NFL Player News

Watkins delivered the highlight of the night with a screen pass that he took 79 yards to the house. Watkins was in with the starters and nearly had another long score on a pass from Jalen Hurts when he beat his man down the sideline, but the pass was overthrown. Watkins offers elite speed, and could emerge as a contributor this season after the 2020 sixth rounder spent most of last season behind John Hightower.

This is the first we’re hearing about Singletary’s groin issue. He’s coming off a down game against Dallas, one of the NFL’s worst rush defenses. Singletary has functioned as one of the league’s only true workhorse running backs over the season’s first month. Tyrone Tracy and Eric Gray would likely split the workload in Week 5 against the Seahawks if Singletary is out.

Richardson is reportedly feeling better following his Week 4 oblique injury against the Steelers but sat out practice to start the week. Joe Flacco would get the call for the Colts if Richardson can’t practice on Thursday and Friday ahead of the team’s Week 5 matchup with the Jaguars. Flacco would be a boon for Josh Downs and Michael Pittman.

Nabers is reportedly in the early stages of the league’s concussion protocol after sustaining a brain injury in Week 4 against the Cowboys. If Nabers can’t practice Thursday or Friday, he’s unlikely to suit up in Week 5 against the Seahawks. That would leave Wan’Dale Robinson as the Giant’s top receiving option.

McBride was able to practice on Wednesday. Gannon said McBride’s prospects look “good” for this Sunday’s game against the 49ers after he missed Week 4 against Washington. McBride’s late week practice participation will be key if he’s going to suit up against the Niners. Elijah Higgins would once again work as the team’s TE1 if McBride can’t go.

Archer said Cooks could miss time beyond Week 5 due to an infection stemming from a knee procedure he underwent last week. Cooks is second on the team with 19 targets through Week 4, though he only has nine catches for 91 yards and one score. Jalen Tolbert should take on a bigger role with Cooks sidelined. KaVontae Turpin could also see an increased role for as long as Cooks is out.

“That’s definitely under consideration... We can’t preach ball security is job security and still have him out there the majority of the time,” Mayo said of Stevenson, who has four fumbles on the season, the most in the league. This could be Mayo’s attempt to light a proverbial fire beneath Stevenson after a rough start to the season. Stevenson is averaging 4.1 yard per carry on 65 rushes, but hasn’t done much since a Week 1 explosion (126 total yards, one touchdown) against the Bengals. Gibson, meanwhile, is averaging 5.3 YPC and has 87 yards on just seven receptions through Week 4. Gibson could at least take over pass-catching duties while Stevenson remains the between-the-20s banger.

Steichen said Richardson has a shot to practice Wednesday after leaving Week 4’s game against the Steelers with an abdominal injury. If Richardson is able to practice in any capacity over the next few days, he should be a go for Week 5 against the Jaguars. If not, Joe Flacco would make a spot start and Michael Pittman and Josh Downs would be solid fantasy options.

Andrews will undergo surgery and is done for the season. He sustained the shoulder injury in Week 4’s loss to the 49ers and reportedly considered playing through the ailment before opting for surgery. New England’s offensive line, graded by PFF as the NFL’s third worst pass blocking unit, could get even worse with Andrews out.

With Rice sidelined for a while, Fowler sees Smith-Schuster — who has two catches for 17 yards on the season — will become a starter in the KC offense. The team, Fowlers said, wants to “use Smith-Schuster in the short and midrange areas of the field, where Rice was doing his damage.” Fowler added that “Smith-Schuster knows the offense from having played in it two seasons ago, and Patrick Mahomes looked to him in key spots during that Super Bowl run.” Smith-Schuster, 27, could suffice as a low-ceiling fantasy option while Travis Kelce functions as the Chiefs’ de facto WR1.

Fowler said Irving’s skillset is “hard to ignore” and added that his “shifty running style and big-play potential will keep him in the lineup, and when Tampa Bay needs to grind out wins with the run, there will be plenty of carries to go around.” Irving in Week 4 against the Eagles matched Rachaad White with 10 rushes for 49 yards. Irving has been the more efficient runner and pass catcher out of the Bucs backfield, and could eventually elevate as the team’s clear No. 1 back. White is unlikely to be phased out entirely, however.