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.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (shin) is not expected to play in Week 4 versus the Arizona Cardinals, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. He had been listed as doubtful after failing to practice this past week. In his absence, Ronnie Bell is expected to operate as the No. 3 receiver behind Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (groin) is expected to be active for Week 4 versus the Minnesota Vikings, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He had been listed as questionable and there was some concern that he might not be able to play after missing practice entirely on Friday. In the end, though, it looks like he'll suit up. The 26-year-old has 207 scrimmage yards and one touchdown this season, ranking as a low-end fantasy RB2.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool (coach's decision) is inactive for Week 4 versus the Denver Broncos, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He's a healthy scratch for the first time this season. The 25-year-old's absence on Sunday could certainly the product of a season that has already been marred with negative storylines. Just this past week, he made public comments questioning the Bears' coaching staff, and he's also just a few games removed from a Week 1 performance that critics described as lazy. Rapoport notes that Equanimeous St. Brown will be active in his place, making his season debut after a great week of practice.
From RotoBaller
The Carolina Panthers are reportedly in the trade market for a starting wide receiver to complement WRs DJ Chark Jr. and Adam Thielen, according to multiple sources. The team is also not interested in trading away players for draft picks, despite losing their first three games of the regular season.
From TheHuddle
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will have his 21-day practice window opened following the conclusion of Week 4, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. At any point when a player is eligible to return from the PUP list, the team can trigger their practice window, giving them 21 days to activate the player or rule the player out for the rest of the season. Assuming the Colts don't want to sideline Taylor for the year, it's looking like he'll return sometime over the next three weeks. Rapoport notes that Taylor is "fully healthy," which means he could be back sooner rather than later. He also writes that "there have been no recent trade talks between the Colts and other teams" surrounding Taylor, who voiced his displeasure with ownership and requested a trade this past summer.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (knee) is expected to be inactive for Week 4 versus the Arizona Cardinals, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Mitchell was listed as questionable after missing practice on Friday. The only 49ers running back worth starting in fantasy football is the dangerous Christian McCaffrey. However, Jordan Mason and Tyrion Davis-Price can also expected to earn some snaps in Mitchell's absence.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (thumb) is expected to be active for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Brown had been listed as questionable after practicing in a limited capacity on Friday. Despite catching passes from Joshua Dobbs, Brown is off to a solid start this season, catching 14 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Even against a solid 49ers defense, Brown is a fantasy WR3.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Jamal Agnew (quadriceps) is not active for Week 4's game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Fantasy Spin: Agnew had been listed as questionable on the injury report after being a limited participant in the team's final two practice sessions during the week. With fellow wideout Zay Jones (knee) also missing the Falcons game, look for WRs Christian Kirk and Calvin Ridley to see even more targets than normal.
From TheHuddle
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell is expected to draw the start in Week 4 versus the Los Angeles Chargers, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. With Jimmy Garoppolo (concussion) ruled out, the expectation was that veteran Brian Hoyer would handle quarterback duties on Sunday. Instead, it'll be the Purdue product making his NFL debut. The 25-year-old flashed potential in the preseason, but regular-season defenses are a whole new beast. He's not on the fantasy radar, and the likes of Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs, and Jakobi Meyers will see their fantasy value take a hit. On the other hand, the Chargers' defense becomes a solid streamer.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (ribs, knee) is expected to be active for Week 4 versus the Arizona Cardinals. He had been listed as questionable after upgrading to a limited participant in practice on Friday. The 27-year-old is off to a solid start this season, totaling 247 yards and one touchdown. Despite competing for touches with the likes of Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk, Samuel has significant standalone value as a solid fantasy WR2.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) is active for Week 4's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Fantasy Spin: Patterson had been listed as questionable on the injury report after being a limited participant in all three of the team's practice sessions during the week. He will be making his season debut but is behind both Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier on the Atlanta depth chart, so fantasy owners should avoid putting him in their fantasy lineups for now.
From TheHuddle
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jamal Agnew (quadricep) is officially inactive for Week 4 versus the Atlanta Falcons. Originally listed as questionable, the veteran was expected to be a game-time decision. In the end, though, he's inactive. The 28-year-old had four catches for 49 yards plus a lost fumble last Sunday. Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk will continue to lead the receiver corps in the absence of Agnew and Zay Jones (knee).
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) is officially active for Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He'll make his season debut in London after being listed as questionable. Patterson contributed an impressive 817 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns through 13 games last season, but he's expected to have a much smaller role in 2023 now that Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier have already established themselves as the top two options out of the backfield.
From RotoBaller
The Jacksonville Jaguars have declared LB Devin Lloyd, WR Elijah Cooks, S Antonio X. Johnson, WR Jamal Agnew and WR Zay Jones inactive for Week 4.
From TheHuddle
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Raiders "are leaning" toward starting quarterback Aidan O'Connell on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Jimmy Garoppolo (head) didn't clear concussion protocol and was ruled out on Saturday. While veteran Brian Hoyer is on the roster and ready to take over under center, O'Connell may get a chance to make a name for himself in Week 4. That said, fantasy managers shouldn't feel comfortable starting the rookie. However, he could prove useful for those in deep, Superflex formats versus a struggling Chargers defense.
From RotoBaller
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, "there is now optimism" that quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) will play in Sunday's meeting with Tampa Bay. The signal-caller suffered an AC sprain in his shoulder in Week 3 and was expected to miss time. While that still could happen, the latest update suggests he could return sooner than expected. If Carr can suit up for this one, there's always a chance of re-injury. But if he doesn't, Jameis Winston will be under center versus his former team.
From RotoBaller
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (Achilles) will likely suit up for Sunday's meeting with the Colts. The 30-year-old has played well this season while Cooper Kupp (hamstring) works toward a return, catching 11 of his 15 targets for 132 yards. Although Higbee is still without a touchdown during the 2023-24 campaign, he's played well enough to draw consideration from fantasy managers in Week 4.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (face, hands) remains questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Ravens. He suffered burns to his face and hands during an incident involving a fire pit at his home. Although Njoku insists he'll be out there for the AFC North clash with Baltimore, the team "needs to see if he can get his helmet on." It's unknown how severe the burns are. However, considering the 27-year-old hasn't been productive while healthy this season, catching 10 passes for 92 yards and no touchdowns, he's not an ideal fantasy option in Week 4 if he is active.
From RotoBaller
According to ESPN's Kimberley A. Martin, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is expected to play in the Week 4 AFC North bout with Baltimore. The veteran suffered a shoulder injury in the win over the Titans but recently downplayed the severity of the ailment. Still, head coach Kevin Stefanski and the training staff will see how Watson feels during warmups before making an official decision. Assuming he suits up, he's a must-start in most fantasy setups.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr (shoulder) is listed as questionable, but there is optimism that he will play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4, according to sources.
From TheHuddle