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Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that rookie wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. will "definitely" be a part of the team's wide receiver rotation, per Joseph Person of The Athletic. Horn Jr. has been a healthy scratch in each of Carolina's first four games but appears poised to make his NFL debut, perhaps in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins. Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (quad) is eligible to return off Injured Reserve this week, but not guaranteed to play, and the team lost veteran wideout David Moore (elbow) to IR after he suffered an elbow injury in Week 4. On the other hand, second-year wide receiver Xavier Legette (hamstring) looks poised to return in Week 5 after a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury. If Horn Jr. is active for Week 5, he'll likely be battling with Legette and veteran Hunter Renfrow for playing time alongside standout rookie Tetairoa McMillan.

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Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue, who has been a healthy inactive for each of the team's first four games, is expected to make his season debut on Sunday. Mile Sanders (knee/ankle) has not been practicing this week, and should he miss the team's Week 5 matchup with the Jets, Blue would be next in line to handle primary backup responsibilities behind surprise workhorse Javonte Williams. Where Blue could see an immediate impact is in the kicking game, where his 4.38-second 40 time makes him a considerable threat in space. While he's not yet a flex-worthy play for fantasy managers, he's worth holding onto through bye weeks wherever possible, as the undeniable skillset that made him a fifth-round pick, despite limited college production, could see him carve out a functional role moving forward.

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Following his limited participation in Thursday's practice, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (hamstring) reportedly practiced on Friday and will be good to go for Sunday's matchup with the Raiders, according to head coach Shane Steichen. Steichen said his top receiver, in terms of targets, receptions, and touchdowns, was just a little sore, and the fact that he did not earn an official injury designation would support this claim. The Raiders have been an above-average fantasy matchup for receivers through four weeks, and with Alec Pierce (concussion) already ruled out and Adonai Mitchell potentially facing playing time discipline for last week's mental error that cost the team a score, Pittman, who has caught a touchdown in three of four games, could be in line for another big day.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (knee/elbow) will be listed as questionable for the team's Week 5 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, according to head coach Brian Callahan. While the Titans have not yet publicized their Friday practice report, Ridley sat out both Wednesday and Thursday's practices with injuries to both his knee and elbow. Ridley saw his lightest workload of the season in a Week 4 loss to the Texans, and it has since been revealed that he was battling through those injuries during the game. Ridley is tied for the team target lead with rookie Elic Ayomanor. While the subpar looks they've been getting from fellow rookie Cam Ward have resulted in a catch rate right around 50% for both, should Ridley miss time, a consolidated target share for Ayomanor could make him the only Titans player worthy of a start this week against a rather generous Cardinals' pass defense.

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In speaking with reporters on Friday, Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan shared his excitement about the work put in by running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) in his recovery from the preseason ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined through the first four weeks of the season. Spears started the year on the Injured Reserve, but his practice window was opened this week, and he has been practicing in a limited capacity. Callahan did not provide details on when Spears will make his season debut, but he has liked what he's seen from his third year back in what he called a good week of practice. The Titans have had one of the league's most ineffective ground games to begin the year, making starting running back Tony Pollard a weekly start/sit decision as is. Divvying up the workshare amongst two backs threatens to make every Titans player unplayable in all but the deepest formats.

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The New Orleans Saints opened the 21-day practice window for do-everything tight end Taysom Hill (knee) this week, and while his participation from Friday's practice has yet to be publicized, he opened the week with two limited practices. Hill started the season on the PUP list and has been out of the Saints' lineup since sustaining a knee injury in Week 12 of the 2024 season. While Hill is about as untraditional a tight end as you will find, his presence will likely eat into the fantasy value of Juwan Johnson, who is third in the league in both targets and receptions at the position through four weeks. Hill's practice status on Friday is worth monitoring, as it could affect start/sit decisions on Johnson as fantasy managers look for any positional port in a storm with the arrival of NFL bye weeks.

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When asked if Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell will be active for the Week 5 contest on Sunday against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Shane Steichen said the team is "working through that," according to Mike Chappell of FOX 59. With Alec Pierce out with a concussion in the Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Mitchell caught three of his four targets for 96 yards. It wasn't a bad showing, but a couple of huge blunders highlighted his day -- First, a near 80-yard touchdown was for naught when he fumbled right before the goal line. After that, he had a holding call that negated a long touchdown run for the Colts. Those blunders could make him a healthy scratch this weekend, even though Pierce will miss a second straight game. If the 22-year-old is a healthy scratch, Ashton Dulin would be in line to serve as the WR3 for the Colts.

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Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that wide receiver Jalen Coker's (quadriceps) practice window is expected to be opened next week, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. "Coker is doing great," Canales said. "He's hitting some top speeds. Now, it's about capacity." The 23-year-old opened the 2025 season on Injured Reserve with a pretty serious quad injury. He's now eligible to come off IR after already missing four games, but he will not make his season debut in Week 5 against the visiting Miami Dolphins on Sunday. With Coker finally ready to practice next week, don't be surprised if he's not ready to play in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, either. A more realistic date for Coker's potential return could be a Week 7 date against the New York Jets. With nobody really stepping up outside of rookie first-round wideout Tetairoa McMillan, Coker has a real opportunity to become Carolina's WR2 once he's fully healthy.

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The Carolina Panthers have officially ruled out tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) for the Week 5 matchup on Sunday against the visiting Miami Dolphins, per The Athletic's Joe Person. Sanders will miss his second straight game after suffering the dreaded high-ankle sprain back in Week 3. High-ankle sprains can keep players out up to four to six weeks, so Sanders could end up missing a third straight contest next week against the Dallas Cowboys. Even before his injury, Sanders wasn't much of an option for fantasy managers in 12-team leagues. With Sanders sidelined in last week's loss to the New England Patriots, Tommy Tremble stepped up for five catches on eight targets for 42 yards and his first touchdown of the year. Tremble is known as more of a blocking TE, though, so expecting more relevant fantasy production might be a mistake. Still, he'll at least be in play as a TE2 streamer this weekend in a good matchup against Miami. Head coach Dave Canales said the hope is that Sanders is ready to go next week.

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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that tight end Noah Fant (concussion) will play in Week 5 on Sunday against the visiting Detroit Lions, according to Jay Morrison of BengalsTalk.com. Fant suffered a concussion in the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and did not get clearance to play in the Monday night loss to his former team, the Denver Broncos, in Week 4. He was able to return to practice this week, though, and he'll be available this weekend as the Bengals look to put an end to their two-game losing streak. Fant had a decent start to the year with 12 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets in his first three games, but he lacks any kind of real fantasy upside now that quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) is lost for most, if not all, of the 2025 season. Cincy should have a positive game script on Sunday versus Detroit, but Fant is a TE2 option to avoid.

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Despite returning to practice this week, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) is being ruled out for Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders for the second straight week since he was unable to clear the NFL's concussion protocol, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. Pierce was able to practice in full on Wednesday and Thursday, but he suffered a setback on Friday with his head injury, according to head coach Shane Steichen. It sounds like Pierce should have a pretty good chance to make his return for a Week 6 date with the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday, but head injuries can be tricky. Adonai Mitchell had a big opportunity to make some noise in the Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams with Pierce out, but he failed to do so and had a costly fumble just before scoring a long touchdown. He might not even be active this Sunday, which would propel Ahston Dulin into WR3 duties behind Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs.

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Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales has labeled running back Chuba Hubbard (calf), who was officially ruled out for Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins, as "day-to-day" for next week, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Canales said the team will take a look at Hubbard again next week, as far as his availability goes for Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys. Hubbard was battling his calf injury in the Week 4 loss to the New England Patriots last Sunday, which is why he played a season-low 51 percent of the offensive snaps in that one. With Hubbard officially sidelined this weekend in a winnable matchup against the Dolphins, Rico Dowdle will be a plug-and-play RB2 for fantasy managers in need at the position. Additionally, rookie Trevor Etienne will see a role increase as the change-of-pace option behind Dowdle, although he won't be a recommended flex play.

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According to Todd Archer of ESPN, the Dallas Cowboys are ruling out wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle) for a second straight game in Week 5 against the New York Jets. It doesn't come as a surprise, as Lamb was expected all along to miss multiple weeks after suffering a left high-ankle sprain in Week 3. The good news is that Lamb was able to do some rehab work off to the side this week. Still, he could miss a third game in Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers, and his availability moving forward will depend on how soon he can return to practice with the rest of the team. With Lamb out last week, George Pickens went off for 100-plus yards and two touchdowns in the Week 4 tie with the Green Bay Packers, while Jalen Tolbert worked as the clear WR2. Tight end Jake Ferguson should remain firmly in the TE1 picture with added targets with Lamb injured. With KaVontae Turpin (foot) up in the air this weekend, Ryan Flournoy could operate as Dallas' WR3.

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The Carolina Panthers have officially ruled out running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) for the Week 5 game this Sunday against the visiting Miami Dolphins, according to David Newton of ESPN.com. Hubbard was trending this way after not practicing all week, and now it's official that he won't be active. Fantasy managers can now send Hubbard to their benches for the weekend and swap him with a healthy RB. It remains to be seen if he will make enough progress to play in Week 6's matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. For at least one week, Rico Dowdle will take over lead-back duties in Carolina, with rookie Trevor Etienne also seeing an expanded role as a change-of-pace back behind Dowdle. With a notable increase in volume on Sunday in a good matchup against the one-win Dolphins, Dowdle will have RB2 upside.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) has officially been ruled out for the second straight week in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Evans has not been able to practice since straining his left hamstring in Week 3, and he'll be missing his second straight game this weekend. With the future Hall of Famer out again, expect both rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin, who will be playing in his second game this year, to be peppered with targets from quarterback Baker Mayfield again. Sterling Shepard will continue to see an elevated role with Evans out, but he'll merely be a low-upside WR4/flex option in deeper fantasy leagues. The 32-year-old Evans will need to get back on the practice field at some point next week if he wants to have any chance of returning for a Week 6 tilt against the San Francisco 49ers.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (foot) has officially been ruled out for Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday due to a sprained foot, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Irving was seen with a walking boot on his right foot and using crutches after the Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and he also apparently sustained a shoulder injury. It's his foot that's a main concern, and it could keep him out in Week 6 as well. Fantasy managers need to move him to their benches for now and go with another option. With Irving out this weekend, Rachaad White will see an expanded role out of the backfield for Tampa while sharing touches with Sean Tucker in a matchup against a Seahawks defense that has been around the middle of the pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to RBs through four weeks. White has a clear path to RB2 upside this week with Irving out.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) is missing his third straight practice this week on Friday, and it's looking more likely that he'll miss his first game due to injury since 2023 in the Week 5 tilt against the Houston Texans, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. In all likelihood, Jackson will officially be ruled out shortly, which means backup Cooper Rush will make his first start of the year for the struggling 1-3 Ravens. While Rush has a strong ground game to help him out and plenty of weapons in the passing game, he'll be facing a respectable Houston defense and will most likely have trouble sustaining drives. Jackson's absence will hurt all of the Ravens' offensive players' fantasy ceilings going forward. A report surfaced on Thursday night that Jackson could also miss Week 6, which means he might not return until Week 8 (the Ravens have a bye in Week 7).

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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (ankle) is officially off the injury report for Sunday's matchup with the Minnesota Vikings in London, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Garrett has already dealt with hip and ankle injuries this season, the latter of which forced him to miss Wednesday's practice. Despite logging just two limited sessions thereafter, he won't carry an injury designation into a juicy matchup across the pond against a beat-up Vikings offensive line. Cleveland may wind back the veteran's snaps a bit to keep him fresh, but fantasy managers can expect him to be without limit otherwise. The Texas A&M product leads his team with four sacks and is just one shy of the league leader through four weeks.

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New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (shoulder) is doing "a lot better" and is in line to get in some work at Friday's practice, according to head coach Brian Daboll. It will be the first time that Tracy has practiced since dislocating his shoulder in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys. It's good news for the second-year back, but it doesn't mean that Tracy will return to action for a Week 5 game in New Orleans against the Saints on Sunday. Giants.com writer Dan Salomone says that the Giants will see about Tracy's availability this weekend. In a best-case scenario, he'll be listed as questionable going into Sunday, but if he's somehow active, he'll likely be limited and play second fiddle to rookie Cam Skattebo in the backfield. Fantasy managers shouldn't be relying on Tracy in Week 5, and there's a good chance he'll be ruled out on Friday's final injury report.

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According to head coach Aaron Glenn, New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (knee) could miss 8-12 weeks with the MCL sprain he suffered in Week 4's loss to the Miami Dolphins. Reports were that Allen would miss more than the minimum number of required games, but it now appears he'll be out until at least December, with surgery still an option. In the 21-year-old's absence, teammate Isaiah Davis will take over the Jets' RB2 duties behind starter Breece Hall, and the newly-acquired Khalil Herbert will handle the RB3 role with Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) still tending to injury. Fantasy managers can safely drop Allen in all redraft formats as the likelihood of him making an impact to close out the 2025 season remains low.

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