Browns RB Kareem Hunt will play vs. the Titans on Sunday, HC Kevin Stefanski said. “How much will be determined” by how things go during the game, he added, according to insider Mary Kay Cabot. “He’s in good shape mentally and physically." We're expecting Hunt to have just a small role behind lead back Jerome Ford, but we'll certainly be keeping a close eye on how this Nick Chubb-less backfield evolves.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Ravens. We’ll see if the rookie can get cleared for Week 4. Richardson will be replaced by QB Gardner Minshew, who played well in relief last week and has experience in HC Shane Steichen’s offense from their time together in Philadelphia. Minshew is only a viable play in 2-QB and Superflex leagues, but he should keep this Colts offense afloat.
The Athletic's Joe Person writes that the Panthers don't expect QB Bryce Young to miss "more than a game or two" with his ankle injury. We already know that the rookie will miss Sunday's game vs. the Seahawks, and it sounds like there's a chance he also misses Week 4's meeting with the Vikings. We'll keep you updated on his recovery. QB Andy Dalton is a capable backup who might even prove to be a short-term upgrade over Young for this Panthers offense.
Giants TE Darren Waller mustered just three catches for 20 scoreless yards in Thursday night's loss to the 49ers. He led the team with seven targets for a 21.2% share. But Waller struggled creating separation against a strong 49ers defense and committed two bad drops, including one that ended up as a Talanoa Hufanga INT. The good news is that Waller won't face a tougher matchup than this the rest of the season. And he's drawn a 20.0% target share through three games. As long as that type of volume keeps coming, Waller remains a must-start.
You're living good if you started Giants RB Matt Breida in fantasy football vs. the 49ers on Thursday night. He finished with just 18 total yards on seven touches. But one of those touches went for an eight-yard TD. That at least salvaged a useable fantasy performance in what was an ugly game for Breida and the Giants. The team ran just 46 plays and had only 11 rushing attempts. But Breida split carries down the middle with RB Gary Brightwell, finishing with four apiece. Both RBs also saw three targets. Breida did handily lead Brightwell in snaps and remains the best fantasy bet in this backfield as long as RB Saquon Barkley is out. But he's no better than a RB3, even in an easier Week 4 matchup vs. the Seahawks.
Giants QB Daniel Jones not surprisingly struggled vs. the 49ers on Thursday night. He completed 22 of 32 passes (68.8%) but totaled just 137 yards (4.3 yards per attempt) with 0 TDs and one INT. New York got nothing going downfield (where's Jalin Hyatt?). And Jones didn't get much help from his pass-catchers. TE Darren Waller was particularly bad, dropping at least two passes, including one that resulted in Jones' INT. It was also disappointing to see Jones finish with just five yards on two carries. It was a massive fantasy dud -- but hopefully you weren't counting on Jones against this elite 49ers defense. He has much more doable matchups the next two weeks vs. the Seahawks and Dolphins.
49ers TE George Kittle totaled just six catches for 49 yards over the first two games of the season. He topped both of those marks in Thursday night's win over the Giants, hauling in seven balls for 90 yards. The big difference? San Francisco was without WR Brandon Aiyuk. Kittle drew nine targets for a 24.3% share vs. New York -- well up from his 16.7% target share over the first two weeks of the season. Kittle is an elite fantasy option whenever Aiyuk, WR Deebo Samuel, or RB Christian McCaffrey are out. He'll be inconsistent when all three of those guys are healthy. We'll see if Aiyuk is able to make it back for Week 4.
With WR Brandon Aiyuk inactive with a shoulder injury, 49ers WR Deebo Samuel was featured in Thursday night's win over the Giants. He drew a team-high 12 targets for a 32.4% target share. Samuel and QB Brock Purdy actually missed on a few connections they usually make, but Samuel still finished with 6 catches for 129 yards and a score. He had a couple of trademark bulldozing catch-and-runs. And he capped the night with a 29-yard TD down the right sideline. Expect Samuel's target share to take a bit of a hit whenever Aiyuk is ready to return. But he'll remain a big part of this high-scoring 49ers offense -- and a strong WR2 in fantasy lineups.
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey's four-yard TD run in the second quarter of Thursday night's win over the Giants marked his 12th straight game with at least one TD. That ties WR Jerry Rice for the longest streak in franchise history. McCaffrey finished this one with 18 carries for 85 yards and the score, plus five catches on five targets for 34 yards. He gave way to RB Elijah Mitchell a bit more in this one -- but fantasy owners have nothing to complain about. McCaffrey will continue to be an elite fantasy asset as long as he stays healthy. He gets another plus matchup in Week 4 vs. the Cardinals before tougher draws against the Cowboys and Browns.
49ers QB Brock Purdy was without WR Brandon Aiyuk on Thursday night but still delivered a strong fantasy outing in the win over the Giants. He completed 25 of 37 passes (67.6%) for 310 yards (8.4 YPA), two TDs, and 0 INTs. Purdy actually missed a few throws early on but settled in by the second quarter. He found WR Ronnie Bell at the front pylon for a nine-yard score in the second quarter and then tossed a beautiful back-shoulder deep ball to WR Deebo Samuel for a 27-yard score in the fourth. Purdy has now tallied multiple passing TDs in nine of his 11 full games as a pro. He gets another plum matchup in Week 4 vs. the Cardinals that will make him a viable QB1. That's followed by much tougher draws vs. the Cowboys and Browns.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow (calf) did not practice on Thursday. Both HC Zac Taylor and Burrow were non-committal on his availability for Monday night's game vs. the Rams. "Just feeling better," Burrow said. "Not as sore. Time heals. So we'll see." We'll update Burrow's status again on Friday.
Rams WR Puka Nacua (oblique) did not practice on Thursday. This injury didn't stop him from catching 15 balls in Week 2, so Nacua should be fine for Monday night's game vs. the Bengals.
Eagles WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring, thigh) was limited in Thursday's practice. According to ESPN's Tim McManus, Smith was limping after last Thursday night's win over the Vikings and admitted that he had gotten banged up. Today's limited practice should have him on track to play vs. the Bucs on Monday night, but we'll keep an eye on Smith over the next few days.
Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell (ribs) got in a limited practice on Thursday. That gives him a shot to return for Monday night's game vs. the Bucs. We'll track Gainwell's progress over the next few days. RB D'Andre Swift, of course, had a massive Week 2 with Gainwell out.
Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers (concussion) was upgaded to full participation in Thursday's practice. He's on track to return for Sunday night's game vs. the Steelers.
Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney (toe) missed practice again on Thursday. We'll see how he's listed on the final injury report tomorrow, but he shouldn't be in your Week 3 fantasy plans.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (hamstring) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. We'll see what he does on Friday and how he's listed on the final injury report. If healthy, Pacheco is in a great spot this weekend with the Chiefs huge home favorites against the Bears.
Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks (knee) was upgraded to full participation in Thursday's practice. He's on track to return for this weekend's game vs. the Cardinals. Dallas is sporting a big 27.75-point implied total for that one, making Cooks an upside WR4 option.
Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf (ribs) missed his second straight practice on Thursday. HC Pete Carroll said earlier this week that he expected Metcalf to play vs. the Panthers on Sunday, but his status is worth checking back on tomorrow.
Bills TE Dawson Knox (back) missed practice again on Thursday. It looks like he's in real danger of missing this weekend's game vs. the Jets, which would be a significant boost to TE Dalton Kincaid's fantasy outlook. Check back tomorrow for another update on Knox.
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