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Mike Washington Jr. a High-Upside Handcuff for Week 4
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. belongs in the high-upside handcuff tier heading into Week 4. Washington only carried five times in Sunday's 35-27 win over New Orleans, but he turned those chances into 54 yards and his first NFL touchdown, including a 36-yard scoring run in the third quarter. He now has 15 carries for 102 yards through three games, but Ashton Jeanty remains the clear lead back and has handled 76 touches while playing nearly 79% of the offensive snaps. That leaves Washington with very little standalone value for now. The appeal is what could happen if Jeanty misses time. Washington sits directly behind him on the depth chart and has already shown enough explosiveness to make that potential workload interesting. He is not a priority add for managers chasing immediate production, but he is one of the better running back stashes available in leagues with room for a handcuff.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
More Recent News
Saints Unsure if Travis Etienne Jr. Will Go on Injured Reserve
New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) will be "time lost" with the hamstring that he aggravated in the Week 3 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, head coach Kellen Moore told Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. Etienne's specific timetable for a return is currently to be determined, and the Saints are unsure if he will be placed on Injured Reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. The 27-year-old former Jacksonville Jaguars RB has had a rough start to his first year in the Big Easy, and now he could miss at least four games. Through his first three contests with New Orleans, Etienne has 128 rushing yards on 30 carries (4.3 yards per carry) while adding 11 catches on 13 targets for 51 yards through the air. Etienne must be stashed in all fantasy leagues while he recovers, and the good news is that he had a season-high 13 carries for 57 yards in the Week 3 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders before injuring his hamstring. For however long Etienne is out, Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller will have added fantasy appeal. Kamara, who missed Week 1 with a knee injury, is still rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Josh Oliver to Miss the Rest of the Season With Torn Biceps
Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (biceps) suffered a torn biceps muscle in the Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and needs season-ending surgery, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Oliver will miss the rest of the 2026 regular season, and he will be a long shot to return if the Vikings have a deep playoff run. The 29-year-old former third-round selection of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019 from San Jose State was not on the fantasy football radar as a pass-catching TE, but he was extremely valuable to the Vikings' offense as a blocker. His 2026 season will end after just three games and three catches (five targets) for 46 yards. Oliver did have seven combined touchdowns for the Vikings in 2024 and 2025, but he has never surpassed 28 receptions or 258 receiving yards in a single season since making his NFL debut with the Jaguars in 2019.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Micah Parsons Not Ready to Practice This Week
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said on Monday that All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons (knee) will not practice this week, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Parsons has not experienced any setbacks as he continues to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered in December of last year, but the Packers will not open his window to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list. All along, Parsons has been targeting a potential return on Oct. 18, which would allow him to face off against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys. Barring a setback with his rehab, he has a very good shot at returning by that date. The 1-2 Packers could really use a game-wrecking pass-rusher like Parsons back in the fold with their offense struggling to sustain drives early in the season. Before suffering his season-ending knee injury last year, the 27-year-old five-time Pro Bowler had 12.5 sacks and 41 tackles (19 solo) in 14 games in his first season with the Packers. For his elite pass-rushing skills, Parsons should be stashed in IDP fantasy leagues as he nears his 2026 debut.
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Bucs to Lean on Jalon Daniels for the Next Three Weeks
For at least the next three weeks, rookie undrafted quarterback Jalon Daniels will start under center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after starter Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb late in the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, according to the NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. In relief of Mayfield on Sunday, Daniels went 0-for-3 passing with an interception, so it was an inauspicious start to his NFL career. His interception came on a Hail Mary attempt as time expired in the fourth quarter. Daniels has plenty of athleticism -- he has a strong arm and plenty of scrambling ability -- but his lack of accuracy will be a problem in his first extended run as a starter in the NFL for an 0-3 team. Daniels will make the first start of his career in Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, and he will only be in play as a desperation QB2 option in deep superflex leagues. The Packers' defense/special teams unit will be a popular streaming option this week.
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Baker Mayfield to Miss "A Minimum of Three Weeks"
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb) will miss "a minimum of three weeks" with a dislocated right thumb that he suffered on Sunday in the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Todd Bowles told Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network. The Bucs will not place him on Injured Reserve as of now, and the Bucs will lean on undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels as the starter, beginning with a Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Mayfield received good news from his MRI exam, as tests showed that he did not suffer a fracture or any tendon or ligament tears. However, he is still going to miss some time over the next couple of weeks, so fantasy managers in two-QB superflex leagues are going to need to adjust. If Mayfield heals quickly and properly, he could be in play to make his return for a Week 7 divisional matchup against the Carolina Panthers. After an injury-plagued and disappointing 2025 campaign for the 31-year-old, Mayfield is off to a bad start in 2026, going 0-3 and throwing for 615 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in his first three games.
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
A.J. Brown Walking Around Without a Limp
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) walked through the team's locker room without a limp on Monday, according to Taylor Kyles of Patriots CLNS. Brown was wearing cleats with a small ankle wrap. The Pro Bowl wideout was placed on Injured Reserve on Sept. 12 after suffering a dreaded high-ankle sprain in the season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Brown will not be officially allowed to resume practicing with the Patriots again until Week 6, but he is apparently making excellent progress and could be ready to be activated from IR as soon as he is eligible. Receivers Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas have been on the field more in the last two weeks with Brown sidelined, but New England's aerial attack has really struggled under quarterback Drake Maye. The Patriots, who are now 1-2 through three weeks, cannot get Brown back soon enough. The 29-year-old three-time Pro Bowler caught three of four targets for 26 yards in Week 1 before injuring his ankle. Brown should be stashed in an IR spot in all fantasy football leagues.
Source: Patriots CLNS - Taylor Kyles
Source: Patriots CLNS - Taylor Kyles
Texans Hopeful to Get Nico Collins Back This Week
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said he is hopeful to get wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) back for the team's Week 4 contest against the Dallas Cowboys, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Collins suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain in practice several weeks ago and has missed the last two contests. However, if he can get through a good week of practice and return to the field, he could be in play to suit up this Sunday against Dallas. The Texans, who have started 0-3 on the year, really need to get their No. 1 wideout back in the fold to have a shot at turning their season around quickly. The 27-year-old former third-rounder in 2021 from Michigan caught seven of his 10 targets for 75 yards and his first touchdown of the season in the season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. When Collins is back in action for the Texans, he will immediately return to being a must-start in all traditional fantasy football lineups as quarterback C.J. Stroud's top option in the passing game.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Tre Tucker Remains Fantasy Viable After the Return of Pro Bowl TE
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker was unable to follow up on his 119-yard, one-touchdown performance from Week 2, but despite the return of All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers (knee), he remained involved in the team's Week 3 win over the Saints. Tucker saw the second most targets on the team, racking up 43 yards on four receptions, and his role appears secured, particularly with second-year wideout Jack Bech (forearm) reportedly headed to injured reserve with a broken forearm. Bowers' 12 targets, 10 receptions, and usage across the formation in his first game back from injury proved emphatically that the offense will run through the third-year tight end as long as he stays healthy, but Tucker should still see enough work to keep him rosterable in full-PPR leagues. As the presumed second option in the passing game, Tucker offers a usable floor while still having the big-play potential to deliver the occasional splash week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordyn Tyson a Must-Roster Player as Return from Injury Nears
New Orleans Saints rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) began the year on injured reserve after sustaining a hamstring injury in training camp, but he will be eligible to return after the team's Week 4 matchup with the Falcons. While he is likely unavailable in deeper leagues, particularly those with an IR spot, he needs to be added preemptively wherever he is still unrostered. Quarterback Tyler Shough ranks second in the league with 912 passing yards through three games, while his eight passing touchdowns trail only Brock Purdy and Kirk Cousins. Tyson possesses the first-round talent to slide directly into a fantasy-viable role alongside Chris Olave and tight end Juwan Johnson, and, still available in roughly 48% of leagues, he is one of the week's highest-priority waiver adds.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jakobi Meyers a Top Waiver Priority After His Best Game of the Season
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers caught a season-high seven passes for 64 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's blowout win over his former team, the Patriots. After a quiet start to the season in which he was targeted only three times in the first two weeks, Meyers appears to have emerged as the team's second receiver, coming up big in a game in which the defensive game plan limited Parker Washington to a season-low three catches. What was seen as one of the most wide-open receiver rooms coming into the season looks to have developed a clear hierarchy, with both Meyers and Washington holding a near-every-down role. Meanwhile, Brian Thomas Jr. has found himself in a rotation with sixth-round rookie Josh Cameron, and two-way player Travis Hunter continues to feature primarily on defense, seeing only five offensive snaps in Week 3. Meyers remains a flex-worthy play moving forward and should be viewed as a priority waiver add wherever available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaelon Black Still a Valuable Insurance Back Despite Dwindling Usage
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black has seen his involvement dwindle week over week, but he remains one of the most valuable insurance backs in the league. After carrying the ball 14 times in the season opener, Black has logged only 11 carries over the past two outings, and he's a player to look out for as a potential post-waiver pickup. With injuries mounting and bye weeks approaching, Black could be dropped by managers facing a roster crunch, and while he may not have the standalone value implied by his Week 1 usage, he is still worthy of an end-of-bench spot. Over three games, he has racked up 107 rushing yards on his 25 carries, and he has weekly RB1 potential if All-Pro Christian McCaffrey were to miss time.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jauan Jennings a Low-Priority Waiver Option Following Teammate's Injury
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings has caught only one pass for one yard since joining the team on a one-year free agent deal, but with four-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson (ankle) potentially sidelined, he could be thrust into a larger role. Jefferson left Sunday's win over the Buccaneers, and while initial reports indicate his ankle injury doesn't appear overly serious, his status will need to be monitored leading up to a Week 4 matchup with the Dolphins. In Jefferson's absence, Jordan Addison led the team with 90 yards and a touchdown on five catches, and he becomes a priority add wherever available, but Jennings should also see more involvement if Jefferson suffers a setback or misses time.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaycee Horn Out Indefinitely Due to Quad Injury
Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn (quadriceps) is out indefinitely after injuring his quad muscle in Sunday's Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns, sources told The Ringer's Tom Pelissero. Horn is seeking a second opinion, but he will likely land on Injured Reserve and miss significant time. The 26-year-old's injury is a major blow to Carolina's secondary moving forward and their chances of capturing a second straight NFC South title in 2026. If/when Horn is placed on IR, he will be required to miss at least four games, but the nature of his injury suggests that his absence could stretch well beyond that. The two-time Pro Bowler had recorded six tackles (four solo) and two pass breakups in the first three games of the season before going down with a quad injury on Sunday in the 21-18 loss in Cleveland. UPDATE: Horn is expected to miss anywhere from six to 12 weeks with a torn quad muscle.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Bucky Irving Not Injured Coming Out of Week 3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that running back Bucky Irving, who did not play much on the team's final drive on Sunday in another loss to the Minnesota Vikings, is not injured and is not on the injury report, according to River Wells of Bucs Gameday. The 24-year-old was kept on the sideline for a long stretch to close out Sunday's contest, leading many to speculate that he was hurt. Fortunately for Irving's fantasy managers, he is not dealing with any physical ailments. Irving saw 15 carries and ran for 46 yards (3.1 yards per carry) while catching two of his four targets for 12 yards in the passing game in the 23-16 loss to the Vikings. Quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb late on Sunday and is going to miss time, so both Irving and Kenny Gainwell could be leaned on more, starting in Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, with undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels now in line to start for at least the next game. Through three games in 2026, Irving has 180 rushing yards and one touchdown while catching 13 passes for 61 yards in a Bucs offense that has yet to truly find its groove under new coordinator Zac Robinson.
Source: Bucs Gameday - River Wells
Source: Bucs Gameday - River Wells
Baker Mayfield's MRI Shows No Ligament Damage, Will Still Miss Time
Updating a previous report, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield's (thumb) MRI exam on Monday showed no additional damage to his dislocated right thumb, sources told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Mayfield is still likely to miss time, but it is relatively good news based on testing. The veteran signal-caller will get a second opinion. Mayfield suffered a gruesome dislocated thumb late in the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday and immediately came out of the game in favor of undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels. The good news is he avoided any fractures or tendon/ligament damage, so he could return in as soon as two weeks. In the meantime, fantasy managers who have been starting Mayfield in two-QB superflex leagues are going to need to go in another direction. With Daniels looking likely to make his first NFL start in a Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, fantasy managers will also need to downgrade all of Tampa's offensive skill players with Mayfield set to miss some time in the next couple of weeks. Before injuring his thumb on Sunday, the 31-year-old Mayfield had another disappointing day at the office, throwing for 217 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Leo Chenal to Have Season-Ending Neck Surgery
Washington Commanders linebacker Leo Chenal (neck), who was taken off the field with a scary-looking injury on Sunday in the Week 3 win over the Seattle Seahawks, will have season-ending surgery on Monday morning for a fracture in his neck, sources told Jordan Schultz. The most important thing is that Chenal has feeling in all of his extremities, and the expectation is that he will make a full recovery. The 25-year-old was carted off the field in D.C. on Sunday in a scary scene after his neck got jammed while trying to make a tackle against Seattle. The former third-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs from Wisconsin will have his fifth season (first with Washington) come to an end after just three games played. Before his injury this year, Chenal had recorded 18 tackles (nine solo) and one tackle for a loss for the Commanders.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Tyreek Hill Ready to Sign With a Team?
Free-agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) posted on X that "it's almost time to get off the couch and get to work." Hill is coming off a torn ACL in his knee during his final season with the Miami Dolphins in 2025, when he caught 21 of his 29 targets for 265 yards and just one touchdown in four games played. The 32-year-old eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time first-team All-Pro has reportedly made great strides in his rehab, per his agent Drew Rosenhaus, although doctors advised the speedy wideout to postpone his return until sometime in October. The calendar is about to flip to October at the end of this week, so Hill could be planning his return with a new team sooner rather than later. A reunion with the Kansas City Chiefs, who drafted Hill in the fifth round in 2016 from West Alabama, has been mentioned as a possibility as the Cheetah looks to bounce back from his season-ending knee injury a year ago. Even if Hill is not as quick and elusive as he was pre-injury, he could still do some damage for fantasy managers in the right situation, making him potentially worth a speculative stash in deeper formats right now.
Source: Tyreek Hill on X
Source: Tyreek Hill on X
Giants Acquiring J.J. McCarthy From the Vikings
The New York Giants are acquiring quarterback J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings in a trade on Monday, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Ringer's Tom Pelissero reports that the Giants are sending the Vikings a 2027 fifth-round pick, per sources. With Jaxson Dart (knee) out for the season for the Giants, the team will add another young quarterback, and McCarthy will get a fresh start with a new organization. The Vikings took McCarthy with the 10th overall pick from Michigan in the 2024 NFL Draft. The 23-year-old did not play at all as a rookie due to a knee injury that required surgery. In his first NFL season in 2025, McCarthy struggled with accuracy, decision-making, and injuries, starting only 10 games and completing 57.6% of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He lost the starting QB competition to Kyler Murray in training camp this summer and then dropped to third on the depth chart behind veteran Carson Wentz. McCarthy will head to New York to learn a new offense and hopefully see some playing time over veteran Jameis Winston eventually, but that might not happen right away. In the long term, Dart is still the franchise signal-caller for the G-Men.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Jayden Daniels Likely to Travel to London, Week 4 Status Unclear
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer that injured quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) will "more than likely" travel with the team to the United Kingdom when they leave on Tuesday night. The Commanders play the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday, Oct. 4, in England. However, Quinn does not know yet whether Daniels will play in six days. But that there is even a chance for Daniels to play tells us that he might not be far off from returning after dislocating his left elbow again in Week 2. The 25-year-old former second overall pick in 2024 from LSU also suffered a serious left-elbow dislocation last year, and he ended up playing in only seven games in his sophomore campaign. Through two games in 2026, Daniels has thrown for 260 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. In his absence on Sunday, veteran backup Marcus Mariota led Washington to an upset victory over the defending Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. Daniels most likely will not be active in Week 4 in England, but he could make his return for a Week 5 divisional clash the following Sunday against the New York Giants.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
Alvin Kamara a Priority Add for Week 4
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has become one of the top Week 4 waiver targets after Travis Etienne Jr. aggravated his hamstring in Sunday's 35-27 loss to Las Vegas. Kamara rushed nine times for 36 yards and caught his only target for five yards, while Etienne handled 13 carries for 57 yards before leaving. The backfield was already more crowded than it looked a week ago, with Kendre Miller active again and picking up six touches for 19 total yards. Still, Kamara is the name to prioritize if Etienne misses time. He returned from an MCL sprain in Week 2 and immediately handled nine carries while catching five of six targets. RotoBaller has Kamara rostered in 43% of leagues and lists him among its top Week 4 running back waiver priorities. That makes him a priority add rather than a pure stash, with a path to immediate flex value if Etienne is sidelined.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
More News About Mike Washington Jr.
