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Dose: Thursday News and Notes

Evan Silva breaks down the matchups for every fantasy-relevant player in Week 11

It’s Week 5 and it’s actually a relatively light week for injuries at the moment. The big news is whether or not Andrew Luck (shoulder) plays on Thursday Night Football. At press time, Luck is questionable but expectations around the team are that Luck will start. HC Chuck Pagano has not been very forthcoming with details on Luck’s injury and we don’t even know if he has been throwing at practice. We’ll know more as game-time gets closer.

Let’s recap the rest of Wednesday’s most pertinent news.

The Headlines

Speaking of news for Thursday Night Football, Arian Foster is reportedly expected to have an increased role against the Colts. Foster is coming off his 2015 debut in Week 4 where he saw 11 touches and 42.3% of snaps two months removed from groin surgery. Foster will resume workhorse-level touches in the near future in Houston because having Ryan Mallett attempt 40-plus passes in games is not working on offense, to say it kindly.

Continuing Texans’ news… Wide receivers Nate Washington (hamstring) and Cecil Shorts (shoulder) are both ruled out for Thursday Night Football. Keith Mumphery will likely get the start opposite DeAndre Hopkins. Speaking of Hopkins, Colts shutdown corner Vontae Davis is questionable with a foot injury and did not practice at all this week. Davis was even seen in a protective boot when the week began. At press-time, it would not be shocking to see the Colts without Davis this week. Davis’ absence would provide a massive boost to DeAndre Hopkins’ prospects this week.

Eric Ebron will reportedly miss “up to” three weeks with a bruised knee. Luckily, the injury doesn’t require surgery. With Ebron on the shelf, the Lions are left to hope Brandon Pettigrew (hamstring) is healthy and will likely get Tim Wright more involved. Neither Pettigrew nor Wright would be a big consideration in 10- and 12- team fantasy leagues.

In Washington news… Jordan Reed (concussion, ankle, knee) did not practice on Wednesday. Fantasy owners should not count on Reed suiting up in Week 5 against Atlanta. Derek Carrier will get the start in place of the injured Reed. And, DeSean Jackson (hamstring) participated in individual drills in practice on Wednesday and was officially listed as “limited” in practice. Jackson is still highly questionable for Week 5, but this is a step in the right direction.

Bills RB Karlos Williams (concussion) did not practice and remains in the league’s concussion protocol. He is questionable to play in Week 5. LeSean McCoy (hamstring) is also highly questionable, leaving Anthony Dixon as the Bills No. 1 running back if Williams and McCoy are indeed inactive. Recent free agent signing Dan Herron and practice squad-er Cierre Wood would likely also see work in Week 5 without Williams or McCoy.

In your weekly Julius Thomas (hand) update, he still has not been cleared to play as of yet but was catching passes in Wednesday’s practice. Thomas is doubtful to play in Week 5, but he may have a shot at his Jaguars debut in Week 6. Thomas is a low-end TE1 in fantasy once he returns.

With Andre Ellington (PCL) likely active in Week 5, Cardinals HC Bruce Arians indicated that David Johnson will be the odd man out in Arizona’s backfield. This presumes Chris Johnson and Ellington will split touches. I’m personally taking this with a grain of salt as Bruce Arians routinely lies about his running back rotation, but David Johnson is still drop-worthy in 10- and likely 12-team leagues as the bye weeks roll through.

Quick Hits

Victor Cruz (calf) did not practice on Wednesday. There is no reason to hold on to Cruz through the bye weeks in fantasy leagues. … The Colts placed CB Jalil Brown (groin) on season-ending IR. … Crockett Gilmore (calf) and Steve Smith (back) did not practice on Wednesday. Smith has four microfractures in his back and is extremely doubtful for Week 5. … Sammy Watkins (calf) did not practice on Wednesday. … Joique Bell (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. … Finally, Marshawn Lynch (calf, hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday but the Seahawks are ”hopeful” Lynch will return in Week 5.