NFL Player News

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford seems to have put it all together through the first three games of the season, but he faces a very tough test as he tries to keep it up in Week 4 against the 49ers Thursday.

The 49ers have only been a middle-of-the-road defense against quarterbacks so far, allowing 18.7 Fantasy points per game. That number is inflated a bit by one big game, however, as Aaron Rodgers accounted for 30 of the 56 Fantasy points surrendered during his Week 1 dismantling. They have held each of their last two opponents in check, and will look to do so with Bradford as well.

Bradford has had a bit of success against the Rams in his career, having thrown for four touchdowns and 259.8 yards per game in four meetings without an interception. However, those numbers are merely solid, which is about what we expect in Week 4. Consider Bradford a low-end starting option for Thursday's game. 

In Week 4, Ryan Tannehill faces a rejuvenated Saints' defense that sacked Carson Palmer four times and intercepted him twice without blitzing last week. New Orleans is giving up the fourth-fewest Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Saints opponents have scored touchdowns on four of 33 possessions.

Tannehill has played admirably in guiding the Dolphins to 3-0, but the second-year pro is not a top-20 Fantasy quarterback yet. He's also fumbled five times, losing two. Monday night, Tannehill is only a recommended option in two-quarterback leagues.

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer will start Sunday against Cincinnati, the Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting. Rob Chudzinski said Thursday that incumbent Brandon Weeden (thumb) is not ready to play.

The continued absence of Weeden buys time for Chudzinski to make a decision on the full-time starter. The Browns scored 31 points and won for the first time this season in Week 3 at Minnesota with Hoyer at the helm. They managed just 16 points in two defeats combined with Weeden at quarterback to open the season.

Hoyer completed 30 of 54 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner, in the upset of the Vikings. He also tossed three interceptions.

One thing Jaguars coach Gus Bradley wants to see from quarterback Blaine Gabbert in his return to the starting lineup Week 4 against the Colts is a willingness to improvise. He talked with the Florida Times-Union Monday about simplifying the game plan to allow Gabbert more freedom.

"He really wants to please [offensive coordinator] Jedd Fisch, he really wants to please us and he really wants to please the players," Bradley said. "I think when you do that, you might not take as many risks because he doesn't want to let anybody down. I think we have to change the mindset to say it's OK, don't worry about us, we'll be fine. The way you please us is to go out and let loose and take some risks and to do those things and play with some more freedom."

Unfortunately, no amount of freedom figures to do him much good against the Colts, who limited Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers to seven points on 254 yards just last week. The Colts have allowed the eighth-fewest Fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, and none of them played for teams averaging just 9.3 points per game.

Needless to say, even with the 15-stitch gash in his throwing hand now healed, Gabbert is an inadvisable Fantasy option.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson came alive in Week 3, scoring four touchdowns and turning around what had been a rather underwhelming season. While Wilson only managed 202 passing yards, he was out of the game and replaced by his backup by the end of the third quarter. 

Wilson's Week 4 opponent, the Texans, have been exceptional against the pass this year, allowing just 158 passing yards per game -- the second-lowest average in the league (behind, fittingly, Seattle). Yes, the Texans have allowed six passing touchdowns (11th-most in the league), but four of those were in Week 1, to Philip Rivers, in a game very similar to Wilson's Week 3 performance.

Additionally, Wilson hasn't been doing a ton of damage with his legs, rushing for 54 yards over the first three games. While Houston hasn't faced the most mobile of quarterbacks, they've still held the opposition to 28 yards on just three rushes. 

In short, this may not be the week we see Wilson carry the momentum of a big game forward. If there's a better option on your roster, you may want to bench Wilson against what could ultimately be a very tough opponent. 

The Raiders announced seven inactives for Monday night's game against the Broncos: quarterback Matthew McGloin, safety Tyvon Branch (ankle), linebacker Sio Moore (concussion), offensive tackle Menelik Watson, guard Lucas Nix (ankle), guard Antoine McClain and wideout Juron Criner.

After Blaine Gabbert missed two games due to a hand injury, Jaguars coach Gus Bradley announced Monday the third-year quarterback will return to the starting lineup Week 4 vs. Indianapolis.

"We feel good about him going into this week," Bradley said.

Despite Brian Hoyer's "gutsy" performance during a 31-27 win Week 3 at Minnesota, Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said he is going to wait to make a decision on his starting quarterback for Week 4 vs. Cincinnati. Chudzinski added injured quarterback Brandon Weeden (thumb) is improving, but he hasn't thrown since getting hurt Week 2.

"I'm going to wait until I have all the information," said Chudzinski, who added he wants to find out Weeden's status and evaluate the Vikings' game before making a decision.

Jets quarterback Geno Smith had three total touchdowns against the Bills Week 3.

Smith went 16 for 29, with 331 yards passing. He threw touchdown passes of 51 and 69 yards. Smith also ran in a touchdown from 8 yards out. He finished the game with 14 rushing yards. 

Smith will take on the Titans Week 4. 

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill redeemed himself after a couple of costly turnovers, as he marched his team down the field for the go-ahead touchdown with 43 seconds remaining against the Falcons in Week 3.

Tannehill lost a fumble on a sack from Osi Umenyiora during the opening drive of the second half. He was then picked off on a tipped pass by William Moore. It was his second pick of the season. Both have come on tipped passes.

Tannehill then bounced back with an 18-yard touchdown strike to Brian Hartline late in the third quarter. With the game on the line, the second-year quarterback found rookie tight end Dion Sims for a one-handed, 1-yard go-ahead touchdown with 43 second remaining in the game.

Tannehill completed 24 of 35 passes for 236 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in a 27-23 victory. It was his first multi-touchdown game of the year. He was sacked five times and finished with a 94.5 passer rating.

Tannehill has passed for 827 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions through three games. He'll head to New Orleans for a Monday night showdown against the Saints in Week 4.