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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams is positioned among the team's top four wide receivers alongside Romeo Doubs, Efton Chism, and DeMario Douglas. With star wideout A.J. Brown on injured reserve and fellow receiver Mack Hollins sidelined from Wednesday's practice with a calf injury, Williams could see increased offensive opportunities in the upcoming matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown was seen in the team locker room moving without a noticeable limp as he recovers from a right high-ankle sprain suffered in Week 1. Placed on injured reserve before Week 2, Brown is eligible to return to practice as soon as next week. While no official return date is set, his steady progress offers an encouraging sign for the Patriots' offense as they navigate the remainder of the early season without their top target.
New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins missed Wednesday's practice after sustaining a calf injury during a 29-26 win over the Bills, where he had 3 catches for 53 yards. Hollins has played a significant role since A.J. Brown went down, registering a 75% route rate. His potential absence against the Raiders would leave Romeo Doubs, Efton Chism, Demario Douglas, and Kyle Williams as New England's top four wide receivers for the upcoming game.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after throwing for 269 yards and three touchdowns in a 29-26 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Following the win, Maye made waves during a WEEI radio appearance by revealing he is a "little bit skeptical" about the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, attributing his interest in classic conspiracy theories to a college course he took at North Carolina.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week following a standout performance in a 32-26 win over the Detroit Lions. McMillan caught 14 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns, setting career highs and tying the franchise single-game receptions record. He becomes the first wide receiver in Panthers franchise history to win the award as Carolina moves to 2-2 entering their Week 5 bye.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley remains a player to watch for increased reps as the team navigates significant injuries at the position. With star wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins missing Wednesday's practice and projected to miss the upcoming game against the Dolphins, Tinsley's potential role as a spot-start option depends on the availability of other depth pieces like Colbie Young.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Dohnte Meyers is drawing attention as a potential spot-start option for fantasy managers as the team deals with major injuries to their receiving corps. With Ja'Marr Chase in the concussion protocol and Tee Higgins sidelined by groin and neck injuries, Meyers could see increased opportunities, though Colbie Young's return to a limited practice complicates the wide receiver rotation.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Colbie Young got in a limited practice on Wednesday after missing Week 4 due to a knee injury. His potential return could complicate Cincinnati's depleted wide receiver corps for fantasy owners hoping to spot-start Dohnte Meyers or Mitchell Tinsley, especially with both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins sidelined from practice with their respective injuries.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins was held out of Wednesday's practice due to a groin, adductor, and neck injury sustained late in Week 4. We are projecting Higgins to miss this weekend's game against the Dolphins. As the team evaluates the health of their depleted receiving corps with Ja'Marr Chase in the concussion protocol, Higgins' status will be under intense microscope as the Bengals prepare for Sunday's road matchup.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley stands as one of the team's primary healthy running backs on the active roster. With Saquon Barkley sidelined by a hamstring injury that may cost him multiple games and Tank Bigsby on injured reserve, Shipley projects as the backfield leader and is joined by practice squad elevation Dameon Pierce as the Eagles manage significant backfield injuries ahead of their London matchup.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough was limited in Wednesday's walkthrough due to a left, non-throwing hand injury. Shough had his hand wrapped after absorbing 12 quarterback hits from a physical Falcons defense on Monday night, during which he played all 74 snaps. However, the team is not overly concerned, and Shough stated his status is not in jeopardy for Sunday's upcoming matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson successfully appealed and won a reversal of his $13,611 fine issued by the NFL for miming a beer celebration following a touchdown against the Commanders. Ferguson proved he was actually mimicking taking a drink from a Gatorade bottle, submitting supporting documentation showing he has performed the exact same celebration consistently throughout his career. The league clarified such celebrations are no longer subject to fines.
Seattle Seahawks fifth-round rookie guard Beau Stephens played 25 of 60 offensive snaps, continuing his rotation with Christian Haynes at right guard against the Chargers. It was Stephens' roughest performance, as raw strength deficiencies and technique issues showed up in pass protection and the run game. Despite being driven backward by defenders, Stephens consistently displayed a willingness to fight through the whistle until the final play.
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard did not practice Wednesday due to a foot issue. Pollard dealt with a similar foot problem last week that limited his participation before he ultimately played against the Ravens. The veteran workhorse has handled 54 carries for 221 yards and a touchdown through four weeks as the Titans' offense seeks a turnaround ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Houston Texans.
Detroit Lions center Cade Mays returned to practice, opening his 21-day evaluation window as he recovers from a wrist injury that landed him on injured reserve. Head coach Dan Campbell praised his progress, noting Mays is following the exact same plan as safety Brian Branch. The Lions have three weeks to evaluate his readiness before making a decision on activating him to the active roster.
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch officially opened his 21-day practice evaluation window, returning to the practice field after starting the season on the physically unable to perform list due to an Achilles injury. Head coach Dan Campbell noted Branch is in the final stages of medical clearance. The Lions have 21 days to evaluate his health and activate him to the 53-man active roster.
New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely was limited in Wednesday's practice due to knee and groin injuries as he prepares for Week 5. Likely is enjoying a strong TE6 start to the season, totaling 22 catches on 35 targets for 190 yards and two touchdowns. He ranks second among tight ends in targets and is heavily featured in the offense, logging a 37.1% first-read target share over the last two games and running 82.4% of his routes from the slot.
New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III is focused on upcoming opportunities rather than postgame trash talk from Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, following his spectacular one-handed game-winning touchdown catch. Quarterback Drake Maye praised Chism's football intelligence and fearlessness. With A.J. Brown on injured reserve and Mack Hollins sidelined with a calf injury, Chism is positioned for an expanded role against the Raiders.
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury. Skattebo has totaled 302 yards from scrimmage and one rushing touchdown on 76 touches across four contests this season without hitting the 100-rushing-yard mark in a single game. He will likely need to practice fully on Thursday or Friday to avoid an injury designation before Sunday's road game against Washington.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs remains on the commissioner's exempt list, prohibiting him from practicing or playing while the NFL reviews his case following a no-contest plea to misdemeanor battery. Unsealed court records allow the league potential access to evidence and video footage. Jacobs faces a possible standard six-game suspension under the CBA, with time served on the exempt list counting retroactively.
