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Ty Johnson Tough To Trust In Backup Role Against Chiefs
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson remains an unreliable fantasy option ahead of Sunday's AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs. Johnson has consistently operated as the No. 2 running back behind James Cook, and he has also lost plenty of opportunities to rookie Ray Davis. Outside of an impressive Wild Card Weekend in which Johnson caught a touchdown pass and posted his season-high for rushing yards, the veteran running back has been tough to trust in fantasy football. This week won't be any different. In fact, Johnson's job could get even harder as he takes on a dominant Kansas City run defense. The Chiefs have been lethal against running backs this year, allowing the third-fewest rushing yards, fifth-fewest catches, and fourth-fewest receiving yards to the position during the 2024 regular season. Furthermore, they didn't surrender a single receiving touchdown to running backs. Johnson makes his biggest impact when he can capitalize on a defense's mistakes, such as two weeks ago against the Denver Broncos when he made a phenomenal touchdown catch in the back of the end zone. Against a stout, well-coached Chiefs defense, that won't be easy to do. Fantasy managers and bettors may want to look elsewhere for production at the running back position, though your options are certainly slim with just four teams left in the playoffs.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
More Recent News
Zay Flowers Limited Wednesday With Hamstring Injury
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.
Source: Jamison Hensley
Source: Jamison Hensley
Michael Pittman Jr. Seen Using Scooter Wednesday
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.
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Source: Nick Farabaugh
DeVonta Smith Missing Practice on Wednesday
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.
Source: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena
Source: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena
Dallas Goedert Returns to Practice, Should Play on Sunday
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.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Jeff McLane
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Jeff McLane
Keenan Allen Practicing on Wednesday
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.
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Texans Designate Tank Dell to Return From Injured Reserve
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.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Dont'e Thornton Jr. "Ready to Play," Worth Stashing in Deep Leagues
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.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Cam Skattebo in a Non-Contact Jersey on Wednesday
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.
Source: The North Jersey Bergen Record - Art Stapleton
Source: The North Jersey Bergen Record - Art Stapleton
Jaylen Wright Going to Get More Opportunities
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.
Source: Miami Herald - Omar Kelly
Source: Miami Herald - Omar Kelly
Jayden Daniels Expected to Practice in Full on Wednesday
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) is throwing again on Wednesday and is expected to be a full participant in practice, according to John Keim of ESPN. It is great timing for the Commanders, as veteran Marcus Mariota (knee) is expected to miss two to three weeks after spraining his MCL in Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London. Daniels has been out the last two weeks after dislocating his left (non-throwing) elbow in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, but he was limited all of last week in practice and now appears to be a full-go. Unless the former first-rounder suffers a setback with his left elbow in practice this week, he should be expected to make his return and start this Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. Despite developing an injury-prone label early in his career, the 25-year-old Daniels still has QB1 upside for his ability to rack up points with his arm and legs. He should at least be considered a low-end QB1 option again this weekend if he is cleared to face the Giants.
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Tee Higgins to be Limited in Wednesday's Practice
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (groin) will be limited in the team's practice on Wednesday, head coach Zac Taylor told The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. Higgins suffered an adductor injury in Sunday's Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but that did not stop him from having a big game, catching 11 of his 16 targets for 157 yards. It helped that star wideout Ja'Marr Chase left the game with a concussion, and with Chase up in the air to clear the league's concussion protocol this week, Higgins could have another monster game for fantasy managers in Week 5 on the road against the winless Miami Dolphins this Sunday if he gains clearance to play this weekend. With a limited showing on Wednesday, Higgins is in a good spot to be active against the Dolphins. Through four games to begin his seventh year in the NFL, Higgins has 25 catches on 39 targets for 401 yards and one touchdown. It has made him the WR8 in half-PPR formats, so Higgins should be locked into starting lineups this weekend, even if Chase clears the concussion protocol and plays.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Ja'Marr Chase Working Through the Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (head) is working through the league's concussion protocol, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. It is unclear what that means as far as Chase's practice status on Wednesday, but he is still in play to potentially suit up in Week 5 on Sunday at the Miami Dolphins. Fellow wideout Tee Higgins (groin) is also dealing with an injury, but he was limited on Wednesday and should have a pretty good chance of playing this weekend. We will continue to keep a close eye on Chase's participation throughout the week, but for now, fantasy managers should consider him very questionable to face Miami in South Beach on Sunday. With Cincy's bye coming in Week 6, it is very possible that the Bengals play it safe and give Chase two full weeks to heal up. If he does not play against the Dolphins, then receiver Dohnte Meyers and tight end Mike Gesicki will become very interesting fantasy options this week in an excellent matchup against the winless Dolphins. Chase is a must-start in fantasy anytime he is active. He has 21 catches for 212 yards and three touchdowns through four games in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Kyle Monangai's Thumb Not Considered an Issue by Coaching Staff
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (thumb) ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's win over the Jets, racking up a career-high 29.5 fantasy points, but he was kept off the field late in the game after injuring his right thumb. On Wednesday, head coach Ben Johnson plainly told the assembled media that the "thumb is not an issue," according to team reporter Brad Biggs. Instead, Johnson suggested that Monangai's heavy workload on Sunday could lead to reduced practice reps. With D'Andre Swift losing a fumble midway through the third quarter, Monangai saw most of the action from then on, topping 30 carries for the first time in his career. The division of labor will be one to watch moving forward, but both Monangai and Swift can be started in a Week 5 matchup against the Packers.
Source: Brad Biggs
Source: Brad Biggs
Rachaad White Practicing in Non-Contact Jersey
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White (shoulder) missed Sunday's international loss to the Colts with a shoulder injury, but he was back at practice on Wednesday, sporting a black non-contact jersey, according to team reporter Tashan Reed. In what ultimately became a pass-heavy contest, Jacory Croskey-Merritt remained the team's most involved running back, but it was veteran Austin Ekeler, playing in his first game of the year after signing with the team less than a week earlier, who led the position group with 29 rushing yards on four carries. Through three games, White had averaged only 8.5 fantasy points per contest, and should he find himself splitting third-down reps with Ekeler upon his return, he will become all the more difficult to keep rostered outside of the deepest leagues.
Source: Tashan Reed
Source: Tashan Reed
Mack Hollins Not Anticipated to Practice Wednesday
New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (calf) exited early from the team's Week 4 win over the Bills, leaving the field in obvious discomfort after sustaining a non-contact injury, and head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters on Wednesday that he is not expected to practice with the calf injury. Hollins has been the team's leading receiver through four weeks, and in his absence, Romeo Doubs, fresh off a two-touchdown performance, becomes close to a must-start player as the de facto number one receiver in an offense looking to sustain momentum. Second-year wideout Efton Chism III could also have some flex value in deeper leagues after finishing Sunday's contest with 42 yards and the game-winning touchdown grab, an early candidate for catch of the year.
Source: Evan Lazar
Source: Evan Lazar
Lamar Jackson Not Practicing on Wednesday
There was no sign of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) at the period of practice open to the media on Wednesday, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Tyler Huntley and Joe Fagnanon were the two QBs warming up before the start of practice. Although Jackson has a chance to suit up in Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons, the expectation is that he will miss at least one week after spraining his ankle in Sunday's victory over the Tennessee Titans. Fantasy managers should already be making plans to be without the All-Pro QB this weekend, and his ankle injury could limit his rushing ability for the rest of the season, which would obviously lower the dual threat's fantasy ceiling. Through the first four weeks of the 2026 season, Jackson is the QB9 in fantasy football with 967 passing yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. He has added 144 rushing yards and one score on the ground on 19 rushing attempts. If Huntley makes his first start of the year under center for Baltimore this weekend, he will merely be a low-end QB2 streaming option in superflex fantasy leagues against Atlanta.
Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
Rhamondre Stevenson Not Expected to Practice Wednesday
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (leg) found the end zone for the first time this season in the team's Week 4 win over the Bills, helping him to finish as the RB13 on the week, but he is not expected to practice on Wednesday after limping off the field late in the game. Stevenson appeared to check on his knee after a run for no gain on the final drive of the game, but he was later seen moving without any visible discomfort. Fantasy managers will need to monitor the team's injury report for an official designation ahead of a Week 5 matchup with the Raiders, and should Stevenson miss time, TreVeyon Henderson becomes a must-start player.
Source: Evan Lazar
Source: Evan Lazar
Caleb Douglas Will Not Practice on Wednesday
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas (ankle) will not practice on Wednesday, head coach Jeff Hafley told Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. Douglas is "doing better," but not enough to get back on the field yet. Douglas has missed each of the last two games and could be headed for a third straight absence in Week 5 when the Dolphins take on the Cincinnati Bengals at home this Sunday. The Dolphins are taking Douglas' injury day by day, but as of right now, he is on the wrong side of questionable for Week 5 action. With Douglas sidelined the last two weeks, Malik Washington, rookie Chris Bell, and Kevin Coleman have been Miami's top three receivers for quarterback Malik Willis. The 23-year-old Douglas, a third-rounder from Texas Tech in April, caught seven of his 10 targets for 113 yards in his first two NFL games before injuring his ankle. He is mostly just a bench stash in dynasty/keeper leagues, but fantasy managers in deep single-league formats should not ignore the opportunity that he will have once he returns from his ankle injury.
Source: ESPN.com - Marcel Louis-Jacques
Source: ESPN.com - Marcel Louis-Jacques
Marcus Mariota to Avoid Injured Reserve
Washington Commanders veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota (knee) will not go on Injured Reserve after spraining his MCL in the Week 4 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London on Sunday, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. It means that the Commanders think Mariota could be back within two to three weeks after he missed two and a half weeks after his first MCL sprain during the preseason in August. It also means that Washington may not need to sign an outside veteran QB to time them over. That will especially be the case if starter Jayden Daniels is able to return this weekend against the division-rival New York Giants after dislocating his left elbow in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. If Daniels is not cleared to play this weekend, Athan Kaliakmanis would be forced into making his first NFL start under center. The 32-year-old Mariota has already appeared in three games (two starts) for Washington this year after playing in 11 games (eight starts) in 2025 due to injuries to Daniels. He has gone 33-for-51 passing for 340 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions in limited action in 2026, but he will return to his usual backup role when he heals from his MCL sprain.
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Jadarian Price Losing Value Amid Absence, Increased Backfield Competition
Seattle Seahawks rookie running back Jadarian Price (chest) missed his first of at least four games after being placed on injured reserve with a chest injury, and in his absence, veteran Emanuel Wilson racked up 120 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Chargers. While still not expected to play in Week 5, Zach Charbonnet (knee) has had his practice window opened after beginning the year on the physically unable to perform list, and the Seahawks were briefly tied to two-time Pro Bowler Joe Mixon before the results of his physical caused them to alter course. All told, Seattle's backfield has the potential to become a mess for fantasy purposes, and with Price unable to take hold of the primary role in his three games of action, he becomes all the more difficult to trust upon his eventual return.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
More News About Ty Johnson
