NFL

It sounds like Ekeler has worked his way through most of the concussion protocol. It was a fun random week for Jeremy McNichols, but Ekeler could assume the secondary work behind Brian Robinson again in Week 5.

The Panthers will take a shot at rehabilitating the tools that made Farley a first-round pick in 2021 while managing the long-term back injury that has plagued him for most of his NFL career. The Panthers have almost nothing in the cupboard at cornerback beyond Jaycee Horn, so it makes sense to take a low-risk stab on a player who is still just 25.

Ditto Lucas Havrisik. Brayden Narveson has missed four of 13 field-goal attempts this year for the Packers, including the league’s only sub-40 yard miss through four weeks. The Packers may be ready to make a change.

The club is still evaluating how much time Phillips will need to miss, but it’s not surprising that he won’t be up for Week 5 after Miami quickly ruled him out on Monday night. Miami’s Week 6 bye will give them a little more time to figure out the situation. It’s possible he winds up on injured reserve.

We simply can’t trust any of Miami’s once-reliable fantasy weapons until we see better at quarterback, and Huntley was ghastly last week. McDaniel was quoted as saying: “after reviewing the tape, there’s reason for guys to be excited about [Huntley] ... There were some things to build upon, and we’re excited to do that tomorrow.” It’s possible that another week of practice in the system will help Huntley play better than he did on Monday night. It’s hard to believe he’ll be better enough to do more than make Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Devon Achane FLEX options against the Patriots.

In theory, it would be great for the Dolphins to have a third quality receiver on the field. In actuality, it probably won’t matter until Tua Tagovailoa returns. The Dolphins will have 21 days to activate him from the PUP list, meaning Beckham won’t necessarily return this week. He might be worth a stash in the deepest of the deep leagues with the idea that the Dolphins offense will be back on track in Week 8 after Tagovailoa is eligible to return.

Hall had been on the commissioner’s exempt list following a domestic violence arrest in August. He’ll be eligible to return in Week 11 against the Saints, after Cleveland’s bye week.

He’ll be eligible to return in Week 9 against the Dolphins. Miller had three sacks and five tackles in four games so far this season, rejuvenating himself after a zero-sack 2023. Only a situational pass rusher at this point, Miller will be missed but isn’t exactly a linchpin piece of the Buffalo defense anymore. It’s a slight upgrade for the Texans passing attack this week.

As expected. With Sterling Shepard signed to the active roster and a suffered concussion on Sunday, evidence is piling up against Palmer being active this week. He’ll likely have a shot to be ready in Week 6 after the mini-bye.

He hasn’t practiced since hurting the hamstring in practice on Friday, missing Sunday’s game along the way. With Sterling Shepard signed to the active roster, it feels likely that McMillan be sitting out this week if not eventually placed on injured reserve.