Amidst 49ers WR Injuries, George Kittle Emerging As Excellent Buy Target 0mLink copied!

Oct 7, 2026, 6:58 PM ET

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson started off the 2026 season slower than we expected, with just 14.4 PPR fantasy points across his first two games. He saw just seven targets in those two contests, so it wasn't really his fault that he didn't have impressive production. But in the last two games combined, he saw passes head his way a truly staggering 30 times. That's an obscene figure, and one that now has him as the 5th-most targeted player in the NFL so far. He had one fewer target than tight end Trey McBride, who's the Cardinals No. 1 pass-catcher, but there's plenty of room in this offense for both to shine bright in fantasy football. Wilson's elite target numbers last season appear to be carrying over, even with WR Marvin Harrison Jr. active and healthy. Harrison has hardly seen the ball, and it's apparent that Wilson, who's been much more talented on film thus far in his career, is the WR1 for Arizona. Wilson isn't priced as an elite WR1, but that's his ceiling, which makes him a priority buy-low in redraft leagues ahead of Week 5. He has league-winning upside, and should post some truly eye-watering fantasy finishes as long as he's healthy for 2026.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 7, 2026, 6:46 PM ET

Updating a previous report, New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (knee) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday after initial reports suggested that he would not practice. Head coach Mike Vrabel said there is a chance that Stevenson will play in Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders after he injured his right knee in the big Week 4 win over the division-rival Buffalo Bills. If Stevenson is unable to put in a full practice on Thursday or Friday, he will likely go into the weekend with a questionable designation on the final injury report. If Stevenson is limited at all or out altogether this weekend, it would give TreVeyon Henderson a much higher fantasy ceiling as essentially a must-start in fantasy football lineups. The 28-year-old Stevenson had 13 carries for 47 yards and his first touchdown of the season on Sunday in Buffalo, adding three catches for 27 yards as a receiver. Because of his new knee injury, Stevenson is shaping up as an even more volatile RB3/flex play for fantasy managers in Week 5. The Patriots looking at signing free-agent veteran Jamaal Williams suggests that Stevenson could be set to miss his first game of the season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: New England Patriots

Oct 7, 2026, 6:37 PM ET

Updating a previous report, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (groin, neck) did not practice on Wednesday, according to Jay Morrison of Sports Illustrated. A previous report on Wednesday suggested that Higgins would be limited at practice. Both Higgins and star wideout Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) missed the first practice of the week, and their statuses need to be followed closely over the next two days. Even if Chase is cleared of the concussion protocol later this week and suits up this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, Higgins will be a must-start in fantasy football lineups if he returns to practice and plays this weekend. Higgins has 25 catches for 401 yards and a touchdown on 39 targets through the first four weeks in 2026, including an 11-catch, 157-yard day in the Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars after Chase suffered a head injury. If both Higgins and Chase are unable to play against the Dolphins, Dohnte Meyers could be Cincy's No. 1 receiver, with tight end Mike Gesicki also having a larger target share.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sports Illustrated - Jay Morrison

Oct 7, 2026, 6:32 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys have had one of the worst defenses in the NFL so far this season, on paper, on film, and on the stat sheet. In fantasy football, they're the worst defense, depending on your scoring system, and haven't scored double-digit fantasy points in any of their games. They've allowed 28 points per game to opposing offenses. They even dipped into negative scoring in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens. But the matchup is so good in Week 5 that they might finally be worth starting in deep leagues. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense fell completely flat in Week 4, as starting quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb) missed the game with a thumb injury and was replaced by backup QB Jalon Daniels. He threw for just 148 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, and was sacked three times. Dallas will have home-field advantage for the contest. The Cowboys would benefit from having a real threat at pass-rusher, but in such an easy matchup, they have at least some upside in very deep leagues.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 7, 2026, 6:31 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) was not seen at practice on Wednesday after suffering a hamstring injury in the Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, according to Brooks Kubena of The Athletic. The Eagles are labeling Barkley as week-to-week after his injury on Sunday, and with backup Tank Bigsby (abdomen) going on Injured Reserve, Will Shipley is in line for a significant backfield workload for Philly on Sunday in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars if Barkley is officially ruled out on Friday. Fantasy managers should not plan on having Barkley available to them this weekend after what has been a disappointing first four games in 2026 so far. The Pro Bowl RB has yet to find the end zone and has carried the ball 36 times for 182 yards (5.1 yards per carry) while adding four catches for only eight yards. Barkley's efficiency has been strong, but he also missed time in a game with a stinger and now looks likely to miss at least one game for the Eagles. The team also added Dameon Pierce for backfield depth, and he could have a decent role right away this weekend if Barkley cannot go.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena

Oct 7, 2026, 6:24 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) is "doing well" and will be limited in Wednesday's practice. Jefferson sprained his left ankle in the Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and did not practice last week before being ruled out for the Week 4 win over the Miami Dolphins. The All-Pro receiver is not a lock to return for a Week 5 tilt on the road against the New Orleans Saints, but the fact that he is back at practice early in the week is a good sign. Fellow receiver Jordan Addison is nursing a hamstring injury this week as well, so Minnesota's receiving corps could be short-handed against New Orleans. Jefferson is a must-start in all traditional fantasy football leagues when he is active, but we will need to keep a close eye on his status over the next two days. With Jefferson out and Addison getting injured on Sunday, tight end T.J. Hockenson had a big game through the air. Jefferson has caught 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns in three games this year, and he has yet to really develop chemistry with quarterback Kyler Murray, with the two players already missing time with injuries in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Minnesota Vikings

Oct 7, 2026, 6:14 PM ET

Arizona Cardinals rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love's ankle injury is not expected to impact him in the Week 5 contest at home against the visiting Detroit Lions, head coach Mike LaFleur told Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. It sounds like "maintenance" will continue to be the keyword for the young RB. The 21-year-old from Notre Dame is dealing with a new ankle issue, but it is reportedly unrelated to the high-ankle sprain that he dealt with in the preseason in late August. The Cardinals will continue to give Love breathers during the week, so it would not be a surprise if he is listed as a non-participant in the first practice on Wednesday. Love should be all systems go for this weekend's contest against Detroit, where he will continue to split backfield touches with Tyler Allgeier. The young and powerful RB had 14 carries for 63 yards on the ground and caught one pass for a loss of eight yards in the Week 4 loss to the New York Giants. Love now has 35 rushing attempts in the last two weeks after carrying the ball 20 times in his first two NFL games. Against New York in Week 5, Love should have high-end RB2 upside if he continues to be more involved.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake

Oct 7, 2026, 6:08 PM ET

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was rested in practice on Wednesday but was not listed with an injury designation, according to Saints sideline reporter Jeff Nowak. Olave took a hard shot in the Monday night loss to the Atlanta Falcons to close out Week 4, but his absence on Wednesday was not related to that hit. The 26-year-old should be just fine to play this weekend against the visiting Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, and he should be locked into all starting fantasy lineups despite the difficult matchup against the Vikings' defense. The former first-rounder is the team's unquestioned WR1 and has a great connection with second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. After reaching the third 1,000-yard season of his career in 2025 with a career-best nine touchdowns, Olave leads the NFL in targets (48) through four games in 2026 and has added 35 receptions for 491 yards and one touchdown to begin his fifth year in the league. He already has three 100-yard games this season after catching eight of 12 targets for 116 yards on Monday night. Olave has at least 10 targets in all four games in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Jeff Nowak

Oct 7, 2026, 6:05 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy has yet to have his first breakout game of the 2026 NFL season. The return of Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb to full health has allowed him to ascend to elite, elite WR1 status, at the expense of every other pass-catcher on the team. Flournoy's big games last season were aided by injuries to the team's other wideouts, anyway, and he's best viewed as a handcuff that has legitimate upside only when either of the team's two starting wideouts, Lamb and George Pickens, go down. Dallas' targets are concentrated heavily on Lamb, with Pickens, tight end Jake Ferguson, and running back Javonte Williams also getting in on the action regularly. That simply doesn't leave much left over for a WR3 like Flournoy to have any kind of week-to-week upside. After four games, he's the WR74 in PPR Fantasy football leagues, which makes him a tough start even in deep dynasty leagues. He should be stashed on benches in those deep leagues for a rainy day for Lamb or Pickens, though.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 7, 2026, 5:45 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey missed two of his four field goal attempts in a Week 4 win over the Houston Texans. Though he was a ridiculously accurate kicker in his first season in the NFL, he's been markedly less on-point since then. He hovered around 85 percent accuracy in his second and third season as the Cowboys kicker and now sits at just under 73 percent. The Cowboys have a high-powered offense that's gotten them into scoring range with regularity this season, but Aubrey's fall-off is concerning. He managed 10 fantasy points last game and is the 14th ranked kicker by fantasy scoring in the NFL, though. And a Week 5 matchup with a hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers team could be what Aubrey needs to log a top-5 finish at his position. A more accurate day would help him do so. The Bucs have allowed 13.8 fantasy points per game to opposing kickers this season, which is the worst mark in the NFL, due largely to their pass defense being so ineffective. Aubrey is worth a start in 10 and 12-team leagues for his upside for Week 5.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 7, 2026, 5:36 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson has taken a backseat to star Cowboys wideout CeeDee Lamb for most of this season, as he typically does. Ferguson's two-touchdown, 20.3 PPR fantasy point game in Week 2 was the exception rather than the rule for him, as he's failed to eclipse double-digit PPR fantasy points in each other game. Cowboys RB Javonte Williams has done a great job punching the ball in at the goal line this season, and when he's been effective, Dallas hasn't had much need to pass the ball on goal-to-go plays. Ferguson does have three touchdown receptions this season, but his target share simply isn't enough to support consistent fantasy results. After four games, he ranks as just the TE20 in PPR fantasy football leagues, meaning he's better suited as an auxiliary piece for best ball leagues rather than an every-week starter in redraft. Football is too random a sport to predict the games in which he'll get touchdowns, and he's mired in a snare of too much target competition from Lamb and WR George Pickens. Ferguson is a solid start at TE in very deep leagues, but there are better options out there, even on waivers in many weeks. He's a mid-range TE2 for now.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 7, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens has yet to score a touchdown or eclipse 20 PPR fantasy points in any of his games this season after scoring seven times and logging five such productive games in 2025. It's clear now that fellow Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb never returned to full health last season after his high-ankle sprain early in the year, and Pickens was able to capitalize by becoming Dallas' most productive receiver. That script has flipped this season. Pickens was disconcertingly only targeted three times in the Cowboys' Week 4 win over the Houston Texans despite the game featuring almost 800 yards of total offense. Pickens has not been living up to his second-round ADP in fantasy football, and looks more like an auxiliary piece than a WR1B to Lamb. A game against such a weak defense in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5 is a great chance for him to get back on track, though. Fantasy managers should exercise patience with Pickens and leave him in starting lineups for now. He showed fantastic upside last season, and could be on the verge of a huge game on Thursday Night Football.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

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