They're Lying About Injuries

AJ Brown has been designated to return from IR and was back at practice with the New England Patriots. Michael Penn calls this absolutely massive and hopes Brown helps elevate the passing offense, but does not expect him to play in week six; his best bet is week seven.

Michael Penn leans toward starting Alvin Kamara in flex but notes the offense should be much better this week; however, usage was horrific last week, creating uncertainty about his production. Penn will monitor projections as the week goes on. Kamara was the avoid last week due to a tough matchup against the Vikings, though Penn suggests Harvey might be the avoid this week instead against the Seattle Seahawks.

Michael Penn lists Amon-Ra St. Brown as part of a 2-3 team's wide receiver core in a double-flex, full PPR league roster evaluation.

Michael Penn recommends starting Antonio Gibson (Gibbs) in the lineup for the week, indicating he is a buy for weekly start/sit decisions.

Baker Mayfield has not yet resumed throwing despite conflicting reports; initially ruled out for three to seven weeks and has been out two weeks, so he is expected to miss at least this week and possibly longer. Michael Penn expects the Buccaneers offense to remain poor over the next month.

Michael Penn endorses a trade where a league member acquires Bijan Robinson by sending DeAndre Swift, Jeremiah Love, Christian Watson, Tedo McMillan, and Stefon Diggs, stating 'You got to do it' if the league member has a winning record. Penn notes the league member's running back room would be Robinson with no other depth, and receiver room would be Jefferson and A.G. Brown, indicating Robinson's value justifies the multi-player cost.

Michael Penn recommends Blake Corum as the preferred running back option for the start slot in a league where the roster lacks Gibbs.

Michael Penn identifies trading away Bucky Irving as a perfect sell-high opportunity, calling it an incredible deal to get out of Irving. However, in a separate trade scenario, Penn views Irving as an upgrade over Malik Neighbors at running back, helping to address a weak running back room when paired with CD Lamb and George Kittle.

Caleb Williams was a full participant at practice and is expected to play this week, providing a bump to the entire Chicago Bears offense which projects to score close to 27 points—their best week in recent time. However, Michael Penn expresses some caution, noting he would prefer Caleb over Dak Prescott if he were 100% healthy, but lacks clarity on his health status and playing time this week, so recommends playing it safe with Dak instead.

Carnell Tates is being traded away by Box Papa along with Drake London to acquire Kairen Williams; Michael Penn approves the trade given the roster has excess wide receivers and needs running back help.

CeeDee Lamb practiced full after dealing with a bruised thigh from Thursday night; Michael Penn confirms the injury concern is behind him with zero limitations heading into the matchup.

Michael Penn consistently prefers Chase Brown in multiple trade scenarios: leans toward keeping him over Bree Luther Bird; ranks him as RB1 and prefers him over Jaylen Warren even after Rico Dattle's return (acknowledging this is a contrarian take); would take the Chase Brown side in a trade involving T. Higgins and Justin Jefferson against Jaylen Warren, Ford, and Justin Jefferson; and suggests Chase Brown as part of an aggressive trade package (Chase Brown and Drake London) to acquire JSN from a team with running back needs, representing a significant overpay.

Chris Olave missed practice today with an illness going around the Saints locker room, but Michael Penn says not to stress about this and that Olave will be able to start this week.

Michael Penn views Chris Lave as insufficient compensation when paired with Chase Brown for Jamir Gibbs in a single flex league; Penn would want a stronger package than Lave plus Brown if selling Gibbs.

Michael Penn approves of a trade where a league member acquired Christian McCaffrey (along with DJ Moore) by sending Dalvin Cook and Christian Watson, indicating McCaffrey's value justifies the cost in that league format.

Michael Penn prefers the DeAndre Swift and Christian Watson side of a trade over Jeremiah Love and Nico Collins, viewing Watson and Swift as the better value proposition. Penn notes that Watson has been performing well enough that trading him away (along with Dalton Conkright for Bowers and Rice) would have been 'maybe the biggest smash in the world' in retrospect, indicating Watson's strong recent production. Watson is being moved in multiple league trades at various price points, suggesting he maintains solid trade value despite being packaged in deals.

Michael Penn advises against trading away Chuba Hubbard (along with Nico Collins and Ibuka) for RJ Harvey and JSN, noting that while JSN is the best asset, the trade would leave the roster in a bad position at running back with only Marshon Lloyd and Rico Dattle as starters; the trade would put the team in a really bad position at running back.

DJ Moore did not practice today, creating uncertainty about his availability this week; Michael Penn has no idea if he will or will not be back and says they'll have to wait and see. This missed practice makes him a less attractive play compared to alternatives like Keon Coleman.

Michael Penn prefers DeAndre Swift over Jeremiah Love in a trade scenario, citing the Kyle Manungai injury context as a reason to favor Swift's situation despite acknowledging the statement sounds counterintuitive. Penn states he would rather have Swift at this point, suggesting better value in the trade context.

Michael Penn recommends Dak Prescott over Caleb Williams this week as the safer quarterback play. Penn notes he would prefer Caleb Williams if he were 100% healthy given the Bears offense projection, but lacks clarity on Caleb's health status and running usage this week, making Dak the prudent choice.

Michael Penn approves of a trade where a league member sent Dalvin Cook and Christian Watson for Christian McCaffrey and DJ Moore, noting the league member has sufficient receiver depth (Jamar Chase, CD Lamb, Malik Neighbors, DJ Moore) and needed running back production. The trade makes sense given the league member's roster construction and depth at receiver.

Michael Penn states that Darren Waller is literally worth zero in a trade scenario, indicating he has no fantasy value.

David Montgomery missed practice and is not expected to play this weekend; Michael Penn projects he will be out for approximately two weeks. With the Texans having a bye in three weeks, Penn does not expect Montgomery back until week nine or week ten.

With Caleb Williams as a full practice participant expected to play this week, Drake London is safe to view as a wide receiver one. The Bears offense projects to score close to 27 points this week—their best output in recent time. Michael Penn recommends starting Drake London in the wide receiver slot and suggests him as a potential trade piece in various scenarios, though his value remains solid given the Bears' offensive projection.

Dylan Samson is returning to the Cleveland backfield, raising concerns about Sean Judkins' viability as a set-it-and-forget-it running back option. Michael Penn notes the uncertainty around the Browns' backfield usage this week.

Michael Penn references an ETN injury affecting a team's running back depth; this team is forced to start Alvin Kamara and would be interested in running back upgrades via trade.

With Zack Charbonnet out and expected to return week seven, Emanuel Wilson is getting a good workload; Michael Penn calls this 'probably your last chance at starting Emanuel Wilson and having that good workload' before Charbonnet returns and takes over. Wilson provides short-term roster flexibility for teams dealing with running back injuries.

With Adonai Mitchell sidelined week-to-week and Kenyan Sadiq banged up, Garrett Wilson continues to dominate target share for the New York Jets. Michael Penn emphasizes Wilson is getting every target available in the Jets offense.

In a trade where Woody Marks, Jamar Chase, and Malik Neighbors are traded for Bucky Irving, CD Lamb, and George Kittle, Michael Penn views Kittle as valuable compensation to address a weak tight end room, helping to fix a team's poor running back and tight end depth.

Michael Penn recommends acquiring Jamar Chase in a trade, stating 'you go and get Jamar Chase. Great move' when evaluating a trade proposal in a shallow 10-team, 2-receiver, 1-flex format. Penn also identifies Chase as part of an 'incredible team' that successfully clawed back from a poor draft start, indicating he is a strong asset worth acquiring.

Michael Penn identifies Jadarian Price as the only long-term piece on a 1-4 team that could potentially be sold to convert long-term value into short-term points, but notes there is limited trade market demand: 'There's a good chance you're not able to sell Jadarian Price for anything though,' indicating difficulty moving this asset despite its theoretical value.

Jalin Hyatt (JSN) has been completely removed from the injury report with no concerns whatsoever; Michael Penn identifies him as a top three receiver with full health and availability.

Michael Penn identifies James Cook as the best player in a trade involving DeAndre Swift and Nico Collins; recommends pivoting to Cook's side knowing Kyle Manungai will return in a few weeks, making Cook the superior asset.

Michael Penn selects Jaden Daniels as the preferred quarterback option over Jared Goff (on bye) and Bryce Young (bad matchup) in a weekly start/sit decision. Penn also references Daniels' first week back from injury, noting he rushed for over 100 total yards and touchdowns despite wearing a large arm brace, as context for uncertainty around other injured quarterbacks' rushing usage.

Michael Penn identifies JSN as one of the very few untouchable elite assets in fantasy football. In a proposed trade scenario, Penn notes JSN is clearly the best asset but cautions that acquiring him would create roster depth problems at running back; the acquiring team would be left starting only Marshon Lloyd and Rico Dattle as their two running back starters.

Michael Penn recommends starting Jaylen Waddle over Keon Coleman at wide receiver despite acknowledging a really tough matchup, citing the risk that Coleman's injury could worsen and force a last-minute pivot if benched. Penn notes that if you don't play Waddle on Thursday and bank on Coleman, and then Coleman's injury pops up and forces him to miss the weekend, you'd be left without a flex option.

Michael Penn prefers Chase Brown over Jaylen Warren now that Rico Dattle is coming back, suggesting Warren's role and opportunity share will diminish with the return of the lead back; Penn acknowledges this is a contrarian and potentially incorrect take. However, in a specific matchup scenario, Penn selects Warren as the preferred running back option.

Jeremiah Love was out of Arizona Cardinals practice with an ankle injury; Mike Lafleur wants him to get back healthy and also needs to improve his blocking. Michael Penn notes the ankle injury will look like a short-term trade loss, and he prefers DeAndre Swift over Love in trade evaluations despite the Manungai injury context. Love is a short-term play with limited upside until healthy.

Michael Penn prefers the Mike Evans and Ashen Genty side over Jonathan Taylor in a 12-team start-eight format; this indicates Taylor is overvalued relative to Evans in the current trade market. Penn notes he has Mike Evans too low in his rankings given the league settings where Rice is WR2 and Mars is WR3.

Michael Penn recommends avoiding Jordan Mason in a running back decision, stating 'Jordan Mason out' in the context of evaluating Gibbs, Alvin Kamara, RJ Harvey, and Jordan Mason.

Josh Jacobs is suspended, creating a running back need on his team; this suspension forces the team to start Alvin Kamara and makes them trade targets for running back upgrades.

Michael Penn views Justin Jefferson as one of the best players in a trade deal involving Kairen and Jefferson for Bucky Squan and Z Flowers, calling it a 'literal no-brainer' despite the 14-team, 9-start format making depth valuable. Penn clearly prefers Justin Jefferson over T. Higgins in trade value, stating 'that part's not close,' indicating Jefferson is viewed as significantly more valuable. Penn's rest-of-season comparison poll shows majority viewer preference for Justin Jefferson over Ashton Gentry, indicating stronger perceived value for Jefferson down the stretch.

In a 10-team, two-receiver, one-flex format trade scenario, Michael Penn identifies Kenneth Walker as the best player available and recommends taking him over Chase Brown and Nico Collins, emphasizing that in this league format you are 'highly incentivized to just go ahead and grab the best player.'

Kenyan Sadiq is banged up, which further concentrates target share to Garrett Wilson on the Jets. His injury status reduces his own fantasy viability while elevating Wilson's role.

Michael Penn recommends Keon Coleman as the wide receiver play, noting that DJ Moore missed practice, making Coleman the better option for the week.

Michael Penn lists Kyle Pitts as the tight end in a double-flex, full PPR league roster evaluation.

Michael Penn views Lad McConkey as an upgrade in a trade scenario involving Chase Brown to Bree Luther Bird, suggesting McConkey's value is worth keeping in the deal.

Lamar Jackson was not at practice in Baltimore and remains day-to-day; Michael Penn notes there is a very real chance he will miss this week. Penn recommends Lamar if he plays but cautions uncertainty given he did not practice.

Michael Penn notes that Luther Burden represents wasted bench value on a strong roster; despite being a valuable player, Burden isn't hitting the lineup due to roster depth and should be considered for trade packages to upgrade at flex or other positions.

Michael Penn recommends Mark Andrews over Trey Tucker in flex, noting that despite drops and fumbles costing the team, Andrews continues to receive at least five targets in every game, indicating consistent usage and reliability.

Marvin Harrison was at practice and will be playing this weekend, but Michael Penn strongly advises against starting him, calling anyone who does 'a certified crazy person.' Penn states there is no world in which he would play Harrison, noting he may only play two snaps and recommending waiting to see him play a week in Houston first. His presence will render teammates like Xavier Hutchinson completely useless.

Michael Penn views Michael Wilson as insufficient value to acquire in exchange for T. Higgins, warning the trade would be regretted long-term. Wilson is being acquired in trades at relatively low cost, indicating limited perceived value in the current fantasy landscape.

Michael Penn strongly recommends Mike Evans as a top-five wide receiver this week given injuries to Debo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk, and Devin Duvernay on the 49ers; Evans is the last healthy option and the team projects to score 29 points. Penn also states he needs to move Evans way up in his rankings—currently WR22 in rest-of-season but should be top-10 in weekly rankings in a 12-team start-eight format where Rice is WR2 and Marshon Lattimore is WR3.

Michael Penn recommends cutting Mike Washington for Kale Black, noting that Washington has lost his role: 'we didn't even see him be the running back too this past week in Las Vegas,' indicating he is no longer a viable fantasy asset.

Michael Penn identifies Nico Collins as the alpha receiver in Houston's offense; he will be the primary target with Tank Dell and Marv Hutchinson getting involved in a secondary role behind him. Collins is positioned as the clear focal point of the passing game.

Omar Cooper returned to practice for the Jets and is a small-chance waiver-wire target to monitor given injuries to Adonai Mitchell (week-to-week with hand procedure) and Kenyan Sadiq (banged up), which concentrate target share opportunities.

Michael Penn identifies Parker Washington as a valuable trade asset with significant league interest. Penn suggests packaging Washington with Bree Hall and Brilan Allen in a two-for-one deal to acquire an elite flex player like CD Lamb, indicating Washington has trade value but is better used as part of a package to upgrade roster construction rather than as a standalone starter.

Michael Penn disfavors Patrick Mahomes compared to Jordan Love for a weekly start based on matchup analysis; the Chiefs-Chargers game has an over/under of 42, lower than the Cowboys-Packers game at 53. Penn also recommends Mahomes over Jayden Daniels in a specific matchup where Washington projects 21.5 points as 7.5-point underdogs; however, Penn expresses concern about the game environment because the Chiefs can run the ball repeatedly, potentially limiting Mahomes' passing volume and fantasy upside.

Michael Penn ranks Puka Nacua as WR2-WR3 and views a trade involving Puka Nacua, Chase Brown, and Gentry for Amanra St. Brown as completely fair, indicating balanced value in the deal.

Michael Penn lists Quentin Johnston as part of the wide receiver core in a double-flex, full PPR league roster evaluation.

Rasheed Rice missed practice Wednesday and is unlikely to play this weekend unless he practices Thursday; Michael Penn notes Rice has a hamstring injury creating near-term uncertainty and recommends trading Rice for Saquon Barkley given the missed practice and injury status.

Michael Penn upgrades to Rice from Higgins in tier positioning, indicating a relative rise in Rice's draft value or ranking within the source's framework.

Michael Penn suggests RJ Harvey should be the avoid this week due to a tough matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, noting that neither Harvey nor Alvin Kamara has a consistent workload.

Saquon Barkley did not practice again; initial reports leaned toward him playing, but Michael Penn notes he definitely needs to get into practice on Thursday if he wants to have a shot to play this week. Penn currently prefers Bashel Tutin over Barkley straight up, citing Barkley's current average of five fantasy points per game and his hamstring injury recovery with missed practice time. Even if Barkley plays, Penn suggests Brian Allen is the safer play because his workload is known at 90+ percent of opportunities, whereas Barkley's snap count and touch distribution remain unclear upon return from injury.

Michael Penn expresses caution about starting Stefon Diggs until he returns to full practice participation. He could be talked into starting Diggs if he were 100% healthy and practicing in full, but until seeing Diggs back on the field, Penn recommends benching him in favor of Jeremiah Love in flex lineups. Diggs' injury status is uncertain heading into the upcoming week, making him a risky flex play compared to healthy alternatives.

Tank Dell practiced in full and there's a good chance he returns to Houston relatively soon; however, Michael Penn says not to expect him to produce fantasy value because Nico Collins will be the alpha receiver with Tank Dell getting involved in a messy secondary receiving group behind him alongside Marv Hutchinson.

Included in a Gibbs trade package as flex help, but Michael Penn views the overall package (Chase Brown, Chris Lave, Terry McLaurin for Gibbs) as insufficient in a single flex league.

Michael Penn notes that Trey Tucker has been scaled back with Brock Powers back in the offense, making him less attractive than Mark Andrews for flex consideration.

Trevon Henderson was reported yesterday to miss multiple weeks with a high ankle sprain, but today was listed as a limited participant despite not being spotted during the open media portion of practice; Michael Penn suspects the team may be lying about his status, noting it would be unprecedented for a high ankle sprain to allow practice participation within 24 hours. Penn would be shocked if Henderson plays this week and notes the team has a running back need, making them trade targets for upgrades.

Michael Penn views acquiring Trey McBride in a trade (giving up Bucky Irving and Britain Strange) as an incredible deal, suggesting McBride's value is worth the trade.

Michael Penn identifies Tyler Warren as the value pickup in a trade where the team gives up Chase Brown, Lad McConkey, and Darren Waller, suggesting Warren is worth the trade.

Michael Penn recommends Woody Marks in flex spots and prefers him over Jeremiah Love for the week, positioning him as the preferred running back play. However, Penn rates Marks as less valuable than T. Higgins in a trade scenario, warning that trading Higgins for Marks and Michael Wilson would be regretted long-term.

Michael Penn recommends acquiring Xavier Worthy as part of a trade package (along with Travis Kelce) in exchange for Sherice Rice, indicating Worthy's value is favorable in this mid-season trade scenario. Penn states he would rather have Kelce over Rice at this point in the season, making this a no-brainer trade.

Zack Charbonnet has been ruled out for the game against Denver in week six, but reports indicate real expectations for his return in week seven. Michael Penn's base expectation is he'll take a couple weeks to ramp up before becoming startable in fantasy, positioning him as a long-term asset when healthy.