George Pickens Still Seeking Breakout Game In Week 5 vs Buccaneers 0mLink copied!

Oct 7, 2026, 5:18 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams averages just 3.7 yards per carry this season, but he's on one of the NFL's better offenses and has handled a dominant share of his team's backfield touches. This has given him excellent spike week potential, and he now averages 24.6 PPR fantasy points across his best three contests of the season. He'll have plenty of opportunities against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football in Week 5, and should capitalize as such. He handles the goal-line work for the Cowboys, who have found themselves in the red zone often this season. As a result, he has five rushing touchdowns already. He's also caught 15 passes for 77 yards and another score, and ranks as the RB7 in fantasy football leagues as a result. His efficiency has taken a substantial hit from last season, likely due to the absence of elite run-blocking right guard Tyler Smith (thumb). The All-Pro guard returned to practice this week, though, and upgraded to full participation on Wednesday, though he's officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game. His return would give Williams even more upside, but whether or not Smith plays, Williams should be firmly entrenched as an RB1 in all fantasy football leagues with week-winning upside against a struggling 0-4 team.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 7, 2026, 5:12 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott currently ranks as the QB8 in fantasy football leagues, and is in great position to have another high-volume passing day against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5. The Bucs, meanwhile, are fresh off a 0-4 start to the season and are missing their starting quarterback, Baker Mayfield (thumb) to a thumb injury. Prescott threw for 335 passing yards and one touchdown and rushed twice for seven yards in his team's Week 4 win over the Houston Texans. Prescott has played excellent football this season, sporting an 8:1 touchdown to interception ratio. On film, his accuracy is as good as it's been in his career, and his connection with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is flourishing. He's also done well hitting his other targets in the passing game, WR George Pickens and TE Jake Ferguson. Only running back Javonte Williams' effectiveness at punching the ball in at the goal line is holding back Prescott's upside, though Prescott has a four-touchdown game under his belt this season. The Buccaneers are a franchise in shambles, and their pass defense has been weak for multiple seasons now. Prescott is a must-start QB1 in all fantasy leagues with top-5 potential in each week he plays.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 7, 2026, 5:06 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has put on a stunning display of football dominance so far this season. Through four games, he ranks as the WR2 in PPR fantasy points per game, only a step behind the great Seattle Seahawks wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Both seem destined for the NFL Hall of Fame one day, and Lamb has re-established himself as the clear Cowboys WR1 after being outproduced by WR George Pickens last season. Lamb is fully healthy and is enjoying a massive 32.4 percent target share, which ranks third in the NFL this season. He's been the go-to target of quarterback Dak Prescott, one of the NFL's most accurate passers and a high-volume guy, in a productive offense led by head coach Brian Schottenheimer. There is no matchup in which you shouldn't start Lamb, and he has huge spike-week potential in every game he starts and finishes healthy. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will head to Dallas next, and Lamb is set up well to crush them with another monster performance. He's off the Cowboys injury report, healthy, and ready to go in what's shaping up to be a blowout win for Dallas.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 7, 2026, 4:57 PM ET

Free agent running back Jamaal Williams is "expected to land with a team sooner rather than later," per Jordan Schultz of The Schultz Report. Schultz writes that a source told him Williams is in "the best shape of his NFL career right now." The 31-year-old last played in the NFL in 2024, when he recorded 164 rushing yards and a touchdown on 48 carries across 14 games with the New Orleans Saints. His best NFL season by far came in 2022, when he rushed for over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns as a member of the Detroit Lions. Williams worked out for the New England Patriots on Tuesday, but has not yet signed with a team. Depending on where he ends up, the veteran running back could be a player for deep-league fantasy managers to monitor on the waiver wire.--Will Brady
Source: The Schultz Report - Jordan Schultz

Oct 7, 2026, 4:48 PM ET

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (back) missed practice on Wednesday due to a back injury, per Jeff Nowak of Audacy Sports. With fellow Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) on Injured Reserve, Kamara got his first chance to work as New Orleans' RB1 in Week 4. The 31-year-old recorded just 23 rushing yards on seven carries, but he scored two rushing touchdowns and also hauled in five catches for 35 yards on seven targets. It's too early to say whether Kamara's status for the Saints' Week 5 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings is in question, but his health is obviously now worth monitoring for fantasy managers. If Kamara is unable to play in Week 5, Kendre Miller would likely take over as the lead back for New Orleans against Minnesota.--Will Brady
Source: Audacy Sports - Jeff Nowak

Oct 7, 2026, 4:34 PM ET

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) did not practice on Wednesday due to a knee issue, per Connor Hughes of SNY. Hughes reports that Nabers admitted he was "more sore than usual." Nabers has recorded 18 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown on 26 targets across four games so far in 2026. The 23-year-old missed most of the 2025 season after suffering a serious knee injury in Week 4. While it's not yet clear if his current soreness is connected to his previous knee issues, Nabers' health status is obviously worth monitoring for fantasy managers leading into New York's Week 5 matchup against the Washington Commanders. If Nabers is unable to play in Week 5, Giants wideouts Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney, and Charlie Jones could all be in line for expanded workloads against Washington.--Will Brady
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes

Oct 7, 2026, 4:24 PM ET

Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (thumb, toe) did not participate in his team's practice on Wednesday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The severity of Monangai's thumb and toe injuries is not yet known, but it appears his status for Chicago's Week 5 matchup against the Green Bay Packers could be in question. Monangai has been exceptionally efficient while splitting work with D'Andre Swift (hip, knee) in the Bears backfield so far this season, recording 324 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 60 carries across four games. Swift also missed practice on Wednesday due to hip and knee injuries. If neither Monangai nor Swift can play against the Packers, Bears RB3 Roschon Johnson would likely be in line for a significant workload increase in Week 5.--Will Brady
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

Oct 7, 2026, 4:18 PM ET

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (hip, knee) did not practice on Wednesday due to hip and knee injuries, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Swift was listed on Chicago's injury report with the knee issue leading into Week 4, but the hip ailment appears to be a new injury. The 27-year-old has gotten off to a strong start to the 2026 season, recording 395 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 79 touches across four games. The severity of Swift's injuries is not yet clear, but his health is obviously worth monitoring for fantasy managers leading into the Bears' Week 5 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Bears RB2 Kyle Monangai (thumb, toe) also missed the team's practice on Wednesday due to thumb and toe injuries. If neither Monangai nor Swift can play against Green Bay, Chicago running back Roschon Johnson would likely be the next man up in the backfield.--Will Brady
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

Oct 7, 2026, 4:09 PM ET

Four games into the 2026 season, Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. has been one of the biggest disappointments in fantasy football. The 26-year-old is coming off a 2025 campaign where he finally had the breakout that many had been looking for, recording 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns on 118 targets across 17 games. However, Pitts Sr. has only hauled in five catches for 67 yards on nine targets across the first four weeks of 2026. Two of those games came without Falcons QB1 Michael Penix Jr. under center, which provides some excuse for Pitts Sr.'s underwhelming production. Still, Pitts Sr. has logged just four catches for 52 yards on five targets in the two games where he has shared the field with Penix Jr. Atlanta's run-heavy offense filters through running back Bijan Robinson, and wide receiver Drake London is the clear number one option when the Falcons do turn to the air. Particularly in shallower leagues, fantasy managers are justified in dropping Pitts Sr. and looking elsewhere on the waiver wire.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 7, 2026, 3:58 PM ET

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. finally scored in Week 4, but it did little to change what has been a brutal start. He caught one of four targets for 12 yards against the Giants and now has only five receptions for 85 yards on 13 targets through four games. Harrison has one catch or fewer in three of those games and has yet to reach 50 receiving yards. Meanwhile, Trey McBride and Michael Wilson have become much bigger parts of Arizona's passing game, with 33 and 25 receptions, respectively. At this point, Harrison's name and draft pedigree are doing more work for his fantasy value than his actual role. RotoBaller lists him among the receivers to consider cutting for Week 5, ranks him WR41 this week, and has him 142nd overall in its rest-of-season rankings. Managers in standard leagues can move on if there is a clearly better option available. He is easier to hold in deeper formats where the waiver wire offers less.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 7, 2026, 3:42 PM ET

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (foot) will be at Wednesday's practice, head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters. That's a positive development after McConkey lasted only 24 offensive snaps in Sunday's loss to Seattle before leaving with the same foot injury he had carried into the game. He had been limited Wednesday, sat out Thursday, and returned on a limited basis Friday last week before being cleared to play. McConkey didn't catch either of his two targets against the Seahawks, leaving him with 12 receptions for 183 yards and one touchdown through four games. How much work he actually handles Wednesday will be more telling than simply being back on the field. The Chargers host Denver in Week 5, and McConkey's participation over the next few practices should give fantasy managers a better idea of whether he's trending toward playing.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Kris Rhim

Oct 7, 2026, 3:28 PM ET

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) was officially limited in Wednesday's practice, even though he wasn't on the field during the portion open to reporters, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. Flowers said last week that he felt the hamstring issue was behind him, then went out and caught eight of 10 targets for 118 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee. The injury has already cost him time this season, though. Flowers aggravated the hamstring in the opener, missed Week 2, and was on a reduced snap count when he returned against Dallas. He has 18 catches for 352 yards and two touchdowns in three games. There is another concern for fantasy managers this week, with Lamar Jackson (ankle) looking unlikely to face Atlanta. Flowers caught only two passes for minus-1 yard after Jackson left Sunday's win over Tennessee. Wednesday's limited tag alone does not put Flowers' Week 5 availability in serious doubt, but his practice participation over the next two days will be worth watching.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Jamison Hensley

Oct 7, 2026, 3:12 PM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was seen moving through the team's locker room on a scooter Wednesday with his foot elevated, according to Nick Farabaugh of PennLive. The sight is notable after a foot injury already cost Pittman Pittsburgh's Week 2 loss to New England. He returned the following week, but hasn't been very involved since, catching four passes for 31 yards on nine targets over his last two games. Pittman has seven receptions for 89 yards through three appearances this season. His status now bears watching ahead of Sunday's matchup with his former team, the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie Germie Bernard saw his biggest workload of the season when Pittman sat in Week 2, playing 55 snaps and drawing eight targets, while Roman Wilson had six targets of his own. Neither becomes an automatic fantasy starter if Pittman misses time, but both would have a clearer path to opportunities behind DK Metcalf. UPDATE: ESPN's Brooke Pryor reports that Pittman was limited in Wednesday's practice.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Nick Farabaugh

Oct 7, 2026, 3:06 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) will not practice again on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, according to Brooks Kubena of The Athletic. Smith left the Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears with a hamstring injury, and he did not practice all of last week before being inactive in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The 27-year-old is not off to a good start this week and could miss a second straight game when the Eagles travel to London to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fantasy managers should consider him very questionable to play this weekend, but he still has two more days to return to the practice field on Thursday and Friday. Now the Eagles' WR1, Smith has 19 catches on 27 targets for 235 yards and a touchdown in three games to begin his sixth year in the league, and he remains a must-start WR1 in fantasy when he is active. If Smith misses another game this weekend, Dontayvion Wicks and rookie Makai Lemon will be intriguing flex plays. Tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) could also have high target volume if he makes his return against Jacksonville.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena

Oct 7, 2026, 3:00 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) is back at practice on Wednesday, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. From what McLane understands, Goedert "should be able to play on Sunday" in the Week 5 clash in London with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Eagles will see how the week goes before clearing Goedert to return this weekend, but fantasy managers have to be happy with the news. The 31-year-old veteran is recovering from a sprained right MCL in his knee that he suffered in the Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans. Goedert only had one catch for four yards in that game, but he caught four of five targets for 77 yards and two touchdowns in the season-opening win over the division-rival Washington Commanders and could be one of quarterback Jalen Hurts' top targets this weekend if he returns to face the Jaguars. Receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) could miss Sunday's game, and running backs Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and Tank Bigsby (abdomen) are both injured. Goedert should be in play as a TE1 in fantasy if he makes his return in Week 5.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Jeff McLane

Oct 7, 2026, 2:52 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen (groin) is participating in practice on Wednesday, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Allen was not cleared to play in London in Sunday's win over the Washington Commanders due to a groin injury, but the 34-year-old veteran's return to practice on Wednesday suggests he is tracking towards a return in Week 5 to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. It is good news for a Colts offense that still has top receiver Alec Pierce (heel) on Injured Reserve. If Allen is cleared to play this Sunday in the Steel City, he should be quarterback Daniel Jones' WR2 behind Josh Downs. Allen caught only seven passes for 37 yards in the first two games of the 2026 season in his first year with the team, but he picked things up in the Week 3 win over the division-rival Houston Texans by catching six of nine targets for 63 yards and his first touchdown of the year. If Allen is active this weekend against the Steelers, he will be in play as a WR4/flex in deeper fantasy leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd

Oct 7, 2026, 2:47 PM ET

The Houston Texans officially designated wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, and he is practicing, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Dell is still on IR, but his 21-day window to be activated is officially open. The 26-year-old technically could return to make his 2026 debut this weekend against the division-rival Tennessee Titans, but that probably will not happen. Dell missed all of the 2025 campaign for Houston due to a gruesome knee injury that was initially feared to be career-threatening. The former third-rounder from Houston caught 98 of his 156 targets for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first two seasons in the NFL with the Texans before his injury in 2024, making him an intriguing injured receiver to stash. The Texans could really use another wideout to step up alongside Nico Collins, and Dell could be that guy, even if he is not the same speedy wideout he was before his serious knee injury. Right now, Dell is only rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues, so he is widely available for those looking for WR depth.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

Oct 7, 2026, 2:40 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (hamstring), who is on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury, said he feels great and is "ready to play," according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Thornton said he suffered the hamstring injury at the start of training camp in the summer and thought he could play through it. He feels "overly confident" in his hamstring ahead of his return to practice on Wednesday. The 23-year-old will give the Raiders more WR depth with Jalen Nailor in the league's concussion protocol and Jack Bech (forearm) on IR. Thornton is returning to the practice field this week, but that does not necessarily mean the Raiders will officially activate him so that he can play this weekend on the road against the New England Patriots. Thornton could be eased back in, and it is unclear what kind of role he will have, but a big opportunity could await in an improved Raiders offense, making him a deep-league stash candidate. The former fourth-rounder from Tennessee last year caught only 10 of his 30 targets for 135 yards and no scores in 15 games (eight starts) as a rookie in Vegas.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden

Oct 7, 2026, 2:33 PM ET

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (undisclosed) was participating in a red non-contact jersey during practice on Wednesday, according to Art Stapleton of The North Jersey Bergen Record. It is unclear what injury Skattebo is dealing with, but we will pass along any details when they become available. Because he appears to at least be practicing on a limited basis in the team's first practice of the week, Skattebo should be available this weekend with the Giants traveling to Washington to face the division-rival Commanders on Sunday. The 24-year-old former fourth-rounder from Arizona State had 18 carries in Sunday's Week 4 win over the Arizona Cardinals, but it led to just 58 rushing yards. He added one catch for eight yards. Skattebo is averaging an underwhelming 3.5 yards per carry and has just one touchdown through four games in his sophomore season, but he has had at least 18 carries in three of the four games, with his volume as New York's RB1 giving him RB2 value in fantasy football leagues. He already has eight catches for 67 yards as well.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The North Jersey Bergen Record - Art Stapleton

Oct 7, 2026, 2:28 PM ET

Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley said that running back Jaylen Wright is going to get more opportunities going forward, according to Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald. Wright returned from multiple injuries in Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday and played 31% of the offensive snaps, compared to a team-high 56% from Ollie Gordon II in the team's first game without star running back De'Von Achane (knee), who is out for the season. DJ Herman also saw 51% of the offensive snaps in Week 4. The 23-year-old Wright had five carries for seven yards (1.4 yards per carry) and was not targeted in the passing game. The former fourth-rounder from Tennessee has only 17 rushing attempts through three games this year for 17 yards and has yet to be targeted as a receiver. He has likely been dropped in plenty of fantasy leagues after his quiet performance against the Bears, but Wright's fantasy case should not be closed completely with Achane missing the rest of the year. Wright is rostered in only 23% of Yahoo leagues but is a sneaky pickup for RB depth with a larger role still possible.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Miami Herald - Omar Kelly