Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) told reporters on Wednesday that he expects to be able to return to action following his team's Week 5 bye. Ekeler hasn't played since injuring his ankle during Week 1 but he stated on Wednesday, "We have a long time between now and Monday night football vs. the Cowboys, so expecting to be back by then for sure." Ekeler's return would relegate Joshua Kelley back to a reserve role after an uninspiring stint as the team's lead back over the past three games. Ekeler can be fired up as an RB1 in Week 6 if he does in fact suit up.

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The NFL is considering disciplinary action against Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (concussion) for his actions toward the independent concussion doctor appointed by the league and NFL Players Association following his concussion evaluation on the sideline during Monday night's win over the New York Giants. Head coach Pete Carroll said earlier this week that Adams should be able to return after the bye in Week 5 to face the Cincinnati Bengals, but that might not be the case now if the 27-year-old is suspended. Adams lost his temper on the sideline after being ruled out for the rest of the game and had to be separated from the doctor. The good news for Adams is that he has extra time to heal from his latest injury.

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New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said it's "leaning towards no" for left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) to play in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Thomas did not take part in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. It's more bad news for a struggling Giants offensive line. Center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) and offensive guard Shane Lemieux (groin) also didn't practice on Wednesday. New York's O-line was absolutely dominated by the Seattle Seahawks' defensive line in the Monday night loss, as they allowed six sacks on quarterback Daniel Jones. It could be more tough sledding for Jones and the Giants offense this week against Miami if the Giants' offensive line remains just as beat up.

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Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox (back) received an epidural injection procedure this week to alleviate discomfort he had been experiencing in his back over the last couple weeks, according to a source. If Cox has to miss any time, the expectation is that it won't be more than one game. We'll have a better idea of whether Cox will be able to play in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams later this week, but if he is unavailable, there's a good chance he'll be able to return in Week 6 against the New York Jets. The 32-year-old veteran defensive tackle made the Pro Bowl in six straight years from 2015-2020 and is a big part of Philly's dominant defensive line. Through the first four weeks, he has 10 tackles (three solo), half a sack and seven QB hits.

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Buffalo Bills pass-rusher Von Miller (knee) returned to practice for the first time this year on Wednesday after missing the first four weeks while on Injured Reserve. The Bills have now opened the 21-day window to activate Miller from IR after he tore his ACL on Thanksgiving last year. The 34-year-old All-Pro thinks he will make his season debut in London this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the final call as to whether he'll be active this weekend won't be up to him. Even if Miller is able to get the green light for Week 5, the Bills would most likely ease him back on defense after the long layoff. The bottom line, though, is that the eventual return of Miller is big news for an already strong Bills defense, even if Miller is no longer in his prime.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Zay Jones (knee) returned to practice on Wednesday and was listed as a limited participant on the injury report. Fellow wideout Jamal Agnew (quadriceps) was also limited. Jones has missed the last two games with a knee injury, but his return to practice on Wednesday bodes well for his chances of playing in this Sunday's game in London against the Buffalo Bills. All five of his receptions, 55 yards and lone touchdown came in the season opener before he was blanked in Week 2 before suffering a knee injury. Jones should return to three-wide sets if he's active this weekend alongside Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk, but the matchup against Buffalo's defense isn't a great one. A return to a full practice in the next two days would be a good indication that Jones is trending towards returning in Week 5.

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Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday and wasn't listed with an injury. The NFL dropped Williams' six-game gambling suspension to four games, so he'll be eligible to make his 2023 debut in Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers. The Lions plan to ease the 22-year-old second-year wideout into the offense after he played in only six games in his rookie season, but injuries to Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen) and Josh Reynolds (groin) could alter those plans this weekend. Williams should be rostered in all fantasy leagues because of his big-play abilities as a former first-round pick, but you may want to temper your expectations initially. Keep an eye on Detroit's injury report heading into Sunday's game.

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Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that wide receiver Cooper Kupp (hamstring) was not going to be limited on Wednesday and was going to go through a normal practice. Kupp opened the season on the Injured Reserve list, which required him to miss the first four games. The Rams have opened his 21-day window to return from IR, though, and he's in play to make his season debut this weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Unless Kupp suffers a setback at practice later this week, all signs are pointing toward him playing in Week 5. How many snaps he actually sees is a different question altogether, which will make Kupp risky in starting fantasy lineups if he's active on Sunday. Kupp's return will inevitably hurt the fantasy upside of receivers Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell.

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) got in a limited practice session on Wednesday. Jeudy practiced in a limited capacity last week with the same knee issue but was removed from the team's final injury report prior to their Week 4 game against the Chicago Bears. Considering that he is back to practicing in a limited fashion again, this could be a maintenance thing for the 24-year-old. Fantasy managers should still keep an eye on his status leading up to the Broncos' Week 5 contest against the New York Jets. Through three games, Jeudy has 11 catches for 158 yards but is still looking for his first touchdown of the season.

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San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. The third-year back missed Week 4 with the same knee issue and missing Wednesday's practice does not bode well for his chances of suiting up in Week 5. Mitchell has just 16 carries for 52 scoreless yards to begin the season so his role has practically no fantasy value anyway. Christian McCaffrey has been a dominant force both in real life and fantasy football so Mitchell and Jordan Mason are mere handcuffs.

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New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (calf) did not practice on Wednesday. The fourth-year tight end injured his calf early in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and didn't see a single target before exiting. He'll need to at least log a limited session this week if he has any shot of suiting up for Week 5 against the New England Patriots. Johnson, who was a bit of a preseason fantasy darling, has just 61 scoreless yards on seven catches to begin the season. Jimmy Graham and Foster Moreau would soak up the tight end snaps if Johnson doesn't end up playing on Sunday.

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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Irv Smith Jr. (hamstring) returned to practice on Wednesday. It's worth noting that he practiced in a limited capacity after not practicing at all last week. The fourth-year tight end missed the Bengals' previous two games with a hamstring issue but he's trending in the right direction to suit up in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. Smith has just five catches for 27 scoreless yards across two games this year but the Bengals are more than likely going to be missing wide receiver Tee Higgins (ribs), which could open up more targets. Still, given how poor the Cincinnati offense has looked so far coupled with Smith's limited practice time, he's more of a dart throw--if he ends up playing-- for fantasy purposes.

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Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (knee) was limited in practice on Wednesday. This is the first time we are hearing about a knee issue for Pierce but this sounds like it's just a maintenance day for the second year back. Pierce logged a season-high 25 touches during Sunday's Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, which is a step in the right direction for the second-year back who has mostly struggled out of the gates. He has 64 carries for 181 yards (2.8 YPC) and a touchdown with eight catches for 68 yards on the year. Backfield mate Devin Singletary has played a larger role than anyone anticipated but Pierce still checks in as a solid RB2 for Week 5 when the Texans face the Atlanta Falcons on the road. Fantasy managers will still want to keep tabs on his practice status leading up to this weekend.

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Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (hip) missed the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Williams injured his hip flexor in the first half of the Week 4 win over the Chicago Bears and never returned. It's not considered a serious injury, but his status for the Week 5 contest at home against the New York Jets is up in the air. It's another setback after the 23-year-old suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 of the 2022 season. Undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin led Denver's backfield on Sunday after Williams left and scored the second touchdown of his career. He was a popular waiver-wire pickup this week because of Williams' injury, and he could once again led Denver's backfield in a tough matchup in Week 5 against the Jets if Williams is unable to play.

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Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that running back Kyren Williams (hip) will not practice on Wednesday due to a bruised hip, but it's a precautionary move. McVay said he expects Williams to play on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5. It's great news for fantasy managers that have been enjoying Williams' strong start to the season after the Rams traded away Cam Akers to the Minnesota Vikings. Through the first four weeks of 2023, Williams checks in as the RB6 in half-PPR scoring. He broke out in the Week 4 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts with 127 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 28 touches. Fantasy managers should be able to keep the 23-year-old locked into their starting lineups in Week 5.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (hip) will be a full participant in Wednesday's practice despite some aches he picked up in the Week 4 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts, according to head coach Sean McVay. "He's full go. He's as tough as it gets. We're not going to be running any zone read or anything like that today, so he'll be in good shape." The 35-year-old is dealing with a bruised hip and was seen limping in the Week 4 win last Sunday. However, it's not an injury that should keep Stafford sidelined this weekend in a sneaky good matchup against the undefeated Eagles. Stafford could also be getting his top target back for the first time this year in wide receiver Cooper Kupp (hamstring).

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New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen said that quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) threw a bit more in practice on Wednesday. Carr was limited but "things look good in terms of where he's at this week." Barring a setback, Carr should be good to go to face the New England Patriots on the road in Week 5. The 32-year-old veteran surprisingly played in the Week 4 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday despite suffering an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder the previous week. Carr didn't look great playing through injury, though, going 23-for-37 for 127 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the loss to the Bucs last weekend. However, he will get a matchup this weekend against a banged-up Patriots defense that just lost two of their best players to serious injuries.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receivers Deebo Samuel (knee, ribs) and Jauan Jennings (shin) were both limited in Wednesday's practice. Samuel played in the Week 4 win over the Arizona Cardinals despite being questionable, but he wasn't targeted at all through the air and saw just three carries for six yards. Jennings was inactive. Samuel is day-to-day heading into a Sunday night showdown with the Dallas Cowboys. The fact that he's practicing early in the week is a good sign, but fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on the 27-year-old pass-catcher. With Samuel quiet last Sunday, Brandon Aiyuk went off for six receptions for a season-high 148 yards a week after missing a game due to a shoulder injury.

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New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (thigh) is on the Week 5 injury report and was listed as limited in practice on Wednesday. Stevenson's status for the Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints bears watching. He has been the RB24 in half-PPR leagues through the first four weeks of the season. Stevenson has been the clear lead back for New England, but Ezekiel Elliott has seen more of a workload the last two weeks with Stevenson struggling. The 25-year-old is averaging a weak 2.7 yards per carry for 164 rushing yards and one touchdown on 60 rushing attempts in four games so far in his third NFL season. If Stevenson's injury keeps him from playing this Sunday, Elliott would become the Pats' lead back and have RB2 upside in fantasy.

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Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen) was listed as a non-participant in practice on Wednesday due to an abdominal injury. The Lions are committing to St. Brown's status heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, but he was reportedly seen running full speed at practice on Tuesday. The 23-year-old will need to get back on the practice field later this week to have a shot at suiting up for this weekend's game. If St. Brown is able to play, he needs to remain in starting fantasy lineups, but you should look for potential backup plans now. If he is out or limited on Sunday, Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond and Marvin Jones Jr. should all have elevated target shares, as well as rookie tight end Sam LaPorta.

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