TNF Recap, Injury News + Week 5 Preview

Has a big game coming up, though the specific context suggests this is a notable matchup to monitor.

Matthew Berry has Bo Nix ranked as QB 15 for Week 5. Berry believes Sean Payton taking over play-calling can't hurt the situation, though he emphasizes that Nix needs to play better fundamentally. The Broncos are 27th in scoring, and Payton's involvement may help clarify the running back roles going forward.

Matthew Berry calls Brock Purdy his MVP and expresses strong confidence in the San Francisco 49ers for Week 5. Berry believes the 49ers are the best team in the NFL, proved it this week, and is taking them as underdogs plus three against Seattle. Berry also likes the money line at plus 436.

Matthew Berry reclassifies Bucky Irving as a low-end RB1 moving forward based on his performance against Dallas; Irving is averaging over 18 touches per game this season with at least 15 in every game, maintains an 11% target share in four of five games (addressing preseason concerns about Kenneth Gainwell limiting his passing-game involvement), and scored a touchdown as a pass catcher in Week 4. Berry notes that Irving had only one goal-line attempt in the first four games but received three in this game, suggesting increased red-zone usage.

Matthew Berry states that wherever Bucky Irving was drafted, it was a bargain, suggesting his actual production and role have exceeded draft-day expectations.

CeeDee Lamb left Week 4 game in the fourth quarter with a quad injury, but according to Ian Rappaport, the injury is not considered serious. Moe Hassan notes the injury appears to be a quad bruise with 10 days to recover before the next game, and Lamb practiced three times the previous week, suggesting he should be available for Week 5.

DJ Moore has an AC sprain in his shoulder sustained in week two, aggravated in week four. He landed hard on the shoulder initially and re-aggravated it the following week. The injury is healing but vulnerable to further aggravation on contact; he is expected to try to play against the Rams despite the risk. One bad landing could force him out of the game, though he made it through week three without issue. Berry notes this is a gamble for fantasy owners: he could play through the game or be pulled out depending on contact.

Matthew Berry defends Dak Prescott's Week 4 performance despite 12 fantasy points; Prescott threw for over 300 yards with two interceptions, neither of which Berry attributes to Prescott's fault. Berry notes Prescott should have had two or three touchdown passes if receivers had not dropped passes in the end zone and late in the game, suggesting the offense is functioning better than the score indicates.

Matthew Berry recommends playing Goedert regardless of Justin Plano's status, indicating confidence in his role as a tight end with upside independent of quarterback situation.

Matthew Berry indicates that Derrick Henry remains a start regardless of the Ravens' quarterback change from Lamar Jackson to Tyler Huntley, suggesting the downgrade at QB does not materially affect Henry's fantasy value or usage.

Matthew Berry notes that George Pickens had a breakout Week 4 game (28 points) and identifies him as a buy-low opportunity based on route percentage and target data from his 10 Facts column on FantasyLife.com. Berry emphasizes that while Pickens won't score 28 points every week, the underlying metrics support his upside. Upcoming schedule (Steelers, Panthers, Falcons, Bears) features teams that can move the ball offensively, meaning Cowboys will continue to throw and Pickens will remain a focal point.

Jamar Chase was at practice and has cleared concussion protocol, with the outlook looking good for Sunday; however, concussion recovery is nonlinear and players must progress through a five-phase NFL protocol including clearance from an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant, so final clearance status may not be confirmed until the end of the week.

Making progress on his injury but clearance status remains uncertain; may not know until end of today or tomorrow whether he's been cleared to return to play this weekend by an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant.

Dan Graziano warns that the Eagles' offense could go off a cliff this week due to a completely overhauled offensive line with multiple injuries. The team has a 5'10", 290-pound player at left guard and center Drew Kendall hasn't practiced, so they may have a backup there as well. Graziano says if you could sell the Eagles right now, he would do it.

Matthew Berry has Javonte Williams ranked as running back 25 for Week 5. Berry notes the Broncos are 27th in scoring and that until Sean Payton's play-calling change produces results, Williams remains a flex-type running back with nothing exciting to project.

Matthew Berry has Jalen Waddle ranked as wide receiver 23 for Week 5 against the Chargers. Berry notes the Broncos' offense is concerning overall and that until Sean Payton's play-calling change produces results, Waddle remains a wide receiver three or flex type with nothing exciting to project.

Dan Graziano confirms that Jalen Warren remains the number one running back for the Steelers. When asked if Rico Dattles will get the usage he had in the last two games if he returns, Graziano says no—that was "hero work" in a span of five days. The Steelers want to use both guys, but Warren will retain his primary role.

Gets a boost if Justin Jefferson misses the game against the Saints. Identified as a key beneficiary in the passing game if Jefferson is unavailable.

Suffered a medial ankle sprain that wasn't the most severe variety; has been able to do more in recovery and is pushing hard to play this weekend against the Saints, his home state team where he attended LSU. Matthew Berry's instinct is that he'll do everything in his power to get on the field, though it could come down to a game-time decision. The Saints have a bye in week six, which may factor into medical decision-making to avoid exacerbating the injury.

Matthew Berry mentions that Justin Jefferson's status for the upcoming week is uncertain and will be clarified over the weekend. Berry will provide injury updates on his Sunday show before kickoff.

Dan Graziano indicates that the Chargers will continue to operate a committee backfield with Keaton Mitchell as long as he's producing. Graziano believes they want to operate this way in general, but with receivers and offensive line injuries, they'll keep mixing it up until they find something that works. There won't be real clarity on who's at the forefront of the backfield for a while.

Matthew Berry notes that Kyler Murray has a well-documented preference for throwing to tight ends, which supports the case for TJ Hawkinson's high target rate and receiving volume in Week 5.

Lamar Jackson sprained his left ankle in week four and did not practice Wednesday, Thursday, or at the beginning of Friday practice ahead of week five matchup with Falcons. Stefania Bell notes that while the injury may not be terribly serious early on, Jackson's mobility-dependent playing style makes it risky to put him in a compromised position, potentially costing multiple weeks of the season. Ravens have no bye until week 13, limiting rest opportunities. Bell suggests the team may be in conversation about his availability, though she believes if anyone gets a last-minute chance to play, it's Lamar.

Matthew Berry says Mark Andrews would be a tight end 18 candidate with Lamar Jackson, but he's not interested in starting him with Tyler Huntley under center; the Ravens offense is less efficient with Huntley, reducing red zone opportunities, though Huntley does target tight ends at a higher rate than most active QBs over the last five years.

Matthew Berry suggests that Mark Andrews is only a consideration if you're desperate to fill a roster spot and think he can score a touchdown. With Baltimore's low implied team total of 20.5 points and limited offensive opportunities, Andrews is not a primary target recommendation for Week 5.

Dan Graziano reports that multiple teams are doing homework on Marvin Harrison Jr., assuming Arizona will either want to trade him or he will want out because he doesn't seem to have much of a role there. As of now, teams are being told by the Cardinals they're not interested in trading him, but Graziano notes this is standard positioning a month from the trade deadline and that it's worth watching whether Arizona changes its tune or Harrison tries to facilitate a move.

Michael Pittman Jr. is dealing with a foot injury that will sideline him for multiple weeks, opening up opportunity for other Steelers receivers. Moe Hassan notes it has been a slow start to the season for Pittman despite the Steelers throwing frequently (Aaron Rodgers is seventh in NFL pass attempts).

Matthew Berry identifies Pat Freiermuth as a beneficiary of Michael Pittman Jr.'s foot injury; Freiermuth is top 10 among tight ends in routes run this season with a 13% target share. Berry suggests Freiermuth could increase his target share closer to 20% with Pittman out, making him a viable tight end two streamer, particularly in the Week 5 matchup against the Colts.

Matthew Berry ranks Roman Wilson at wide receiver 44 and highlights his breakout potential with Pittman's injury; Wilson has at least six targets in every game so far this season with back-to-back touchdowns. Berry notes Wilson's 14.1 average depth of target with 50% of his targets on deep passes (15+ air yards), indicating aggressive usage. With Pittman out, Wilson is projected to see 90-plus percent route participation and over 75% snap share, allowing him to explode from his .6 targets per game baseline.

Saquon Barkley has not practiced all week (0 for 3 on practices) heading into Week 5 against Jacksonville. While not officially confirmed out, Dan Graziano notes it seems unlikely he will play. If he is out, the Eagles will turn to Damian Pierce and Will Shipley in the backfield.

Looking good to play despite groin and neck issues; was out there running routes and catching passes in practice, which is a positive sign. Not surprised he didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday given both injuries, but outlook is favorable.

Matthew Berry notes that Tyler Huntley averaged over 15 fantasy points per game in two starts last year filling in for Lamar Jackson, though he gets only two points from his legs. However, Berry emphasizes that Baltimore has an implied team total of 20.5 points (eighth lowest in the game), meaning they won't have the ball much, limiting Huntley's upside.

Matthew Berry has Will Shipley ranked as running back 25 in PPR scoring for Week 5. Berry notes that even though Jacksonville is tough against the run and the Eagles have a banged-up offensive line, Shipley could see more dump-offs when Jalen Hurts feels pressure. The Jaguars have allowed the second-most receptions and second-most receiving yards to opposing running backs, making Shipley a viable flex play in PPR.

Matthew Berry states that Zay Flowers remains a start regardless of the Ravens' quarterback change from Lamar Jackson to Tyler Huntley, indicating the downgrade at QB does not materially affect Flowers' fantasy value or usage.

Dan Graziano notes that Zay Flowers continued to produce last week after Lamar Jackson went out and Tyler Huntley came in, and he describes Flowers as "about as locked in as anybody right now." Graziano believes the Ravens may have more in the passing game than in past situations when Lamar was unavailable, and Flowers is expected to be a key target for Huntley.