NFL Player News

He was carted off after getting checked in the blue medical tent. It feels unlikely that he’ll be able to get back on the field by the end of the season if this is anything beyond a normal ankle sprain. The UDFA started getting massive playing time after Chicago’s Roquan Smith trade and had 64 tackles and two sacks in six starts. He might be an interesting IDP play next season if the Bears don’t sign anybody.

Alexander entered the weekend listed as questionable but won’t be playing in the Packers’ divisional round matchup against the Vikings. The veteran corner, who has fared well against Justin Jefferson in years past, will hope to bounce back for Week 5 when the Packers take on the Rams. In addition to Alexander, the Packers also ruled out CB Carrington Valentine, S Kitan Oladapo, DL Brenton Cox Jr., OL Jordan Morgan, OT Travis Glover, and DL Colby Wooden

Nothing much to note here other than Chau Smith-Wade is active at cornerback instead of Tariq Castro-Fields, which is the reverse of what the Panthers did in Week 3.

Mixon was a game-time decision but didn’t make it after getting a limited practice in on Friday. He should be in play for Week 5. Dell misses his first game with rib bruising. Cam Akers and Stefon Diggs should absorb most of the extra volume from these two sitting. Dameon Pierce misses his third-straight game and has not practiced since the Thursday leading up to Week 2.

As is Chris Olave (hamstring). Whereas Olave seems like a snap-count concern after his late-week soft-tissue injury, Kamara’s status never appeared to be in much doubt. He can still be fired up as an RB1 for this twice-annual grudge match. Inactive for the Saints are QB Spencer Rattler, TE Dallin Holker, DT John Ridgeway, LB Demario Davis, OG Cesar Ruiz and WR A.T. Perry.

Rapoport noted that the Pats have yet to start the “ramp-up process” to get Maye in the lineup. On the other hand, he immediately brought up the fact that Maye is getting about 30 percent of the team’s first-team reps in practice. That isn’t new, but it’s also not normal for a backup quarterback. Maye also got some reps at the end of New England’s blowout loss to the Jets. The Pats are doing everything they can to convince themselves Jacoby Brissett will start the full season, but they currently rank 31st in points and 32nd in passing yards per game. It’s only a matter of time before they let the future of their franchise take the field.

Olave has been trending toward playing despite suffering a hamstring issue in practice on Friday. Both he and Alvin Kamara are good to go for Week 4. The injury makes Olave a riskier bet for fantasy purposes, but he is still the No. 1 receiver on a team with an explosive ceiling. Fantasy managers should still bet on Olave as a high-upside WR2 versus the Falcons this week.

Mixon got in one limited practice this week before being assigned the questionable tag. He made a push to play but will likely make his return in Week 5. Dameon Pierce has already been ruled out, meaning Cam Akers will lead the way for the second week in a row. Akers saw nearly all of the Texans’ carries in Week 4 while Dare Ogunbowale served as the primary option on passing downs. Akers’ role as a two-down player will keep him in the RB3 ranks versus Jacksonville.

Branch took a helmet-to-helmet shot from Trey McBride in Week 3 and was listed on the injury report with a concussion earlier this week. He was removed from the injury report on Saturday. It’s possible his illness is related to the head injury. Branch has been a standout player for the Lions since being drafted in the second round last year. He has one intercpetion, two TFLs, and 22 total tackles this season.

Edwards-Helaire was placed on the NFI list for personal reasons at the start of the season. The Chiefs have since lost Isiah Pacheco for an extended period of time because of a leg injury. Samaje Perine and Carson Steele have been handling the running back touches in his absence, but CEH could turn the backfield into a three-headed monster once he is back on the field Edwards-Helaire is worth a stash in deep leagues, though most fantasy managers can sit this one out.