Posted Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 12:16 PM ET

Five things moved since this morning’s refresh, and one of them settles a backfield question in Carolina.

• Jonathon Brooks (CAR RB) is on injured reserve after core-muscle surgery Wednesday and is out at least six weeks. Carolina is working out Austin Ekeler. Start Chuba Hubbard as an every-week RB2 and drop Brooks in redraft.
• Brock Bowers (LV TE) is now expected to make his season debut Sunday at New Orleans, an upgrade on Monday’s “aiming to play.” Start him as a TE1 and hold Michael Mayer only until Friday’s designation.
• Mason Taylor (NYJ TE) is week-to-week with a thumb injury and is expected to miss Detroit. Stream a tight end this week and keep Taylor rostered in 12-team leagues.
• Tua Tagovailoa (ATL QB) returned to full practice and is off the injury report, but he is QB3 behind Michael Penix Jr. and Cooper Rush. Leave him benched and stream a quarterback.
• Jayden Reed (GB WR) did not practise Wednesday and will not play Thursday night. Start Matthew Golden or Christian Watson in his place.

Every status, tier and fantasy call is on the live NFL injury report, updated through Sunday’s inactives.