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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, but is still in the concussion protocol. Pierce missed the Colts' Week 4 game against the Rams after slamming his head into the ground on a leaping catch in their Week 3 win over the Titans. A full practice on the team's first practice of the week is a positive sign for Pierce's chances to suit up on Sunday, but he ultimately must clear concussion protocol before anything can be decided. Pierce was off to a strong start in the first three games of the season, catching nine of 13 targets for 171 yards. He continues to be one of the league's most dynamic deep threats, and his 19 yards per reception ranks second-highest in the league, only behind Jameson Williams. Pierce is likely only relevant in deeper leagues for Week 5.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs) has been ruled out for Thursday night's game against the Rams, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Jennings is dealing with multiple injuries and will sit out as the team goes on the road on a short week. The 28-year-old took a big shot to the ribs in Week 4 that left him down on the ground for a bit afterwards. He didn't miss any game action, but had a quiet day overall, catching just two of four targets for 24 yards. Fantasy managers could pivot to Kendrick Bourne if they are desperate, as he is set to run a lot of routes with the 49ers' receiver room wiped out by injury. Jennings will have an extended amount of time to recover from his list of injuries and hopefully be good to go in Week 6.

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) has been ruled out for Thursday night's matchup against the Rams, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Purdy made his return in Week 4 against the Jaguars after missing two games in a row, but is experiencing some lingering soreness and won't be ready to go on a short week. Purdy's return in Week 4 wasn't the cleanest of games as he turned the ball over three times in their home loss to Jacksonville. But he still managed to throw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns despite the miscues. Purdy will likely be good to go in games beyond this week, as the short week plays a big factor. Mac Jones will make his third start of the season in his place and will look to stay undefeated as a 49er.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday night's game against the Rams, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Pearsall was already questionable while managing a knee injury heading into Week 3's matchup against the Jaguars, and then he left the game in the third quarter. He was testing it out on the sidelines and was ultimately able to return to the game, but had to shut it down after one snap. The short week made it unlikely for Pearsall to turn around and recover fast enough. But it does give him a longer period to rest, leading into Week 6. The San Francisco wide receiver room has been decimated by injury, leaving Kendrick Bourne as a potential target if you are desperate.

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According to Steve Reed of The Associated Press, Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) is viewed as day-to-day. However, Reed noted that Hubbard still needs more time to recover from this injury. The top running back was sidestepping during Wendedya's initial practice session. While he was able to play out the past weekend during their loss to the Patriots, Hubbard's workload was limited due to this injury. In this contest, the 26-year-old logged just 10 attempts for 49 yards and caught all three of his targets for 20 yards. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status during practice this week, as he could be in danger of missing their contest against the Dolphins if he faces a setback. If he were to miss time, Rico Dowdle would take the lead role.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) expects to be back in action on Sunday when the Commanders travel to Los Angeles to face the Chargers. When asked about his recovery, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year said, "I plan on going out there Sunday." Daniels has missed the last two contests due to a knee sprain. In his absence, veteran Marcus Mariota has taken over QB1 duties in D.C. While he led the Commanders to victory in Week 3, he fell short against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4. During this two-game stretch, Mariota has tossed three passing scores and added one with his legs. If Daniels can return to action, fantasy managers should view him as a high-end QB1 in all leagues, despite potentially beginning without his top wideout, Terry McLaurin, who is sidelined with a quadriceps injury.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle) was not seen wearing a boot during Wednesday's practice. This is an excellent sign for his status, as he was unable to play in Week 4 in their contest against the Green Bay Packers due to a high ankle sprain. While Lamb will face an uphill battle to be ready in time to face the New York Jets this weekend, he appears to be trending in the right direction. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on his stats during practice this week, as it will likely provide clarity on his potential availability. This past weekend, George Pickens operated as the team's primary wideout, catching eight of his 11 targets for 134 yards and two scores. While Lamb remains sidelined, Jalen Tolbert figures to serve as the WR2 and carry FLEX appeal in deeper formats.

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According to Theo Mackie of AZCentral Sports, Cardinals running back Michael Carter was seen taking first-team reps during Wednesday's practice. This is important to note as the team placed starting running back Trey Benson (knee) on the injured reserve on Wednesday. Carter figures to split work with Emari Demercado. However, seeing that Carter is already taking first-team reps, the coaching staff may favor him as their primary back. The 26-year-old logged just one carry during their Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, while Demercado was given a slightly more prominent role. Fantasy managers should continue to closely monitor this backfield leading up to their contest against the Tennessee Titans this weekend. Fantasy managers should look to add Carter to their roster in all standard formats ahead of their Week 5 matchup.

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Dynasty | Cardinals running back Trey Benson will miss 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery on his meniscus. Dynasty Analysis: The hits just keep coming for the Cardinals, who already lost James Conner for the season. It's a blow in dynasty circles as well as Benson was poised to take over for the Cardinals long-term. The Cardinals will likely turn to a committee featuring Emari Demercado and Michael Carter as they attempt to stay afloat without Benson. It will be interesting to see what the workload looks like for him when he comes back but he's obviously missed his first chance at taking over as a workhorse with Conner out for the year.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (undisclosed) missed Wednesday's practice, adding to the team's injury woes with Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) also sidelined. If both top receivers are unavailable, the Commanders will likely lean heavily on Zach Ertz, while backups Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, and Chris Moore could see increased target shares. Quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has been dealing with his own injuries, practiced fully on Wednesday for the first time since Week 2, providing some relief to the offense. Fantasy managers should monitor Washington's injury report closely, as the availability of Samuel and McLaurin will directly impact target distribution and opportunities for both starters and secondary receivers. With multiple pieces of the passing game in flux, planning for potential boom-or-bust performances is crucial heading into Week 5.

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Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) did not practice Wednesday and is listed as questionable for Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins. Hubbard has had a strong start to the season, totaling 53 carries for 217 yards and adding 13 receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns. His absence could create an opportunity for Rico Dowdle to see increased touches, making him a handcuff to target in fantasy leagues, especially in deeper formats. The matchup is favorable for the Panthers' ground game, as Miami ranks 30th in rushing defense, allowing 158 yards per game. Fantasy managers should monitor Hubbard's practice status late in the week, as Dowdle's potential for an expanded role makes him a valuable speculative option if Hubbard is forced to miss the game.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) remained sidelined at Wednesday's practice after missing the team's Week 4 loss to the Falcons, putting his Week 5 status against the Chargers in doubt. If McLaurin is unable to suit up, the Commanders are likely to continue leaning on Deebo Samuel as the focal point of the passing attack. Through three games this season, McLaurin has posted just 10 receptions for 149 yards, leaving fantasy managers frustrated with his slow start. His availability will likely come down to late-week evaluations, so managers should closely monitor Washington's injury reports for clarity heading into Sunday.

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New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday after already missing Week 4 following a separated shoulder in his matchup with the Chiefs in Week 3. The second-year back has managed just 68 rushing yards on 22 carries this season, and his absence has opened the door for Cam Skattebo to seize feature back duties in New York. Even when healthy, Tracy is unlikely to carve out more than a change-of-pace role in the Giants' offense, leaving his fantasy outlook extremely limited. Until there's a clear path to consistent touches, Tracy can be safely dropped in all formats, with his only current value coming as a speculative handcuff to Skattebo.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado is set to handle feature-back duties following the loss of Trey Benson (knee) and James Conner (Achilles). While his 2025 numbers are modest so far--just four carries for eight yards and two receptions for 13 yards--Demercado flashed last season with 223 yards on only 24 attempts, showing the ability to pick up chunk plays when given steady work. With Arizona's backfield depth depleted, the "next man up" approach leaves Demercado as the clear option to shoulder the load, and Kyler Murray's mobility should create additional running lanes to aid his efficiency. Fantasy managers should consider Demercado a must-add in all formats, as he projects for both volume and opportunity in an offense desperate for balance.

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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor doubled down on his support for quarterback Jake Browning on Wednesday, stating, "I've got a ton of confidence in Jake. I'm unwavering in that." The Bengals have dropped back-to-back games, scoring just 13 total points in the process, fueling speculation about a possible trade to address their offensive struggles. However, Taylor's comments suggest the team will remain committed to Browning for now. The 29-year-old quarterback owns a 67.9 passer rating this season, while star receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been limited to 73 yards on 10 catches over the last two weeks. With the Bengals built to win now, Browning's leash may be short if the offensive woes continue, but for the moment, the organization appears determined to stay the course with him at the helm.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) is expected to miss four-to-six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus, another setback for a backfield already reeling from the season-ending loss of James Conner (foot). Benson had been working into a steady role with 29 carries for 160 yards and 13 receptions for 64 yards through four games, but his absence now opens the door for Emari Demercado to take on feature-back responsibilities. Demercado should be added in all fantasy formats as he projects to see the bulk of opportunities in both the running and passing game, especially with Arizona lacking proven depth behind him. While Benson showed flashes of efficiency early, his return timetable places him on injured reserve and makes him droppable unless you have an IR spot available.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is set to take on a true WR1 role with Tyreek Hill (knee) out for the season. Head coach Mike McDaniel emphasized that the team has always viewed Waddle as a top receiver, but Hill's absence ensures a heavier workload moving forward. Through four games, Waddle has recorded 17 receptions for 185 yards and two touchdowns, and his speed and route running make him the most dangerous option left in Miami's passing game. The Dolphins have struggled offensively this season, ranking just 26th overall and 22nd in passing, but Waddle's expanded role gives him a chance to spark the unit. Fantasy managers should view him as a must-start in Week 5 against Carolina and a strong candidate for weekly WR1 production going forward.

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Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said he's hoping to get running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) "involved as quickly as possible," according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Spears is still on Injured Reserve and has missed the first four games of the season, but the Titans opened his 21-day practice window this week, and he's eligible to be activated to the 53-man active roster at any time. For now, it's unclear if Spears has a legitimate chance to play in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. When he's back, Spears will be a nice change-of-pace to starter Tony Pollard in Tennessee's backfield. Even if Spears does not make his 2025 debut this weekend, fantasy managers in need of some RB depth, especially in point-per-reception formats, should consider adding Spears off the waiver wire if he's available. In his two years in the NFL, Spears has 765 rushing yards and six rushing TDs on 184 attempts while catching 82 passes for 609 yards and two more touchdowns.

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New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (knee) has a "pretty serious knee injury," according to head coach Aaron Glenn. However, the Jets are not unveiling their Injured Reserve plans just yet, and Allen is seeking a second opinion. Allen took a shot to his knee during a kickoff return in Monday night's loss to the Miami Dolphins and is going to miss some time. If he is forced to go on IR, Allen would have to miss at least four games. The 21-year-old reportedly suffered an MCL sprain. With Allen injured, Breece Hall could see even more touches in New York's backfield, with Isaiah Davis stepping into a backup role. Davis is worth a waiver-wire pickup for those looking for more RB depth or if you have Hall rostered. Through the first four weeks in 2025, Allen has 18 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown while catching only two passes for 17 yards through the air.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers still aren't ruling out running back Bucky Irving (foot) for Week 5 on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, and head coach Todd Bowles said the team will wait to see if he's out of his walking boot by Friday, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Quarterback Baker Mayfield framed it as "if" Irving can't play against Seattle. The 23-year-old is day-to-day right now, but fantasy managers can't be very optimistic with Irving in a walking boot and on crutches on Wednesday. He almost certainly won't practice and most likely will not be available on Sunday as he battles a foot sprain. Irving apparently has avoided a long-term injury, but don't expect to see him active this weekend. If Irving doesn't play against the Seahawks, Rachaad White will be a plug-and-play RB2 in fantasy, with Sean Tucker also seeing a boost in his role in Tampa's backfield.

From RotoBaller