Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Rasheen Ali (neck) was set to return to practice on Thursday, which opened his 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve. The fifth-round selection made the 53-man roster out of training camp but was moved to IR due to a neck injury in Week 1. Ali wasn't exactly wowing the coaches in training camp in August with his play, so we wouldn't be surprised if the Ravens took the whole 21 days to evaluate him in practices before adding him to the active roster as RB depth behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. The Marshall product also dealt with some injuries in college and primarily relies on speed in open space. Unless Henry or Hill miss time with an injury later in the year, Ali is probably going to primarily one to stash in dynasty/keeper formats.

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Denver Broncos running back Tyler Badie (back) missed practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday, and head coach Sean Payton said on Wednesday that could "possibly" be a candidate to go on Injured Reserve, which would cost him at least four games. Badie injured his back in the Week 4 win over the New York Jets and was carted off the field. The 24-year-old will almost certainly miss the Week 5 game against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, with the Broncos likely officially ruling him out on Friday. Badie had nine carries for 70 yards in the Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and might have been in line for a bigger workload before his back injury. For now with Badie likely out for multiple weeks, Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin should have safer roles as the 1A and 1B in Denver's low-scoring offense. Badie should stay on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) was limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Receiver K.J. Osborn (shoulder) missed his second straight day of practice. Bourne, who is still on the Physically Unable to Perform list, said he "feels good" and that his knee has responded well to being back at practice this week. The Patriots aren't rushing the 29-year-old pass-catcher back, so it feels unlikely that he'll be activated from the PUP list in time to make his 2024 debut this Sunday in the divisional contest versus the Miami Dolphins. When Bourne does return, he'll be battling for targets with Demario Douglas and rookie Ja'Lynn Polk mostly in a pretty punchless offense led by veteran QB Jacoby Brissett. Bourne's best year came in 2021, when he had a 55-800-5 line in 17 games. He's currently rostered in just 1% of Yahoo fantasy leagues.

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The San Francisco 49ers are not opening the practice window for rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) this week, but it won't be long until they do. "I know he is really close," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters. "When he's good to go, we'll be pumped to have him back. Ricky is a hell of a player." Pearsall missed a bunch of valuable time in training camp due to a recurring hamstring issue and was then shot in the chest during a burglary right before the start of his rookie season. The 24-year-old remains on the Non-Football Injury list. The good news is it sounds as though he's close to getting on the practice field to work his way back. However, Pearsall has a lot of ground to cover and might need the full 21-day window before the Niners decide to put him on the active roster. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues probably shouldn't expect much, if anything, in 2024. Pearsall is currently rostered in only 8% of Yahoo fantasy leagues.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) was able to get through a limited practice session on Thursday. This is back-to-back limited practices for Wilson as he ramps up his football activities. The organization is hopeful that Wilson will be cleared to return to game action soon. Justin Fields has already been named the starter for the Week 5 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Fields has been a viable option for the Steelers, so it seems unlikely Wilson would take over even if he's healthy. Fantasy managers can leave Wilson on the waiver wire until further notice.

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Pittsburgh Steelers running backs Jaylen Warren (knee) and Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) were both unable to suit up for Thursday's practice. Warren is on the verge of missing his second straight week due to a lingering knee issue. There's still a chance he practices on Friday, but Warren is trending in the wrong direction. Patterson has also missed both practices to open the week and seems unlikely to go in Week 5. It's looking like Aaron Shampklin is in line to be the primary backup to Najee Harris for the upcoming matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

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Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (chest) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice session. This is now back-to-back limited practice sessions for Mostert who looks to get back on the field for the first time since Week 1. It seems like the veteran back is trending in the right direction ahead of the Week 5 matchup against the New England Patriots. Fellow back Jeff Wilson Jr. (knee) was a full participant on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday. He appears to be ready to go and could have a bigger role if Mostert is forced to miss another game.

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Dallas Cowboys running backs Ezekiel Elliott (dehydration) and Rico Dowdle (wrist) both popped up on the injury report on Thursday. Elliott was limited due to dehydration, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect that to be an issue heading into Week 5 on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dowdle is dealing with a wrist issue but was a full participant during Thursday's practice. That being said, Dowdle should be fine heading into their matchup against the Steelers. The two backs have been splitting the backfield, but Dowdle has been pulling away with an increase in carries lately. Despite that, Dowdle remains a low-end flex play heading into a tough matchup against the Steelers defense.

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (head) is back on the field following a brief absence during Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The young wideout was forced to exit early in the second quarter due to a head injury. London went to the locker room, but it appears he was cleared of a concussion or any injuries as he's back on the field ahead of halftime. Fantasy managers can breathe a sigh a relief as head injuries can always be scary. London figures to resume his role as the No. 1 receiver in this offense.

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) is expected to get back on the field and suit up for the Week 6 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Levis suffered an AC joint sprain in his shoulder during the Week 4 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Luckily, the injury is not considered long term and Levis should be ready to play following the team's bye week. Head coach Brian Callahan has already confirmed that Levis is 100 percent the starter, so now it's just about getting him healthy. The young signal-caller has struggled early on with four touchdowns and six interceptions through four games. However, it appears the Titans are going to stick with Levis and he should be ready to go next week.

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (head) is currently considered questionable to return for Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The young wideout is being evaluated for a head injury that he suffered during the second quarter of Thursday's game. The Falcons will likely test to see if London has a concussion. Fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if they decide to hold him out for the rest of this game. If so, Ray-Ray McCloud III and Darnell Mooney are likely to see increased usage in the passing game.

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Free-agent DE Shaq Lawson (Bills), DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (Cowboys) and LB Cam Gill (Panthers) recently worked out for the Miami Dolphins.

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Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) said that his surgically repaired left knee is feeling good after his first practice in more than a year on Wednesday in which he was limited. Chubb was limited again on Thursday, but he's unsure when he'll come off the Physically Unable to Perform list to make his 2024 debut. He is unlikely to play in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders. Chubb had surgeries to fix his medial capsule, meniscus and MCL in late September last year and another surgery to repair damage to his ACL in November. The 28-year-old is worth stashing in all fantasy formats, but it would be a mistake to expect him to return to his pre-injury form right away whenever he debuts. Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowler, also tore his MCL, PCL and LCL in his left knee at Georgia in 2015. Nyheim Hines (knee) and Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) were also limited in practice for the second straight day on Thursday.

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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (ankle) did not take part in practice on Thursday, but it was part of a planned day off. Njoku suffered an ankle injury in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and hasn't played since, but he was limited in Wednesday's session and figures to return to the practice field on Friday. The 28-year-old will likely be questionable on the final injury report on Friday, but Njoku is trending in the right direction and seems to be on the right side of questionable. If he is able to get the green light to play this weekend, he'll at least be in play as a low-end TE1 for fantasy managers. Before getting hurt in the season opener, Njoku caught four of his five targets for 44 yards. In the three games that Njoku has missed, Jordan Akins and Blake Whiteheart have been splitting TE duties in Cleveland, with Akins catching six of his 10 targets for 49 yards and no touchdowns. If Njoku misses another game, fantasy managers should be avoiding both Akins and Whiteheart.

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Los Angeles Rams WR Demarcus Robinson (hip) fully participated in practice Thursday, Oct. 3.

Fantasy Spin: Robinson has not been a big part of the passing game even though the team is without Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. He likely will see a few targets against the Green Bay Packers but can be avoided in fantasy leagues.

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Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) and DE Larrell Murchison (forearm, foot) did not participate in practice Thursday, Oct. 3. CB Darious Williams (hamstring) fully participated in practice.

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Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) was upgraded to a full practice on Thursday after he was limited to begin the week on Wednesday. Ekeler suffered a concussion in a Monday night win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 and then was not cleared to play in the Week 4 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The expectation earlier this week was that Ekeler would return for Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns, and that has been supported by the fact that he has been upgraded to a full practice participant with another practice looming on Friday. Barring a setback, the 29-year-old pass-catching specialist should be cleared by an independent neurologist and play this Sunday. Fellow backfield mate Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) has yet to practice this week, so if he ends up being out, Ekeler would be a must-start in fantasy, and not just in PPR leagues.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (groin) was unable to practice on Thursday, which was a downgrade after he was limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Mid-week downgrades are never usually a good thing, so Brown's status for the Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns this Sunday is now up in the air. The 28-year-old will likely need to get back on the practice field on Friday to avoid being ruled out entirely. Brown didn't make his Washington debut until Week 2 and has contributed nine receptions on 10 targets for 111 yards and no touchdowns in three games to this point in 2024. He's been competing for targets behind WR1 Terry McLaurin with rookie Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus. Washington's offense is on the rise under impressive rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, but for now, Brown is mainly just a stash candidate in deeper fantasy leagues, especially with him banged up this week.

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Green Bay Packers TE Luke Musgrave (ankle), DT Devonte Wyatt (ankle) and LB Edgerrin Cooper (hip) did not participate in practice Thursday, Oct. 3. CB Jaire Alexander (groin), DT Kenny Clark (toe), OG Elgton Jenkins (knee), CB Carrington Valentine (ankle), OT Jordan Morgan (shoulder) and DT Jonathan Ford (calf) were limited during practice.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receivers DK Metcalf (hand) and Tyler Lockett (thigh) were both limited in Thursday's practice. Metcalf was a full-go on Wednesday, so he was downgraded a day later. Lockett has been limited in both practices this week. The Seahawks were likely just giving Metcalf a little extra rest on Thursday. Neither he nor Lockett are in any danger of missing the Week 5 matchup against the visiting New York Giants. Metcalf had just three catches for 29 yards in the season opener but is now on a three-game run of going over 100 yards receiving while also scoring twice. He is a must-start against the Giants in fantasy this weekend. Lockett has been dealing with a thigh injury since training camp but hasn't missed any time. He has a lower floor and ceiling in fantasy as a WR4/flex with Jaxon Smith-Njigba eating into his targets. Lockett has 18 receptions (26 targets) for 199 yards and no touchdowns through four games.

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