Brandin Cooks to Have Role in Week 4 Given 49ers Injuries 0mLink copied!

Oct 3, 2026, 12:16 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing should see an expanded role in Week 4, with several injuries across the team's wide receiver room. Although Cowing hasn't recorded a stat in three games this season, he's seen increased usage over the past two weeks. He's played 36% of snaps and 36% of routes. Wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs) is questionable, and De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), Christian Kirk (calf), and Demarcus Robinson are on injured reserve. If Evans can't play, Cowing should be a key contributor alongside Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jordan Watkins. They face a difficult matchup against the Denver Broncos, who have allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season and the second-fewest in 2025. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should keep tabs on Cowing, especially if the 49ers suffer additional injuries to their already depleted receiver room.--Nathan Harvey
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 12:13 PM ET

Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks has yet to touch the ball more than seven times in a single game this season, and his snap share has steadily declined each week since the season opener. However, a projected positive game script against the Buccaneers in Week 4 could be exactly what Brooks needs to turn his season around. This Packers backfield has yet to see any consistency in terms of personnel, with Brooks and MarShawn Lloyd both occupying minimal roles while Josh Jacobs remains on the commissioner's exempt list. Although Brooks' snap share has slipped a little lately, he has still been playing more than both Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson. The Packers are favored by three points on the road, presenting an opportunity for Brooks to feast in the rushing attack. He's a fair RB3/flex option in deeper fantasy leagues for Week 4.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:42 AM ET

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo was fined an undisclosed amount by the NFL for "illegal helmet contact on a running play" during Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. The play in question was a rushing attempt that went for a short gain. Skattebo lowered his helmet into Titans linebacker Cedric Gray to break his tackle and fight for extra yardage. Later, a viral video showed that the Giants decal on Skattebo's helmet had fallen off because it had endured so much contact. It will be interesting to see whether officials begin penalizing Skattebo for using his helmet to create contact. In the meantime, fantasy managers will continue to appreciate the second-year back for fighting for every extra yard.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Jordan Raanan

Oct 3, 2026, 11:34 AM ET

New York Jets D/ST gets a somewhat better matchup now that Caleb Williams (hamstring) has been ruled out, but that doesn't suddenly make this unit a comfortable fantasy start. Tyson Bagent is expected to get the call for Chicago after taking most of the first-team reps, with Case Keenum still available after leading Monday night's 27-7 win over Philadelphia. The Jets have defended well in terms of yardage, allowing 258.3 per game, and they have nine sacks. The fantasy problem has been turnovers. New York has forced only one through three games. RotoBaller dropped the Jets to D/ST23 in Saturday's rankings, which puts them firmly in deep-league territory. The backup-quarterback matchup adds some upside, but there are still safer streamers on the board.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:32 AM ET

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen (groin) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's Week 4 contest against the Washington Commanders in London, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Wide receiver injuries continue to plague the Colts, who had already placed Alec Pierce (heel) on injured reserve earlier in the season. Allen being inactive is a major loss for the Colts, given that he exploded for six catches, 63 yards, and one touchdown last weekend. Now, this Daniel Jones-led passing attack will take on the Commanders with a wide receiver group led by Josh Downs, Darius Slayton, Laquon Treadwell, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Ashton Dulin (ankle). In all reality, the Colts will place a much heavier emphasis on running the football with workhorse running back Jonathan--Andersen Pickard
Source: Adam Schefter

Oct 3, 2026, 11:32 AM ET

New York Jets kicker Jason Sanders has been steady through three games, making five of six field-goal attempts and all five extra points. He has enough leg to help from distance, including a 52-yarder already this season. The problem is the state of the offense around him. Breece Hall, Adonai Mitchell, and Mason Taylor are all out, and the Jets are facing a Chicago defense that just held Philadelphia to seven points. That combination makes it harder to project sustained drives and reliable scoring chances. Sanders is K23 in RotoBaller's Saturday rankings. He can be used in deeper leagues, but standard-league managers should be able to find a better streaming option for Week 4.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman could not repeat his electric Week 2 performance in Week 3 against the Cowboys in Brazil, with fellow wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) returning from injury. He hauled in just two of his three targets for 37 yards despite running the most routes (20) of any Ravens pass catcher. The Ravens return to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 4, and Bateman is poised to reprise his background role. The sixth-year wideout leads the team in routes run (79) and has an 86% snap share, but has a meager 15% target share. The veteran out of Minnesota still has home-run potential, so he remains an intriguing option for deep-league managers. He has seen a red zone target in two straight games, and his 13.1 air yards per target puts him in the top 20% of all qualified receivers in the league. However, the Titans' pass defense has played teams tight and has allowed the fifth-fewest intermediate (10-19 air yards) pass plays (16) and fifth-fewest deep (20+ air yards) plays (6) through three games, which further limits Bateman, who has run 70% of routes from a wide alignment. The 26-year-old receiver remains quarterback Lamar Jackson's second choice behind Flowers, with rookie Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) still on IR and veteran tight end Mark Andrews having a sluggish start. Bateman is RotoBaller's WR49 going into Week 4 and is primarily a deep-league WR4/Flex option, especially for managers dealing with early-season injuries to their wide receiver corps.--Matt McCauley
Source: ESPN

Oct 3, 2026, 11:29 AM ET

New York Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq (back) is questionable after being limited in all three practices this week. If he's active, though, the setup is still appealing. Mason Taylor (thumb) and Adonai Mitchell (finger) have both been ruled out, two absences that helped open the door for Sadiq's seven-catch, 105-yard, one-touchdown breakout against Detroit. He did that on eight targets and now has 12 receptions for 143 yards through three games. There is some snap-count caution here because Sadiq played 57% of the offensive snaps last week, and the back issue adds another layer of uncertainty. RotoBaller's Saturday update has him at TE10. Fantasy managers should have a backup plan available Sunday morning, but Sadiq is a legitimate TE1 if the Jets clear him to play.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:29 AM ET

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is coming off 10 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets, and the Jets may need him even more in Chicago. Breece Hall, Adonai Mitchell, and Mason Taylor have all been ruled out, leaving fewer proven options around Geno Smith. Wilson already has 27 targets through three games, with 21 catches for 243 yards and two scores, so volume wasn't exactly a problem before the injuries piled up. Chicago's defense looked much better Monday night against Philadelphia, but that isn't enough to move Wilson out of the lineup. He's WR5 in RotoBaller's Week 4 rankings and remains the clear centerpiece of the Jets passing game. Treat him as a WR1 and move on.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:27 AM ET

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen gets his first real chance to lead the backfield Sunday with Breece Hall (quad) ruled out. Allen has only 61 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries through three games, but those numbers came while working behind Hall. The opportunity changes this week. Allen took the majority of the practice reps, while Isaiah Davis is also expected to see more work, so this shouldn't automatically be treated as a one-back setup. Still, Chicago has allowed 351 rushing yards and 5.1 yards per carry, which is a much friendlier spot than Allen could have asked for. RotoBaller has him at RB22 in its Saturday rankings. The committee risk is real, but Allen has enough projected work to be used as an RB2 or flex.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:25 AM ET

New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith earned his way back onto the streaming radar with 321 yards and three touchdowns against Detroit. He completed 31 of 37 passes in that game and now has 783 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions through three weeks. The protection remains the part that can wreck the day. Smith was sacked five times by Detroit and has gone down nine times this season. Chicago just forced three turnovers while holding Philadelphia to seven points, so another clean 300-yard performance isn't something to assume. RotoBaller has Smith at QB19 for Week 4. He's playable if you're streaming the position and an easy Superflex start, but the offensive-line issues keep him outside the group of quarterbacks fantasy managers should feel obligated to use.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:25 AM ET

Buffalo Bills D/ST gets exactly the kind of opponent fantasy managers like to target. New England is averaging 12.0 points per game, has committed eight turnovers, and has allowed three sacks in each of its first three contests. Drake Maye has thrown six interceptions already. Buffalo hasn't been dominant on defense, but the Bills have nine sacks and the matchup creates plenty of chances for the pressure plays and turnovers that matter in fantasy. Cornerback Christian Benford (toe) is questionable after missing practice all week, so there is still a notable injury to monitor. Even with that concern, RotoBaller moved Buffalo up to D/ST6 in Saturday's rankings. This is one of the better fantasy spots on the Week 4 board.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:23 AM ET

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass has made all four of his field-goal attempts this season and 11 of 12 extra points, but the Bills' ability to finish drives has limited his field-goal volume. Buffalo is averaging 33.7 points per game, so there will almost always be scoring opportunities attached to this offense. The question is how many come in threes instead of sevens. New England has allowed only 17.0 points per game through three weeks, which could create a few more stalled drives than Buffalo usually sees. RotoBaller's Saturday rankings have Bass at K16. He's perfectly usable in deeper leagues, but that ranking reflects the reality that there are stronger streaming choices in a standard one-kicker format.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:21 AM ET

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (ankle) is expected to play Sunday after the injury cost him Wednesday's practice. Coleman was limited Thursday and Friday, but Buffalo did not give him a game designation, and head coach Joe Brady said he would be ready for the Patriots. That removes the availability concern, not the fantasy one. Coleman has eight catches for 101 yards through three games and managed only one reception last week, albeit for 37 yards. The flashes are still there, but dependable volume hasn't followed yet. RotoBaller has him at WR70 for Week 4. With DJ Moore healthy enough to play and Dalton Kincaid commanding a steady role, Coleman remains difficult to trust outside deeper formats even though the ankle shouldn't keep him off the field.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:20 AM ET

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir has become a tough player to squeeze into fantasy lineups. He caught one pass for six yards against the Chargers and sits at eight receptions for 94 yards through three games. The Bills offense is moving the ball, but that hasn't produced enough weekly volume for Shakir with DJ Moore and Dalton Kincaid more involved. New England has allowed only 510 passing yards so far, which doesn't make this an obvious rebound spot either. Shakir is WR53 in RotoBaller's Week 4 rankings. There will be weeks when Josh Allen's offense pulls him into fantasy relevance, but the current target and yardage totals aren't strong enough to chase. He's better left on the bench in most standard-sized leagues.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:19 AM ET

Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid came back to earth against the Chargers with two catches for 38 yards, but one quiet afternoon shouldn't erase the first two weeks. Kincaid had 225 receiving yards and a touchdown before Week 3 and has caught 14 of 17 targets overall. Buffalo continues to spread the ball around at wide receiver, which has helped Kincaid maintain a meaningful place in the passing game. New England has defended well early, so expecting another huge yardage day would be aggressive. Fantasy managers don't need that from him to justify a start. Kincaid remains TE3 in RotoBaller's weekend rankings and should stay in lineups as one of the stronger tight end options on the slate.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:18 AM ET

Buffalo Bills wide receiver DJ Moore (shoulder) will not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against New England after being limited during the week. That clears up the biggest concern surrounding him. Moore saw 10 targets against the Chargers and caught six for 67 yards, giving him 11 receptions for 167 yards and a touchdown through three games. He has already shown a 100-yard ceiling in this offense, and New England will be without top cornerback Christian Gonzalez (shoulder). The matchup still isn't a layup, but Moore's role matters more. RotoBaller lists him at WR22 for Week 4. With the shoulder no longer putting his availability in question, Moore is a solid WR2 and the Buffalo wideout fantasy managers should feel best about starting.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:14 AM ET

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III has put together back-to-back monster rushing performances. He followed 135 yards against Detroit with 154 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries against the Chargers, bringing him to 346 rushing yards on 58 attempts through three games. That is 6.0 yards per carry, and the workload has been every bit as encouraging as the efficiency. Josh Allen will continue to steal some short-yardage touchdowns, but Cook has handled enough volume for that to be a secondary concern. New England has allowed 325 rushing yards through three games. RotoBaller has Cook at RB7 for Week 4, and there is no reason to get cute with this one. He belongs in lineups as an RB1 again Sunday.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:13 AM ET

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen wasn't sharp through the air against the Chargers, finishing with 204 yards and two interceptions, but fantasy managers still got what they needed because he scored twice on the ground. Allen already has six rushing touchdowns through three games to go with 786 passing yards and five passing scores. New England has been one of the better defensive teams early, allowing 17.0 points per game, so this isn't necessarily a blow-up spot. It also doesn't change the decision. Allen's rushing role keeps bailing out ordinary passing days, and Buffalo is still averaging 33.7 points per game. He remains RotoBaller's QB1 for Week 4. There isn't a matchup-based reason to move away from him here.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 3, 2026, 11:05 AM ET

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (hamstring) is reportedly likely to miss the Week 4 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts in London, according to Ben Standig, a Commanders reporter for Last Man Standig Substack. McLaurin showed up on the injury report late this week, as he logged a limited practice session on Friday due to a hamstring issue. He was officially designated as questionable heading into Sunday's game with the Colts. Additionally, the Commanders will be without quarterback Jayden Daniels in Week 4. Through three games in 2026, McLaurin has recorded 10 receptions (on 22 targets) for 141 yards (14.1 yards per catch) and a touchdown. If McLaurin is out, Washington will rely on Stefon Diggs, Antonio Williams, Dyami Brown and Treylon Burks at wide receiver.--Ryan O'Bleness
Source: Ben Standig - Last Man Standig