NFL Player News

For the second year in a row, Burks entered Week 1 after a tumultuous offseason. Last year, Burks struggled with his conditioning and suffered a few knicks and bruises while playing late into preseason games. This time around, he suffered a sprained LCL that nearly knocked him out for the Titans’ Week 1 opener. He played through the injury but was quickly sidelined with a new knee issue after just a few games. Burks later missed time with a concussion. He ended the year with 16 catches for 221 yards. He did not score once and failed to top three catches in a game. Burks has just 665 receiving yards through two seasons. The Titans will likely add more talent at receiver via the draft and should retain DeAndre Hopkins after the veteran topped 1,000 yards in 2023. Burks will enter his third pro campaign in desperate need of a breakout. The 2024 season will be a true make-or-break for the former first-round pick.

The Seahawks never play it straight with Metcalf’s practice statuses. He’ll be out there as a WR1 against the Giants.

This would normally be cause for concern, but the Seahawks are clearly just managing Walker’s reps after his successful Week 4 return. He can be fired up as an upside RB1 vs. the Giants.

Love’s Week 5 status was never in doubt, though perhaps this is an indication he will be able to better plant-and-drive after sometimes struggling to do so in his Week 4 return. Despite those physical question marks, Love is a high-end QB1 for a delectable matchup with the Rams’ awful defense.

A lot of notable names, but no surprises. Winfield was originally expected to miss only two weeks upon going down in the opener, but this will be his fourth consecutive absence. Perhaps the “mini bye” will give him enough time to get cleared for Week 6.

This is about as quiet of a list as you will ever see in the modern NFL. The Falcons are getting back RT Kaleb McGary, hopefully boosting the running game and buying Kirk Cousins a little more time with the pass.

Folks... We have obviously heard this one before, but Pitts’ “usage” has plummeted to embarrassing depths in recent weeks, culminating with a zero-catch Week 4. He has exceeded 30 yards one time all season, and has yet to catch more than three passes. We would expect a few early designed looks against the Bucs, but it’s unclear if Pitts is even capable of forcing the issue once the scripted plays are through.

It means that, barring an unexpected regression in the concussion protocol, McBride will be good to go for Sunday’s game against the 49ers after missing Week 4. McBride’s easy targets were sorely missed by Kyler Murray last Sunday, to say nothing of fantasy managers. Despite something of a slow start, McBride immediately rejoins the top five at his struggling position.

The Chiefs opened CEH’s return window this week and can activate him anytime. He’ll return to a crowded backfield that featured Kareem Hunt in Week 4’s win over the Chargers and is unlikely to have any fantasy upside early in his return. Managers needing help at running back can stash CEH as needed, but he’s more likely to be a roster clogger than a weekly contributor as long as the Chiefs’ top options are healthy.

The Chiefs’ new came off the couch in Week 4 to lead the team in touches (16) and was second in total yards (85). A few bumps and bruises for a player who is getting back into game shape on the fly is to be expected. The fact he could log a limited session on Thursday is a good sign for Hunt, who also gets an extra day to heal thanks to this week’s Monday night matchup. Hunt is ranked as RotoPat’s RB19 on the week, meaning he’ll have plenty to offer fantasy managers if active.

Listed with hip and rib issues heading into Week 4, Olave checked out a few times late but never missed more than a snap or two as he corralled eight passes for 87 yards. He’s banged up, but seemingly in zero doubt of missing Monday night’s showdown with the Chiefs’ strong pass defense. Olave is parked on the WR1/2 borderline for the time being.