September 30, 2025
Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson (hamstring) is likely to miss the Week 5 game on Sunday against the Houston Texans, sources tell The Baltimore Sun's Brian Wacker. Jackson tweaked his hamstring in the Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and didn't return to the game. The Ravens have yet to give a specific diagnosis on Jackson, but apparently, it's a serious enough injury to potentially keep him out for multiple weeks. It would be a big blow to the 1-3 Ravens, as their offense will have considerably less upside if backup signal-caller
Cooper Rush is forced to start. We will have a better idea of Jackson's Week 5 status when Baltimore resumes practicing on Wednesday, but as of right now, fantasy managers need to formulate a backup plan if they don't already have one. The Texans' defense/special teams would become a must-start if Rush is forced into action.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Baltimore Sun - Brian Wacker
September 30, 2025
New York Jets running back
Isaiah Davis drew a slightly larger workload in Monday night's 27-21 loss to the hosting Miami Dolphins after backfield mate
Braelon Allen (knee) exited with injury. Davis wasn't a factor on the ground - churning out just nine yards on his three carries - but he took over Allen's work in the passing game (2/18), and again eclipsed the 100-yard mark as a returner (108). The Jets leaned on teammate
Breece Hall for the most part, but if Allen were to miss any extended time, then Davis would take over as the primary handcuff to own. The South Dakota State alum probably won't garner enough work to be useful for fantasy with Hall in front of him. Still, he's a decent flex play in leagues that award points for return yards, especially against better offenses. Since taking over the duties in Week 2, he's racked up 323 yards on 11 returns.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
September 30, 2025
Green Bay Packers running back
Emanuel Wilson appears to be the team's clear RB2 behind starter
Josh Jacobs through four weeks of the season. Wilson played a season-high 30% of the offensive snaps in the Week 4 overtime tie to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, with
Chris Brooks playing just 6% of the snaps and not seeing a single carry. Wilson handled eight carries for a season-high 44 yards while also catching his first three passes of the year for an additional 37 yards against Dallas. Jacobs briefly left Sunday night's game with a cut on his knee in the fourth quarter, but he was able to finish out the game. If anything were to happen to Jacobs this year, Wilson would be a must-add off the waiver wire as the next man up as Green Bay's lead back. For now, Wilson is the primary handcuff for fantasy managers who have Jacobs rostered.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
September 30, 2025
New York Jets tight end
Mason Taylor again saw increased volume in his team's 27-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 4. The rookie set all new career-highs in Monday night's defeat, corralling 5-of-7 targets for 65 yards. In addition to those marks being new personal bests, they were good enough for second on the team behind wide receiver
Garrett Wilson. After the solid outing, it's clear that this passing attack will funnel through Taylor, Wilson, and running back
Breece Hall, as they're lapping the field in target share. Wilson commands most of quarterback
Justin Fields' attention, so the LSU product will be subject to games with limited target quantities. However, he's an ascending asset with a TE1 finish under his belt. Taylor will have an excellent chance to continue his string of success in Week 5 against a Cowboys team that is friendly for fantasy.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
September 30, 2025
Although Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Malik Washington caught only two of three targets for 13 yards in the 27-21 Week 4 win on Monday night over the New York Jets, he should have a much bigger role in the offense going forward after star wideout
Tyreek Hill (knee) suffered a dislocated knee and torn ACL. In addition to his 13 receiving yards, Washington added eight yards on the ground on two carries, and he also had three kick returns for a total of 96 yards on special teams. The 24-year-old got the start on Monday night and played 28 of 58 offensive snaps (48%). In addition to Washington,
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine should see an increased role going forward in Miami alongside new No. 1 wideout
Jaylen Waddle. Washington has caught eight of his 15 targets for 47 yards in the first four games in 2025. He's worth a waiver-wire addition in deeper leagues for receiver depth, and he's currently rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
September 30, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin wasn't exactly eased back into the offense in his season debut in the Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, as he was targeted a team-high-tying 10 times. Godwin came down with only three catches for 26 yards, but it was a good sign to see him play 81% of the offensive snaps in his first game since dislocating his ankle in Week 7 of last year. It helped that top wideout
Mike Evans (hamstring) was inactive in this game, but the main takeaway is that Godwin is a full-go moving forward and should have WR2 upside for a Week 5 tilt against the hosting Seattle Seahawks this Sunday. Evans is expected to miss multiple games, so Godwin should be heavily targeted once again as he gets his legs under him in a pass-happy offense.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
September 30, 2025
Washington Commanders rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a second straight underwhelming performance in the 34-27 Week 4 loss on the road to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Croskey-Merritt had seven carries, which tied
Chris Rodriguez Jr., for 47 yards (6.7 yards per carry), and caught both of his targets for 10 additional yards in the passing game. The good news is that the 24-year-old led Washington's backfield with nine touches and had a healthy 6.7 yards per rush. However, Rodriguez was even more efficient with his seven carries and led the team in rushing with 59 yards, and
Jeremy McNichols and receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. also stole five carries. JCM is going to remain involved in the Commanders' offense, but in this committee approach, he shouldn't be viewed as anything more than an RB3/flex play in fantasy. Since
Austin Ekeler (Achilles) went down with a season-ending injury in Week 2, Croskey-Merritt has 15 carries for 73 yards and three catches for 15 yards.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
September 30, 2025
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz said that rookie tight end
Gunnar Helm has been a "bright spot," and his physicality has "exceeded the team's expectations," according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Helm has been picking things up well, and Holz expects his "opportunities to increase." The 23-year-old fourth-round selection out of Texas caught all three of his targets for a season-high 27 yards in the Week 3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and followed it up with just one reception for 12 yards in this past Sunday's shutout loss to the Houston Texans. The good news is he matched his season high snap percentage (40%) in Week 4, and he could begin to see more playing time as the Titans search for their first win. Unfortunately, for fantasy purposes, Helm probably won't be on the radar in single-year leagues unless
Chig Okonkwo misses time with an injury.
--Keith HernandezSource: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
September 30, 2025
Tennessee Titans quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree said that rookie first-round QB
Cameron Ward is "growing every week," and that he's "seeing improvement," according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. It didn't really look like Ward took a step forward in the 26-0 shutout loss in Week 4 to the Houston Texans, a game in which the first overall pick went 10-for-26 for 108 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. The 23-year-old Miami product has looked overwhelmed so far in his first four NFL starts, completing only 51.2% of his 125 pass attempts for 614 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He's also run the ball nine times for 42 yards. Ward might be adapting to the speed of the game slowly, but right now, there have been more negatives than positives, and he's failed to find much of a connection with top wideout
Calvin Ridley.
--Keith HernandezSource: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
September 30, 2025
Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. got back on track in Sunday's 34-27 win over the Commanders, completing 20 of his 26 passes for 313 yards and two scores. He did throw one interception as well and was sacked once. The former first-rounder's 90.5 QBR for the game was a solid increase from the 71.3 rating he had going into the contest, and there was a marked improvement in the second-year quarterback's average yards per pass attempt, going from 6.1 in Weeks 1-3 to 12.0 in Week 4 (the highest of any QB). While it was a great bounce-back performance after two down weeks, the 25-year-old draws Buffalo in Week 5 after the team comes out of their bye, and the Bills have limited opposing passers to 125.8 yards per game thus far, which is the fewest yards passing per game in the entire NFL, so fantasy managers may want to look elsewhere for streaming options the next time Penix takes the field.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
September 30, 2025
Los Angeles rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden played the most offensive snaps (30) at his position in the Week 4 upset loss to the New York Giants on Sunday, with
Will Dissly (knee) out for a second straight gam. Still, it led to a disappointing two catches for 16 yards on three targets. Gadsden was on the field plenty, but he was asked to block more to help slow down a strong Giants defensive front in the 21-18 defeat. The 22-year-old fifth-rounder out of Syracuse caught the attention of fantasy managers in deeper leagues when he caught five of seven targets for 46 yards in his NFL debut in the Week 3 win over the Denver Broncos. Gadsden should continue to have a role in L.A.'s passing attack, but in the immediate future, he'll probably be inconsistent for fantasy purposes, especially if Dissly can return and play in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
September 30, 2025
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced on Tuesday that offensive tackle Brian O'Neill (knee) suffered an MCL sprain in the Week 4 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Ireland on Sunday and will be week-to-week, per the team. While O'Neill could miss some time, he will not be placed on Injured Reserve. Meanwhile, outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (neck) will not practice this week, meaning he probably won't play in Week 5 in London against the Cleveland Browns. O'Neill injured his knee in the first quarter in Dublin on Sunday and never returned. The 30-year-old will most likely sit out in Week 5 against a strong Browns defensive front, which could spell trouble for backup quarterback
Carson Wentz if
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) misses a third straight game. Justin Skule is the likely replacement at right tackle for the Vikes for however long O'Neill is out.
--Keith HernandezSource: Minnesota Vikings
September 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back
Kaleb Johnson had his best chance yet for a breakout game in Week 4 with Steelers RB1
Jaylen Warren (knee) sidelined by a knee injury. However, Johnson remained stuck behind veteran back
Kenneth Gainwell, who logged 134 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 25 total touches against the Minnesota Vikings. Johnson had just six carries for 22 yards, and has recorded just eight carries for 21 yards on the season. Pittsburgh has a bye in Week 5, and Warren may be ready to return in Week 6 for the Steelers' matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Even if Warren remains out, there's little reason to think Johnson would be set to jump Gainwell on the running back depth chart in Pittsburgh. The 22-year-old rookie maintains fantasy appeal in dynasty leagues, but he's tough to roster with any confidence in redraft formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
September 30, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. was a healthy scratch for the first two weeks of the season. However, following veteran running back
Austin Ekeler (Achilles) suffering a torn Achilles in Week 2, Rodriguez Jr. leads Washington in carries (18) across the team's past two games. The Commanders are employing a three-way split in the backfield, with
Jacory Croskey-Merritt and
Jeremy McNichols seeing a fair number of touches as well. Still, Rodriguez Jr. has been efficient (5.4 yards per rush attempt) and could be the team's preferred early-down and goal-line back. Rodriguez Jr. is tough to trust as a fantasy starter unless he starts commanding a larger share of Washington's backfield workload. Still, he should be rostered in deep leagues of 14 or more teams, given the opportunity for a true lead back to emerge for the Commanders.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
September 30, 2025
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said that quarterback
Brock Purdy (toe) is questionable to play in the team's Week 5 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. Lynch said Purdy's status depends on whether he can "turn it around on a short week." Purdy missed Weeks 2 and 3 with toe and shoulder injuries, but was able to return in Week 4. In the two games he has played in 2025, Purdy has thrown for 586 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. If he is unable to play on Thursday, backup quarterback
Mac Jones (knee) would likely be his replacement. Jones is playing through a PCL sprain in his knee, but was listed as a full practice participant on Monday's injury report. In two starts this season, Jones has thrown for 563 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. He'd profile as a low-end fantasy QB2 if called into action in a tough matchup against the Rams defense.
--Will BradySource: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
September 30, 2025
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said that wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall (knee) is listed as questionable to play in his team's Week 5 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan previously said that Pearsall suffered a "minor PCL" injury in Week 4. The 25-year-old has recorded 20 catches for 327 yards on 29 targets so far in 2025. San Francisco could also be missing wideout
Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs) in Week 5. If both Pearsall and Jennings are sidelined, wide receivers
Kendrick Bourne and
Demarcus Robinson would both likely see a significant increase in both playing time and target share.
--Will BradySource: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
September 30, 2025
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Courtland Sutton recorded five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown on six targets in his team's 28-3 Week 4 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The 29-year-old has now recorded a touchdown catch in three out of Denver's first four games of the season. All told, Sutton has 18 catches for 266 yards and three scores on 27 targets so far in 2025. The Broncos have several offensive weapons for quarterback
Bo Nix to spread the ball around to, but Sutton is the clear number one option in the passing game. As long as he stays healthy, Sutton profiles as a must-start fantasy wide receiver.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
September 30, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings hope quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) practices "some" this week, leading into the team's Week 5 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, per a team announcement. McCarthy suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 2 and has missed Minnesota's last two games. Before getting hurt, McCarthy had completed 58.5% of his passes for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. Veteran quarterback
Carson Wentz has been Minnesota's starter over the past two weeks, throwing for 523 yards, four touchdowns, and two picks. Minnesota has a bye in Week 6, so it could make sense for McCarthy to miss one more game in Week 5 and have two full weeks to heal before returning in Week 7.
--Will BradySource: Minnesota Vikings
September 30, 2025
Denver Broncos running back
J.K. Dobbins had an efficient night on the ground in his team's Week 4 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Dobbins recorded 16 carries for 101 yards, an average of 6.3 yards per rush attempt. The 26-year-old has now recorded 57 carries for 323 yards and three touchdowns through his first four games of 2025. Dobbins is the RB1 in Denver, but it's worth noting that Broncos rookie running back
RJ Harvey logged a career-high 14 carries in Week 4. The Broncos face a difficult matchup in Week 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Still, Dobbins profiles as a solid fantasy RB2 as long as he continues to lead the Denver backfield in carries.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
September 30, 2025
Atlanta Falcons tight end
Kyle Pitts Sr. had his best week of the season to date in Sunday's 34-27 win over the Commanders, reeling in all five of his targets for 70 yards and a touchdown, his first of the year. That now makes four straight weeks with at least five targets and at least four catches to begin the 2025 campaign, currently ranking as the ninth-highest scoring tight end in half-point PPR leagues. The former first-round draft pick's target share (18.5 percent) ranks second on the team behind only
Drake London, and that is even the case if you only look at Weeks 2-4 when
Darnell Mooney was on the field. It's almost a five percent increase in target share compared to his involvement last season, too. The Falcons have a bye in Week 5, and Pitts returns to a tough matchup in Week 6 against the Bills, a team that has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to TEs this year, so it will be a good test to see if
Michael Penix Jr. can keep him involved on an every-week basis.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
September 30, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher
Roki Sasaki is expected to be on the team's Wild Card roster, according to manager Dave Roberts. While the team hasn't released the official roster yet, Sasaki's strong work down the stretch out of the bullpen seems to have earned him a spot in the postseason. The 23-year-old had a 4.46 ERA and 5.81 FIP in his 10 games overall this season, but he pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen in the final week of the regular season against the Mariners and Diamondbacks. He gave up just one hit and had four strikeouts in those two games. His outstanding strikeout stuff and high ceiling make him an intriguing arm out of the pen for Roberts, as he and the Dodgers look to get past the Reds in the Wild Card series this week.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Doug McKain
September 30, 2025
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Zack Littell will make the start for the Reds in Game 2 on Wednesday, according to manager Terry Francona. Littell came to the Reds in a trade from the Rays at the trade deadline and went 2-0 in 10 starts for the Reds, posting a 4.39 ERA, 4.77 FIP, and a 1.07 WHIP. He went 10-8 in his 32 starts overall this season with a 3.81 ERA, but he struggled with a tendency to give up home runs, allowing 36 homers, which was the second most in the majors behind only
Jake Irvin of the Nationals. Littell starting Game 2 and
Andrew Abbott in Game 3 (if necessary) allows the Reds to use lefty
Nick Lodolo out of the bullpen. It will be interesting to see how Francona mixes and matches his pitchers as he and the upstart Reds try to take down the mighty Dodgers.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Charlie Clifford
September 30, 2025
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher
Chris Paddack just started on Sunday against the Red Sox, so it isn't entirely surprising to see him left off the roster for the AL Wild Card series against the Guardians. Instead, the Tigers will carry relief pitchers
Keider Montero and
Paul Sewald. Paddack was one of the Tigers' few in-season pickups but struggled to a 5.35 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 5.03 FIP in his 33 games between the Twins and Tigers this season. He could still make a start in the ALDS or ALCS if the Tigers advance, but he won't be part of the plan out of the bullpen in this week's series in Cleveland.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Tigers
September 30, 2025
Cleveland Guardians outfielder
Chase DeLauter didn't make his major league debut during the regular season, but he will be on the active roster for the Wild Card series and will make his debut in the postseason. DeLauter is the team's No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, but he underwent surgery to repair a right hamate fracture back on July 23rd and has not played since. He hit .278 with five homers, 25 runs scored, 21 RBI, and a .384 wOBA in his 34 games at Triple-A before his injury. He will obviously be making a huge jump in competition, diving right into the postseason, but the lefty has a dynamic bat and has shown a high ceiling while navigating multiple injuries throughout his time in Cleveland's farm system. The Guardians could use his help in the outfield, and he could be the next surprise contributor in Cleveland's improbable postseason run.
Update: DeLauter is on the active roster but not in the starting lineup for Game 1.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Guardians Prospective
September 30, 2025
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher
Gavin Williams will get the ball for the first game of his team's Wild Card series against the Tigers. He'll go head-to-head with
Tarik Skubal on Tuesday afternoon in Cleveland. The Guardians went 8-5 against Detroit this season, winning five of six head-to-head matchups in September while surging past the slumping Tigers and claiming the division crown. Williams was outstanding down the stretch for Cleveland, going 5-1 in his last seven starts with a 2.04 ERA, 3.74 FIP, and 46 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings. He beat the Tigers in each of his final two regular-season starts, allowing a total of two runs on seven hits with 21 strikeouts in 11 innings against the Tigers. He'll look to continue that dominance and give his team a chance to take Game 1 if he can match Skubal on Tuesday.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Zack Meisel
September 30, 2025
Houston Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud helped his team get their first win of the season in Week 4 by trouncing the hapless Titans, 26-0. It could be more than just a win, though, since it could signify a major step forward for Stroud, according to Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle. Warren points specifically to Stroud's audible and adjustment on his 24-yard touchdown strike to rookie
Jayden Higgins as a potential breakthrough moment for the young QB in the system of new offensive coordinator Nick Caley. The Texans lost three straight games by one score to the Rams, Bucs, and Jags to start the season before rolling over the Titans. With their defense playing so well, the offense only has to improve a little bit to start piling up wins. Stroud struggled in the first three games of the season but looked better against the Titans. How much of that was the opponent? We'll start to get our answer in Week 5, since Stroud and the Texans head to Baltimore for a tough road matchup on Sunday before their bye week in Week 6.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Sam Warren
September 30, 2025
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Marvin Mims Jr. caught a season-high six passes for 69 yards on Monday night against the Bengals, and he added his second touchdown of the year on a 16-yard rushing attempt. Mims only had six catches total in the first three weeks of the season, and matched that total by hauling in all six of his targets in Week 4 while more than doubling his receiving yards as well. Mims is loaded with big-play upside, and if the Broncos make an effort to get him more regularly involved in the offense, he could be a boom-or-bust flex option, especially headed into bye weeks. This week, he'll have a tough matchup against the Eagles, remaining a volatile but potentially productive receiver option.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
September 30, 2025
Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson (hamstring) left Week 4's loss to the Chiefs with an injury, and his status for this week's game against the Texans is "up in the air," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Jackson left last week's game early, but since the game was mostly decided, it was hard to determine how much of his absence was due to the game situation. Coach John Harbaugh said there was no way Jackson could have returned regardless of the score, though, which is concerning for the mobile quarterback that needs his elusiveness to be effective. The Ravens have home games against the Texans and Rams before their Week 7 bye week, so they may opt to play it safe with Jackson and hold him out of those games. If he does miss time,
Cooper Rush completed 9-of-13 passes for 52 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions after taking over in Week 4, and he would likely get the start in Week 5 if Jackson is unable to play.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Tom Pelissero
September 30, 2025
Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Tyreek Hill (knee) will undergo surgery on Monday after suffering a catastrophic knee injury on Monday Night Football against the Jets. The injury is so severe that not only will he clearly miss the rest of this season, but his availability for the start of the 2026 season is in jeopardy, according to NFL on CBS's Jonathan Jones. Hill was viewed as a potential trade candidate before the deadline, but now he'll miss the rest of the year and could have played his last snap for Miami. While he is still under contract with the Dolphins next year, there is a digestible out for the team next offseason. If the Dolphins decide to reset the roster, cutting Hill would be a clear place to start and let him be a free agent headed into next year. If he does hit the open market, he could sign before or after he completes his recovery. Hill will be 32 years old when the 2026 season starts, and he'll be looking to return from this major injury while coming off the worst two-year stretch of his career. Still, his raw speed and high upside make him a fascinating piece to watch this coming offseason.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Jonathan Jones
September 30, 2025
Denver Broncos running back
RJ Harvey was more involved in his team's game plan this week, although some of that may have been since the game was decided early. He took a career-high 14 carries in Week 4 after totaling just 13 carries in his first three games and only getting two carries in Week 3. He turned those carries into 58 rushing yards and added a career-high four catches as well for 40 more yards and his first NFL touchdown. It was an easy walk-in score on a 12-yard dropoff pass with just under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. He played 41% of his team's snaps, getting almost a 50-50 split with
J.K. Dobbins, who also remained effective. In close games, Dobbins still may get more work, but Harvey's strong showing could earn him increased chances going forward. In Week 5, the Broncos have a tough road matchup with the Eagles.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
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