NFL Player News

Patterson continues to get a chunk of the Falcons backfield, getting seven of 28 running back carries against the Colts. The veteran notably converted on a second quarter 4th-and-1 carry, but had little impact the rest of the game. His fantasy value isn’t much as he operates as the team’s third running back. Patterson should be kept off the fantasy radar barring an injury to Bijan Robinson or Tyler Allgeier.

Robinson was a surprise DNP on Wednesday and has now missed two straight practices. With Austin Ekeler (concussion) on the mend, the Commanders could be rolling with Ekeler as their RB1 if Robinson is unable to get on the field for Week 5 against the Browns. He still has a chance to log a limited session on Friday, but fantasy managers should have a contingency plan in place, just in case.

Ekeler continues to trend toward a Week 5 return after also logging a limited practice on Wednesday. The veteran back, if active, will resume his role as the change-of-pace back behind Brian Robinson, with a chance to start if Robinson (knee) is unable to go. Robinson popped up on Wednesday’s injury report as a DNP and was not spotted in Thursday’s practice.

Wright made the surprise announcement on his Instagram page, saying he underwent an MRI on his tricep following the team’s Week 2 win over the Jaguars after “dealing with pain from a strain.” After playing through the pain in Weeks 3 and 4, Wright underwent another MRI, which revealed a tear that will now require surgery. The former 2022 third-round pick has totaled eight tackles, one TFL, and one sack on the season and was hoping to take a big step forward in his third season. With 2025 being a contract year, Wright will need a breakout campaign in his fourth season if he hopes to re-up with the Browns long-term.

Richardson was surprisingly listed as limited on Wednesday’s injury report despite earlier reports that he was not practicing. He’ll most likely be limited again in Thursday’s session. He’s trending toward drawing a questionable tag ahead of Sunday’s Week 5 contest against the Jaguars, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Colts played it safe and went with Flacco to give Richardson some additional time to heal.

Dell has participated in each of the Texans’ first two practices to open the week. He appears to be trending toward a return in Week 5 against the Bills after missing last week’s game against the Jaguars. If he does suit up, Dell will be hard to trust in his return from injury. It also doesn’t help that Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs are both playing well through the first month of the season. If active, Dell shouldn’t be viewed as anything more as a WR4/WR5 this week.

Pierce, along with backfield mate Joe Mixon (ankle), has yet to practice this week. Their absence is somewhat surprising, considering Pierce was thought to have a chance to play in Week 4, and Mixon was ruled as “day-to-day” by coach DeMeco Ryans earlier this week. If Pierce and Mixon are unable to go, the Texans could again turn to Cam Akers for Week 5’s matchup against the Bills.

After attempting to play in Week 4, Mixon opened this week as “day-to-day,” per coach DeMeco Ryans. Two straight missed practices to open the week, however, officially put his Week 5 availability in doubt. We could be looking at another week of Cam Akers if Mixon and Dameon Pierce (ankle) are both unable to go for Week 5 against the Bills.

It was reported after Sunday’s win over the Chargers that the team fears a torn ACL for Rice, but they are waiting to do further testing before confirming. Rice suffered what appeared to be a devastating knee injury in the first quarter of Sunday’s contest and was carted from the field after the play. We don’t expect to see Rice on the field any time soon, and despite the delayed diagnosis, it wouldn’t be surprising if he was ruled out for the remainder of the season. We’ll be sure to provide any updates as they come in.

Taylor’s absence on Thursday more or less makes Friday’s practice the determining factor for whether or not Taylor will play in Week 5 against the Jaguars. Taylor is dealing with a high-ankle sprain that he suffered last week against the Steelers. He said the injury isn’t as severe as the high-ankle sprain he suffered in 2022, but there’s still a chance he misses a few weeks because of it. His absence would create a scenario in which Trey Sermon handles the majority of the Colts’ running back touches, while Tyler Goodson works in for some passing work.

Pearsall was shot during an attempted robbery on August 31. After being placed on the reserve/NFI list to open the season, it was reported that he was expected to return by Week 5. However, the 49ers do not plan to open Pearsall’s practice window just yet. A Week 5 return is now off the radar, and the 49ers get the Seahawks on a short week in Week 6. While it’s possible he returns for that Thursday night matchup, it wouldn’t be surprising if the 49ers delay his return until Week 7. Whenever his practice window is opened, the 49ers then have 21 days to fully activate Pearsall or rule him out for the season.