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Washington Commanders wide receivers Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin) are "trending up," according to head coach Dan Quinn. They still have work to do after both missing the Week 4 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, but "things are trending in the right direction," according to Zach Selby of Commanders.com. Brown has the last two games after he was injured in Week 2. The 30-year-old McLaurin is the one who matters in fantasy, though, and he did not practice at all last week before being ruled out in Week 4. It sounds like he's making progress, but we won't know until later this week if he has a realistic shot at returning in Week 5 on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers. Quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) is eyeing a return this week, too, so it's possible Washington's offense could be getting two of its best players back. With McLaurin out in Week 4, Deebo Samuel Sr. expectedly led in receiving, while Luke McCaffrey caught a touchdown for the second straight week.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps) is still week-to-week with a serious quadriceps injury that has kept him out for the first four weeks of the season, according to David Newton of ESPN. Coker opened the year on Injured Reserve. The 23-year-old is now eligible to come off IR for the Week 5 game against the Miami Dolphins, but it doesn't sound like that is going to happen. In fact, he might not even be a lock for Week 6. Once Carolina opens Coker's practice window, they'll have 21 days to officially activate him to the active roster. The Panthers could use some help in the passing game behind rookie first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan, as veteran Hunter Renfrow hasn't done much outside of a pair of touchdowns, and Xavier Legette (hamstring) has missed the last two games. Coker became a big part of the team's offense in his rookie year in 2024, so he's worth stashing in an IR spot with his return potentially coming in several weeks.

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Cleveland Browns WR DeAndre Carter (knee) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Monday, Sept. 29.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) may have a minor posterior cruciate ligament injury, and his status for Week 5 is uncertain, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Fantasy Spin: The 49ers play on Thursday Night Football, so Pearsall will only have a few days to recover from the injury. Fantasy players will need to monitor the situation over the next few days to have a better understanding of his availability. He has played well in the first month of the season but will be a risky option in Week 5.

From TheHuddle

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. could have a larger role coming, with head coach Dave Canales saying, "Yeah, we'll get to see Jimmy Horn Jr." Canales added that he's excited for Horn to get this opportunity this week, according to Sheena Quick. Xavier Legette (hamstring) could miss a third straight game, while Jalen Coker (quadriceps) remains on Injured Reserve. Horn has been a healthy scratch for the first four weeks of his rookie season, but it sounds like he could make his NFL debut in Week 5 against the visiting Miami Dolphins. Outside of rookie first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan, the Panthers haven't really had anyone step up in the passing game. The 23-year-old Horn is fast and could provide quarterback Bryce Young with a nice deep threat, but fantasy managers in 12-team leagues can't realistically consider him a worthwhile waiver-wire pickup just yet.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges (shoulder) caught his second touchdown of the season in the team's 26-21 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday. Tonges left the game just six plays in due to a possible shoulder injury but returned near the end of the first quarter. He finished the game with three catches on five targets and had 58 receiving yards, good for second-most on the team in Week 4. Tonges has emerged as the preferred pass-catching tight end in George Kittle's (hamstring) absence. Both Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ribs/ankle/shoulder) suffered injuries on Sunday, and on a short week (the 49ers face the Rams on Thursday), their status is up in the air. If either or both are limited or absent, then Tonges could see a greater target share than usual.

From RotoBaller

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that the team is going to open the practice window for running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) this week, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Getting Spears would be a big help to Tony Pollard in the Titans' backfield, but opening Spears' practice window doesn't guarantee he'll return in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. The Titans will now have a 21-day window to officially activate the 24-year-old from the Injured Reserve after he missed the first four weeks of the season with a high-ankle sprain that he suffered during the preseason. So far, Pollard has been an every-down back for a struggling Titans offense, but his snap share will most likely go down when Spears is back in the fold. Spears should be scooped up off the waiver wire if you're searching for backfield depth, especially in PPR leagues. Just don't expect him to be active this weekend.

From RotoBaller

When asked if running back Bucky Irving (undisclosed) was among the injured players he was concerned about following Sunday's Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said, "Yeah, he's one of them," per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Bowles added that Irving underwent an MRI exam on Monday, and the team is awaiting the results. The 23-year-old had his most productive day of the year in the 31-25 loss to Philly on Sunday, carrying the ball 15 times for 63 yards and adding five receptions for a season-high 102 receiving yards and a touchdown. However, he apparently suffered an undisclosed injury along the way that could put his status in jeopardy for a Week 5 road tilt against the Seattle Seahawks. We'll monitor Irving's status closely this week. If Rachaad White is available on your league's waiver wire, pick him up immediately.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints TE Taysom Hill (knee) will have his 21-day practice window opened this week, according to head coach Kellen Moore.

Fantasy Spin: Hill is coming back from a serious knee injury, so he is still probably a few weeks away from being ready to play. He was a solid part of the offense before the injury and is likely to see a decent amount of touches when he returns. Fantasy players should see him play in a game or two before considering him for their lineups.

From TheHuddle

Baltimore Ravens LB Roquan Smith (hamstring) has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and will be sidelined for at least one week, according to sources.

From TheHuddle

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that wide receiver Calvin Ridley (undisclosed) was dealing with an undisclosed in-game injury on Sunday in the shutout loss to the Houston Texans and played through it, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Ridley had played at least 86% of the offensive snaps through the first three weeks, but he played a season-low 54% of the snaps on Sunday because he wasn't 100% healthy. The 30-year-old veteran continued to be a disappointment for his fantasy managers, catching two of his three targets for 30 yards and no touchdowns. He has failed to exceed 30 yards in three of four games so far in 2025 and has caught just 10 passes for 141 yards and no scores on 24 targets so far this year. Ridley has not been efficient with rookie quarterback Cameron Ward and the rest of the Titans' offense struggling, and now he could be in danger of missing Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ribs/ankle/shoulder) sustained yet another injury in the team's 26-21 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday. Jennings was sandwiched between two defenders while making the catch on a successful two-point conversion in the third quarter. He held onto the ball but was writhing on the ground in pain after the play. Jennings returned to action on the next drive but saw only one target for the rest of the game. He finished the day with two catches for 24 yards on four targets. San Francisco is playing on Thursday night in Week 5, meaning less time for Jennings to recover, and leaving his status up in the air per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. With Ricky Pearsall (knee) also suffering an injury on Sunday, Demarcus Robinson and Kendrick Bourne might see an increased role against the Los Angeles Rams.

From RotoBaller

The New Orleans Saints are designating tight end Taysom Hill (knee) to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list this week, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. To be clear, this doesn't mean that Hill is officially activated from the PUP or that he'll make his 2025 debut in Week 5 against the New York Giants, but only that he will be available to practice this week as the team opens up his 21-day practice window. If the 35-year-old veteran isn't activated from PUP by the time his 21 days are up, he'll be forced to miss the entire season. In addition to Hill, fellow tight end Foster Moreau (knee) will return to practice this week. Hill is trying to make it back after tearing the ACL in his left knee in Week 13 of last year. It's unclear exactly how new head coach Kellen Moore will use the versatile offensive weapon when he's healthy enough to return, but Hill can remain on the waiver wire for now in 12-team fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Cardinals DT Bilal Nichols (neck) had his 21-day practice window opened Monday, Sept. 29.

From TheHuddle

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams caught only two of his seven targets in Sunday's win over the Browns, and he has not topped two receptions in a game since the season opener. In speaking with reporters on Monday, head coach Dan Campbell addressed the connection between Williams and quarterback Jared Goff, saying, "We're just a little bit off." Campbell was quick to downplay any issues of chemistry, saying the team will get back to the drawing board, and "Those guys are gonna be fine." Although Williams has caught only 10 balls on the season, his 21.4-yard average reception is among the highest in the league, so he has not been completely irrelevant for fantasy managers. The Lions face the Bengals in Week 5, and Cincinnati has been one of the most favorable matchups for wide receivers through four weeks. With bye weeks starting around the NFL this week, Williams should make for a fine flex option.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver Isaiah Bond has seen his targets and receiving yards increase in each of his four games this season. With Cedric Tillman (hamstring) now sidelined for multiple weeks, Bond could be leaned on more heavily as part of the Browns' passing attack. Tillman left Sunday's game against the Lions in the second quarter, and Bond ended the day as the team's leading receiver, bringing in three of his six targets for 58 yards. With five NFL teams on a Week 5 bye, now is the time in the schedule for fantasy managers to get creative, and Bond at least offers big-play upside for those in a roster bind. With the Browns traveling to London to play the Vikings in Week 5, any Cleveland players will need to be inserted into lineups early, stymying flexibility and making Bond a player to monitor rather than play for at least one more week.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns third-year wide receiver Cedric Tillman (hamstring) exited during the second quarter of his team's loss to the Lions on Sunday and is now expected to miss multiple weeks. Through four games, Tillman's 20 targets are the third most on the team, and trail only Jerry Jeudy among wide receivers, and he is the only Cleveland pass-catcher with multiple touchdowns. Rookie wide receiver Isaiah Bond, who led the team in targets and receiving yards on Sunday, is expected to see an increased workload, but Browns quarterback Joe Flacco has not topped 200 passing yards since the team's season-opener against a porous Bengals defense. With Cleveland's offensive line dealing with a rash of injuries and murmurs of a quarterback change coming soon, this is not a passing game in which fantasy managers should currently be looking to invest.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon (foot) is not ready to return to the field at this point, according to head coach DeMeco Ryans. Mixon is currently on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list.

Fantasy Spin: Mixon has been dealing with the injury since the offseason and does not have a definite timetable for his return. Nick Chubb has been receiving a majority of the carries, but Woody Marks saw a big role in the offense in Week 4. Both Chubbs and Marks will continue to see touches in the offense and can be flex options in leagues.

From TheHuddle

Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks is coming off the best game of his young career, and head coach DeMeco Ryans is excited to see how much more he can handle. Marks ran for 69 yards and a touchdown while adding 50 yards and another score through the air in the team's first win of the season on Sunday. For the first time this year, Marks handled the majority of the team's rushing work, seeing 17 carries to Nick Chubb's 13. Having seemingly passed that test, a pleased Ryans suggested to reporters that more will be put on his young back's plate. Marks was a prolific pass-catcher in college, keeping his fantasy floor high even in less favorable matchups. Now, with an increased workload on the horizon and no timeline for Joe Mixon's return, Marks becomes a high-priority waiver add wherever he is still unrostered.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday morning that quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) is "complaining of some real soreness" in his toe, per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Purdy returned to action on Sunday after missing the previous two games with turf toe and went 22-for-38 for 309 yards with two touchdowns, two interceptions, and a lost fumble late in the fourth quarter that sealed San Francisco's fate in their 26-21 loss to Jacksonville. The 49ers play on Thursday night in Week 5, giving Purdy less time to recover than he would usually see. Wide receivers Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ribs) also got banged up in Week 4, leaving their status up in the air. Fantasy football managers rostering Purdy should take a long look at the waiver wire for help in Week 5.

From RotoBaller