NFL Player News

After suffering a sprained ankle in Sunday’s loss to the Bills, Becton was always considered a long shot to play on the short week. The third-year tackle has officially been ruled out for Friday’s contest, which will open the door for Carter Warren to draw the start to protect new starting QB Tim Boyle.

Lewis suffered a UCL injury in Week 3 and missed Week 4. A return to practice this early in the week suggests he’ll be back after missing just one game. Andy Dalton came back to Earth last week, throwing for two touchdowns and one interception in a losing effort versus Cincinnati. Getting Lewis back in the lineup would help protect Dalton in his third start this season. The Panthers also got defensive tackle Shy Tuttle back at practice on Wednesday.

Hicks attempted to play through the rib and elbow injuries last week but only made it five snaps. The tricep issue is a new addition to his status on the injury report. He looks unlikely to suit up in Week 5. Myles Garrett (Achilles) did not practice on Wednesday. He didn’t practice last Wednesday either but was cleared from the injury report entirely by Friday. Garrett is likely on a strict workload management routine and should be expected to play this week, despite the DNP.

Pocic suffered the ankle injury on an extra point in Week 4 and did not return. Backup center Nick Harris took over and immediately struggled. He cost the Browns an 82-yard touchdown with a holding penalty late in the game and later snapped the ball when Deshaun Watson wasn’t ready, forcing his quarterback to fall on the ball for a loss of yards and the down. Pocic is far from the only offensive lineman in Cleveland who is injured, exacerbating the many flaws of Watson.

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.