NFL Player News

Wharton (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.

Wharton upgraded from a DNP on Wednesday to limited sessions Thursday and Friday, suggesting he's trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's contest. Prior to sustaining a hamstring injury, the first-year Panther tallied four total tackles across 20 defensive snaps in the team's regular-season opener. If Wharton is unable to return in Week 4, Jaden Crumedy will likely serve as Carolina's top reserve defensive end.

Bates (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Atlanta, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Bates hasn't practiced the past two weeks and will now miss a second straight game. Ben Sinnott figures to step up as the No. 2 tight end again, with playing time largely depending on the gameplan (and then game script).

Legette (hamstring) won't play Sunday against the Patriots.

Legette, who was unable to practice this week, thus will target a potential return to action Sunday, Oct. 5 against the Dolphins. In Legette's absence this weekend, David Moore, Hunter Renfrow and Brycen Tremayne are candidates to see added Week 4 snaps alongside fellow WR Tetairoa McMillan (calf, questionable).

McMillan (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against New England.

McMillan didn't practice Wednesday but managed limited participation Thursday and Friday. He said Wednesday that he'll be fine for Sunday's game, but fantasy managers should still keep an eye out for additional updates before the Panthers post their inactive list around 11:30 a.m. ET this Sunday.

Jones (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.

The first-year Panther is now in line to miss his second consecutive game after likely sustaining a hamstring injury in Carolina's Week 2 loss to the Cardinals. While Jones remains sidelined in Week 4, expect 2025 third-round pick Princely Umanmielen to play an increased role as one of the Panthers' starting edge rushers.

Hubbard (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against New England.

The Panthers added Hubbard to their injury report Thursday as a limited participant. He was limited again Friday, suggesting the injury probably isn't serious, although the failure to return to full participation leaves some question about his Week 4 status ahead of a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Should Hubbard end up inactive, the Panthers will bump up Rico Dowdle to the starting lineup and Trevor Etienne to the No. 2 role.

McLaurin (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Atlanta, Commanders writer Ben Standig reports.

He hasn't practiced since making an early exit from the Week 3 win over Las Vegas. It sounds like McLaurin will miss additional time beyond Sunday, with Commanders coach Dan Quinn calling the wideout "week-to-week" on Friday, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Washington also will be without QB Jayden Daniels (knee), WR Noah Brown (groin) and TE John Bates (groin) this weekend, opening up opportunities for a slew of young players (plus QB Marcus Mariota). In any case, McLaurin's prospects for Week 5 at the Chargers don't sound good right now.

Mariota will start Sunday's game at Atlanta.

Mariota completed 15 of 21 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown in last Sunday's 41-24 win over the Raiders, adding 40 rushing yards and a TD on six carries. He seems comfortable in Kliff Kingsbury's offense and still moves well at age 31, making him far more useful for fantasy than a typical backup QB that's filling in for an injured starter. Mariota will face one of his former teams this Sunday, after Jayden Daniels (knee) missed Friday's practice and was ruled out not long after.

Head coach Todd Bowles told reporters Friday that Wirfs (knee) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Eagles, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

The 2020 first-round pick from Iowa hasn't played since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in early July, but his full practice Thursday suggests a Week 4 return may be on the horizon. However, if Wirfs remains sidelined Sunday, 2024 first-round pick Graham Barton is expected to slide over to left tackle and make his fourth consecutive start in that position.

Daniels (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Atlanta.

Marcus Mariota will make a second straight start, after leading the Commanders to an easy win over the Raiders last week. Daniels was a limited practice participant Wednesday and Thursday, but reporters didn't spot him at Friday's session. Earlier in the week, Daniels said he thought he could play but wasn't sure if the Commanders' medical staff would let him. His next chance will be the following Sunday, Oct. 5 in a road matchup with the Chargers.