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Saquon Barkley's Lack of Valuable Touches Affecting his Fantasy Value
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has gotten off to a slow start to his 2026 season. In three games, Barkley has 34 carries for 174 yards and no touchdowns, along with three receptions for six yards. His current average of 6.5 half-PPR fantasy points per game ranks him RB37 on a per-game basis. While he's been efficient, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, his limited receiving and goal-line work with the Eagles' patented "tush push" have hurt his fantasy value early in the season. With tough matchups against the Los Angeles Rams and the Jacksonville Jaguars in the next two weeks, Barkley may be unable to rebound. Fantasy managers should remain wary of Barkley's ceiling given his lack of valuable touches, though he remains a strong RB2 moving forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
More Recent News
Mike Evans Officially Did Not Practice on Thursday
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs) officially did not practice Thursday as the team gears up to face the Denver Broncos. Evans has now missed two straight practices after suffering a rib injury in Week 3's victory over the Arizona Cardinals. General manager John Lynch said that Evans will "make every attempt [to play] and we'll see where that goes." The team signed veteran Brandin Cooks from the practice squad as it prepares to be short-handed at wide receiver, with Evans not practicing and De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), Demarcus Robinson (ankle), and Ricky Pearsall (knee) on injured reserve. While Evans has proven he doesn't need to practice to suit up for games, Friday's practice will likely determine his status for Week 4's matchup against Denver. If he can't suit up, Deebo Samuel Sr., Jordan Watkins, and Jacob Cowing will have larger roles on Sunday.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
Xavier Legette Does Not Practice on Thursday
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (knee) officially did not practice Thursday as the team prepares to face the Detroit Lions. Legette has now missed two straight practices due to a knee injury sustained before Week 3 and is considered "week-to-week," according to head coach Dave Canales. In two games this season, Legette has caught just two passes for 64 yards while playing just over 50% of the snaps. With Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker both standing out as Carolina's top wideouts, the former 32nd overall pick has been pushed aside because of his inconsistent play. Friday's practice will determine whether Legette can play on Sunday Night against the Lions, but he doesn't offer enough upside to be considered fantasy-relevant with McMillan and Coker emerging.
Source: Joe Person
Source: Joe Person
Jordyn Tyson Unlikely to Return to Practice Next Week
New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore does not expect rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) to practice next week. When asked whether Tyson will be designated to practice next week, Moore said, "Doesn't look like it right now, but we'll have to wait and see." Tyson suffered a hamstring injury during a joint training camp practice and was placed on injured reserve, with expectations that he would miss at least two months. The eighth overall pick struggled with injuries throughout his college career, including a severe knee injury in 2022 and multiple hamstring injuries. With Tyson out, Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, and Juwan Johnson will see increased roles, as quarterback Tyler Shough has played well to start the season. Fantasy managers should watch Tyson's potential return, as his immense talent should shake up this receiving core once he returns.
Source: Mike Triplett
Source: Mike Triplett
Jaylen Wright Upgrades to Full Practice on Thursday
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (foot) was listed as a full participant in Thursday's practice as the team prepares to face the Minnesota Vikings. Wright missed Week 3's 24-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs due to a foot injury and a stinger he suffered the previous week. With Wright trending in the right direction for Week 4, he should see a significant increase in usage, especially with star running back De'Von Achane (knee) out for the season with a torn ACL. While second-year back Ollie Gordon II was the clear workhorse last week, the team listed Wright as the starter on their depth chart. If Wright can suit up in Week 4, the tough matchup against the Vikings makes both backs risky fantasy options.
Source: David Furones
Source: David Furones
Chris Godwin Jr. Upgraded to Full Practice Participation on Thursday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (ankle) was a full participant in his team's practice on Thursday. The veteran wideout did not participate in practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury, but it appears he's trending in the right direction ahead of Tampa Bay's Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Godwin Jr. has gotten off to a quiet start to the 2026 season, recording 10 catches for 111 yards on 11 targets across three games. Things may not get any easier for Godwin Jr. in Week 4, as Tampa Bay will start rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels in place of the injured Baker Mayfield (thumb). While it's a positive sign for fantasy managers that Godwin Jr. appears to have avoided a serious injury, he profiles as a deep-league flex option for fantasy managers at best, given the quarterback uncertainty in Tampa Bay.
Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Zay Flowers Practices in Full on Thursday
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) was upgraded to full practice participation on Thursday. The 26-year-old has been battling a hamstring injury since Week 1, but he was able to play through it in Week 3 and appears to be getting closer to full health ahead of Baltimore's Week 4 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Flowers' snap share has been limited by the hamstring issue so far, as he's yet to play more than 33% of the Ravens' offensive snaps in a game this season. Still, the 26-year-old has been remarkably productive in his limited opportunities, recording 10 catches for 234 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets across two games. As he moves further away from the injury, Flowers profiles as a must-start WR1 option for fantasy managers in Week 4.
Source: Baltimore Ravens
Source: Baltimore Ravens
Travis Etienne Jr. Being Placed on Injured Reserve with Hamstring Injury
The New Orleans Saints are placing running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. Etienne Jr. will now miss the Saints' next four games at least, leaving him ineligible to return before Week 9. The 27-year-old had gotten off to a slow start to his first season in New Orleans, recording 30 carries for 128 yards and 11 catches for 51 yards on 13 targets across the first three weeks of 2026. With Etienne Jr. sidelined, the Saints will likely split backfield work between Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, and CJ Donaldson. Kamara is obviously the most established back between the three, but he's 31 years old and has averaged 2.8 yards per carry so far this year. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Miller could be a worthy waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
Ladd McConkey Absent from Chargers Practice on Thursday
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (foot) was not seen during his team's practice on Thursday, according to ESPN's Kris Rhim. McConkey was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday due to a foot injury, and he could be trending in the wrong direction ahead of his team's Week 4 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Across three games so far in 2026, McConkey has recorded 12 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets. Health is now a major concern for the 24-year-old, as he was already playing through a rib injury that he sustained in Week 1. If McConkey is unable to play against Seattle, Chargers wide receivers Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris would likely be in line for an increase in target volume in Week 4.
Source: ESPN - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN - Kris Rhim
Brandin Cooks Signed to 49ers Active Roster
The San Francisco 49ers have signed veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks from their practice squad to their active roster, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN. The 49ers wide receiver room has been ravaged by injuries so far this year, with Ricky Pearsall (knee) out for the season and De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) both currently on Injured Reserve. The injuries don't stop there, as WR1 Mike Evans (rib) and depth piece KhaDarel Hodge (knee) are both questionable for the team's Week 4 matchup against the Denver Broncos. If Evans and/or Hodge are unable to play against Denver, Cooks would join wideouts Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowings as the top complementary options to Deebo Samuel Sr. The 33-year-old Cooks recorded 24 catches for 279 yards on 36 targets across 15 games split between the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills in 2025. In deeper fantasy leagues, he could be worth a speculative add given the injury situation in San Francisco.
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
DeVonta Smith's Status for Week 4 in Doubt
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) is "legitimately questionable" to play in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Smith was listed on the Eagles injury report ahead of the team's Week 3 contest against the Chicago Bears but was able to play. However, the 27-year-old has yet to practice this week, and Garafolo reports that his status for Week 4 is "murky." Across three games so far in 2026, Smith has recorded 19 catches for 235 yards and a touchdown on 27 targets. The Eagles are already likely to be without tight end Dallas Goedert (knee), so losing Smith would leave them missing their top two pass-catchers against the Rams. If Smith is inactive, Eagles wideouts Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon could both be candidates for increased usage in Week 4.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
D'Andre Swift Misses Practice on Thursday with Knee Injury
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (knee) did not participate in his team's practice on Thursday due to a knee injury. The 27-year-old was not listed on Wednesday's injury report, so it appears the knee issue is a new development. Swift has gotten off to a strong start to the 2026 season, recording 321 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 62 touches across three games. While the severity of his knee injury is not yet known, the veteran back could be in danger of missing Chicago's Week 4 contest against the New York Jets. If Swift is inactive this week, Bears running back Kyle Monangai would likely handle the majority of the team's backfield duties and would profile as a must-start running back for fantasy managers against the Jets.
Source: Chicago Bears
Source: Chicago Bears
Jaylen Wright Listed Atop Dolphins' Depth Chart
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright is listed as the team's RB1 on the latest depth chart. Wright has barely been involved so far, carrying three times for 10 yards through two appearances, and he missed Week 3 while dealing with foot and stinger injuries. He returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant. The new depth-chart placement puts Wright in position for a much bigger role, but it doesn't necessarily mean Miami is handing him the backfield. Ollie Gordon II handled 20 touches against Kansas City after De'Von Achane went down and should remain involved. Wright's health and how Miami divides the work will be worth watching Sunday against Minnesota.
Source: Miami Dolphins
Source: Miami Dolphins
Justin Jefferson Not Seen Practicing Thursday
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) was not practicing during the open portion of Thursday's session, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. Jefferson also sat out Wednesday as he works back from the left ankle sprain that knocked him out of last week's win over Tampa Bay. Head coach Kevin O'Connell has called him day-to-day and said the Vikings won't put Jefferson back on the field until he can play like himself. The star receiver has 13 catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns through three games. Minnesota has not ruled him out for Sunday against Miami, but another day without visible practice work keeps his Week 4 status very much up in the air.
Source: Kevin Seifert
Source: Kevin Seifert
Puka Nacua Expected to Practice in Full Thursday
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (hip/groin) is expected to practice in full Thursday, according to Adam Grosbard. Offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase also pointed to a play from Wednesday when Nacua twisted back to catch a pass thrown behind him as another encouraging sign in his recovery. Nacua was limited Wednesday in his first official practice since Sept. 18 after missing the last two games. Head coach Sean McVay has already said he expects Nacua to return Sunday against Philadelphia. The 25-year-old caught five passes for 74 yards in the season opener before the injury surfaced. Thursday's official participation level still needs to be posted, but everything continues to point toward Nacua being back in the lineup for Week 4.
Source: Adam Grosbard
Source: Adam Grosbard
Emeka Egbuka's Fantasy Stock Takes a Hit
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is not falling because of anything he did wrong in Week 3. He caught five of nine targets for 62 yards against Minnesota and now has 20 targets through three games. The problem is the quarterback change. Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb late in Sunday's loss and is expected to miss at least three games, leaving undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels to make his first NFL start against Green Bay. Daniels went 0-for-3 with an interception in relief of Mayfield. Egbuka's role itself remains healthy, especially with Jalen McMillan now on injured reserve because of a knee injury. Chris Godwin also returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday with an ankle issue. The concern is the quality and consistency of Egbuka's targets while Mayfield is out, not whether Tampa Bay still wants the ball in his hands. His fantasy stock takes a hit for now, even though the underlying usage remains encouraging.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Ramsey Expected to Play Through Broken Wrist
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey (wrist) is expected to play Thursday night against Cleveland despite a broken wrist, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Ramsey suffered the injury on Pittsburgh's first defensive series of Sunday's win over Cincinnati but stayed in the game and finished with eight tackles. He was limited throughout the short practice week and officially carries a questionable designation. Ramsey said earlier this week that his availability would depend on whether he could protect the wrist while still playing at the level he expects. The Steelers haven't officially declared him active yet, but the expectation is that Ramsey will be on the field against the Browns.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Lamar Jackson Expected to Play Sunday
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (back) is expected to play Sunday against Tennessee, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Jackson was limited in Wednesday's practice with the back issue, though head coach Jesse Minter downplayed the concern and called it "something small." Jackson was back on the field to begin Thursday's session, another encouraging sign ahead of Week 4. He has completed 53 of 76 passes for 745 yards, four touchdowns and one interception through three games while adding 124 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Baltimore has not given Jackson a final game designation yet, but the expectation is that he will be under center against the Titans.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
DeVonta Smith Misses Second Straight Practice
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) will not practice Thursday, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Smith was also listed as a projected non-participant for Wednesday's walkthrough, giving him two straight DNP designations on a short turnaround from Monday night. He still led Philadelphia against Chicago with six catches for 65 yards on eight targets, including a 30-yard reception. Smith dealt with the same hamstring issue last week and followed a similar path, sitting out Thursday before going limited Friday and full Saturday. That makes this worth monitoring without sounding the alarm just yet. Friday's practice should give a better read on his availability for Sunday's game against the Rams.
Source: Jeff McLane
Source: Jeff McLane
Caleb Douglas Still Unable to Practice
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas (ankle) was not seen during the media-viewing portion of Thursday's practice, according to David Furones. Douglas also missed Wednesday's session as he continues working back from the ankle injury that kept him out of Week 3 against Kansas City. The rookie started Miami's first two games and caught seven passes for 113 yards, including five catches for 94 yards in his NFL debut. Head coach Jeff Hafley said Wednesday that the Dolphins are taking Douglas' recovery one day at a time. Another absence Thursday isn't encouraging for his chances of returning Sunday against Minnesota, though Miami's official practice designation will provide more clarity later in the day.
Source: David Furones
Source: David Furones
Jalen Coker Works Off to Side Thursday
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (quad) was in uniform Thursday but opened practice working off to the side with a trainer, according to Mike Kaye. Coker was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated report after suffering a minor quad strain in Week 3. Head coach Dave Canales has called him more day-to-day than week-to-week and said Carolina needs to see how he moves before putting him back into action. Thursday's side work is at least encouraging, but it does not necessarily mean Coker will be listed as a practice participant. His official status later in the day should give a better idea of where he stands for Sunday night's game against Detroit. Update - Coker was listed as a limited participant on Thursday.
Source: Mike Kaye
Source: Mike Kaye
More News About Saquon Barkley
