The NFL news cycle is 24/7, especially during the season. For fantasy football managers, it can be overwhelming to stay on top of all of the news and the fantasy-relevant analysis that comes with it.
That’s where the Fantasy Football Sweep comes in.
With this article, I’ll attempt to bring you up to speed with all of the latest storylines, analysis and injuries to monitor all in one place.
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Headlines
Tua Tagovailoa taken to hospital with head and neck injuries
The elephant in the room here is whether or not Tua suffered a serious concussion on Sunday and was allowed to 1) re-enter that game and 2) start this game four days later. The league is putting the word out that it appears the Dolphins and medical professionals followed the proper protocols, but not everyone is convinced. Tua seemed to clearly suffer an injury on Sunday that caused him to stumble back to the huddle multiple times and then have to be supported as he stood there waiting for the training staff.
Tua went down hard on Thursday night and hit his head on the turf. He immediately went into a terrifying pose with his hands and fingers locked in front of his face and was quickly taken off the field and sent to a local hospital.
As of now, it sounds like Tua is going to be OK. But this injury took a lot of the excitement out of the game, and it was hard to focus once Tua left. Teddy Bridgewater replaced Tua in the game and completed 14 of his 23 pass attempts for 193 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The Dolphins travel to New Jersey to play the Jets in Week 5, and it’s far from given that Tua is able to return for that game.
Amazon just did an entire halftime segment on Tua without mentioning that Tua was tested for a concussion 4 days ago or that the NFLPA requested an investigation.
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) September 30, 2022
Notable Injuries
David Montgomery (ankle/knee) misses another practice Thursday
David Montgomery (ankle/knee) missed practice for the second straight day on Thursday after getting injured in Sunday’s game against the Texans. (Source: Field Yates on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Bears head coach Matt Eberflus termed Montgomery day-to-day earlier this week, but those days are ebbing away. You’d better start preparing your backup plan if he’s on your roster. Hopefully, that’s Khalil Herbert, who will be a high-end RB2 this week against the Giants if Montgomery cannot play.
– Scott Youngson
Cordarrelle Patterson (knee) misses second consecutive practice Thursday
Cordarrelle Patterson was absent from practice Wednesday and Thursday. His status Wednesday was listed as “resting player/knee.” (Source: Josh Kendall on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Most likely, the Falcons are just trying to give the 31-year-old running back some rest after another high-usage game for him last Sunday. Patterson’s provided great fantasy production in two out of the three games this season and should be started as an RB2 with upside again this week against Cleveland.
– Scott Youngson
Kadarius Toney (hamstring) misses practice again on Thursday
Kadarius Toney (hamstring) did not practice Thursday and seems unlikely to play on Sunday, according to Giants’ beat reporter Art Stapleton. (Source: Art Stapleton on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Toney has only played 33 snaps this season with only three targets. Since joining the NFL, Toney has only produced two fantasy-relevant games. Though he’s a tempting talent, Toney has had difficulty staying on the field and proving he can be a difference maker. Until further notice, he’s not a player that needs to occupy a roster spot.
– Scott Youngson
Update: The Giants have ruled Toney and fellow WR Wan’Dale Robinson OUT for Week 4.
Is it time to be concerned about Christian McCaffrey?
While #Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey was a DNP again with a thigh issue, my understanding is there is still optimism that he plays. He’s kept it close to the vest, but barring a setback he should be OK.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 29, 2022
D’Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown both miss practice Thursday
#Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) and RB D'Andre Swift (ankle+ shoulder) missed practice for a second straight day. Pro Bowl G Jonah Jackson (finger), WR DJ Chark (ankle) and K Austin Seibert (groin) also were out.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 29, 2022
Update: The Lions have ruled Amon-Ra St. Brown OUT for Week 4.
Jameis Winston (back) not seen at the open portion of practice Thursday
Jameis Winston (back) was not at the open portion of practice for the Saints Thursday. (Source: Stacey Dales on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Winston was expected to practice Thursday after getting a rest day Wednesday. Head coach Dennis Allen stated Wednesday that he did not think there was any concern about Winston’s status for Week 4. Andy Dalton is currently taking the first team reps and would draw the start against Minnesota if Winston is unable to play.
– Jesse Garcia
Update: Jameis Winston has been listed as DOUBTFUL for Week 4 against the Vikings in London.
From the News Desk
Let’s take a look at the latest news and notes around fantasy football. To stay up to date on all of the latest fantasy football news, be sure to follow @FantasyProsNFL on Twitter and bookmark the FantasyPros NFL Player News page.
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Dalvin Cook upgraded to full participant on Thursday
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) was a full participant in practice on Thursday for the Minnesota Vikings. He was a non-participant in practice on Wednesday. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Vikings are in London right now for their Sunday game against the New Orleans Saints, and Cook was a full participant as he nurses a shoulder injury resulting from a dislocation that kept him out of the latter portion of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. This is a strong sign for him to play, an injury he has suffered and played through multiple times. In the event that he doesn’t play, RB Alexander Mattison becomes an RB2 candidate, but if Cook is a go, Cook is a starter and Mattison goes to benches.
– Jordan Epp
Jonathan Taylor (toe) returns to practice Thursday
Jonathan Taylor (toe) returned to practice for the Colts Thursday. (Source: Field Yates on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Taylor missed practice for the first time in his NFL career Wednesday. The star running back has struggled over the last two weeks and is looking to get back on track against the Titans in Week 4. It will be worth monitoring his status on the injury report for the next few days, but all signs point to Taylor likely suiting up in Week 4.
– Jesse Garcia
DeVonta Smith (back) practices Thursday
DeVonta Smith (back) was a full participant in practice Thursday for the Philadelphia Eagles. (Source: Field Yates on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Smith should be a full go for the Eagles in a Week 4 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The wideout should be considered a mid-level WR1 with big-play upside in one of the most fantasy-friendly offenses to begin the season.
– Chris Schommer
Michael Gallup (knee) practices fully Wednesday
Michael Gallup was a full participant at Cowboys practice on Wednesday. (Source: Field Yates on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Gallup said he didn’t play against the Giants because he wasn’t ready mentally after just two days of practice in pads since last season. It sounds like he has a good chance to return this weekend barring any setbacks.
– Ari Koslow
Update: Michael Gallup has no injury designation on the team’s official Friday injury report and will make his debut in Week 4 against the Commanders.
Scoops and Scores
Notes, stats and fun facts from last night…
Tee Higgins gained 77 of his 124 yards after the catch, +30 YAC over expected, Higgins' new career-high.
Higgins had been shadowed by Dolphins CB Xavien Howard on 85% of his routes before Howard exited the game late in the 3rd quarter.#MIAvsCIN | #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/zURag8Ex5s
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 30, 2022
After 4 games, Tyreek Hill is on pace for 2,027 receiving yards this season
— Curtis Patrick 🥇 (@CPatrickNFL) September 30, 2022
Read Optional
Some of the best content recently published at FantasyPros
Week 4 Start/Sit Advice: Sleepers & Duds
In the Trenches
Notable offensive/defensive line news
#Browns DE Myles Garrett is back in the facility today as expected, per source. Probably doesn’t do much, if anything, on the field three days after his car accident, but status still TBD for Sunday.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 29, 2022
QB Carousel
Mac Jones doesn’t really have a chance to play this week, does he?
Per sources, Mac Jones is in the facility and participating in game planning. The #Patriots QB has to told multiple teammates to not count him out of this weekend's game at Green Bay, and is still operating as if he has a chance. Practice is scheduled for around 12:35 today.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) September 29, 2022
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If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant, which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.