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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Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) was listed as a full participant in practice on Wednesday during the team's walkthrough. The Colts have opened the 21-day window to activate Taylor from Injured Reserve, and he could make his 2023 debut this weekend against the Tennessee Titans in Week 5. The 24-year-old's chances of being active this weekend will improve if he can continue to practice in full on Thursday and Friday. But even if Taylor is active against the Titans on Sunday, the Colts could opt to ease him into the offense after he missed the entire offseason, training camp, the preseason and the first four weeks of the regular season. Still, the fact that he's back at practice this week is good news for fantasy managers that took the leap on him in drafts.

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Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (hip) and tight end Peyton Hendershot (ankle) are working with the rehab group on Wednesday and will not practice, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. Dowdle will miss the first practice of the week after suffering a hip contusion in the Week 4 blowout win over the New England Patriots. As of right now, the 25-year-old should be considered questionable to play this Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers. If he is unable to play or limited at all, rookie Deuce Vaughn would have a bigger role in Dallas' backfield in a very tough matchup behind starter Tony Pollard. Through four games this year, Dowdle has 20 carries for 80 yards while catching all five of his targets for 50 yards and the first touchdown of his career.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell could be in line for another solid outing in Week 5. After a strong day in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles, the second-year quarterback has the privilege of taking on the Chicago Bears' bottom-five pass defense. So far this season, Chicago has allowed a top-10 fantasy performance to opposing quarterbacks in three out of their first four weeks. In addition, the Bears will be without two of their top defenders in the secondary. That being safety Eddie Jackson (foot) and cornerback Jaylon Johnson (hamstring). All things considered, the circumstances couldn't be much better for Howell to continue his success. He's a strong streaming option for quarterback-needy rosters in Week 5.

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New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said he expects wide receiver Sterling Shepard to play more in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins. Daboll indicated the team had more personnel packages with Shepard in them for the Monday night game against the Seattle Seahawks, but they didn't use them. The Giants' receiver room is crowded, but apparently they want to get the 30-year-old more involved after he hasn't played more than 20 percent of the offensive snaps through the first four weeks. He has only two receptions on three targets for 10 yards. Even if Shepard sees the field more this Sunday, none of New York's pass-catchers can really be trusted right now in an offense that has been putrid early on.

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Several NFL teams think that the Chicago Bears will end up releasing wide receiver Chase Claypool. "I think that's where it's trending," one NFL executive said. The Bears would prefer to get a late-round pick for Claypool, but his locker-room presence will be a strong consideration for any prospective team after he outstayed his welcome in both Pittsburgh and Chicago in the last two years. In 10 games in Chicago, he went over 30 yards receiving just twice. The 25-year-old has size and speed, though, so he might attract some interest from a few contending teams. Claypool's fantasy value has now hit rock bottom, and he shouldn't be rostered in the majority of single-year leagues. However, a trade to a contender could make him slightly more attractive the rest of the year.

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Washington Commanders tight end Logan Thomas could be a decent option in Week 5. Against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, the veteran was an okay streamer with three receptions for 41 yards. Now in Week 5, the Commanders are taking on the Chicago Bears, owners of a bottom-five pass defense. With that in mind, Thomas could have another week of decent streaming value ahead. With the tight end position being a complete wasteland for fantasy scoring, the 32-year-old should be in consideration for needy teams.

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Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (abdomen), who missed the first four games of the season while on Injured Reserve, is not yet ready to practice and the Dolphins will not yet open the 21-day window for him to return from IR. It was previously reported that Wilson would be ready for the Week 5 contest against the New York Giants, but that doesn't look to be the case as of Wednesday. Miami doesn't have any reason to rush the 27-year-old back at this point, with both Raheem Mostert and rookie De'Von Achane looking great in tandem through the first four weeks of the season. Wilson is worth stashing in an IR spot in fantasy leagues if you have the room, but don't expect him to have a big role upon his return as long as both Mostert and Achane remain healthy.

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Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (groin) remains on the injury report and was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday. Sanders has been banged up this year, but he hasn't managed to miss a game so far in his first year with the organization. Aside from a two-touchdown performance in Week 3, Sanders has been a disappointment to fantasy managers so far in 2023. He played less than 50 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 4 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and had just 13 carries for 19 yards. The 26-year-old is averaging a weak 2.93 yards per carry on 54 rushing attempts through four games. If his efficiency doesn't approve, he could start losing more work to backfield mate Chuba Hubbard.

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (calf) said he's optimistic about his calf injury after Sunday was the best he's felt this year after a game. Health-wise he was feeling good, but Burrow couldn't have felt good about his performance in the Week 4 loss to the Tennessee Titans. In the loss, Burrow went 20-for-30 for just 165 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. It was the third time in four games he didn't have a touchdown pass and the second time he was held under 200 yards passing. The 26-year-old's calf issue has severely limited his mobility, but the good news is he continues to feel better. Fantasy managers will continue to wait for the good Burrow to show up. We wouldn't blame you for benching him until that happens in single-QB fantasy leagues.

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