The Green Bay Packers are optimistic that both running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) and wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) will return from their injuries to play on Thursday night against the Detroit Lions. However, head coach Matt LaFleur insisted that both players still need to be cleared before Thursday. Jones had 127 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in the season opener and would return to his lead-back role this week, making him a high-end RB2 for fantasy lineups. Watson, who has yet to play in 2023, said he was "pretty close" to play in the Week 3 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Watson should be quarterback Jordan Love's go-to target this year, but fantasy managers may want to temper expectations this week if he indeed is active.

From RotoBaller

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said that wide receiver Zay Jones (knee), who is being considered day-to-day, is a "long shot" to play in Week 4 this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons in London. Jones didn't practice at all last week and was held out of the disappointing loss to the Houston Texans. The 28-year-old could get back on the practice field later this week, but it doesn't mean the Jaguars will be comfortable with putting him on the field on game day yet. If Jones misses another game, Jamal Agnew would once again have a bigger role as the No. 3 behind Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk. Agnew caught four of a season-high five targets for 49 yards in last Sunday's loss to Houston.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (concussion) was placed in concussion protocol early this week after getting banged up in the Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the team is optimistic that he will available against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. The veteran could be a streaming option against the lackluster Chargers' secondary if he's active, but his presence in the lineup is mostly important for wide receivers Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. If he doesn't play, Brian Hoyer would likely start. Adams would still be a must-start option, but Meyers' outlook would take a big hit. This is worth monitoring as the week moves forward.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White has been given 58 touches through the team's first three games. 19.3 touches per game for a running back is relatively rare in the modern NFL, but he's failed to produce big fantasy football numbers due to struggles on the offensive line and an inability to get downhill quickly. After the Monday night loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles was critical of White's play. "He probably had too many cuts trying to make an explosive play -- something out of nothing -- as opposed to taking what they give him," said Bowles. "Given the magnitude of the game, knowing it was going to be one of those types of games, just from an experience standpoint he can get better that way, and he will." The 24-year-old has averaged just 3.1 yards per carry this season but remains on the fantasy radar due to his workload and pass-catching acumen. If his efficiency improves, he could post a handful of RB1 weeks throughout the 2023 campaign.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston has had a quiet first three games to begin his career. The TCU product was selected by the Chargers with the 21st pick of the 2023 NFL Draft but started the season behind Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Joshua Palmer on the depth chart. Chargers head coach Brandon Staley is confident Johnston can step up after the season-ending knee injury suffered by Williams in Week 3. "All he needs to continue to do is do what he's done ever since he's been here, which is to continue to make progress on the field," Staley said. "Over time, he's going to make more and more plays for us. We're really happy with him, and he's going to get to shine in a bigger way now." The 6'4" rookie will have a chance to put up fantasy-relevant numbers in the team's pass-happy offense led by Justin Herbert.

From RotoBaller

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 2, holding him out of the Week 3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football. The Giants do not play until Monday Night this week against the Seattle Seahawks, so Barkley has extended time to get healthy. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said the 26-year-old playing in Week 4 would be a "challenge or a stretch." It's still early, but high-ankle sprains usually hold players out for multiple games. Be sure to check back for his latest updates.

From RotoBaller

ESPN New York's Rich Cimini says that New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is walking a slippery slope when it comes to backing struggling quarterback Zach Wilson because he risks losing the locker room. There are already rumblings of unrest in the Jets locker room, mainly with members of their strong defense. With Wilson struggling mightily in his third year, tension is building in Gang Green's locker room. The Jets signed veteran Trevor Siemian to their practice squad on Tuesday, but he's far from the solution with future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) done for the year. Perhaps the Jets will attempt to trade for someone like Vikings QB Kirk Cousins this fall. For now, New York is rolling with Wilson as the starter for another game in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (chest) has missed the past two games recovering from a bruised lung suffered in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. But the 24-year-old safety is expected back at practice this week, and if all goes well, he will be in line to play in Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. When healthy, Pitre should immediately jump back into fantasy starting lineups. He's a strong IDP play following his 147 tackle season in 2022.

From RotoBaller

Green Bay Packers linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (ankle) did not practice with the team in Tuesday's walkthrough. Campbell has not practiced at all this week after being listed as a non-participant in Monday's estimate practice report. The veteran linebacker sustained the ankle injury in the second quarter of the Packers' 18-17 win over the New Orleans Saints, and he did not return to the contest. With the Packers playing on Thursday against the Detroit Lions, Campbell faces an uphill battle to play. Linebacker Isaiah McDuffie would likely draw the start in his place.

From RotoBaller

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (back) was inactive in the team's 18-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. The All-Pro corner did not practice on Monday but did return to the field in a limited fashion in Tuesday's walkthrough. The upgraded practice participation for Alexander is a good sign that he is trending in the right direction for Thursday's matchup against the Detroit Lions. Game designations will be released sometime on Wednesday, so we should know more about the cornerback's availability for Week 4 by then.

From RotoBaller

The Carolina Panthers will be without safety Xavier Woods (hamstring) for an extended time following his injury in the team's 37-27 loss against the Seattle Seahawks. One source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Woods will be out between four and six weeks with a hamstring issue. The 28-year-old safety suffered the injury early in the second quarter when he pushed Seahawks wideout D.K. Metcalf out of bounds on a 34-yard gain. Woods immediately came out and never returned. Sam Franklin Jr. replaced the veteran safety in Week 3. But it could be fifth-round rookie Jammie Robinson, who is listed ahead of Franklin on the Panthers depth chart, that fills Woods' void.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent WR Tavon Austin was among a group of players who worked out for the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

From TheHuddle

The New Orleans Saints signed quarterback Jake Luton to their 53-man roster from their practice squad on Tuesday. Luton's signing is a good indication that the team is preparing to be without starting quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) for the near future. Luton will serve as the team's backup QB while Jameis Winston runs the offense in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fantasy managers relying on Carr should be making alternate plans at the quarterback position heading into this weekend.

From RotoBaller

The Cleveland Browns signed running back Deon Jackson and tight end Devin Asiasi to their practice squad on Tuesday. Jackson was released by the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday but did not have to wait long to latch on with another team. He will now bide his time in Cleveland where he could eventually get elevated from the practice squad if the team needs an extra body at the running back position. Jackson has had some big games over his NFL career but struggled in 2023, losing two fumbles and gaining just 14 yards on 13 carries. Asiasi last appeared in a game with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022 and finished the year with two catches for five yards.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent wide receiver Shi Smith signed with the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday. Smith spent the previous two years with the Carolina Panthers before they released him ahead of the 2023 season, accumulating 28 catches for 400 yards and two touchdowns across 23 games. In Tennessee, Smith will look to carve out a role behind wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. It is unlikely that Smith makes a fantasy impact in the run-first Titans offense, even if he does get elevated from the practice squad at some point.

From RotoBaller

The Minnesota Vikings released running back Myles Gaskin on Tuesday. Gaskin appeared in one game for the Vikings in 2023 but did not log any stats. He became expendable in Minnesota after the team acquired running back Cam Akers from the Los Angeles Rams last week. Gaskin will now hit the free-agent market in hopes of latching on with another team.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent QB Matt Ryan (Colts) has no interest in joining the New York Jets, he said on Monday, Sept. 25.

From TheHuddle

Updating a previous report, free-agent QB Trevor Siemian (Bengals) signed to the New York Jets' practice squad on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

From TheHuddle

New Orleans Saints WR Tre'Quan Smith (groin) was released from the Reserve/Injured list Tuesday, Sept. 26.

From TheHuddle