Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers DeVonta Smith (concussion) and A.J. Brown (hamstring) are both absent from practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday's session with a concussion and hamstring injury, respectively. It's not looking for the star wide receiver duo heading into the Week 4 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, fantasy managers should monitor their practice statuses on Friday and see how the team officially lists them for Sunday. If both are out, young wideouts Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson figure to be in elevated roles, but tight end Dallas Goedert should be the No. 1 option in the passing attack.

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Fantasy managers who selected Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn deep into their drafts have seen an outstanding return on investment so far. The ninth-year pro, whom Houston rewarded with a contract extension before this season, has made six field goals of 50 or more yards and ranks third among fantasy kickers. Given that Fairbairn is tied to one of the league's better offenses, is indoors for a fourth straight game, and plays the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars' defense in Week 4, he's a set-it-and-forget-it option at kicker this week.

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Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (knee) missed Wednesday's practice with a knee injury, but he's back on the field on Thursday leading up to a Week 4 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. Needless to say, his return is promising for his chances to suit up on Sunday for the AFC clash. Ford is averaging 10.4 half-PPR fantasy points per game this year, but his last two contests were unproductive. However, the Raiders have surrendered the third-most rushing yards to running backs (398) and the second-most fantasy points per game (29.1) to the position. Assuming Ford is active, he could be in a perfect bounce-back spot. Ford should continue to operate as the lead back, at least until Nick Chubb (knee) returns to action. It will likely be a committee when the aging back returns.

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The Dallas Cowboys are elevating defensive end Carl Lawson and cornerback Amani Oruwariye from the practice squad for Thursday night's game against the New York Giants. With cornerback Caelan Carson (shoulder) and safety Markquese Bell (ankle) listed as doubtful for the NFC East class, Dallas is bringing up two defensive reinforcements to the 53-man roster. Lawson spent the last two seasons with the New York Jets and racked up seven sacks in 23 games with the organization. Oruwariye appeared in his most recent regular season game with the Detroit Lions in 2022. In 53 career contests, he has totaled 173 tackles and nine interceptions.

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On Thursday, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said the team isn't yet prepared to name the starting quarterback for the Week 4 Monday Night Football game against the Tennessee Titans. Skylar Thompson (rib) is being considered day-to-day with a rib injury, but even if he's healthy enough to play, the team could go another direction after a tough showing in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks. Miami has Tim Boyle and Tyler Huntley on the roster as the team tries to navigate at least the next few games without Tua Tagovailoa (concussion). Whether Thompson, Boyle, or Huntley starts in Week 4, none of them should be on the fantasy radar in single-QB leagues, and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle could be in for another quiet outing against a Tennessee defense that has surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points per game to wideouts through two weeks.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Britain Covey (shoulder) was placed on Injured Reserve this week, meaning he will have to miss at least the next four games. However, it was revealed on Thursday that he suffered a broken scapula during the Week 3 win over the New Orleans Saints, and he is expected to be out for at least six weeks. While Covery was not expected to be a significant contributor on offense, injuries to A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (concussion) would've put him as a top option in the passing game in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If neither Brown nor Smith can suit up, tight end Dallas Goedert will likely operate as Jalen Hurts' No. 1 target, and wideouts Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson will see expanded roles.

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After seeing a specialist in Germany, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) will likely be sidelined for at least a month and "probably closer to a couple of months." It's obvious terrible news for the 49ers and any fantasy managers that took CMC with the first overall pick in fantasy drafts this year. The 28-year-old is currently on Injured Reserve but isn't going to be ready to return for the Niners when he's eligible in Week 5 against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. When the reigning NFL rushing champion finally does return from his injury, he could also be eased back in so that he doesn't suffer any setbacks. All fantasy managers can do is be patient at this point and hope McCaffrey can regain his pre-injury form when he returns. In the meantime, Jordan Mason is going to continue to be a must-start RB1 in fantasy as San Fran's lead back.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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