News

1. 5h ago
   Thornton is slated to undergo surgery later this week to address the dislocated left ankle he sustained in Sunday's 30-27 win over the Raiders and is facing an expected recovery timeline of 3-to-4 weeks, Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com reports.

   Depending how quickly Thornton bounces back from surgery, Zenitz notes that the speedy receiver could have a small chance at returning late in the regular season or during the playoffs. The injury is nonetheless a devastating development for Thornton, who had turned in perhaps the best performance of his career — a five-catch, 111-yard, two-touchdown effort on eight targets — before going down with the gruesome ankle injury at the end of a 55-yard reception with just under four minutes left in the fourth quarter. In Thornton's absence, the Chiefs could call upon Xavier Worthy to run more vertical routes, and Kansas City may also have interest in a reunion with Tyreek Hill (knee), who is expected to sign a deal with a team within the next few days.

   RotoWire via ESPN
2. 21h ago
   Week 4 winners and losers: Tetairoa McMillan, CeeDee Lamb dominate; Jaxon Smith-Njigba struggles

   Week 4 of the 2026 fantasy football season featured massive games by Tetairoa McMillan, CeeDee Lamb and Kyren Williams. On the flip side, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, D'Andre Swift and Trevor Lawrence had disappointing outings. Who were the big winners and losers around the league during the fourth week of the fantasy football season? Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft offer their analysis. Jump to a topic: Ranking winners | Ranking losers  Biggest injuries and what's next Ranking fantasy winners of Week 4 1. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers With Jalen Coker out (quad), McMillian saw heavy volume in a very positive matchup versus the Lions' defense. McMillian produced a career-best 45.2 points, catching 14 of 16 targets for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Big-time numbers. The Panthers have a bye before returning in Week 6 to play the Eagles. If Coker is back in the mix, managers can play McMillian as a high-end WR2. — Bowen 2. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys What a day by the star wide receiver and — in fact — a career-best performance in terms of targets (21), catches (17) and fantasy points (41.3). The Texans' defense, which relies on zone coverage more than any team in the league, had no answers for Lamb's elite ability as he managed 14 catches for 161 yards in zone coverage and had the game-winning, 14-yard touchdown with 43 seconds remaining. He should continue to serve as a locked-in fantasy WR1 against the Buccaneers next week. — Cockcroft 3. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams Williams scored a season-high 36.7 points in Sunday's win over the Rams, rushing for 80 yards and two scores on 16 carries, plus he had 10 receptions for 67 yards. Sure, game flow contributed to Williams' usage as a receiver, but he has scored at least 21 points in two straight games. With a positive matchup versus the Bills up next, Williams should be played as an RB1. — Bowen 4. Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys Williams dropped a season-high 31.3 points on the Texans' defense in Week 4, rushing for three touchdowns (on goal-to-goal carries), while producing 83 total yards on 24 touches. Williams has at least 18 points, and a rushing score, in three of four games this season. With his steady low red zone usage (11 goal-to-go carries on the season) in a high-scoring Dallas offense, Williams fit as a lower-tier RB1 for the Week 5 game versus Tampa Bay. — Bowen 5. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Kansas City Chiefs Walker continues to post elite RB1 numbers in Andy Reid's offense. Walker scored 30.9 points in Sunday's win over the Chiefs, rushing for 177 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, while adding one reception for two yards. Walker is now scoring 27.5 PPG, and he has at least one touchdown in every game played. Walker should be viewed as a top-three running back when the Chiefs return from the bye in Week 6 against the Chargers. — Bowen 6. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans Collins, who missed the past two games because of a hamstring injury, scored a season-high 30.8 points in the loss to Dallas, catching seven of a team-high eight targets for 110 yards and two touchdowns. The difference-maker for the Texans' pass game, Collins caught both of his touchdowns on end zone throws from quarterback C.J. Stroud. Collins is a WR1 for the Week 5 matchup at Tennessee. — Bowen 7. Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens Flowers scored a season-high 25.8 points in the Week 4 win over the Titans, catching eight of 10 targets for 118 yards and a score. However, where do we see Flowers in the Week 5 matchup versus the Falcons if Lamar Jackson (ankle) can't play? If Tyler Huntley starts, look for more play-action throws, which will create schemed targets for Flowers. He'll stay in the WR2 range. — Bowen 8. Kyle Monangai, RB, Chicago Bears The Bears' rushing standout of Week 4, Monangai handled seven goal-to-go carries and converted two for touchdowns, and effectively took over the backfield during the second half on his way to a career-best 28.0 fantasy poin

   ESPN
3. Oct 5
   Thornton is viewed as out indefinitely after dislocating his ankle during Sunday's 30-27 win over the Raiders, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

   Thornton had his dislocated ankle put back into place by doctors Sunday and flew home with the team, but he's facing an extended absence due to the injury he sustained in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win. He scored twice before getting injured at the end of a 55-yard catch, which brought Thornton up to five receptions for 111 yards on eight targets. Thornton will undergo a full evaluation of the injured left ankle Monday.

   RotoWire via ESPN
4. Oct 4
   Thornton exited Sunday's game against the Raiders due to a left ankle injury and will not return.

   Thornton was injured at the end of a long catch in the fourth quarter when he was tackled from behind, as the defender fell on his ankle. It was an obviously serious injury, with Thornton's foot pointing in the wrong direction. He was put in a cast and carted off the field. Thornton was having a career game in Las Vegas, catching five of eight targets for 111 yards and two touchdowns prior to his injury. Jalen Royals is next up at wideout alongside Xavier Worthy after Rashee Rice (hamstring) left with an injury earlier in the day Sunday.

   RotoWire via ESPN
5. Sep 30
   Thornton caught both of his targets for 22 yards in Kansas City's 24-10 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.

   Thornton saw less attention from Patrick Mahomes than he did in a Week 2 overtime win over the Colts, and his offensive snap share dropped to 45 percent from 59 percent and 68 percent in the prior games. The lack of downfield targets for the No. 3 wide receiver may have been due to game script, as Kansas City leaned on its rushing attack after building an early lead.

   RotoWire via ESPN

Injury reports

No injury reports this season.

League history

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