🏆 Jahmyr Gibbs Doubtful, 9:30 AM London Game & More - Plus Join Us For Our Live Sunday Show

Plus - Tee Higgins Out For Week 5  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 10/08/23 ​[Unsubscribe |]( [Read Online]( | [Join]( | [GO PRO](=)​ Howdy {NAME}, Here We Go. Don't forget about the early London game with the Jaguars and Bills kicking off at 9:30 AM ET Sunday. The big stories this week are the returns of Cooper Kupp and Jonathan Taylor. I shared this yesterday but wanted to make sure everyone had it. I asked our Injury Expert Adam Hutchison what he was expecting from Kupp, and I asked our Sigmund Bloom how he saw Taylor. Here's Adam on Kupp: Per Adam Schefter, the Rams have activated Cooper Kupp from Injured Reserve (IR). So what does this mean? Well, for starters, the Rams have a 21-day window to decide if they are going to activate Kupp to play in regular season games or shut him down for good. There are a lot of mixed messages out there but the Rams likely activated Kupp because they think he is close. Doing so before he was ready would be an ineffective use of their IR. ​ For fantasy purposes, here's what you need to know: On average, players who return from a hamstring injury they re-injured see a 10% decline in snaps in their first game back. In the several instances where Kupp returned from injury, his snap share decreased by 18% in his first games back. ​ Analyzing fantasy production, on average, WRs who reaggravated their hamstring see fantasy points decrease by 20% during their first game back. Which suggests these players were eased back in. ​ And that's exactly what I would expect for Cooper Kupp - being slowly reintroduced to the offense. Projecting the best case, he plays 80% of the Rams snaps, but it's probably closer to 55-65%. Applying this data to Kupp's fantasy production last season puts him at around 13 PPR points and a solid flex option for a return in Week 5. And here's Sigmund on Taylor: Things look a lot better for Jonathan Taylor's fantasy stock than they did when he was placed on the PUP list before the season. He's practicing and likely to play in Week 5. While Zack Moss played well in his stead - perhaps better than he had at any point in his career - Moss can't hold a candle to Taylor's natural abilities as a runner. The fact that Moss had the most productive stretch of his career in this Colts offense bodes very well for Taylor's ability to deliver for patient fantasy teams, even if Moss's performance has turned this into a committee. ​ Maybe it has been too long since we've seen a healthy Taylor. He was good enough in 2021 to compete with Christian McCaffrey to be the #1 overall pick in fantasy drafts, and that was with Carson Wentz at quarterback. The running threat that Anthony Richardson poses, plus Shane Steichen's play designs and calls, should set Taylor up to post the best efficiency numbers of his career. Taylor has decided to report to the team - although he won't say he's happy to be a Colt - which means he knows he can do more to enhance his earning potential by playing than he will by sitting. He could decide to let a soft tissue injury - real or imagined - to keep him from giving any more to this organization, but that decision could cast a shadow over negotiations with his next team and cost him more than risking injury to help the organization that won't commit to him long term. ​ There's risk and uncertainty, but upside and rewards to more than match. Taylor's value is a lot more likely to go up from where it is right now than go down. Back to my (Joe's) view, I personally am excited to have both of these players in my lineups wherever possible this week. You might have better options if your team is stacked, but for me, I'm planning on having them in my lineups. And Cecil Lammey has the News and Notes you need. Let's Go. J Week 5 Start/Sit Lineup Advice (Live Q&A) = Join Joey Wright, Jagger May, & Injury Expert Adam Hutchison at 11:30 AM ET as they answer your Sunday morning Start/Sit questions and help you set the perfect lineup for Week 5! Our Injury Expert Adam Hutchison will give you up-to-the-minute injury reports and expectations as the inactives roll in. And bring your questions for personalized advice on YOUR lineup! [Watch On YouTube 👉](=) ​ Inside This Issue [] - [DET: Jahmyr Gibbs doubtful](#article-1) - [LAR: Cooper Kupp activated from IR](#article-2) - [IND: Jonathan Taylor to see limited work?](#article-3) - [CIN: Tee Higgins out for Week 5](#article-4) - [LVR: Jimmy Garoppolo out of protocol](#article-5) - [IND: Jonathan Taylor agrees to extension](#article-6) - [LVR: Davante Adams to practice](#article-7) - [BAL: Odell Beckham expects to play](#article-8) - [HOU: C.J. Stroud approaching record](#article-9) - [ARI: Kyler Murray's future in Arizona undecided?](#article-10) - [MIN: Kirk Cousins providing consistent production](#article-11) [] 1. DET: Jahmyr Gibbs doubtful [Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter]() Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) was downgraded from questionable to doubtful for the Week 5 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, Oct. 7. Our view: Bad news for Gibbs but that means David Montgomery gets a boost even higher than he already was on the charts. [Back to Top](#top) [] 2. LAR: Cooper Kupp activated from IR [Source: Los Angeles Rams](=) Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp (hamstring) was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, Oct. 7. Our view: Kupp is officially back in action, and Fantasy GMs are ready to start him as a WR2 with upside. We're curious to see how the target structure changes for other receivers on the Rams' offense (mainly Puka Nacua) upon Kupp's return. In Nacua's case, we think there's enough there for both players to have plenty of fantasy value. We'll see what kind of fight they can put up against the Eagles in Week 5. [Back to Top](#top) = = ​ [] 3. IND: Jonathan Taylor to see limited work? [Source: The Athletic - Dianna Russini]( Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor will be on a pitch count in Week 5 and the team will ramp up his workload over the next month, per source on Saturday, Oct. 7. Our view: Taylor is back, but in his first game action of the 2023 season - especially with a new contract extension - the Colts could ease him back. From a fantasy perspective, we like Taylor as an RB2 or flex play with upside. You have been patiently waiting for his return, and it might be another week or two before Taylor begins paying off as expected. [Back to Top](#top) [] 4. CIN: Tee Higgins out for Week 5 [Source: The Athletic - Dianna Russini]( Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins (ribs) will not play in Week 5, per source on Saturday, Oct. 7. Our view: The Bengals have a bye in Week 7, so they might let Higgins get rest until after that. The passing attack hasn't had much teeth this year since QB Joe Burrow is playing through a calf injury that has clearly impacted his play. Fantasy GMs have already been looking for different options. [Back to Top](#top) [] 5. LVR: Jimmy Garoppolo out of protocol [Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Charean Williams]( Las Vegas Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo (concussion) has cleared the concussion protocol and is expected to play in the Week 5 game. Our view: Last week, the Raiders had to start rookie QB Aidan O'Connell because Garoppolo was out of action. This week, the veteran is back as the team's starter as they get ready to take on the Packers on Monday night. From a fantasy perspective, we like Garoppolo as a QB3 in Week 5. Even Fantasy GMs in start-2QB/Superflex leagues are unlikely to be starting Garoppolo. [Back to Top](#top) [] 6. IND: Jonathan Taylor agrees to extension [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport]() Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor agreed to terms on a three-year, $42 million extension with $26.5 million guaranteed on Saturday, Oct. 7. Our view: With this extension, Taylor is now the NFL's third-highest-paid running back behind Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara. Things change quickly around here, and now Taylor has to be happy and the Colts are happy to have him back. Now that he's ready to play in Week 5 coming off PUP, Taylor should be considered an RB2/flex play for Fantasy GMs who have been patiently awaiting his return. [Back to Top](#top) [] 7. LVR: Davante Adams to practice [Source: NFL.com]( Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams (shoulder) will participate in practice on Saturday, Oct. 7, head coach Josh McDaniels said. Our view: That's a good sign for Adams. The Raiders take on the Packers on Monday Night Football in Week 5. Fantasy GMs should start Adams as a WR1 as per usual, and he should benefit from the return of QB Jimmy Garoppolo (concussion). [Back to Top](#top) [] 8. BAL: Odell Beckham expects to play [Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley]() Baltimore Ravens WR Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle) said he expects to play in the Week 5 game even though he is listed as questionable for the game. Our view: Let's see what the veteran can do against the Steelers in Week 5. You likely have better options on your team this week, but if Beckham produces and gets through the game unscathed then he could return to being a weekly consideration at least as a flex play going forward. [Back to Top](#top) [] 9. HOU: C.J. Stroud approaching record [Source: ESPN.com - DJ Bien-Aime II]() Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud has thrown zero interceptions in his first 151 passing attempts, the third-most passing attempts without an interception to begin a career. Our view: Stroud has been fantastic this year, and the rookie has been playing with a minor shoulder problem. He's distributing the ball to playmakers in his offense like Nico Collins and Tank Dell, and Stroud does a good job of setting them up for success with proper pass placement. It's a great sign for his future as the franchise quarterback of the Texans, and we're here for it. [Back to Top](#top) [] 10. ARI: Kyler Murray's future in Arizona undecided? [Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano]() Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray's (knee) future with the team beyond this season remains undecided, various sources have told Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. Our view: Everybody knows this, and we're all just waiting for time to play this out. Murray was eligible to come off the PUP list on Monday, but the team did not activate him. He should be back sometime this year, but when is unknown at this point. Reports indicate Murray is coming along with good progress in his recovery. Stay tuned. [Back to Top](#top) [] 11. MIN: Kirk Cousins providing consistent production [Source: ESPN.com]() Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins has thrown multiple touchdown passes in all four games this season, and he has thrown for more than 340 yards three times. Our view: Cousins is many things, and one way to describe his game is consistent. He may never be a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback, but he can put up numbers and he can be reliable for his coaching staff. Cousins has been a top-10 fantasy quarterback in every season since 2021, and this year he currently ranks as the no.4 fantasy quarterback in standard-scoring formats. [Back to Top](#top) That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of the Footballguys Family. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J [avatar] Joe Bryant Guide ​ ​ [[twitter]​]([[facebook]​](=)[[discord]​]([[youtube]​]([[instagram]​]( = Written By Joe Bryant. News by Sigmund Bloom and Cecil Lammey Was this email forwarded to you? 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