Sat Sep 30 10:21pm ET
Field Level Media
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb underwent the first of two surgeries on Friday to repair his torn left medial collateral ligament, the team said Saturday.
Head team physician Dr. James Voos repaired damage to Chubb's medial capsule, meniscus and medial collateral ligament, per the team.
A second surgery to repair Chubb's ACL will happen in the coming months.
Chubb was injured on Sept. 18 in Cleveland's 26-22 loss to the host Pittsburgh Steelers. Chubb rushed up the middle for a gain of 5 yards with 14:14 left in the second quarter and was in the process of being tackled by Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb when safety Minkah Fitzpatrick dropped his shoulder and ran directly into Chubb's left knee.
The hit by Fitzpatrick caused Chubb's leg to bend, and Chubb sat up and grabbed his knee and could be heard yelling in anguish through the field microphones.
Chubb, 27, rushed for 64 yards on 10 carries before exiting. He had 170 yards on 28 carries this season.
The four-time Pro Bowl selection topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of the past four seasons, gaining a career-high 1,525 last season. Chubb had 996 yards as a rookie in 2018 before beginning his streak of 1,000-yard seasons.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce put the cherry on top with a third-quarter touchdown in Week 3's blowout win over the Chicago Bears. The 33-year-old missed the season opener, but he's immediately picked back up on his dominant ways with a TE-best 31.5% target rate (17 targets on 54 routes run). Kelce will be tested in Week 4 against the stiff New York Jets defense, but there's plenty of room for optimism despite the rigid matchup for KC's offense. With a dynamic cornerback tandem in New York's backend, their Achilles heel defensively is easily shown in defending enemy TEs, which dates back to 2022. Gang Green's defense displays a mouthwatering matchup for Kelce after being penetrated for the third-highest fantasy points per game to the position (16.97) over three games. The eight-time Pro Bowler should have fantasy managers anticipating a late-slate hammer play on Sunday Night Football in season-long and DFS settings.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Willie Snead IV has been promoted to the active roster on Saturday. This news comes with wideouts Jauan Jennings (shin) and Deebo Samuel (knee, ribs) both uncertain to play. That being said, Snead could end up seeing some playing time if one of both of these receivers are sidelined. The 30-year-old was with the 49ers last season, so he is familiar with the system. Despite that, it's unlikely that Snead has much if any fantasy value for this Week 4 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa (hamstring, toe) has been ruled out for the upcoming Week 4 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 28-year-old missed three straight practices this week due to lingering injuries. That being said, the Chargers are deciding to play it safe and rest Bosa for Sunday's game. The Chargers have a bye week after this game, so hopefully that will give Bosa enough time to get healthy. This is a tough blow to the Chargers defense that will already be without safety Derwin James Jr. (hamstring) as well.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (knee) has been out all season while recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered last season. That being said, Murray has been on the physically unable to perform list all season and it looks like he'll stay there. Murray was a long shot to be ready after four games. He's eligible to be removed from the PUP list on Monday, but that's not going to happen. The Cardinals are going to give Murray as much time as he needs to get ready to play. He's fully expected to play at some point this season, but his timetable remains unclear. In the meantime, Joshua Dobbs is expected to remain under center for the Cardinals.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller (knee) is expected to get back on the practice field this week. The veteran pass rusher has been sidelined since suffering a torn ACL on Thanksgiving of last year. It sounds like Miller has been progressing well and could get back into game action soon. In fact, Miller could return as early as Week 5, but the Bills might play it safe and give him some more time to prepare. Regardless, the return of Miller is going to be a significant boost for the Bills defense.
From RotoBaller
The Baltimore Ravens elevated running back Melvin Gordon III from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's AFC North battle with the Browns. The move isn't much of a surprise, even with the latest report indicating Justice Hill (toe) is expected to play in Week 4. But Gordon or even Hill, for that matter, can be trusted in any fantasy format, especially with Gus Edwards in the equation.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) underwent successful surgery on Friday to repair multiple injuries to his left knee, including a torn MCL and meniscus. Fantasy managers were optimistic things would go smoothly, and he would be ready for the start of the 2024-25 campaign. Unfortunately, that doesn't appear to be the case, with Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reporting Chubb will require a second procedure "in the coming months." As a result, nobody knows when the Pro Bowler will be back on the field, although the Browns indicated it would be at "some point in the 2024 season." Nevertheless, the latest news will undoubtedly impact Chubb's fantasy stock heading into next season, and it will get worse if he suffers a setback in his recovery efforts.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (head) won't play on Sunday against the Chargers. The veteran signal-caller is dealing with a concussion. While he practiced in a limited capacity during the week, he didn't clear protocol and didn't travel with the team to Los Angeles. Nonetheless, it appears Brian Hoyer will draw the start in Week 4 and might prove useful to those in deep, multi-quarterback formats against a Chargers defense that's struggled this year.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley is set to make another start in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders. With starting running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) listed as doubtful and unlikely to play, Kelley will once again serve as the Chargers lead back. He gets a slight uptick since he'll command most of the running back touches, but Kelley as lead back hasn't yielded much in terms of results, as he's averaged under 13 touches and 28 yards. In Week 3, Kelley turned 11 rushes into 12 total yards. Despite a plus matchup against the Raiders defense, Kelley isn't more than a middling RB3 option in fantasy lineups.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (knee) is questionable for Monday's matchup with the New York Giants. He was a late addition to the injury report with a knee issue. Unfortunately, Will Dissly (shoulder) carries the same designation moving into the Week 4, meaning Colby Parkinson might be the team's starter versus the Giants. However, whether it's Fant, Dissly, or Parkinson atop the depth chart, none of them have done enough to earn the trust of managers in any fantasy format.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) carries a questionable tag ahead of Monday's encounter with the Giants. The 27-year-old, who has five catches for 52 yards this season, injured his shoulder in Week 2, keeping him out of the lineup in Sunday's win over the Carolina Panthers. Under normal circumstances, Noah Fant (knee) would probably see a few additional looks from Geno Smith. However, Fant is also questionable, meaning third-string tight end Colby Parkinson might draw the start in week 4. That said, no matter who sits atop the depth chart, Fant, Dissly, or Parkinson haven't done enough to earn a spot in any fantasy lineup.
From RotoBaller
According to NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, the 49ers are "optimistic" wide receiver Deebo Samuel (ribs, knee) will play in Sunday's meeting with the Cardinals. The wideout didn't practice throughout the week and remains listed as questionable. However, it appears he at least has a shot of being out there, although fantasy managers may not learn his official status until after the 1 p.m. games commence. Samuel is coming off his best game of the 2023-24 campaign, catching six of his 12 targets for 129 yards and a touchdown in the Week 3 win over the Giants. Assuming the 27-year-old is cleared in a timely manner, he's a must-start in all formats.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle will look to maintain momentum when the team hosts the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Last week with receiver Brandon Aiyuk sidelined, he caught seven of nine targets for 90 yards, good for his most productive fantasy game of the year. Against Arizona, he could be leaned on similarly if Deebo Samuel (knee, rib) can't play. Even if Samuel does play though, Kittle has a good matchup in front of him. Arizona brings to Levi's Stadium a pass defense that ranks 21st in the league in yards allowed and is fourth-worst in yards allowed to tight ends. Kittle, who is still looking for his first touchdown, shapes up as a high-end TE1 option for fantasy managers this week.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn has been sharp in his seventh NFL season, and he'll look to continue that at home in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fairbairn went a perfect 7-for-7 on kicks last week, including 3-for-3 on field goal attempts. The Texans kicker now ranks tied for fifth with eight field goals made on the year. With Houston's offense being a surprise early in the year, Fairbairn is someone to monitor on the waiver wire. He's ranked 11th among all kickers in points so far and is a solid streaming option in Week 4.
From RotoBaller
The Miami Dolphins defense didn't have to do much in Week 3's triumph over the Denver Broncos. In fact, they could've surrendered 69 points and still won the game after the offense went nuclear for 70 points in the victory. Miami's defense will be in for a far stiffer assignment in Week 4's divisional tilt on the road against the Buffalo Bills. They project as one of the slate's lowest scoring fantasy defenses opposing this high-octane offense, so they're not at all a recommend play. Fantasy managers can hang their hats on quarterback Josh Allen leading the way in PlayerProfiler's interceptable passes metric (nine) and placing second in danger plays (10), but that's about the extent of the promise if banking on Miami's D. Offense figures to be the story of Sunday's clash when it's all said and done.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys. This will be the third consecutive game that the eighth-year DB has missed. Rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who has been excellent so far to begin the season, will need to continue to step up. All Dallas pass-catchers, including wide receivers CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Brandin Cooks, Rico Dowdle, and tight end Jake Ferguson have a plus matchup against a short-handed New England secondary.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver K.J. Hamler signed with the Colts' practice squad on Saturday. Hamler was waived by the Denver Broncos during camp with a non-football illness designation. He worked out for the Colts in early September and now finds himself a member of their practice squad. It's doubtful that he the 5'9" wideout will make any fantasy impact whatsoever this season.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders managed to etch his name into the history books during Week 3's 70-point barrage versus the Denver Broncos, breaking the NFL record for most extra points in a single game (10). Miami's blazing-hot offense has seen the 27-year-old attempt only six field goals (four makes) with a league-high 17 extra points. The Dolphins may need to keep scoring touchdowns at a frenetic pace to match the equally impressive Buffalo Bills offense in Week 4. Even so, Sanders could be summoned for more action in what projects to be a neutral scoring environment that may not see game script glaringly oppose either side at any point. The former All-Pro is a top-notch option for Sunday's probable shootout.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane took the league by storm in Week 3 with an otherworldly 233-yard, four-touchdown showcase. Week 4's top waiver add is sure to be immediately shoved into fantasy lineups by many managers, and the 21-year-old slots in as a realistic RB3 with RB2 upside in a potentially high-scoring environment against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Buffalo has surrendered the seventh-most receiving yards to RBs (121) in its first three games, which could work to Achane's advantage as a pass catcher. We should still temper expectations based on last Sunday's outburst and the rookie's likely lesser role alongside TD leader and fantasy's overall RB1, Raheem Mostert. Achane should be treated as an instant top-24 play in the backfield's 1B role rather than a backup, however, with gobs of upside despite a prospective workload south of 15 touches.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) is being listed as doubtful ahead of Monday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks. Earlier on Saturday, Barkley was said to be a game-time decision for Monday but after the Giants' final practice of the week, he's now doubtful. Even with Barkley's practice progress this week, this news isn't too surprising considering that the 26-year-old is dealing with a high-ankle sprain. With Barkley doubtful, expect Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell, and rookie Eric Gray to work as a committee against a Seahawks defense that has been stout against the run this season.
From RotoBaller