Team news: New England Patriots | Page 10

"You're not going to see anything different from TJ (Travis Etienne)."

Related players: JaMycal Hasty, Snoop Conner

HC Doug Pederson said Hasty's carries will go up, however, according to the tweet. It seems like it would be tough not to give Etienne a bigger workload, but it appears his role won't change while Hasty could take over for the departed James Robinson. Pederson added they want to make sure Etienne plays more now, but they also want to get him through the season healthy. If you're an Etienne owner, getting Hasty as a handcuff seems to be a good strategy.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson will start and be the team’s lead back tonight against the Bears. Robinson made his NFL debut Sunday, logging 18 snaps. He’ll see more action against Chicago after proving he’s back from two gunshot wounds in August.

Related Players: Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic

In limited Week 5 action, Robinson out-carried teammate Antonio Gibson 9-to-3 but wasn't involved in the passing game at all. This backfield is now a mess for fantasy purposes, but this is an incredible turnaround for the rookie. All three backfield options can be under consideration for your Flex position but none of them should give you great confidence.

Patriots injury report for the first practice before facing the Browns Sunday. Of note: Mac Jones (ankle) is still listed as limited. Damien Harris (hamstring) also limited.

Related players: Bailey Zappe, Rhamondre Stevenson

Zappe lead the Patriots, also helped by the defense, to a shutout victory over the Lions last week. Stevenson ran 25 times for 161 yards after Harris got hurt, so if Harris misses this week, Stevenson would be a very good fantasy play getting the bulk of the work. Zappe would get the start again if Jones can't go, but Jones did practice last week and seemed close to playing.

Patriots RB Damien Harris is likely to miss multiple games because of the hamstring injury.

Related players: Rhamondre Stevenson, Ty Montgomery, Pierre Strong Jr.

Harris suffered the injury in Sunday's win over the Lions. Harris is still getting tests, but the expectation is he'll be out for a bit, the tweet went on to say. We already posted a story about Stevenson's big day on the ground with Harris out, and Stevenson should get a bulk of the work going forward with Harris sidelined, making him a great fantasy option.

With this team there are so many variables, including how often it gets down in games, forcing it to rely more on the pass.

Related players: Brian Robinson, Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic

The story said the Commanders want Robinson to carry the ball, but we just haven't seen enough to know if he'll be the top fantasy option in the backfield. The offensive line is not great, so it will depend how the flow of the game is going. The blurb added Gibson could get in the range of 10-12 touches a game and be the dynamic back with McKissic the third down option. It's certainly a crowded backfield right now, and it probably needs some time to sort out for fantasy owners.

Bill Belichick's postgame comments spoke volumes when he said of Rhamondre Stevenson, "He's a really good football player. So glad we have him. Love him. Love him."

Related players: Damien Harris

The blurb pointed out the Patriots will likely always have some type of RB committee, but the piece thinks Stevenson has now put himself in position to be the top option in any pairing as he rushed for 161 rush yards.

Patriots TE Jonnu Smith, who has had tests done on his injured ankle over the last few days, was diagnosed with a low-ankle sprain, source said.

Related players: Hunter Henry

The tweet went on to say he's week-to-week. That likely means he could miss Week 5 and possibly beyond. Smith has just a 5-58-0 line for the season. While Henry could see a bump in production, his line for the season is 5-41-0.

Washington Commanders announced that running back Brian Robinson has been designated to return to practice this week.

Related players: Antonio Gibson

Reports say Robinson will practice today and the team has 21 days to activate him. Other reports say that could happen sooner than later. With Gibson's snaps seemingly already on the decrease, the return of Robinson likely won't help that situation. Robinson was expected to be a big part of the running game before getting shot before the season. He should be picked up if he's on your wire.

K.J. Osborn racked up 56 of his 73 receiving yards in the Vikings' game-winning drive, taking advantage of the Lions' consistent double-teaming of Justin Jefferson.

Related Players: Irv Smith Jr.

Osborn more than doubled his season total of receiving yards on the last drive, but as the article mentions, this was not a fluke. Kirk Cousins was quoted after the game, “In the two-minute (drill), you sort of have guys in their spots. And you don’t really move people around. It ends up being a more organic way of getting people the football. It just kind of happens. Whoever’s open. And that’s what happened last year with K.J. a lot in two-minute. He was now in primary spots, where during the normal game he was in secondary and tertiary spots, if you will.”

It's not often Jefferson will be held to a 3-14-0 stat line, but Osborn is emerging as the team's third receiving option, and if Cousins continues to attempt 40+ passes, there is fantasy value in that.

Damien Harris doesn't seem to be worried about whatever had him limping off the field late in the game.

"I'm fine dog *chuckles* look at me, I'm fine!"

Related players: Rhamondre Stevenson, Ty Montgomery, Pierre Strong Jr.

It's something to keep an eye on for owners as Harris appeared to have a somewhat serious injury against the Steelers in Week 2. While what he said is good news, if he's unable to go it could mean a huge, potential workload for Stevenson. We'll hopefully know more Wednesday.