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The Washington Commanders have officially ruled out wide receivers Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin, knee) for the Week 5 game on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. McLaurin was trending in this direction after another missed practice on Thursday. He has not practiced or played since injuring his quad muscle in the Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. While he has improved, McLaurin is no lock to return for a Week 6 tilt on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears. Fantasy managers need to keep McLaurin on their benches for a second straight week. Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) should be active this weekend despite battling a heel injury this week, and he should remain heavily involved in the offensive game plan. Luke McCaffrey and rookie Jaylin Lane will also see expanded roles in the passing attack, and they'll get a boost with quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) returning.

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There remains no timetable for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy's (toe) return, according to Albert Breer. Purdy suffered from turf toe in the Week 1 regular-season opener and sat out of Weeks 2 and 3. He returned in the Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but aggravated his toe, and the severity of it is similar to what it was after Week 1. On a short week for a Week 5 divisional tilt against the San Francisco 49ers, Purdy didn't have enough time to get ready. Purdy is considered week-to-week for now and could be in jeopardy of missing another game in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mac Jones, who was adequate in leading San Fran to two wins in Weeks 2 and 3, is back in the starting role on Thursday Night Football against the Rams. He won't be a recommended QB2 streamer, though, with top wideouts Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) both out this week.

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Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) was listed as a limited practice participant for the second straight day on Thursday. Spears spent the first four weeks of the season on Injured Reserve due to a high ankle sprain, but the team opened his activation window earlier this week. Spears may not be ready for his team's Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, but he should play a role alongside Titans running back Tony Pollard in the team's backfield once he returns. Across 12 games in 2024, Spears recorded 536 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on 114 total touches.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (knee, elbow) did not practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Ridley appears to be at risk of missing the team's Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The 30-year-old is off to a slow start to the 2025 season, recording 10 catches for 141 yards on 24 targets. If Ridley is unable to play on Sunday, Titans wideouts Elic Ayomanor and Tyler Lockett could see an increased number of targets, while wide receivers Van Jefferson and Chimere Dike could see an uptick in snaps. Even if Ridley suits up, he's hard to trust as a fantasy starter given his questionable health status and lack of production so far.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (hamstring) was added to the team's Thursday injury report and listed as a limited practice participant, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. A mid-week addition to the injury report is never a good sign, as it could indicate that Pittman Jr. suffered the injury during practice. Pittman Jr. is off to an excellent start to the season with 21 catches for 234 yards and three touchdowns on 29 targets through four games. If he is unable to play in Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Colts wide receivers Josh Downs and Adonai Mitchell would both be in line for more targets. Indianapolis wideout Alec Pierce (concussion) missed Week 4 with a concussion, but he's logged two full practices so far this week and would factor in as well if he can suit up in Week 5.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) practiced in full for the second straight day on Thursday. Pierce missed his team's Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams due to a concussion, but could be trending towards playing in Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Pierce has recorded nine catches for 171 yards across three games on 13 targets. The Colts could be shorthanded at wide receiver in Week 5 with Michael Pittman Jr. (hamstring) popping up on Thursday's injury report with a hamstring injury. If he's healthy enough to play on Sunday, Pierce is a downfield threat who could see significant playing time in Week 5.

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ESPN's Adam Schefter said on the Thursday edition of his podcast that he thinks Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter will be "thrust to prominence" following injuries to fellow Cardinals backs James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee). Carter has been active for just one of Arizona's games so far in 2025 and opened the season behind Conner, Benson, and Emari Demercado on the team's running back depth chart. However, Schefter reports that Demercado is expected to remain Arizona's third-down back, creating an opportunity for Carter to step in as the team's primary rusher. Carter has recorded 2,131 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns on 439 touches across 49 career NFL games (22 starts). Heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Carter profiles as a high-end fantasy RB3/flex option.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado will "be what he's always been, a third-down back," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Cardinals have plenty of available playing time in their backfield after losing James Conner (ankle) for the season and Trey Benson (knee) for four to six weeks due to a meniscus injury. However, Schefter reports that it could be Cardinals running back Michael Carter, not Demercado, who sees the most backfield touches. Demercado has recorded 21 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on six total touches so far in 2025. The 26-year-old has appeared in 31 career games for the Cardinals but has not logged more than four carries in a game since October 2023. Heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Demercado looks like a low-end flex option in deep leagues at best.

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ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Thursday that Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (foot) is "week-to-week" with a mid-foot sprain, and it "doesn't sound like he'll play" in his team's Week 5 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. On the bright side, Schefter also said that Irving's foot injury "looks like it's not a long-term injury." Irving has recorded 430 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 90 total touches through the first four weeks of 2025. If he misses time, Buccaneers running backs Rachaad White and Sean Tucker would both likely see an uptick in playing time. White has recorded 23 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown this season, while Tucker recorded 308 yards and two scores on 50 carries across 17 games in 2024.

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Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) missed another practice on Thursday and is looking likely to miss a second straight game in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. Sanders suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 3 and was unavailable in the Week 4 loss to the New England Patriots. High-ankle sprains can sideline players for up to four to six weeks, so Sanders is most likely not going to play this weekend against the visiting Dolphins. With Sanders out last weekend, Tommy Tremble, normally a pass-blocking TE, caught five of his eight targets for a season-high 42 yards and his first touchdown of the year. Tremble is going to be Carolina's best bet for fantasy production at the position until Sanders can return, but don't mistakenly think he's suddenly a must-play TE1 in fantasy lineups.

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Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Brashard Smith is gaining more trust in the coaching staff as he produces on the field. "He's willing to listen, very humble kid, and works hard," head coach Andy Reid said. It's become clear that the Chiefs are looking for more ways to use Smith to jumpstart their struggling backfield in 2025. Although Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are still very much involved, Smith's rise is certainly bad news for them. The 22-year-old had four carries for nine yards and caught three of his four targets for 27 yards in the Week 4 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, seeing a season-high 19 offensive snaps in the process. While the production doesn't exactly jump off the page, Smith is a name worth watching in fantasy leagues. If you're desperate for RB depth, he might even be worth a pickup off the waiver wire heading into the team's Week 5 tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night.

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Following his season-ending knee injury suffered on Monday night in the win over the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) said he wants to continue his career with the organization after he returns from a dislocated knee and torn ACL in 2026, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Rosenhaus said that Hill "would love to stay with the Dolphins. We would love to get together with them after the season and figure something out that works for both sides, and continue his career here in Miami. There's no reason why we can't." Hill is due to make $29.9 million next year, so if the two sides get something worked out for him to return, it will almost certainly come on a restructured contract. If he's on the roster still in mid-March, he'll be guaranteed $11 million in 2026. Hill's contract carries a salary cap hit of over $50 million, so either way, a restructure was coming. With Hill done for 2025, Jaylen Waddle becomes Miami's No. 1 wideout, with Malik Washington moving to WR2 duties.

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Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue could finally see meaningful action in Week 5 with Miles Sanders (knee/ankle) continuing to miss practice. Selected in the fifth round out of Texas, Blue has flashed big-play ability throughout camp and preseason, but has been blocked on the depth chart by Javonte Williams and Sanders. With Sanders' availability in doubt, Blue is in line to handle change-of-pace duties. Blue's combination of speed, vision, and versatility makes him a compelling fantasy stash, especially in deeper leagues or best-ball formats where a single explosive run can swing a week. Cowboys fans and fantasy owners alike will be watching closely to see if Blue can turn his opportunity into a breakout performance.

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Arizona Cardinals running backs Emari Demercado and Michael Carter are splitting reps at practice on Thursday out of the backfield during individual work in the portion of practice open to the media, according to Tyler Drake. James Conner (ankle) was lost for the year in Week 3, and now Trey Benson (knee) is on Injured Reserve (out at least four games), paving the way for Demercado and Carter to take over backfield duties in the desert. Carter said on Wednesday that he will start for the Cardinals in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans, but fantasy managers should take those comments with a grain of salt. Based on what is transpiring in practice, it looks like the Cardinals could employ a committee approach this weekend, splitting the workload down the middle among Demercado and Carter. Both RBs have been popular waiver-wire additions this week, but fantasy managers may want to temper expectations if they're splitting touches down the middle.

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Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders (knee/ankle) was not spotted during the media's viewing portion of Thursday's practice, putting his availability for Sunday's matchup against the New York Jets in question. Sanders has provided a spark in change-of-pace duties this season, rushing for 117 yards on just 20 carries while flashing efficiency in limited opportunities. If he is unable to suit up, rookie Jaydon Blue could be activated for the first time this season to help fill the void behind Javonte Williams. The Cowboys' high-octane offense has leaned heavily on its ground game to set up explosive passing plays, and this week presents an appealing matchup against a Jets defense ranked 25th in the league against the run. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on Sanders' practice participation heading into the weekend, as his absence would open the door for Williams to handle a heavier workload with Blue mixing in.

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Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) returned to practice Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday, putting him on track to play in Sunday's matchup against the Denver Broncos. The veteran missed Week 2 while dealing with injuries but has suited up in the team's last two contests, including a two-touchdown performance against Tampa Bay that brought his season total to three. While Goedert is no longer a big-play threat at age 30, he remains one of the most reliable targets in Philadelphia's passing game, catching 12 of 13 targets to start the season. His red-zone usage makes him a touchdown-dependent fantasy starter, particularly in standard leagues, though his limited yardage upside caps his ceiling. The Broncos are tied for ninth in the NFL against the pass, but Goedert's scoring role keeps him in the low-end TE1 mix for Week 5 lineups.

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NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the New York Jets have signed running back Khalil Herbert to an undisclosed contract. Per Rapoport, the team placed running back Braelon Allen (knee) on injured reserve in a corresponding move. The Virginia Tech product was recently signed to Seattle's practice squad, but he'll now add depth in New York's backfield. With Allen out, and backfield mate Kene Nwangwu's (hamstring) status up in the air, it's possible that Herbert will see work right away behind starter Breece Hall and backup Isaiah Davis. The 27-year-old doesn't figure to be slated for a fantasy-relevant role, but he's at least on the deep handcuff radar in case the assets in front of him were to miss any time. The Jets will take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5.

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Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) remained sidelined at Thursday's practice, leaving his status for Sunday's matchup very much in question. Hubbard has been a bright spot for the Panthers' offense, totaling 217 rushing yards on 53 carries while adding reliability as their lead back. If he is unable to go, Carolina is expected to turn to Rico Dowdle and Trevor Etienne to share the workload. Dowdle has handled the bulk of the backup duties with 28 carries on the season, but Etienne has been more explosive, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt. When Hubbard exited last week, the pair split touches nearly evenly, with Dowdle seeing nine carries to Etienne's seven. Fantasy managers should monitor Hubbard's status closely, but both Dowdle and Etienne could emerge as deep-league or desperation flex options depending on how Carolina divides the touches in Week 5.

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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) was upgraded to a full participant in Thursday's practice after being limited on Wednesday, putting him firmly on track to play in Sunday's London matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Njoku's ability to bounce back quickly from the midweek injury concern is encouraging for both the Browns and fantasy managers, especially with rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel expected to make the start. The veteran tight end has caught 14 of 21 targets for 128 yards through four games and could serve as a key security blanket for the rookie under center. Njoku's role in short-to-intermediate routes and the red zone should make him a steady PPR option, and with the Browns likely simplifying the offense for Gabriel, Njoku projects as a viable streaming candidate in deeper leagues for Week 5.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White could be in line for an increased workload in Week 5 if starter Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) is unable to suit up. White logged 10 touches in last week's loss to the Eagles and has been the most efficient runner in Tampa Bay's backfield, averaging 4.7 yards per carry on 23 attempts while also drawing nine targets in the passing game. With the Buccaneers showing a more balanced offensive attack this season, White's versatility as both a rusher and receiver keeps him positioned for expanded snaps, particularly on third downs and in two-minute situations. The matchup won't be easy against a Seahawks defense that ranks sixth in the NFL against the run, allowing just 89.8 rushing yards per game, but White would still carry flex appeal in fantasy formats if Irving is forced to miss Sunday's contest.

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