NFL Player News

Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Monday that Carter (knee) will miss "weeks," Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Cleveland's top kick and punt returner sustained a knee injury in the Browns' 34-10 loss to the Lions on Sunday and will now be sidelined for the coming weeks. Carter had already tallied 274 kick-return and 56 punt-return yards over just four games, so this could be a huge loss to the Browns' special-teams unit. Jerome Ford will likely be the primary kickoff returner in Carter's absence, while wideouts Isaiah Bond and Kaden Davis, currently on the practice squad, could also see increased duties on special teams.

Downs had four receptions for 24 yards on five targets in Sunday's loss at the Rams.

Downs was third among receivers/tight ends for targets after Michael Pittman (10) and Tyler Warren (six). Warren has become a focus in the intermediate passing game, which may limit Downs' upside.

Moore went without a catch on three targets and rushed once for nine yards in Sunday's 34-27 loss to the Falcons.

The veteran wideout played 36 offensive snaps and operated as Washington's No. 2 wideout without Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin) in Week 4, but it didn't lead to an increase in production. Moore has now caught three of six targets for 59 yards over three appearances this season. He could remain more involved in the Commanders' offensive gameplan if McLaurin or Brown are sidelined again in the Week 5 matchup against the Chargers.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Tillman (hamstring) will be sidelined for "weeks," Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Tillman and DeAndre Carter (knee) both appear in line to miss multiple games, beginning Week 5 against the Vikings, though Stefanski didn't specify whether either wide receiver is considered a candidate to land on IR. Across four regular-season appearances thus far, Tillman has secured 11 of 20 targets for 106 yards and two touchdowns. As long as Tillman remains sidelined, Isaiah Bond will figure to handle an expanded role alongside No. 1 receiver Jerry Jeudy.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Jennings (undisclosed) is up in the air for Thursday's matchup against the Rams, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Jennings had sat out Week 3 due to ankle and shoulder injuries before retaking the field during Sunday's loss to the Jaguars in which he secured two of four targets for 24 yards and at one point had to be evaluated on the sidelines after suffering a hit to the ribs. Monday's official practice report will reveal the injuries Jennings is currently dealing with, as well as his activity level, and his status will need to be closely monitored with a short week of preparation on deck before a road Thursday Night Football matchup. Brock Purdy (toe) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) also are being evaluated.

Lane caught two of three targets for nine yards in Sunday's 34-27 loss to the Falcons.

The rookie had the most productive game in his pro career as a wide receiver Sunday, operating as Washington's No. 3 option with Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin) sidelined. Lane has now caught five of his 11 targets for 29 yards while accumulating 177 punt-return yards, including a 90-yard TD, over his first four NFL games. He's likely to remain a depth option ahead of a Week 5 matchup against the Chargers, though his role could continue to expand if McLaurin and Brown remain out.

Patrick caught his only target for minus-1 yard in Sunday's 26-21 win over the 49ers.

Patrick operated as Jacksonville's No. 5 wideout once again Sunday, playing just 19 offensive snaps. The veteran wide receiver has now caught two of his three targets for 15 yards over four games this season. He's likely to remain a depth option in the Jaguars' wide-receiver corps in a Week 5 matchup against the Chiefs.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that the team's initial belief is that Pearsall (knee) is dealing with a "minor PCL" injury, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Shanahan said Pearsall's injury "hopefully [...] won't be too bad" after the wideout was forced out of Sunday's loss to the Jaguars early, but he also mentioned that the short week of preparation ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Rams is "a totally different element," per David Lombardi of SFStandard.com. While there appears to be cause for optimism that Pearsall has avoided a severe injury, at this stage his status for Week 5 appears truly uncertain. With George Kittle (hamstring) still on IR until at least Week 6, the 49ers will have to rely on Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson, Skyy Moore and Marquez Valdes-Scantling as key receiving threats behind Jauan Jennings (undisclosed) on Thursday Night Football if Pearsall isn't cleared to play.

Samuel caught one of two targets for nine yards in Sunday's 31-19 win over the Saints.

The 29-year-old wideout was a healthy scratch in all of the Bills' games prior to the Week 4 win. He logged 20 offensive snaps and played ahead of Elijah Moore (18 snaps), who had previously been serving as Buffalo's No. 4 wide receiver. Additionally, Samuel added 82 kick-return yards on just three attempts. He'll likely play a similar role in the Week 5 matchup against the Patriots, contributing both offensively and on special teams.

Skowronek failed to secure his lone target in Sunday's 24-21 win over the Vikings.

Skowronek caught a 22-yard touchdown during the Steelers' regular-season opener, but Sunday's overseas matchup was the first time he was targeted since then. Calvin Austin exited Sunday's game due to a shoulder injury, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be available following the Steelers' Week 5 bye. However, even if Austin misses time, Skowronek would likely be forced to compete for a role with Scotty Miller and Roman Wilson, and it's unlikely that any of them would have much fantasy upside behind DK Metcalf.