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Fantasy football buzz: Nabers a "longshot" to play in Week 5

Malik Nabers remains in the concussion protocol and is considered a "long shot" to play Sunday in Seattle. AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Everything that happens in the NFL has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.

Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the NFL.

Key links: Fantasy depth charts

Oct. 3: Nabers a "longshot" to play in Week 5

New York Giants' star rookie WR Malik Nabers suffered a concussion late in the Week 4 "Thursday Night Football" loss to the Cowboys. Nabers remains in the concussion protocol and NFL Nation Giants reporter Jordan Raanan provided an update on Nabers' status for Sunday's game in Seattle, as well as that of starting running back Devin Singletary. In addition, Wan'Dale Robinson, who is listed as questionable with a heel issue, was limited in Wednesday's practice. Robinson is the only other Giants wide receiver worthy of starting consideration in fantasy.

Oct. 2: Adams has wish list if traded by Raiders

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Are the Chiefs a realistic option to acquire Davante Adams?

Field Yates and Mike Clay disagree on the Chiefs' likelihood to acquire Davante Adams from the Raiders via trade.

The Las Vegas Raiders have informed teams they would "consider" trading star receiver Davante Adams for a package that would include a second-round draft pick and additional compensation, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

If Adams has his way, he'd be reunited with one of his former quarterbacks. The New York Jets and New Orleans Saints are reportedly high on Adams' wish list, if not at the top, according to Schefter. The Jets have Aaron Rodgers, Adams' former teammate with the Green Bay Packers, and the Saints are quarterbacked by Derek Carr, who previously teamed up with Adams with the Raiders and at Fresno State.

Adams, who finished as the WR10 in fantasy football PPR leagues last season, missed his first game as a member of the Raiders last Sunday after suffering a hamstring injury in Thursday's practice.

See also: Bill Barnwell looks at potential fits for Adams.

Oct. 2: Brandin Cooks out for Week 5

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Mike McCarthy: Brandin Cooks will be out this week

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy discusses Brandin Cooks' unavailability for the Cowboys this week due to a knee issue.

After an infection developed in his right knee following a procedure last week, Cooks reportedly had surgery to clean out the infection over the weekend, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. The Cowboys receiver will not play Sunday against the Steelers, coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Wednesday. It appears that Jalen Tolbert will need to assume the No. 2 wide receiver position behind CeeDee Lamb, with KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks and Ryan Flournoy all set to benefit from the increased opportunity.

Oct 2: Mayo says benching Stevenson 'under consideration'

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Is it time for fantasy managers to hit the panic button on Rhamondre Stevenson?

Liz Loza explains why she is concerned with Rhamondre Stevenson from a fantasy standpoint in Week 5.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said that having RB Antonio Gibson start over Rhamondre Stevenson is "under consideration" Stevenson has logged 65 carries compared to Gibson's 29 carries but has fumbled four times. His issues with ball security could impact his future workload in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins. Liz Loza dives further into whether fantasy managers should panic with Stevenson in the video above.

Sept 30: Rashee Rice feared to have torn ACL

Stephania Bell: During an attempt to chase down a defender who had made an interception, QB Patrick Mahomes' body crashed into Rice's legs with the brunt of it hitting Rice's extended right knee. With his foot flat, there was little room for the energy of the collision to travel but through the back of the knee (hyperextension), a force that can severely compromise the main stabilizing structures of the joint.

Adam Schefter reported the team fears an ACL tear and it should be noted that manual tests for the knee are very sensitive for ACL integrity; if this examination is positive, the accuracy level is high. Follow-up testing is scheduled for Monday to confirm the injury and also to identify any additional structural damage. At this point, it appears to be a season-ending injury for Rice.

Jonathan Taylor suffers mild ankle sprain

Stephania Bell: Taylor left Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with an ankle injury and while he said he was "feeling pretty good" after the game, he was not able to play through it after getting the ankle re-taped. Given his missed time over the past two seasons because of a right ankle injury, it is a bit more concerning that the same side that is involved. Continue to monitor for updates this week.

Anthony Richardson's status TBD for Week 5

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Stephania Bell optimistic about Anthony Richardson's availability next week

Stephania Bell explains why Anthony Richardson's hip injury won't be long term in her opinion.

Stephania Bell: Richardson left the Week 4 contest early with what is being called a hip pointer, a deep bruise at the top of the hip and pelvis that can be very painful and limit muscular function as a result. The good news is that this is typically a short-term injury but can vary in terms of rate of recovery.

Christian Watson believed to have ankle sprain

Stephania Bell: Watson left Sunday's game against the Vikings early on a cart with what coach Matt LaFleur referred to as an ankle sprain when speaking with reporters. The way Watson's ankle was trapped underneath the body weight of a defender in a markedly externally rotated position (toes pointing outward) is consistent with the mechanism of a high ankle sprain. Watson is undergoing further testing on Monday and the Packers could elect to place him on injured reserve, depending on the severity.

Travis Etienne Jr. dealing with shoulder issue

Stephania Bell: Etienne was absent for a chunk of time early in the Jaguars' game against the Texans with a shoulder injury and was originally deemed questionable to return. He did return, however, continuing to absorb contact as a result. It is worth keeping an eye on how he fares throughout the week.


Other injuries of note

  • Trey Palmer, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Palmer saw increased involvement in the Buccaneers passing game catching a touchdown but was forced out of the game early because of a concussion. With the Buccaneers playing on a short week against the Falcons on Thursday night, Palmer appears unlikely to be available. -- Bell

  • Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: With Jaylen Warren out for Week 4, Patterson was more involved in the offense early but suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter and did not return to the game. -- Bell

  • Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints: Hill returned to action in Week 4 after missing one game because of a chest injury, only to suffer another injury to his torso. Coach Dennis Allen told reporters Hill suffered a rib injury to the opposite side in this game, but it is unclear as of yet whether this will result in any additional missed time. -- Bell


Other things to watch in Week 5

Stephania Bell: Practice windows could be opening soon for players who started the season on either the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list or the NFI (Non-Football Injury) list. These players by virtue of their designations were required to miss at least the first four games of the season after which point teams could elect to return them to practice. Tight end T.J. Hockenson (ACL), Browns RB Nick Chubb (ACL, MCL, meniscus) and Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks (ACL) are all players to watch whose practice windows could be opening soon. All will need to acclimate to football as they have not yet had any practice reps but their time to do so before being added to the active roster could vary.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert will get a much-needed early bye this week. Herbert elected to play through his high ankle sprain in Week 4, despite aggravating the injury in Week 3 and while he played through the game, it was clear he was operating at a deficit in terms of comfort and mobility. Herbert's strong arm can cover up for a lot but his challenges in motion were apparent under his heavily taped right lower leg as was the fact that he tended to lift his right foot off the ground each time he was hit hard or tackled, perhaps in an effort to protect it. The Chargers are unlikely to provide much in the way of injury updates, but the rest will undoubtedly help, and it will be interesting to see how Herbert looks in practice heading into Week 6.

The Eagles were without A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (concussion) in Week 4 and they also get a bye at an opportune time. It sounds as if Brown -- who was originally injured just prior to the Week 2 Monday night game -- could have a chance to return in Week 6 after a three-game absence. For Smith, it will depend on how he progresses through the concussion protocol.