Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) missed practice all week and has officially been ruled out for the Week 4 contest on Sunday against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans were saying earlier this week that Pierce was making progress from his hamstring injury and was close to returning, but that won't happen this week. The 24-year-old will miss his third straight game after being injured in the Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Joe Mixon (ankle) is questionable and is danger of missing a second straight game as well, so Houston could be forced to use Cam Akers as their lead back once again. If Mixon is inactive on Sunday, Akers can be plugged in as an RB3/flex for fantasy managers looking for help at the position. Pierce's next chance to return will be in a Week 5 meeting against the Buffalo Bills.

Houston Texans running backs Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) are both sitting out of practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Mixon tweaked his ankle in the Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears and did not play in the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The 28-year-old is still considered week-to-week and is trending toward missing a second straight game this Sunday versus the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. Pierce is apparently getting closer to playing after missing the last two games, and it was even reported that he was expected to return in Week 4, but his practice participation with two DNPs this week says otherwise. As of right now, it's looking unlikely that both Mixon and Pierce suit up, which would put Cam Akers in line for starting RB duties for the Texans for the second straight week.UPDATE: Pierce is making steady progress from a strained hamstring but hasn't been cleared to practice yet this week.

Despite missing his fifth-straight practice, Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is expected to return to action in Week 4. It's excellent news for the team as first-string back Joe Mixon (ankle) is still considered week-to-week after missing Houston's Week 3 matchup -- a 34-7 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. In that contest, running back Cam Akers led the team with a paltry 21 yards on nine carries. With the Texans mincing words, fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on the 24-year-old's status heading into Houston's home matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Pierce can play, he'll be in store for a sizable workload against a Jaguars squad that just got torched by the Buffalo Bills, allowing 47 points on Monday Night Football.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel was brought to Buffalo to potentially be one of the top passing-game options for Josh Allen. Through three weeks, he's played exactly 27% of snaps in every contest. On the season, Samuel has seven targets and six receptions for 40 yards. He also has one rush for no gain. Khalil Shakir is blossoming in the slot and the Bills like the blocking ability Mack Hollins brings on the outside. Without regular usage in the offense, Samuel isn't considered a good fantasy football option against the Baltimore Ravens. To take it a step further, he doesn't need to be rostered in standard-sized redraft leagues.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel did not factor heavily into the Bills Week 3 offensive output against Jacksonville. The Bills put up 47 points but Samuel had three catches for 22 yards and one rush for no gain. Josh Allen and the Bills spread the ball around in this one and Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid, and Ty Johnson each caught a touchdown pass and James Cook and Ray Davis scored rushing TDs. Samuel hasn't found a consistent piece of the Bills offensive pie yet this season after coming over from Washington in the offseason. With so many offensive weapons, it's hard to see Samuel making a big fantasy impact this season.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (ankle) is officially off of the Week 4 injury report and is set to suit up against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. LaPorta was battling an ankle injury that caused him to leave the team's win over Arizona early last week. The Iowa product has not been as heavily involved this year as he was last year but this is a good sign that he will be back for this game. So far, he has eight catches for 94 yards in three games. Fantasy managers will want to be patient with the talented former second-round pick as one good game could spark his resurgence. LaPorta should be locked and loaded in lineups as a starting tight end this week now that he has shaken off the injury.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that tight end Sam LaPorta (ankle) is good to go for the Week 4 contest on Monday night against the visiting Seattle Seahawks. LaPorta had to be carted to the locker room in the Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals due to an ankle injury, but he later returned and now is in the clear to play in Week 4 after he practiced in full on Friday. The 23-year-old has been a disappointment through the first three weeks of his sophomore season after being the most valuable fantasy tight end in his rookie campaign. He's caught eight of his 10 targets for 94 yards and no touchdowns so far, but fantasy managers that drafted him early need to stick with him as a must-start TE1 now that he's in the clear with his ankle injury. The good news for LaPorta is that the Seahawks have allowed the 10th-most half-PPR fantasy points to the TE position early on this year.

With Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (ankle) returning to practice on Friday and the Lions playing on Monday night against the Seahawks in Week 4, it makes for a risky proposition to start LaPorta on fantasy teams. The Iowa product has not had a large role in the Lions' offense so far and coming off the injury he could remain a secondary target for Jared Goff against Seattle. LaPorta's season-high in targets was five in Week 1 against the Rams. It is worth monitoring Saturday's practice to make sure he is a participant. If he is, that is a good sign he will be able to suit up after getting in a Friday practice. It is tough to move off of LaPorta and onto another tight end with all the injuries at the position so far this season. It is understandable for fantasy managers to want to pencil in LaPorta for Monday night if he practices on Saturday. But he has yet to show the same target share as last season.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has been relatively quiet for fantasy purposes so far in 2024 and will look to turn things around against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4. Pickens once again led the Steelers in targets last week but was outshined by Calvin Austin III, who scored a 55-yard touchdown. Because of his ability to make plays downfield, Pickens is always a viable fantasy option, but his upside is even more solidified this week with the Colts surrendering the sixth-most fantasy points per contest to opposing wideouts. As quarterback Justin Fields continues to get comfortable in Pittsburgh's offense, it's clear that Pickens will be his most reliable option. His guaranteed opportunities and high ceiling make Pickens an incredibly appealing fantasy WR2 this week.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens recorded five receptions for 57 yards on seven looks in the team's Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Pickens continued to operate as the clear WR1 in Pittsburgh despite being out-gained by teammate Calvin Austin III and dropping a pass on third down in the second quarter. Once again, the 23-year-old displayed chemistry with quarterback Justin Fields, leading the team in targets and earning an opportunity near the end zone. Through three weeks of the season, Pickens appears to be on the cusp of a breakout campaign. He'll hope to strike paydirt for the first time this year next week against the Indianapolis Colts.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has looked every bit the part of a WR1 in 2024 but is yet to score as a top-24 fantasy option in half-PPR formats. He'll hope to change that at home against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. This is projected to be a low-scoring, run-heavy affair, but if both defenses continue to defend the run as well as they have through two weeks, shots will need to be taken downfield. Pickens is not only the clear favorite target of quarterback Justin Fields but also the premier vertical threat in Pittsburgh. Although the third-year pro could disappoint if the Steelers struggle to move the ball, he offers plenty of upside as a WR2 or flex option in most fantasy leagues.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields has led the team to three straight wins and will look for similar success in a home matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are surrendering the second-most total yards of offense and have been vulnerable against fantasy quarterbacks so far this season. With how dominant Pittsburgh's defense has been, it's difficult to expect an abundance of points in this contest, but Fields can get the job done for fantasy purposes as a threat through the air and on the ground. He is averaging over nine carries per game and scored his first rushing touchdown of the campaign last week. Fantasy managers should view Fields as a low-end QB1 or high-end QB2 this Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday that the team is in the same place with quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) health-wise heading into a Week 4 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, and the veteran signal-caller will likely be limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. "As we walk into the building tomorrow, I want Justin Fields singularly focused on starting for us," Tomlin said. Wilson was named the starter under center at the start of training camp but aggravated a calf issue before the season-opener, and Fields has taken over and led Pittsburgh to a surprising 3-0 start. While Fields hasn't been amazing, he's done enough to hold off the recovering Wilson. The 25-year-old has completed 73.3% of his passes for 518 yards, two TDs and one pick while carrying the ball 28 times for 90 yards and another TD. Fields will be a high-end QB2 in Week 4.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields completed 25 of 32 attempts for 245 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while rushing for six yards and a score in a win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Outside of a turnover coming off a deflected pass, Fields was incredibly effective under center, leading Pittsburgh to its first 3-0 start since 2020. The 25-year-old completed each of his first 10 throws and scrambled into the end zone early in the second quarter. While George Pickens remained his favorite target, it was wideout Calvin Austin III on the receiving end of Fields' touchdown pass, a strike over the middle of the field taken 55 yards to the house. Fields is looking increasingly comfortable in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's system and should be viewed as a high-end QB2 in fantasy for as long as he keeps the starting gig.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) is now considered week to week after picking up an injury in the waning minutes of the team's Thursday practice, Adam Schefter reports. Well, that escalated quickly. The Raiders wasted no time ruling Adams out of their home tilt against the visiting Cleveland Browns this Sunday, but it now appears this injury could sideline him longer. Head coach Antonio Pierce contemplated a quarterback change this week and ultimately ruled against it, but he'll now be without his star wideout for at least one week. Hamstring injuries can linger, so fantasy managers will want to monitor the 31-year-old's status over the coming days. Teammate Jakobi Meyers will likely benefit the most from his absence, and rookie tight end Brock Bowers projects to be heavily involved. Meyers presents as a WR3 with upside ahead of the matchup against Cleveland, while Bowers -- who leads all tight ends in receptions (18) -- is in a smash spot. Second-year wide receiver Tre Tucker and former undrafted free agent DJ Turner will also be in line for an uptick in snaps.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) has been ruled out for the upcoming Week 4 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Yikes, Adams was added to the injury report on Thursday as a limited participant due to a hamstring issue. It appears that injury was fairly serious as the team has already ruled him out for this weekend. That is going to leave a massive void to be filled, which is going to be tough given the Raiders lack of viable options. Wideout Jakobi Meyers figures to remain heavily involved and is on the WR3 radar. Also, tight end Brock Bowers has been used all over the place and is a strong TE1 without Adams on the field.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) was added to the Week 4 injury report on Thursday and was listed as a limited participant in practice. Mid-week additions to the injury report are usually never a good thing, so fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on Adams' practice status on Friday and final designation on the injury report heading into Sunday's game at Allegiant Stadium against the Cleveland Browns. If the 31-year-old is limited again on Friday, he'll probably be listed as questionable to play in Week 4. After going for 110 yards and his first touchdown of the year in the Week 2 win over the Ravens, Adams caught four passes for only 40 yards in the Week 3 loss to the Panthers. Adams is a must-start in fantasy when he's active, but his status is now in question this weekend. If Adams doesn't play, Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker would see more targets.