Despite missing his fifth-straight practice, Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is expected to return to action in Week 4. It's excellent news for the team as first-string back Joe Mixon (ankle) is still considered week-to-week after missing Houston's Week 3 matchup -- a 34-7 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. In that contest, running back Cam Akers led the team with a paltry 21 yards on nine carries. With the Texans mincing words, fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on the 24-year-old's status heading into Houston's home matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Pierce can play, he'll be in store for a sizable workload against a Jaguars squad that just got torched by the Buffalo Bills, allowing 47 points on Monday Night Football.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (ribs, hand, wrist) is not expected to be available for the team's Week 4 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The second-year wideout suffered two injuries late in Houston's 34-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and did not return to the lopsided affair. Dell missed practice Wednesday and is listed as having a chest injury. It's worth noting that while he's been dubbed as unlikely to play, head coach DeMeco Ryans regards him as day-to-day and said, "We'll see how he continues to progress." It's a tough development for the 24-year-old as he's coming off his most productive game of the season, where he caught 5-of-6 targets for 62 yards. Fantasy managers will want to monitor his status closely ahead of the Week 4 home tilt. Expect wide receivers Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs to be in line for more work, with Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson, Steven Sims, and John Metchie III to mix in for supplemental snaps.

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When asked about the status of wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring), Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales stated he would not need surgery. It's good news for the veteran wideout, who was placed on the team's injured reserve Tuesday due to a hamstring injury he picked up in Carolina's first win of the season. Before his exit in the second quarter, Thielen had modest production, reeling in 3-of-5 targets for 40 yards and a score. The touchdown -- a 31-yard reception -- is the play in which he injured himself. He'll now miss at least the team's next four matchups. Soft-tissue issues -- particularly hamstrings -- can linger, so it's best to exhibit caution when slotting him back into your lineup upon his return. In his stead, wide receivers Xavier Legette and Jonathan Mingo project to pick up some extra work. Carolina will look to get in the win column again when they host the visiting Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4.

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (knee) participated fully in Wednesday's team practice. Darnold sustained a minor knee injury and missed just one play in the team's convincing 34-7 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday. Concerns arose when it was reported he was scheduled for an MRI on his injured knee, but imaging came back clean, and he'll be a full-go for the team's Week 4 road tilt against the Green Bay Packers. The 27-year-old currently garners the thirteenth-most passing yards in the NFL, though he leads the league in touchdown passes -- tossing eight through the team's first three contests. It's been an excellent start to the season for the former third-overall pick. He and the Vikings have been one of the more pleasant surprises thus far in 2024, and he has quickly thrust himself into weekly lineup consideration.

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Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (shoulder) was limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Bigsby was also dealing with a shoulder injury last week but managed to suit up in Monday night's blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. In that contest, the 23-year-old really didn't have much of a shot to contribute with the Jaguars forced to quickly abandon the running game. He finished with only two carries for nine yards and has 14 rushing attempts for 82 yards (5.9 yards per carry) in three games so far in 2024. Bigsby has not been targeted at all in the passing game. Bigsby should be fine to play in Week 4 against the division-rival Houston Texans as the Jags go for their first win of the year. Jacksonville wants to get Bigsby more work alongside Travis Etienne Jr., but so far their offense just hasn't cooperated.

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Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) missed the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Engram injured his hamstring during pre-game warmups in the Week 2 loss to the Cleveland Browns and also missed the Monday night beatdown at the hands of the Buffalo Bills in Week 3. He is going to need to get back on the practice field in some fashion over the next couple of days to at least give himself a chance to suit up this Sunday versus the division-rival Houston Texans as the Jags seek their first win of the season. With Engram out the last two games, Brenton Strange has caught five of his 11 targets for 77 yards and one touchdown, putting him on the map as a TE2 streamer for fantasy managers if Engram misses a third straight game in Week 4. Engram caught just one pass for five yards in Week 1, so he's been a disappointment so far in 2024.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Davis is dealing with what seems to be a minor shoulder injury after he played 76% of the offensive snaps in the team's Week 3 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. Unless he has a setback with his shoulder in practice later this week, he should be active for the Week 4 tilt against the division-rival Houston Texans. The 25-year-old former fourth-round pick by the Bills in 2020 out of Central Florida has been inefficient so far through three games in his first year in Jacksonville. Davis has caught just half of his 16 targets for 123 yards and currently carries a career-low 15.4 yards per catch in what has been a Jaguars offense that just hasn't figure it out yet. He caught two of six targets for a season-low 18 yards on Monday night.

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When asked if Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) will be designated to return to practice from Injured Reserve next week, head coach Kevin Stefanski said, "We'll see when we get to next week. He's doing well." Chubb opened the year on IR after needing two surgeries to fix a torn ACL and MCL in his knee after a gruesome injury early in 2023. It's anyone's guess as to when the 28-year-old will be able to return this year. It would be nice to see Chubb back at practice next week, but it wouldn't guarantee his return in Week 5 versus the Washington Commanders. When Chubb is finally ready to make his 2024 debut, it's likely that the Browns will ease him in alongside Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman. Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowler heading into last year, has a career 5.3 yard-per-carry average and deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues.

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper wasn't included on the team's first injury report of the week after practicing in full on Wednesday. Cooper appeared to injure his hip on the final play of the Week 3 loss to the New York Giants but appears fine heading into a Week 4 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders on the road. The 30-year-old veteran needs to be locked into all starting fantasy lineups this week against a Raiders defense that was just picked apart by Carolina Panthers veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. Cooper had only five catches for 27 yards in the first two weeks of 2024 before breaking out for seven receptions (12 targets) for 86 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to the G-Men. Despite the Browns offense looking lackluster so far, there's no question that Cooper remains quarterback Deshaun Watson's top target.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Mike Evans (knee) and Chris Godwin (neck) are both on the Week 4 injury report after being limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Although it's a good sign that both players actually practiced, this is a situation to watch in Tampa with both of their top receivers on the injury report heading into a Week 4 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. In what could be a high-scoring contest on Sunday in Tampa, both Evans and Godwin should be in starting fantasy lineups as long as they're active. But if one or both of Evans and Godwin are out or limited on Sunday, it will raise the ceiling for rookie pass-catcher Jalen McMillan and tight end Cade Otton. Fantasy managers should check back the next two days to see if Evans and Godwin can get back to a full practice to get cleared for Week 4.

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Green Bay Packers tight ends Tucker Kraft (shoulder) and Luke Musgrave (quadriceps) were both limited on Wednesday for the first practice of the week. Kraft played through a shoulder injury in the Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans and saw 67% of the offensive snaps on his way to two catches for 24 yards. The 23-year-old has been the team's primary TE so far through three weeks, but it's amounted to just six receptions on eight targets for 77 scoreless yards. Musgrave played a season-high 56% of the offensive snaps in Week 3 but caught his only target for a three-yard gain. Through the first three weeks, he has only two catches for nine yards to put himself well off the fantasy radar. All of Green Bay's offensive weapons become more interesting if quarterback Jordan Love (knee) can return in Week 4, although Kraft and Musgrave still won't be realistic starting options at their position.

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (calf, quadriceps) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday with calf and quadriceps injuries. Reed has been playing through a calf injury since Week 2, but the quad injury is new this week. Unless Reed suffers a setback later this week with one of his two injuries, he should be able to suit up and play this Sunday in a big divisional matchup against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. None of Green Bay's pass-catchers have been all that attractive in starting fantasy lineups the last two games with quarterback Jordan Love (knee) sidelined and backup Malik Willis running the offense. In two games with Willis at QB, Reed has six receptions for 59 yards and four carries for 56 yards. In the season opener with Love active, Reed scored both on the ground and through the air.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) had a compression sleeve on his right leg and was working with the strength and conditioning/training staff off to the side during Wednesday's walkthrough practice. Nacua suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee in the season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions and was placed on Injured Reserve. The earliest that he can return to action will be in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders after the team's bye in Week 7. Until then, fantasy managers need to keep the 23-year-old second-year pass-catcher in an IR spot. Cooper Kupp (ankle) is set to miss his second straight game in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears, leaving wideouts Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington to battle for targets from quarterback Matthew Stafford. So far, tight end Colby Parkinson has been a disappointment with Kupp and Nacua sidelined.

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When asked if he's less limited in practice this week, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) said, "We're building it up for sure. Every day is a little bit better." Love said he's "definitely" moving better and was "pretty close" to playing in the Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans. Love was officially limited in Wednesday's practice and has a real chance to play in Week 4 against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings for the first time since suffering a knee sprain in the season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. The 25-year-old will be more of a shaky QB1 for fantasy managers if he returns this weekend, especially against a Vikings defense that has impressed so far in 2024. Fantasy managers that have any of the team's talented receivers have to be happy that Love's return appears to be right around the corner.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) is out of his cast and was working with the strength and conditioning/training staff during Wednesday's walkthrough practice. Kupp injured his ankle in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Arizona Cardinals and missed the Week 3 win over the division-rival San Francisco 49er. He has already been ruled out for Week 4 versus the Chicago Bears this Sunday, but it appears he's making progress. With their bye coming in Week 6, there's a chance that fantasy managers won't have Kupp available for their starting lineups until Week 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Fellow wideout Puka Nacua (knee) remains on Injured Reserve, so wideouts Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington will continue sharing targets from quarterback Matthew Stafford.

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that tight end George Kittle (hamstring) was limited in practice on Wednesday. Kittle injured his hamstring in practice last week and ultimately did not play in the Week 3 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. His status for this Sunday's contest against the visiting New England Patriots is up in the air, but it's a great sign that he is participating in the first practice of the week. If the 30-year-old can increase his practice level on either Thursday or Friday, he'll give himself a shot to be active in Week 4. Backup TE Eric Saubert caught both of his targets for 41 yards and is a weak TE2 streamer in fantasy if Kittle misses another game. Receiver Jauan Jennings reaped all the benefits with Kittle and Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) out in Week 3, going for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Kittle is a must-start TE1 whenever he's active.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (hamstring) was limited in practice due to a hamstring injury. Drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Irving has made a strong impression in the run game so far. In the 26-7 loss to Denver on Sunday, he rushed nine times for 70 yards and caught three passes for 14 yards, contributing while playing 32 percent of the offensive snaps. Rachaad White, who took over twice as many snaps (73 percent), had three fewer carries and one fewer touch than Irving, fueling speculation that the rookie could eventually become Tampa Bay's lead back. Head coach Todd Bowles noted in his Monday press conference that Irving is expected to receive more snaps to evaluate his performance better moving forward. However, it remains uncertain if Irving's hamstring injury will impact their workloads during the Week 4 home game against the Eagles.

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that quarterback Brock Purdy (back) didn't carry an injury designation after practicing in full on Wednesday. Purdy came out of the Week 3 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Rams with some minor back soreness on Monday, but he appears to be just fine and should be in the clear to start this weekend for a Week 4 matchup against the New England Patriots. The 24-year-old signal-caller displayed why he should be seen as a high-floor fantasy QB after throwing for 292 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to the Rams while being without running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf), receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) and tight end George Kittle (hamstring), arguably his top three targets. Purdy could be without all three for a second straight week against an underrated Pats defense. Consider him a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in Week 4.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) was unable to practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Samuel suffered a strained right hamstring in the Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and hasn't practiced since, also missing the Week 3 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. The injury was initially expected to keep him out for multiple games, so fantasy managers shouldn't plan on having him for the Week 4 tilt against the New England Patriots, especially with him not practicing on Wednesday. The 28-year-old is a must-start in fantasy lineups on a weekly basis when he's active, but he's probably going to be unavailable for a second straight week. Jauan Jennings should be rostered in all fantasy formats after catching 11 of 12 targets for 175 yards and three touchdowns in the Week 3 win with both Samuel and tight end George Kittle (hamstring) both out.

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) informed reporters there has been discussion about potentially resting him until the bye week, but he believes that's different from the direction they're heading. Herbert mentioned he feels "less pain" and could participate in 7-on-7 drills today, indicating that his recent setback hasn't significantly hindered his recovery. The Chargers officially listed him as a limited participant in practice. After an MRI on Monday, head coach Jim Harbaugh noted that Herbert's ankle injury is "progressing." The 26-year-old was labeled as questionable heading into last week's game after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers. He exited during the third quarter of the Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers after taking a sack that seemed to aggravate the injury, leading to visible limping. He required treatment in the medical tent and did not return, leaving backup Taylor Heinicke to take over the offense. The Chargers are set to face the Chiefs on Sunday, and the team and Herbert hope for his return.

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