NFL Player News

For what it’s worth, Shanahan also said Elijah Mitchell has a “chance” to play after missing Wednesday’s practice with a shoulder issue that Shanahan labeled “a little more” than the stinger the team initially had hoped he suffered. With only special teams ace Trenton Cannon and former XFL RB Jacques Patrick (6'2/234) on the active roster, whomever is available between Sermon and Mitchell will likely lead the team’s backfield in touches by default. Kerryon Johnson and Chris Thompson are also available to be promoted from the practice squad if need be. It’s a situation that won’t be decided until Friday’s final injury report (if not Sunday morning inactives).

The Jets have been a hypothetical trade destination ever since Aaron Rodgers joined them last offseason, and the Raiders shipped Adams’ college BFF, Derek Carr, to the Saints. Bleacher Reports’ Jordan Schultz reported earlier in the week that the Jets are a preferred destination for Adams, who seems unlikely to play another snap for the Raiders. While a trade to the Jets could eventually be in the works, Breer notes that the Bills and Steelers have also inquired about Adams. The Jets feel like the obvious favorite to land Adams given his history with Rodgers, but we’ll see how things unfold with this situation, that remains very wait-and-see. Adams is already expected to miss the Raiders’ Week 5 game against the Broncos with a hamstring injury.

Coming off of Monday night’s loss to the Lions, the Seahawks didn’t log an official practice on Wednesday. If they had, Lockett would have been a limited participant. Lockett has been on the injury report with a thigh injury since Week 1, but has played in every game this season. This is likely a non-issue for the veteran receiver ahead of Week 5’s matchup against the Giants.

This appears to be a new injury for Musgrave, who has played in all four games for the Packers this season. Head coach Matt LaFleur hasn’t made a public comment on the nature or severity of Musgrave’s injury, so we’ll see what kind of details emerge later in the week. Musgrave has played on 108 snaps to Tucker Kraft’s 227, and has just seven targets on the year. A Week 5 absence could lead to more targets for Kraft, who saw a season-high, eight, in last week’s loss to the Vikings.

Love returned early from the knee injury he suffered in Week 1 to play in Week 4. The Packers’ franchise quarterback sported a brace on his left knee for added support, so it’s no surprise he’s not fully recovered from the injury. It’s possible Love will be limited throughout the week in practice, but unless he suffers a setback, we can assume he’ll be active for Week 5 against the Rams.

Prater is dealing with a left knee issue, per the team’s injury report. While it’s not an injury to his kicking foot, it goes without saying that an injury to any leg can impact on his ability to kick at a high level. We’ll see how this impacts his Week 5 availability, but if Prater is unable to go, the Cardinals would likely elevate kicker Chad Ryland, who they signed to their practice squad earlier this week.

Per head coach Jonathan Gannon, McBride was trending toward playing in Week 5 against the 49ers after missing last week’s game against the Commanders. McBride has caught 14 passes for 122 yards this season but is still looking for his first touchdown. If he’s active this week, he’ll have TE1 upside as one of the few tight ends who has been frequently relied out early in the year.

This comes just days after Saleh told reporters the team’s goal-line role “is definitely something to look at.” It doesn’t sound like Hall is at risk of losing goal-line work to Braelon Allen, but it’s also not a rock-solid endorsement. Fantasy managers will be starting Hall regardless of his goal-line role, but any lost work in that high-value area of the field would be a blow to his weekly fantasy outlook.

Williams was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in Week 1 against the Bills. While he continues to rehab from that injury, Fowler writes, “There’s a chance [Williams] doesn’t [return] at all, depending how the injury responds to rehab.” The Cardinals signed Williams to a two-year, $30 million contract last offseason in hopes of bolstering the right side of their line. Kelvin Beachum, who has been filling in for Williams, has earned a PFF blocking grade of 66.3 on 164 snaps, allowing seven pressures and three sacks.

T Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) and C Ethan Pocic (ankle) likewise were unable to practice. The Browns’ injury-ruined offensive line has allowed a league-high 66 QB pressures through four games. The protection issues appear likely to continue, given Wednesday’s injury report.

Hines has not played football since the 2022 NFL season, after tearing an ACL in a jet skiing accident during the summer of 2023. Fantasy managers in desperate need of a PPR RB option could stash Hines on benches, though his abnormally long recovery timeline suggests he is unlikely to earn a role in the Browns’ backfield quickly.