Houston Texans running backs Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) are both sitting out of practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Mixon tweaked his ankle in the Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears and did not play in the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The 28-year-old is still considered week-to-week and is trending toward missing a second straight game this Sunday versus the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. Pierce is apparently getting closer to playing after missing the last two games, and it was even reported that he was expected to return in Week 4, but his practice participation with two DNPs this week says otherwise. As of right now, it's looking unlikely that both Mixon and Pierce suit up, which would put Cam Akers in line for starting RB duties for the Texans for the second straight week.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (chest), who was listed as day-to-day on Wednesday, is missing his second straight practice of the week on Thursday. Despite his day-to-day label, a report also surfaced on Wednesday that Dell was unlikely to play after getting banged up in the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The 24-year-old second-year pass-catcher is dealing with some sore ribs and also injured his hand/wrist last Sunday. It doesn't sound like his injuries are a long-term concern, but fantasy managers that were planning on starting him in Week 4 against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars may need to reconsider. Dell may need to practice on Friday to avoid being ruled out entirely. If Dell is limited or out in Week 4, it will mean more targets for both Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins, and possibly tight end Dalton Schultz, who has been a disappointment so far through three weeks.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Dan Graziano thinks the next quarterback to be benched in the NFL could be Las Vegas Raiders QB Gardner Minshew II. When Minshew won the training camp battle at the position over Aidan O'Connell, it felt like you couldn't rule out the possibility of the two signal-callers flip-flopping back and forth all year. Head coach Antonio Pierce is sticking with Minshew after the embarrassing loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 4, but Pierce certainly wasn't happy after that loss. Minshew is 24th in QBR (44.1) through the first three weeks of the season. It hasn't all been Minshew's fault, but the Raiders could make the move to O'Connell sooner than later just to shake things up. Minshew's Week 2 upset over the Baltimore Ravens likely bought him at least another week. Some with the Raiders thought O'Connell had a slight edge coming out of offseason workouts over Minshew.

From RotoBaller

The Detroit Lions signed veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson II to their active roster on Thursday. Robinson joins Tim Patrick in being elevated from the practice squad to the active roster this week to give the team more insurance at the receiver position behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond and Isaiah Williams (abdomen). In the Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Patrick was on the field more than Robinson and caught his only target for an eight-yard gain. Robinson, meanwhile, only played one offensive snap and wasn't targeted. The 31-year-old is strictly receiver depth in Detroit right now and should remain on the waiver wire in all fantasy formats. Last year in 17 starts for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Robinson managed 34 receptions on 49 targets for only 280 yards and no touchdowns.

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has completed just 52.8% of his passes for 560 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the first three weeks in 2024, all losses. Lawrence's completion percentage ranks 31st in the NFL behind Panthers QB Bryce Young (55.4%) and just ahead of Colts QB Anthony Richardson (49.3%). Head coach Doug Pederson said Lawrence could be pressing a bit too much to try and make big plays for a struggling offense, but he remains confident his QB can turn it around. Lawrence doesn't think he's pressing but instead said he has gotten "undisciplined with my eyes" and his "feet have gotten sloppy." The 24-year-old former first overall pick has also looked rushed at times. He'll enter a Week 4 divisional matchup looking to get the Jags their first win, and he'll be an obvious QB2 with his fantasy stock falling after a rough start to the year.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (hamstring) isn't practicing on Thursday but said he will be ready to play on Sunday in Week 4 against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. Irving was listed as a limited participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, so a downgrade to a DNP isn't exactly ideal. How much the 22-year-old does in practice on Friday will ultimately decide whether he's listed as questionable on the final Week 4 injury report. Irving has been the more elusive and more efficient backfield option for the Bucs so far through three weeks over Rachaad White, but Irving's injury could complicate things this weekend. In the Week 3 loss to the Denver Broncos, Irving had nine carries for a team-high 70 yards and also caught three passes for 14 yards. He's a worth bench stash in fantasy for now, even if you don't have White rostered.

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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that center Frank Ragnow (pectoral) will not play on Monday night in Week 4 versus the visiting Seattle Seahawks. The team has a lot more football left to play this year and want their Pro Bowl center for the long haul. It's pretty much a no-brainer move, too, with the Lions bye coming in Week 5. The 28-year-old center suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle in the Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals and may not be ready to go when the team returns to action in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, either. Not having Ragnow this Monday night will be a big blow to the Lions offense as they go up against what has been an underrated Seattle defense. Michael Niese is expected to take over for Ragnow as the team's starting center in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

The schedule has opened up for Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, who will face the floundering Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4. Last year's Offensive Rookie of the Year ranks a middling 15th among fantasy quarterbacks after back-to-back muted offensive days against Chicago and Minnesota, but the Jags offer a possible reprieve. Jacksonville ranks 30th among NFL defenses in yards allowed, 25th in completions allowed, 22nd in pressures, and 32nd in yards after the catch. Even with the Houston running game possibly limited by injuries, Stroud is a QB1 option who can be started with confidence against a struggling defense at home.

From RotoBaller

Through three weeks, the Jacksonville Jaguars have been arguably the biggest underachievers in the NFL, which is great news for fantasy managers who own the Houston Texans' defense/special teams. Aside from the seemingly good matchup, the Texans have been able to disrupt quarterbacks, ranking fourth in the NFL in sacks, sixth in pressure percentage and tied for seventh in interceptions. Jacksonville and struggling quarterback Trevor Lawrence have not cracked 17 points and are coming off a total dud on Monday Night Football against Buffalo. Given the circumstances of this matchup Houston playing at home, fairly healthy, and the Jags in turmoil the Texans are a startable option in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

The frustrating tight-end landscape this season certainly has extended to Dalton Schultz of the Houston Texans. The 28-year-old ranks a woeful 34th among fantasy tight ends through three weeks, nowhere near the production expected for a player drafted to be a possible starter. However, things could be looking up for the Stanford man, who faces his best matchup of the season with the Jacksonville Jaguars coming to Houston in Week 4. The Texans have played back-to-back tough offensive games against Chicago and Minnesota, but the Jags have allowed an NFL-worst 497 yards after the catch. Schultz is a low-end TE1, high-end TE2 play who could benefit if Houston has a big passing day.

From RotoBaller

Since being traded to the Houston Texans, wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been the second option to fellow wide receiver Nico Collins. Even so, the 30-year-old still has seen an average of eight targets per game and clocks in as the 10th overall receiver in PPR formats through three weeks. With a favorable matchup against Jacksonville in Week 4, the Maryland product continues to be a steady flex option. The Jaguars have allowed nearly 500 yards after the catch in just three games, which ranks dead last in the NFL. If Houston's passing offense can keep the trend going, Diggs figures to be part of the action.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins should continue to be among the NFL's elite when his team plays host to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The fourth-year pro leads the league with 338 receiving yards in just three weeks, 50 more yards than any other pass catcher in football. So far, the low point of Collins' season was four catches for 86 yards on 10 targets, four of which were in the red zone. Next up is Jacksonville, which has allowed more yards after the catch than any team in the NFL. The Michigan product is entering his prime, plays on a capable offense, and has an enticing matchup, making him a clear WR1 in Week 4.

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Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard had his best game of the year in Week 3 with Andy Dalton under center. In the team's win over the Raiders, Hubbard carried 21 times for 114 yards and caught five passes for 55 yards with a receiving touchdown. With a favorable game script for the first time this season, Hubbard turned in a dominant fantasy day. The versatile running back popped up on the injury report as a limited practice participant on Wednesday but it was listed as non-football related/rest. Without knowing the flow of the game this week, it is tough to predict 26 touches for Hubbard but he is dominating touches in the Panthers' backfield at the moment and fantasy managers will want to ride his hot hand in the Week 4 matchup against the Bengals. Hubbard looks like a really solid RB2 this week with a lot of upside in this matchup.

From RotoBaller

Coming off an excellent performance against the Raiders, Carolina Panthers Andy Dalton looks like a good play in Week 4 against Cincinnati. Dalton's former team, the Bengals, just gave up a big quarterback performance to Jayden Daniels of the Commanders. Dalton was 26-of-37 passing for 319 yards and three touchdowns in his Week 3 start after taking over for Bryce Young. He will be without one of his top weapons in Adam Thielen (hamstring) who was placed on IR. Still, Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, and Jonathan Mingo should be able to pick up the slack in a favorable matchup. The Red Rifle popped up on the Panthers' first injury report of the week with an ankle issue but was listed as a full participant on Wednesday. Dalton looks like a potential starting fantasy quarterback this week depending on roster construction at the position. He finished as the QB6 in Week 3 and a similar performance this week is not out of the question.

From RotoBaller

The Denver Broncos signed free-agent LB Zach Cunningham (Raiders) to the practice squad on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

From TheHuddle

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (ankle) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, according to the team's PR department. It's worth noting that the lingering ankle issue impacted Schultz's practice status last week, too, but that didn't stop him from playing a season-high 96 percent of snaps on Sunday afternoon. He now has a modest seven catches, 48 yards, and zero touchdowns through three games this season. His reduced productivity could be the result of an offense that has become even more crowded following the offseason addition of Stefon Diggs. For now, Schultz is a mid-to-low fantasy TE2.

From RotoBaller

The Denver Broncos have signed running back Tyler Badie to their 53-man roster, according to Mike Klis of 9News. Badie, a third-year player out of the University of Missouri, had earned back-to-back elevations from the practice squad for Weeks 2 and 3. Now, after rushing nine times for 70 yards in last Sunday's contest, the 24-year-old has officially graduated from the practice squad to the active roster. He still figures to operate behind Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin, but given that both of those backs have struggled with efficiency and production this year, there could be some extra opportunities for Badie to prove himself within the next few weeks. He lacks fantasy appeal at the moment but remains a player to monitor.

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New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (ankle) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive. The veteran has been inconsistent in fantasy football this season, catching eight passes for 109 yards in Week 2 but then disappearing for just two catches and nine yards in Week 3. His fantasy value directly correlates to the state of the Patriots' offense, which isn't very good right now. New England's unfavorable offensive outlook makes all of their skill players, including Henry, tough to trust from a fantasy football perspective. On the injury front, the good news is that players who are limited on Wednesday have a solid chance to practice in full before the practice week ends. We should know more about Henry's status by Friday afternoon, but as of now, he's trending toward playing against the San Francisco 49ers.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (chest) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, according to John Hendrix of Sports Illustrated. Hill appears to be making significant progress after missing Week 3 due to injury. The veteran playmaker's full participation in practice suggests that he's on track to play against the Atlanta Falcons without any limitations this coming Sunday, barring a setback. Hill didn't deliver enough production to make him a top fantasy option through the first two weeks of the season, but his role as the Saints' Swiss army knife still gives him some fantasy appeal going forward. He should be treated as a mid-range TE2 this week.

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir has emerged as the team's best player at the position "and it hasn't been close," according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. Amidst speculation that Keon Coleman or Curtis Samuel would climb to the top of the depth chart, it's actually Shakir who has made the best impression so far. He has become Josh Allen's go-to receiver, catching all 14 of his targets for 168 yards and two touchdowns through three weeks. He's already the overall WR17 in PPR leagues, cementing himself as a strong weekly option for fantasy managers. He should continue to be trusted heading into Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens.

From RotoBaller