The Falcons scored 36 points and produced 550 yards of total offense in Thursday night's win over the Bucs. Surely Bijan Robinson had a big game. Right? Nope. He finished with 77 scoreless yards. Atlanta went pass-heavy in this one, throwing 59 passes vs. 18 runs. Robinson handled 12 of those runs and produced 61 yards (5.1 yards per carry). The highlight was a 28-yarder at the end of the third quarter that included impressive burst and balance. Robinson, though, was not very involved in the passing game. His three targets tied for fifth on the team and were just 5.1% of the Falcons' total. Robinson caught all three for 16 yards.
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins threw for 509 yards in Thursday night's 36-30 overtime win over the Buccaneers. That was a career-high, a franchise record, and the 15th-most in NFL history. Cousins was hot from the start of this one, connecting with WR Drake London for an 18-yard TD on the first drive of the game. His best throw came in the second quarter: A dart to WR Darnell Mooney in between multiple Bucs defenders for a 24-yard TD. Cousins found Mooney for another score from 12 yards out in the fourth quarter. Then in overtime, he threw WR KhaDarel Hodge open with a well-placed ball. Hodge then out-raced the defense for the game-winning 45-yard TD.
Saints K Blake Grupe (right hip) did not practice on Thursday. His status for Monday night's game vs. the Chiefs is uncertain. But, with the Saints sporting an 18.75-point implied total for that one, even a healthy Grupe wouldn't have been a recommended fantasy starter.
Cardinals TE Trey McBride (concussion) upgraded to full participation in Thursday's practice. Barring a setback, he'll return for this weekend's game vs. the 49ers. San Francisco sits eighth in adjusted fantasy points allowed to TEs but could be without LB Fred Warner on Sunday.
After putting in a limited practice on Wednesday, Raiders RB Zamir White (groin) did not practice on Thursday. His status for this weekend's game vs. the Broncos is now in serious question. White's absence would likely turn Alexander Mattison into something close to an every-down back. We'll update White's status again tomorrow.
Commanders RB Brian Robinson (knee) missed his second straight practice on Thursday. His availability for this weekend's game vs. the Browns is now in real question. We'll update Robinson's status again tomorrow. RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) upgraded to full participation on Thursday and is on track to play against Cleveland.
Commanders WR Noah Brown (groin) went from a limited practice on Wednesday to no practice on Thursday. It looks like he suffered a groin injury on Wednesday and is now in danger of missing this weekend's game vs. the Browns. Brown has emerged as Washington's No. 2 WR in terms of routes but hasn't done enough to become a fantasy option yet.
Browns TE David Njoku (ankle) did not practice on Thursday. That follows a limited practice on Wednesday. It's unclear if Njoku suffered a setback with his high-ankle sprain or just got Thursday off. We'll see what he does on Friday and how he's listed on the final injury report for this weekend's game vs. the Commanders.
Panthers WR Diontae Johnson (ankle) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. HC Dave Canales said he fully expects Johnson to play vs. the Bears this weekend. We'll see what he does in Friday's practice and then how he's listed on the final injury report. Johnson can stay penciled into fantasy lineups for now.
The Chiefs placed WR Rashee Rice (knee) on IR on Thursday. That means he'll miss at least the next four games. Kansas City has a Week 6 bye, so Week 10 would be Rice's earliest return date. He's still likely to miss more time than that. We're expected to get a timeline for his return next week.
Packers WR Romeo Doubs did not practice on Thursday due to a personal matter, HC Matt LaFleur said. LaFleur added that they're "taking it day by day" as to whether Doubs will play vs. the Rams this weekend. Green Bay, of course, is already likely to be without WR Christian Watson for that one. Doubs' absence would leave some combination of Bo Melton and Malik Heath as the No. 3 WR behind Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks.
Saints HC Dennis Allen said Thursday that TE Taysom Hill has been diagnosed with "rib fractures." Allen didn't give a timeline for Hill's return, but we imagine he'll miss multiple games.
Titans QB Will Levis has been diagnosed with an AC joint sprain in his right (throwing) shoulder but "should be ok" for Week 6's game vs. the Colts, according to insider Paul Kuharsky. Levis gets a well-timed Week 5 bye, and HC Brian Callahan said earlier this week that a healthy Levis remains the starter. That doesn't mean Levis won't be on a short leash if he continues turning the ball over like he has so far this season. He won't be a recommended Week 6 starter in any format. The Colts DST will be a streaming option.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid said Thursday that WR Rashee Rice is scheduled for additional testing on his knee next week after the swelling subsides. He added that there's "no greater sense of optimism" on Rice's injury. It seems like there's still a strong chance that Rice misses the rest of the season, and he's at least looking at an extended absence. Rice owners should keep him stashed until we learn more next week -- while also bracing for bad news.
Giants WR Malik Nabers (concussion) will not practice on Thursday, HC Brian Daboll said. The rookie is now a long shot to be cleared in time for Sunday's game vs. the Seahawks, a sentiment echoed by ESPN's Jordan Raanan.
Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been designated to return from the non-football illness list. He missed the first four games of the season dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder related to gun violence in his youth. Fully healthy from a physical standpoint, he's capable of making an immediate contribution to this undermanned Chiefs backfield. We'll see if Edwards-Helaire ends up active for Monday night's game vs. the Saints. He's not a Week 5 fantasy option but is worth a wait-and-see stash in deeper leagues.
Steelers RBs Jaylen Warren (knee) and Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) were held out of Wednesday's practice. They're both iffy for Sunday night's game vs. the Cowboys. If they miss, Pittsburgh would be down to Aaron Shampklin as the No. 2 RB behind Najee Harris. Expect Harris to be very busy in that case.
Giants WR Malik Nabers (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday. It's a bit of a surprise considering he's six days removed from his concussion. The rookie has a lot of work to do to clear protocol in time for Sunday's game vs. the Seahawks. Consider Nabers no better than 50/50 for that one.
49ers TE George Kittle (ribs) did not practice on Wednesday. He played through this issue in the second half of last week's win over the Patriots, so we're expecting him to be available for Sunday's game vs. the Cardinals. But his status bears monitoring over the next few days.
Cardinals K Matt Prater (left knee) did not practice on Wednesday. We'll see if he's able to play vs. the 49ers this weekend, but fantasy gamers would be wise to look elsewhere for a Week 5 kicker.
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