NFL Player News

A local product who grew up in Blythewood, S.C., Smith (6’1/180) is a former four-star recruit who participated in the U.S. Army All-American game. He broke out in 2021 by holding opponents to just 15 receptions on 32 targets for 184 yards and a sparkling 36.5 passer rating when targeted while finishing second in the SEC with 11 PBU and earning Second-Team All-SEC recognition. While Smith’s elite play from 2021 slipped a bit last year, going from a lofty 89.7 PFF coverage grade to a middling 64.4 in 2022. Smith logged 196 snaps in the slot and 356 outside last season, a stark increase in slot duties from the 32 slot reps he played in his breakout 2021 campaign. A big reason for the increased slot usage could be the 11 penalties he committed last season, as Smith has a tendency to get grabby when out of phase. Though receivers were able to get by him at times, his 4.43s 40 was a strong 87th% mark and his 10-yard split of 1.48s is a legitimately blazing 97th percentile time. Toss in a pair of excellent jumps, and Smith’s 9.68 RAS score is a major green flag for his transition to the pros. He ramps up extremely well and has that dawg in him in coverage, but Smith can get manhandled in the run games at times. His sound instincts and versatility to play inside or out makes Smith an intriguing second corner option for zone-based defenses.

Gibson will start in place of Rhamondre Stevenson, whose four straight games with a fumble prompted HC Jerod Mayo to make the move. Mayo did confirm that Stevenson will still play, so Gibson’s impending role should conservatively be viewed as that of the committee-lead variety. Gibson leads Patriots running backs in both yards per carry (5.3) and yards per route run (3.15). He is an RB3 with PPR upside this week.

Speaking on a local radio show, Mayo added, “I’ll be upfront and transparent. But he will play. And he understands he has to protect the football going forward.” The news comes two days after Mayo told reporters he was considering benching Stevenson in favor of Antonio Gibson. Gibson has played far more efficiently than Stevenson through the first four weeks, averaging 5.3 yards per carry and 3.15 yards per route run. Stevenson is respectively averaging 4.1 and 0.47 yards per play. Fantasy managers should consider Gibson a flex play with PPR upside. Stevenson has converted 50.0 percent of his green zone carries for first downs and/or touchdowns, which may keep him in play in scoring position though.

The team website noted Steichen’s “confidence in backups Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson.” Goodson’s 2024 touch total consists of one target, earned in Week 2. Sermon has totaled nine rushing attempts, one target and leads Colts RBs in pass-protection snaps. Goodson will likely mix in as a rotational rusher but Sermon should operate as the committee’s lead rusher and pass catcher for Week 5.

Hines-Allen left Week 4 with a concussion and did not return. He missed Wednesday’s practice but got in a pair of limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. JHA still has to clear the league’s concussion protocol over the weekend, but the questionable tag at least gives him a shot at doing so. He has one sack and one TFL through four games this year. The Jags also listed safety Darnell Savage and linebacker Devin Lloyd as questionable.

Bigsby played through the shoulder injury last week and ripped off a 58-yard run on one of his seven rush attempts. He finished the game with 90 yards. Bigsby struggled as a rookie but has been one of the league’s most efficient backs through four weeks of his second season. He ranks as a boom/bust RB4 heading into Week 5.

The Dolphins signed Tyler Huntley off the Ravens’ practice squad to play over Boyle a few weeks ago. He is slated to make his second start of the year this week and Skylar Thompson will back him up. That left Boyle in no man’s land. He will likely land on a practice squad in the coming weeks.

Fellow Jacksonville running back Tank Bigsby was also removed from the injury report. Bigsby has been far more explosive this year and has already worked his way into a small committee role. No longer dominating the snaps, Etienne is more of a high-end RB2 than a true RB1 heading into his matchup with the Colts.

Engram was limited in practice throughout the week. He has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury during pre-game warmups an hour before Jacksonville’s Week 2 matchup with the Browns. Getting in three limited sessions gives him a good chance of suiting up this week, but fantasy managers will need to check the Jags’ inactives to be sure. If Engram is ruled out before kickoff, Brenton Strange will draw his fourth start of the year.

Beachum missed Week 3 with the hamstring issue but returned to action and played every offensive snap last week. He missed Wednesday’s practice but was back on the field for a pair of limited sessions before being listed as questionable. Beachum should be able to suit up for Week 5 despite the hamstring injury.

Crosby finally returned to practice in a limited capacity on Friday. The veteran DE plays through injuries whenever possible so he has a real chance to return for this divisional matchup.