Thu Oct 3 12:44pm ET
Field Level Media
Browns running back Nick Chubb returned to practice on Wednesday and plans to be on the field on gameday when he's ready.
In his one-step-a-time progression following reconstructive knee surgery, Chubb required a helmet on Wednesday for the first time in 12 months. He checks off another step Thursday when he dons full pads and gets to run through a tackle attempt for the first time since Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick's legal, but low, hit sent him down this rehab path.
The timing of his next move is anyone's guess.
"I guess we'll all find out at the same time," Chubb said Thursday of when he might be cleared to play in a game. "I've practiced one day. I have no idea. Today I get the pads on."
Mental hurdles are largely behind him, said Chubb, who is returning from multiple torn ligaments and two surgeries on his left knee. He attacked rehab from the injury that took him out in Week 2 of last season. Not long after, Chubb was conducting self-charted two-a-day training sessions that both shocked and thrilled Cleveland's front office.
Chubb said he'll need to make sure he's where he needs to be before returning for his first game since Sept. 23, 2023.
"They told me take however long I need to. Whenever I feel great, I'll be out there," Chubb said.
At practice on Wednesday, Chubb said he felt great energy and teammates shared a similar sentiment. The spike in joy for the franchise is welcome after a 1-3 start has the Browns scrambling to stay in contention in the AFC North.
Chubb said he's in a third different running back room and noticed the growth of former backup Jerome Ford, who is the team's rushing leader for the second consecutive season.
"He's come a very long way," Chubb said.
Because Chubb survived a major knee injury at Georgia, he understands that others will have concerns about his risk of re-injury. He claimed Thursday there is no similar thought between his ears.
"Once you get out there and you're running around, it's like you're 8 years old again. It's like riding a bike. (Injury risk) is not something in my head," Chubb said. "It didn't feel real. It felt like a dream. It felt great to get all of that off my shoulders and get back out there."
Chubb, 28, is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time 1,000-yard rusher. The 2018 second-round pick ranks fourth in franchise history with 6,511 career rushing yards.
Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 9
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz took the backseat in Week 9 as he brought in his lone target for five yards. This was his lowest output of the season, and snapped a three-game streak where he topped double-digit PPR points in each outing. Fantasy managers should not be overly concerned, as the Commanders were in the lead the entire afternoon and did not need Jayden Daniels to push the ball downfield as often. The veteran tight end remains a low-end TE1 heading into Week 10 as he has averaged 7.3 targets in his past four games entering Week 9.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders kicker Austin Seibert continued his excellent campaign by going 2-for-2 on attempts and a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points in their Week 9 victory over the New York Giants. Seibert's leg was not tested in this one, as his longest field goal came from 31 yards out. The 27-year-old has now made at least two field goals in every game since Week 4 and missed only two attempts in this span, both from 50+ yards out. Fantasy managers should continue to confidently start Seibert weekly, given how impressive the Washington offense has been.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett (Achilles strain) exited during Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys and did not return. He finished Week 9 with two tackles and one sack. Through nine games this year, he has totaled 30 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Kentavius Street and Ta'Quon Graham should earn more snaps on the defensive line for the duration of Jarrett's absence.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones delivered his best fantasy performance of the season in Sunday's 27-22 loss to the Washington Commanders, throwing for 174 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Jones struggled early, going into halftime with zero passing yards, but rebounded in the second half with 20 completions on 26 attempts and an efficient 6.7 yards per attempt. Adding to his fantasy value, Jones rushed for 54 yards and scored a rushing touchdown, showcasing his dual-threat ability despite being sacked twice. Finishing with 24.36 fantasy points, Jones posted his highest output of the season, making him a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing Giants loss.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye completed 29 of 41 passes for 206 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions during Sunday's Week 9 loss to the Tennessee Titans. He also took four sacks and rushed eight times for an additional 95 yards on the ground. Furthermore, Maye coughed up two fumbles, including one that was recovered by the defense. While turnovers continued to be an issue for Maye, there was a lot to be excited about, too. Not only did he come close to 100 rushing yards, but he also led an improbable scoring drive to force overtime that was capped off by a miraculous scrambling passing touchdown. Maye's passing and rushing upside will keep him in the high-end fantasy QB2 tier for Week 10 against the Chicago Bears.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston completed 26 of his 46 passes for 235 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions while adding five carries for 27 yards in a 27-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9. It was a much different outing for Winston than his 2024 debut last week as he struggled with his efficiency and took six sacks in the lopsided loss to LA on Sunday. All three of his picks came after halftime while his lone touchdown pass came in garbage time with 44 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Browns will be on bye in Week 10 before a road matchup against the New Orleans Saints in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels went 15-for-22 for 209 yards and two scores en route to defeating the New York Giants. On the ground, Daniels added 35 yards on eight carries. He found his top wideout, Terry McLaurin, in the end zone both times. His longest pass of the day was on a 42-yard strike to Olamide Zaccheaus. The Commanders were in the lead throughout the entire afternoon and did not need their rookie QB to push the ball downfield. Despite the modest showing, fantasy managers should continue to view Daniels as a high-end QB1 heading into Week 10 when he faces the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. led the team in rushing with 53 yards in Week 9. Rodriguez tied Austin Ekeler with a team-high 11 carries. With Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) sidelined, the Commanders turned to a committee approach. However, Rodriguez emerged as the leader and saw most of the work down the stretch as the Commanders ran out the clock. The 24-year-old has spent most of the season on the practice squad, but this performance could eventually push him into the No.3 role over Jeremy McNichols, who tallied only 20 yards on eight carries. For now, Rodriguez should remain on all waiver wires.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler tallied 42 yards and a score on 11 carries in their victory over the Giants. He also brought in three of his four targets for an additional 41 yards. This was a nice bounce-back outing for Ekeler, as he has tallied a combined 69 yards over his past two games. With Brian Robinson Jr (hamstring) sidelined, Ekeler saw a solid workload and contributed to all aspects of the game. Fantasy managers in PPR formats should continue to view the 29-year-old as a solid flex option, given his excellent pass-catching ability and consistent third-down role.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin caught two of his three targets for 19 yards and two scores in Week 9. McLaurin opened the scoring by bringing in a one-yard TD reception. Later in the second quarter, McLaurin caught an 18-yard strike from Jayden Daniels to tally his second score of the afternoon. McLaurin has found the end zone six times in his past seven games. Despite his low yardage total, the Ohio State product remains Daniels' go-to option in the passing attack and should remain locked into all fantasy lineups throughout the remainder of the season.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders left guard Cody Whitehair (ankle) exited Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals and did not return. The Raiders suffered numerous offensive line injuries in Week 9, leading to reduced protection in front of Gardner Minshew II and Alexander Mattison. Dylan Parham entered the game at right guard and Jordan Meredith shifted over to replace Whitehair at left guard.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown led all Washington pass catchers with 60 yards in their Week 9 victory over the New York Giants. After catching the game-winning Hail Mary last weekend, Brown continued his emergence as a stable contributor in this offense. This afternoon, Brown saw a team-high six targets and brought in five of them. Since Week 2, Brown has caught at least three passes in all but one game this season. Fantasy managers in 3WR formats should view Brown as a risky flex option heading into Week 10 when he faces a tough Pittsburgh Steelers defense.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) has been discharged from Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center and will return to Louisiana with the rest of the team on Sunday evening. Although Olave suffered a scary-looking hit early in the first quarter of Week 9, it's refreshing to know that Olave has movement in all extremities and has been able to leave the hospital. Nevertheless, Olave, who has already suffered three concussions in his career, could face a multi-week absence as he recovers from such a serious injury. Alvin Kamara, Taysom Hill, Juwan Johnson, and Cedrick Wilson Jr. should operate as the focal points of the Saints' offense going forward.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Harrison Bryant (ankle) exited during the second half of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Raiders initially listed him as questionable, but he ultimately did not return. At the time of his departure, he had caught each of his two targets for 22 yards through the air. Justin Shorter will step up as the backup tight end behind Brock Bowers for the duration of Bryant's absence.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) has returned to the field late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. Despite the Cowboys trailing by 14 points with just over two minutes left, Lamb has rejoined the Cooper Rush-led offense in an attempt to mount a late comeback. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for updates on Lamb's health, but the fact that he was able to return Sunday is good news for his availability in Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) exited during the second half of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. He is officially questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had caught eight of 12 targets for just 47 yards through the air. He also tallied 15 rushing yards. Lamb's production took a hit late in the game after Dak Prescott (hamstring) was ruled out, leaving the Cowboys with Cooper Rush as their primary quarterback. The statuses of Lamb and Prescott will be important to monitor as fantasy managers set their lineups for Week 10.
From RotoBaller
The Detroit Lions are expected to acquire defensive end Za'Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns within the next day or two, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. The 32-year-old continues to be an impact defender, registering 24 tackles and 5.5 sacks through eight-plus games this season. Smith is currently playing in the Browns' game against the Los Angeles Chargers, but Florio speculates that a trade will happen either Sunday evening or Monday. Of course, there is some urgency for both teams given that the NFL's trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. The two-win Browns are willing to trade some players away, and the Lions, who lost Aidan Hutchinson (leg) for the season, represent an intriguing landing spot for Smith.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) has been ruled out for the remainder of Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons. Prescott was spotted getting his hand checked out on the sideline, but the official word from the Cowboys is that he's done due to a hamstring issue. Cooper Rush has entered in his place. Prescott finished Sunday's game having completed 18 of 24 passes for 133 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. He also took three sacks and rushed for 30 yards. The Cowboys will hope that Prescott can get healthy in time for next Sunday's crucial divisional game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle) and left tackle Kolton Miller (ankle) have been ruled out for the remainder of Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Both players were initially listed as questionable upon exiting but eventually downgraded to out. Hobbs had registered five tackles prior to his departure, bringing his season total to 43. Darnay Holmes and Decamerion Richardson should earn more defensive snaps for the duration of Hobbs' absence. On the offensive side of the ball, Miller's departure is bad news for Gardner Minshew II and Alexander Mattison. He had not previously missed a snap this season. Miller was initially replaced by Andrus Peat at left tackle, but then Peat exited with an ankle injury of his own, leaving Thayer Munford and Delmar Glaze as the Raiders' only healthy tackles.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears defensive lineman Montez Sweat (shin) is inactive for their Week 9 contest against the Arizona Cardinals. Sweat has been a key piece to the team's pass rush while he has amassed 3.5 sacks, 15 combined tackles (10 solo), and five tackles for loss. Darrell Taylor is the next defensive end on the depth chart, so he'll likely rotate in with some other linemen for this game.
From RotoBaller