least given himself a chance to return in Week 5 against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday for his official status, but there's a good chance the 30-year-old will be considered questionable going into Sunday's game. He'll be on the TE1/2 borderline if he returns to the field this weekend after catching just one pass for five yards in Week 1. Brenton Strange has been a serviceable TE2 the last three weeks with Engram out, catching eight of 14 targets for 96 yards and one touchdown.

From RotoBaller

Gabriel Davis Oct 3 5:50pm CT
Gabriel Davis

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder) was listed as a limited practice participant yet again on Thursday. Davis has yet to practice in full this week, but nothing is pointing to him being in danger of missing the Week 5 divisional contest against the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in all four of the team's games in his first year with Jacksonville and has underwhelmed, catching just nine of his 21 targets for 121 yards and no touchdowns. Davis' worst performance came in last week's loss to the division-rival Houston Texans, when he caught one of five targets for a loss of two yards. He's been disappointing, to say the least, especially with tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) missing the last three games. As the No. 3 wideout behind Christian Kirk and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. in a struggling offense, it's hard to recommend Davis as anything more than a boom/bust, WR5/flex.

From RotoBaller

Travis Etienne Oct 3 5:40pm CT
Travis Etienne

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (shoulder) remained limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Fellow RB Tank Bigsby (shoulder) was also limited for a second straight day. Etienne injured his shoulder in the Week 4 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans but later returned to the game, although he ceded seven carries to Bigsby, who picked up a season-high 90 yards. The 25-year-old Etienne's status doesn't appear to be in question for another divisional matchup in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts, but his fantasy value could be in trouble if the Jags decide to start getting Bigsby more involved in the backfield. Bigsby has averaged an impressive 8.2 yards per carry through four games. As of now, fantasy managers should plan to start Etienne as an RB2 as the Jags look for their first victory of 2024.

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Juwan Johnson Oct 3 5:30pm CT
Juwan Johnson

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (forearm) was listed as limited in the team's first practice of the week on Thursday. Johnson's status carries a little more importance this week with tight end Taysom Hill (rib) dealing with rib fractures. Hill did not practice on Thursday and appears to be questionable to suit up on Monday night for a showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. Johnson could pick up an injury designation himself going into Monday's game, but he also has two more days to put in a full session, which could get him cleared. The 28-year-old would surely have more opportunities to catch passes from quarterback Derek Carr if Hill is ruled out this week, but he'd still be nothing more than a TE2 sleeper for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. Johnson has caught only four passes on six targets for 39 yards and one touchdown through the season's first four games.

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Chris Olave Oct 3 5:20pm CT
Chris Olave

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) was listed on the first injury report of Week 5 but he was able to put in a full practice and should be just fine to play on Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. In addition to Olave, receivers A.T. Perry (hamstring) was limited, and Cedrick Wilson Jr. (ankle) practiced in full. It's worth noting for Olave, but his hamstring shouldn't limit him at all for a showdown with the defending Super Bowl champions. The 24-year-old got off to a slow start in Week 1 but has now gone over 80 receiving yards in each of the last three games. He had eight catches on 10 targets for 87 yards in the Week 4 loss to the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. New Orleans figures to have to throw the ball plenty against KC on the road on Monday night, making Olave a good bet for solid production for his fantasy managers again. He's a solid WR2 in Week 5.

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Blake Grupe Oct 3 5:20pm CT
Blake Grupe

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe (hip) is dealing with a right-hip injury and was unable to take part in the first practice of the week on Thursday. Grupe's status for the Week 5 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night is now in question, but he still has two more days to get back onto the practice field. If Grupe cannot get back on the practice field in the next two days, the Saints could call up Charlie Smyth from the practice squad to serve as their kicker on Monday night. Through four weeks in 2024, Grupe checks in as the No. 5 fantasy kicker, having made all eight of his field-goal attempts and 13 of his 14 extra-point tries in a much-improved Saints offense. Fantasy managers might need to pivot at the kicking position in Week 5 if Grupe is out or listed as questionable for Monday's contest.

From RotoBaller

George Kittle Oct 3 5:10pm CT
George Kittle

For the second straight day this week, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ribs) was not participating in practice on Thursday. Kittle was seen in full gear on a side field. Kittle missed Week 3 with a hamstring injury but returned in the Week 4 win over the New England Patriots and caught a touchdown pass, but two DNPs to begin the week put him back up in the air to suit up for a Week 5 tilt against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. The 30-year-old is probably going to need to put in some work at practice on Friday to have a shot at playing this weekend. It's a bit surprising that he has missed two practices after head coach Kyle Shanahan called him day-to-day earlier in the week. If Kittle is active, he's a must-start TE1 in fantasy. If he's limited or out, tight end Eric Saubert would have a bigger role again, although that led to just two catches for 41 yards in Week 3 when Kittle was sidelined. Check back on Friday for Kittle's designation for Week 5.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Oct 3 5:10pm CT
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (hip, ribs) remains on the injury report for Week 5 and put in a limited practice on Thursday. Kamara was also limited before the Week 4 contest against the Atlanta Falcons but ended up playing and saw 26 touches for 119 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown. Unless he's downgraded at practice in the next few days, Kamara should be just fine to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football to close out Week 5 action. The 29-year-old has exceeded expectations through the first four weeks in the Saints' new offense and has been the RB1 in half-PPR scoring with 80 carries for 362 yards and five touchdowns, adding 17 receptions for 174 yards and another score. As long as he doesn't have a setback with his injuries later this week, Kamara should remain locked into lineups as a must-start.

From RotoBaller

Rashee Rice Oct 3 4:13pm CT
Rashee Rice

Dynasty | The Chiefs have placed wide receiver Rashee Rice on injured reserve. Dynasty Analysis: Rice will miss at least the next four weeks with a knee injury and the Chiefs are still waiting for the swelling to subside to see if he'll be out for the year. Chances are Rice has torn his ACL, but that hasn't been confirmed as of yet. Regardless, dynasty managers need to make alternate plans as Rice isn't going to be anywhere near fantasy lineups for a while, as expected.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Kareem Hunt Oct 3 4:00pm CT
Kareem Hunt

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (shoulder) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Hunt's status before their game on Monday evening against the New Orleans Saints, but seeing him on the practice field this early in the week suggests the injury is not serious. The 29-year-old logged a team-high 14 carries in his season debut last weekend. No. 2 running back Samaje Perine logged only five carries, which implies that Hunt should be viewed as the lead runner for the time being. With Isiah Pacheco (leg) on Injured Reserve, Hunt could become a solid flex play going forward if he continues to have a prominent role in the Kansas City offense.

From RotoBaller

Luke Musgrave Oct 3 3:50pm CT
Luke Musgrave

Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) remained sidelined during practice for the second straight day, according to Jason B. Hirschhorn. This is not a good sign for Musgrave, as he has just one more opportunity to log a practice before Sunday's game. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report as Musgrave will likely carry a designation into the weekend. The 24-year-old has taken a step back this season as Tucker Kraft has emerged as Green Bay's No.1 tight end. Musgrave has caught just five passes over the first four weeks compared to Kraft's 12. If Musgrave misses Sunday's game, Kraft should be viewed as a TE1 with upside, as he should have plenty of opportunities facing a weak Los Angeles Rams defense.

From RotoBaller

Kendre Miller Oct 3 3:40pm CT
Kendre Miller

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) returned to practice for the first time this season on Thursday, according to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times. Miller has been on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury since the beginning of the season, as he missed most of training camp. In his rookie campaign last fall, Miller carried the ball only 41 times for 156 yards and a score. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Miller's progress through the week, as he could make his season debut on Monday evening. When Miller does return, he should be expected to split time with Jamaal Williams as the No.2 option out of the backfield while Alvin Kamara sees the majority of opportunities.

From RotoBaller

Taysom Hill Oct 3 3:30pm CT
Taysom Hill

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) has rib fractures and was held out of Thursday's practice, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Head coach Dennis Allen did not explain any detail regarding the severity of the injury, but this will now jeopardize Hill's status for Monday's game. The 34-year-old was previously sidelined in Week 3 due to a bruised lung. However, before suffering the rib injury last weekend, Hill was able to find the end zone twice on six rushing attempts. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Hill's status over the weekend in case he can suit up. If not, Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau should see the majority of snaps at the tight end position.

From RotoBaller