NFL Player News

Conner was not targeted during Monday's 27-21 win over the Jets.

Conner's already marginal involvement in the passing game took a backseat with the debut of veteran tight end Darren Waller. Though Waller was limited to 28 percent of offensive snaps Week 4, he was heavily utilized in those opportunities and only projects to expand his reps as the season progresses. Conner played just nine offensive snaps versus New York and he figures to face similar utilization going forward, beginning Sunday on the road against Carolina in Week 5.

Gray gathered in his only target for one yard during Sunday's 37-20 win versus the Ravens.

Gray's Week 4 showing is a bit of a disappointment after he claimed a combined 11 targets over the previous two contests. Gray has combined his season efforts to accumulate just six catches for 22 yards through four games, and any value he may have likely directly links to the availability of Travis Kelce. As long as Kelce is healthy and playing his full complement of snaps, Gray is unlikely to find fantasy relevance, barring the occasional touchdown.

Smith-Schuster hauled in four of six targets for 36 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 37-20 win versus the Ravens.

The veteran wideout's workload is set to decline in a couple weeks when Rashee Rice returns from his six-game suspension, but Smith-Schuster continues to play a key role in the offense for KC in the meantime, as he led the wideout room with 57 offensive snaps (78 percent) in Week 4. Sunday's effort marked the first time he's reached double-digit PPR points this season, and he'll likely remain a touchdown-dependent fantasy option while in a prominent role. That said, he has a decent matchup ahead versus the Jaguars in Week 5.

Hill brought in one of two targets for 19 yards during Miami's 27-21 win over the Jets on Monday.

Hill made the most of his lone reception, but it was the two-touchdown debut of veteran Darren Waller that stole headlines at the tight end position. Waller only played 28 percent of offensive snaps Monday but figures to continue ramping up that total as the season progresses, which positions Hill and Tanner Conner for reserve duties Week 5 against the Panthers.

San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Tuesday that he expects Pearsall (knee) to be listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Rams, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Pearsall is on the mend from what the 49ers have labeled as a minor PCL injury to his right knee, which the second-year wideout sustained in the third quarter of Sunday's 26-21 loss to the Jaguars. He was sent in for further testing Monday and was listed as a non-participant on the team's estimated practice report later that day. The 49ers will hold a walk-through session Tuesday for their lone on-field workout for Week 5, and if Pearsall isn't able to take any reps, he could face an uphill battle to gain clearance. Through the first four weeks of the season, Pearsall leads the 49ers in receiving yards (327) and ranks second to only running back Christian McCaffrey in catches (20) and targets (29).

Smith accrued four rushes for nine yards and reeled in three of four targets for 27 yards during Sunday's 37-20 win against Baltimore.

Smith's 19 offensive snaps represent the most he's seen through four games as a rookie, though the blowout nature of the contest certainly played a hand in Smith's increased workload. Three of Smith's four carries occurred in the fourth quarter of Sunday's tilt with the game well in hand. However, the rookie back also logged three catches on four targets. All of those targets came in the first half, suggesting the wideout-turned-running back from SMU may claim a slightly larger role on receiving downs moving forward.

San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Tuesday that he expects Purdy (toe) to be listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Rams, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports. "We will take every precaution to make sure Brock's all right, Lynch said. "I think he is. Now it's just a matter of, can he turn it around on a short week?"

After missing Weeks 2 and 3 due to a turf toe variant as well as a left shoulder injury, Purdy started the 49ers' 26-21 loss to the Jaguars in Week 4. However, he dealt with a recurrence of the soreness in his toe coming out of Sunday's contest, with Lynch noting that the 25-year-old quarterback was sent for follow-up MRIs. Though Purdy doesn't appear to be dealing with a major setback, the 49ers may not feel comfortable having him play Thursday night. The quarterback was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report, and it's unclear if the signal-caller will be ready to take reps during Tuesday's walk-through session, which will represent the team's only on-field workout in advance of Thursday's game. Backup Mac Jones would be in line to make his third start of the season if Purdy isn't cleared to play.

Wright did not play any snaps during Monday's 27-21 win over the Jets.

Wright hasn't logged a single snap on offense or special teams in the two regular-season games for which he's been active since returning from his knee injury, leaving backup duties to Ollie Gordon behind starter De'Von Achane. The second-year pro will work to get more involved as the No. 3 back in Week 5 versus the Panthers on Sunday, Oct. 5, but at this stage it's difficult to envision a path for Wright to attain notable fantasy value in Miami's backfield.

Bateman caught one of two targets for 24 yards in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Chiefs.

Bateman took on his highest offensive snap share of the season (81 percent), but the box-score production didn't follow. He had his lowest target count of the season and was held to just one reception after seemingly having a breakout in the Week 3 loss to Detroit with five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown. Baltimore's passing attack suffered in the second half against the Chiefs after quarterback Lamar Jackson exited midway through the third quarter with a hamstring injury. Bateman's fantasy upside for the Ravens' Week 5 matchup with the Texans largely hinges on Jackson's health and availability for that contest.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell suggested Tuesday that McCarthy (ankle) could be ready to resume practicing this week, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports. "My hope is ... maybe not necessarily early on - we're going to handle Wednesday, probably in a unique way, from what could be kind of a hybrid day, but as we get into Thursday and Friday, I'm hoping we can at least get him out there and get him taking some drops and starting to get back in the normal rhythm of the practice week," O'Connell said of McCarthy. "It will all depend on kind of where he's at with the benchmarks of being able to go out there and start moving around a little bit."

O'Connell didn't comment on McCarthy's potential availability for Sunday's game against the Browns in London, but since the second-year signal-caller isn't expected to be ready to handle full reps with the first-team offense during the week, he'll likely be ticketed for a backup role if he's active in Week 5. Carson Wentz has started under center the last two games, leading the Vikings to a 1-1 record while completing 44 of 66 passes for 523 yards (7.9 YPA), four touchdowns and two interceptions. O'Connell hasn't ruled out the possibility of the veteran retaining the starting job even after McCarthy is back to full health, though it may be contingent on Wentz turning in a quality outing in Week 5 against a stout Browns defense.