Mon Sep 8 9:27am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Fields comes up big in Week 1
And we are off. Not sure all the fantasy teams are off to a great start, but the season is underway. It was a bit of an underwhelming Week 1 with so many top players struggling for fantasy teams. The Sunday night game kind of saved things, having a lot of big performances in that one. But overall, it was a slow start for many fantasy teams.
As always, it was just a week of action, but there is always something to learn from that week. Just don’t overreact just yet. It is a long season.
Eagles 24, Cowboys 20
Fantasy Stud: Javonte Williams. Williams didn’t pile up the yards but got about all the work at running back and scored two touchdowns. He ran 15 times for 54 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 10 yards. It was an encouraging performance from Williams, who seems to have a firm grasp of the starting job in Dallas for now. His numbers should only get better in more favorable matchups
Fantasy Dud: A.J. Brown. Brown was the forgotten man in the Eagles offense, catching just a pass for eight yards. And that catch came very late in the game. We wouldn’t get too worked up about over just a game, but it was a little concerning. You just hope for much better from Brown, avoiding these stinker games.
Game Notes: CeeDee Lamb had a few bad drops but still hit the 100-yard receiving mark. He had seven receptions for 110 yards.
Jalen Hurts missed on just four passes and scored two rushing touchdowns, scoring 25.8 fantasy points. He was 19-of-23 for 152 yards and ran for 62 yards and two touchdowns.
Chargers 27, Chiefs 21
Fantasy Stud: Justin Herbert. Herbert played like an MVP, finishing 25-of-34 for 318 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. He also ran for 32 yards. The Chargers aired it out early and often, showing you that aren’t necessarily the run-heavy offense most thought they would be. Herbert could be setup for a huge season, especially if his receivers continue to play this well
Fantasy Dud: Isiah Pacheco. Pacheco looked like the Pacheco from last season once again. He ran five times for 25 yards and caught two passes for three yards. He had as many carries as backup Kareem Hunt in the game. It was not the start fantasy owners wanted to see from a guy they were hoping would rebound in a big way.
Game Notes: Xavier Worthy injured his shoulder very early in the game and was unable to return. He is going to miss some time with this injury, leaving the Chiefs even more thin at receiver.
Quentin Johnston got little hype this offseason after his disappointing rookie year, but looked great in Week 1. He led the Chargers in receiving, catching five passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns.
Colts 33, Dolphins 8
Fantasy Stud: Daniel Jones. Jones had a great first start with the Colts. He was 22-of-29 for 272 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. He also ran in two scores, rushing seven times for 29 yards. Jones scored 32.2 fantasy points and showed he can be a usable fantasy option. He should be a hot item on waivers this week
Fantasy Dud: Tyreek Hill. Hill had four receptions for just 40 yards. It was a fitting start to his season, considering all the turmoil surrounding him this offseason. You have to wonder how long he lasts in Miami if this team keeps struggling.
Game Notes: Jaylen Waddle injured his shoulder in the game but was able to return. It did not look good at the time of the injury. He had four receptions for 30 yards.
Rookie tight end Tyler Warren was a huge part of the passing game, leading the team in receptions. He had seven receptions for 76 yards.
Bengals 17, Browns 16
Fantasy Stud: Cedric Tillman. Tillman made some big plays in this one, catching five passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. He is going to start in this offense and should get his chances in what can be a pass-heavy scheme. It was a great start for Tillman
Fantasy Dud: Ja’Marr Chase. Chase was the first overall pick in many drafts this year but didn’t play like that top pick in this one. He was really held in check, which is rare. He had just two receptions for 26 yards. It was an unexpected showing from Chase. He should be fine going forward but this was a disappointing start.
Game Notes: Dylan Sampson led the way in the Browns backfield. He had 12 receptions for 29 yards and caught eight passes for 64 yards. Jerome Ford had six carries for eight yards.
Rookie Harold Fannin was a big part of the Browns offense. He had more catches than starter David Njoku, finishing with seven receptions for 63 yards.
Cardinals 20, Saints 13
Fantasy Stud: Marvin Harrison. Harrison had a good start to his season, especially if you consider his season last year. He had five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown. Maybe this is the game that gets Harrison going for a big year two. Harrison certainly has the potential to produce big as the No. 1 receiver
Fantasy Dud: Michael Wilson. Wilson got some play this week because of a favorable matchup but he didn’t help anyone that used him. He had just a catch for five yards. Wilson is going to be a tough fantasy play in an offense that has a lot of weapons ahead of him for targets right now.
Game Notes: Trey Benson had fewer carries but led the Cardinals in rushing. He ran eight times for 69 yards while James Conner had 12 carries for 39 yards.
Juwan Johnson led the Saints in receiving. He had eight receptions for 76 yards.
Steelers 34, Jets 32
Fantasy Stud: Justin Fields. There were a lot of great fantasy performances in this one, but we’ll give the nod to Fields. He was 16-of-22 for 217 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. He also ran 12 times for 48 yards and two touchdowns. Fields put up 31.7 fantasy points. He showed his big-time fantasy potential in the game
Fantasy Dud: Mason Taylor. There were few disappointing fantasy performances but Taylor was not much of a factor, which was a surprise. He had just a catch for 20 yards. Don’t give up on him just yet but you hoped for much better from a player that generated a lot of buzz this training camp.
Game Notes: Breece Hall hit the 100-yard rushing mark, rushing 19 times for 107 yards. He also has two receptions for 38 yards.
Aaron Rodgers looked like the Rodgers of old, going 22-of-30 for 244 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover.
Raiders 20, Patriots 13
Fantasy Stud: Jakobi Meyers. Meyers was the go-to target for the Raiders once again. He had eight receptions for 97 yards. Meyers has a chance to really rack up the receptions in this offense, especially if Brock Bowers has to miss any time
Fantasy Dud: TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson led the Patriots in rushing but didn’t get as much playing time as you would like. He had five carries for 27 yards and five receptions for 11 yards. The only positive for Henderson was starter Rhamondre Stevenson averaged a dismal 2.1 yards per carry. Henderson could be the starter before long in New England.
Game Notes: Brock Bowers had a 100-yard performance but left the game early because of a knee injury. This is a concern. He had five receptions for 103 yards before the injury.
Stefon Diggs played in his first game since tearing his ACL. Diggs looked good, finishing with six receptions for 57 yards. The knee didn’t seem to be an issue at all for Diggs.
Commanders 21, Giants 6
Fantasy Stud: Deebo Samuel. Samuel played a strong game in his first one with the Commanders. He led the team in receiving, having seven catches for 77 yards. He also had a 19-yard touchdown run. Samuel has a chance to get a lot of weekly touches in this offense
Fantasy Dud: Russell Wilson. Wilson had a poor showing, going 17-of-37 for just 168 yards without a touchdown. Wilson is going to need improve his play if he hopes to keep rookie Jaxson Dart off the field. The Giants offense looked terrible in this one.
Game Notes: Jacory Croskey-Merritt lived up to the preseason buzz, leading the Commanders in rushing. He had 10 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Jayden Daniels played a solid game in victory, throwing for 233 yards and a touchdown without an interception. He ran 11 times for 67 yards, scoring 22.4 fantasy points.
Bucs 23, Falcons 20
Fantasy Stud: Bijan Robinson. Robinson showed why he is such a valuable fantasy player. He didn’t do anything rushing the ball but that didn’t slow him from having a huge fantasy game. He had six receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown to make up for his poor rushing total. He had 12 carries for just 24 yards but still managed to score 24.4 fantasy points
Fantasy Dud: Bucky Irving. We know Irving scored and his overall fantasy numbers weren’t terrible but you expected much better. He had 14 carries for just 37 yards, averaging just 2.6 yards per carry. And he had four receptions but managed just eight yards. He did score a receiving touchdown, helping salvage an otherwise poor fantasy performance.
Game Notes: Drake London was banged up very late in the game and was unable to return. He had eight receptions for 55 yards before getting hurt.
Emeka Ebuka had four receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown. He also ran one for nine yards, having a big rookie debut.
Jaguars 26, Panthers 10
Fantasy Stud: Travis Etienne. Etienne made a strong case to remain the top back in Jacksonville. He had a huge opener, rushing 16 times for 143 yards. He also caught three passes for 13 yards, giving him 156 total yards. This is his backfield for now
Fantasy Dud: Bryce Young. Young did not do a good job of capitalizing on his strong finish to last year. He looked a lot more like the quarterback from earlier last season. He struggled, turning the ball over three times. He was 18-of-35 for 154 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions and a lost fumble. It was a really disappointing start in what looked like a favorable matchup for Young.
Game Notes: Chuba Hubbard had his usual solid game, racking up 89 total yards and a touchdown on 19 touches (16 rushes and three receptions).
Rookie Travis Hunter played primarily on offense and actually led the Jaguars in receptions. He had six receptions for 33 yards.
49ers 17, Seahawks 13
Fantasy Stud: Christian McCaffrey. His calf injury was clearly a non-issue. He got a big workout, rushing 22 times for 69 yards. He also caught nine passes for 73 yards, giving him 23.2 fantasy points. You just hope that McCaffrey can stay healthy. He is going to have a huge season if he can stay on the field
Fantasy Dud: Kenneth Walker. Walker had 10 carries for just 20 yards and caught three passes for four yards. He had two fewer carries than Zach Charbonnet, who finished with 47 rushing yards in the game. It was not the start fantasy teams wanted to see from Walker.
Game Notes: George Kittle was injured very early in the game. He left with a hamstring injury and was unable to return. Jake Tonges played in his place and had three receptions for 15 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
Ricky Pearsall hit the 100-yard mark. He had four receptions for 108 yards. He is the top target at receiver for the 49ers right now.
Packers 27, Lions 13
Fantasy Stud: Jayden Reed. There weren’t a lot of big fantasy performances but Reed played well, especially since he came into the game a little banged up. He had three receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown. He had 13.5 fantasy points. As long as he can stay healthy. Reed can play a big role in the Packers passing game
Fantasy Dud: Amon-Ra St. Brown. There were a lot Lions that were duds in this one but St. Brown stands out above the rest. He had just four receptions for 45 yards. It was a really slow start for St. Brown, being held to less than 50 yards. He should be fine going forward but the entire offense struggled, which is a tad concerning if you consider all the turnover they had this offseason.
Game Notes: Jahmyr Gibbs ran nine times for just 19 yards. He did have 10 receptions but just 31 receiving yards on those catches. So Gibbs finished with 50 yards on 19 touches.
Jordan Love played a great game, finishing 16-of-22 for 188 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. It was a clean game for Love, winning a big one against a division rival.
Rams 14, Texans 9
Fantasy Stud: Puka Nacua. There was some thought that the addition of Davante Adams could really impact Nacua. Well, that wasn’t the case, at least in Week 1. Nacua had 10 receptions for 130 yards. It was a great showing for the talented receiver, who seems setup for another big season in Los Angeles.
Fantasy Dud: Nico Collins. Collins was really held in check, catching just three passes for 25 yards. The entire Texans passing game struggled once again, which was the case last year. This was not a good start for the passing game or Collins. There is a little concern going forward in this entire unit.
Game Notes: Nick Chubb had the most carries in the Texans backfield. He had 13 carries for 60 yards. He seems to have the job as the No. 1 back in Houston - for now.
Matthew Stafford didn’t seem too bothered by his back injury, which sidelined him nearly all of training camp. He was 21-of-29 for 245 yards and a touchdown without a turnover.
Broncos 20, Titans 12
Fantasy Stud: Courtland Sutton. Sutton had six receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown. He clearly has a great rapport with Bo Nix and seems setup for a big season in this offense. Sutton is going to get a lot of weekly targets
Fantasy Dud: Bo Nix. Nix had his struggles, turning the ball over three times. He forced some passes, making some bad mistakes. He was 25-of-40 for 176 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Hopefully, this was just a bad showing for Nix. He can get much better.
Game Notes: J.K. Dobbins led the Broncos backfield in carries, rushing 16 times for 63 yards and a touchdown. Rookie RJ Harvey actually led the team in rushing, though, running six times for 70 yards.
Cam Ward had a tough first game, going just 12-of-28 for 112 yards without a touchdown or an interception against a really good Broncos defense.
Bills 41, Ravens 40
Fantasy Stud: Josh Allen. There were huge performers all over the place in this one. Allen was the best, though. He was 33-of-46 for 394 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He also ran in two scores, rushing 14 times for 31 yards and two touchdowns. Allen scored a remarkable 42.8 fantasy points. He looked like an MVP out there, leading his team to a huge comeback victory
Fantasy Dud: Mark Andrews. Nearly every offensive player had a big game, but Andrews wasn’t one of them. He had just a catch for five yards. He was a forgotten man this week. This won’t be the case every week, but it could happen again in an offense with so many weapons.
Game Notes: Derrick Henry ran 18 times for 175 yards and two touchdowns. He was nearly unstoppable but a late fumble really hurt his team.
Keon Coleman lived up to the offseason hype, finishing with eight receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown. He was the top target for Allen when it mattered most down the stretch.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) underwent surgery to repair his Achilles, which will sideline him for six to eight months. This should give Jones the ability to get fully cleared in time for training camp next summer. Jones is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but the two sides have reportedly not been discussing a contract extension. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Colts are expected to try to re-sign Jones, but the question is at what cost. Before going down in Week 14, Jones was experiencing a bounce-back season. The 28-year-old threw for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, eight interceptions, while rushing for 164 yards on 45 rushing attempts and five scores over 13 games in 2025.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins kicker Riley Patterson has been solid but not spectacular this season, while filling in for Jason Sanders (hip), who remains on IR. Patterson has made 23 of his 25 field goal attempts and 28 of his 29 extra point attempts. He didn't have any issues on the road in the cold against the Jets last week, making all four of his kicks. This week, he'll be on the road for a night game in Pittsburgh with very cold temperatures again in the forecast. While it won't be ideal conditions for long field goals, Patterson has been consistent enough from short range to not be a total "must avoid" option, especially since the Steelers have been a top-10 matchup for kickers. Patterson is the No. 19 kicker in RotoBaller's Week 15 rankings, so there are potentially kickers with more upside on the waiver wire in most standard-sized leagues this week.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (back) popped up on the injury report on Saturday due to a back issue. According to Adam Schefter, McCaffrey is expected to suit up for the Week 15 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. This issue doesn't appear to be severe enough to keep McCaffrey on the sideline. If he suffers a setback, Brian Robinson Jr. and Isaac Guerendo would likely split up a majority of the snaps in the backfield. Fantasy managers should expect McCaffrey out there on Sunday, but there probably won't be official word until closer to kickoff. The 49ers don't play until 4:25 pm ET, so his official announcement might not be made until sometime in the afternoon.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) was placed on the reserve/left squad list on Saturday. This move will make Aiyuk ineligible to return and will end his season. Aiyuk has been out all season while recovering from ACL and MCL tears in his right knee, which he suffered during the 2024 season. All signs are pointing to the two sides splitting apart this offseason. The 27-year-old should draw interest on the free agent market, but he's likely taken his last snap in San Francisco. Aiyuk is worth stashing in dynasty formats, but it's unclear how this knee injury is going to impact his performance on the field in the future. He can safely be dropped in all redraft formats with his 2025 season being officially over.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller flashed enough upside in the early part of the season to get some attention, but he hasn't been as involved since returning from IR in Week 13. He and the Dolphins are taking on the Steelers on Monday Night Football, and he can be a deep-league flier if you're desperate at the position. Waller played only 47% and 37% of snaps in his two games since returning and has only had three catches on six targets for 60 yards in the two games combined. He and Tua Tagovailoa showed a decent connection early in the season, especially near the end zone, as Waller scored four touchdowns in his first three games. Since then, though, he hasn't gotten back into the end zone, and his reduced role makes him very hard to trust as a starter in standard-sized leagues. He's ranked as the No. 22 TE in RotoBaller's rankings for this week, even though he's in a positive matchup aginst the Steelers, who have been generous to tight ends. While he does have touchdown-dependent upside, there are better options likely available in most leagues this week.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington has flashed some play-making ability and upside this season, but he is not getting enough downfield chances to be a strong fantasy play this week against the Steelers. The Dolphins are relying on their run game, led by De'Von Achane, and their defense to win them games lately, leaving Washington without much production. He does have multiple catches in every game this season and 10 catches on 12 targets over the last three contests, but he is averaging only eight yards per catch and hasn't reached 50 yards in any game he has played this season. He has two touchdowns this season, but unless the Dolphins open the offense or Washington gets into the end zone, he'll have a hard time putting up enough fantasy points to be a good flex play in Week 15 against Pittsburgh, even though the Steelers have been a good matchup for receivers. Washington is RotoBaller's No. 62 WR in Week 15, so he's safely left on the bench or waiver wire in most formats this week.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders tight end Colson Yankoff should slide up to No. 3 on the TE depth chart with Zach Ertz (knee) suffering a torn ACL last week against the Minnesota Vikings. Yankoff has played predominantly as a special-teamer in his two seasons in the league, and he's posted an 11.7% snap share on offense this season. The 25-year-old has earned a target in each of the past three games, recording two receptions for 18 yards. Yankoff and fellow second-year tight end Ben Sinnott profile better than John Bates to step into Ertz's role as the primary receiving tight end, but it remains to be seen who will see the most opportunities on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. The former undrafted free agent has some intriguing athletic traits as a former highly-touted, dual-threat quarterback in high school, and he could be a name to monitor as a potential player to fill Ertz's void in Washington's passing game the rest of the season.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle will try to help the Dolphins secure their fifth straight win this Monday when they visit the Steelers. While the Dolphins have had a very low-volume passing attack in recent weeks, Waddle has remained a solid starting option in most formats because he is clearly the top option in the offense. Waddle has at least three catches and at least six targets in six straight games with three touchdowns and an average of 67.8 yards per game during that span. He had five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown last week against the Jets, and he will be in a solid matchup against the Steelers, who rank in the top 10 in fantasy points allowed to receivers this season. The Steelers have allowed 12 receiver touchdowns in 13 games, so Waddle has good potential for another productive week if he continues to get so many targets. In RotoBaller's Week 15 rankings, Waddle is the No. 11 WR, making him a low-end WR1 or a high-end WR2 in standard-sized leagues. He should be started in almost all formats since his production has been so reliably consistent.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott is expected to see an uptick in snaps after Zach Ertz (knee) tore his ACL in last week's blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The 2024 second-round pick hasn't seen many opportunities as a receiver since being drafted, with Ertz locking down that role and not missing any games. But the door has opened for Sinnott to earn more opportunities and potentially establish himself as Washington's tight end of the future. The Kansas State product has caught all nine of his career targets for 69 yards and two touchdowns in 29 games. It will be interesting to see if Sinnott sees the bulk of the snaps as the receiving tight end, or if Washington opts to split the reps between Sinnott, John Bates, and Colson Yankoff. For the season, Sinnott ranks firmly behind Bates as the TE3 in snaps and routes, with a 27.6% snap share and a 10.9% route share. Bates is used primarily as a blocker, and with Sinott being a high second-round pick last year, it seems like a great opportunity for the Commanders to see what they have in the athletic tight end. It remains to be seen what Sinnott's role will look like on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. Sinnott is a solid speculative addition off the waiver wire in deeper fantasy leagues, but he profiles as a desperation TE streamer in Week 15.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright has been buried on the Dolphins' depth chart this season, and it looks like he'll return to a minimal role after making the most of his chance last week and posting a breakout game. Wright and the Dolphins face the Steelers on Monday, but De'Von Achane (ribs) is on track to return, relegating Wright back to a reduced role. While filling in against the Jets in Week 14, Wright ripped off 107 rushing yards with a touchdown on 24 carries. He only had 18 carries before that game in the whole season, though, so if Achane returns, Wright's role will be too limited for him to be a strong fantasy play. In RotoBaller's Week 15 rankings, Wright is the No. 51 RB, so he can be left on the bench or the waiver wire in almost all formats, despite reminding everyone of his potential ceiling if he gets playing time.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders tight end John Bates has served as the team's No. 2 option behind Zach Ertz this season, primarily as a blocker. With Ertz now out for the season with a torn ACL, Bates could be in line to take on more responsibility as a receiver. However, Washington could look to keep Bates in his normal role as one of the league's best blocking tight ends, a strength that earned him a three-year, $21 million contract extension this offseason. The Commanders could rely more on 2024 second-round pick Ben Sinnott as a receiver, who has the athletic traits and yards-after-the-catch ability to step into Ertz's role as the primary receiving option at tight end. The 28-year-old Bates has played more snaps and run more routes than Sinnott and fourth-string tight end Colson Yankoff, but he's not considered a legitimate receiving threat. He's collected eight catches for 71 yards on 12 targets in 11 games this season. With Washington's tight end situation murky in the wake of Ertz's injury, Bates shouldn't be considered as a fantasy option in Week 15 against the New York Giants.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II got into the end zone for his third touchdown of the season last week against the Jets, but this week, the Dolphins' backfield will be crowded, which could leave the rookie without much work. De'Von Achane (ribs) is expected to play despite an injury to his ribs suffered last week, and Jaylen Wright stepped in and went off in his place against New York. Gordon did have five carries for 17 yards with his touchdown, but only played 16 snaps, compared to Wright's 34. The two will share backup duties behind Achane, who has been sensational while carrying the load in Miami's backfield. Even while sharing backup duties with Wright, Gordon will have some touchdown-dependent upside, but his workload is too uncertain to make him a reliable play in Week 15 against the Steelers, leaving him as the RB59 in RotoBaller's rankings, well off the starting radar in all but the deepest of leagues.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (ribs) has been one of the best fantasy football running backs of the season, and the Dolphins and his fantasy owners can breathe a sigh of relief since it looks like he'll be available in Week 15's Monday Night Football matchup with the Steelers. Coach Mike McDaniel said Achane is expected to play after the star back was forced to leave last week's win over the Jets. Before leaving, Achane had seven carries for 92 yards and a touchdown while adding a 13-yard reception as well. McDaniel said that Achane could have returned if needed, so it makes sense that he won't miss any further time. Even though he's in a tough matchup against the Steelers, Achane is a must-start, top-tier running back in Week 15. He already has 1,126 rushing yards and 383 receiving yards in his 13 games this year, along with a total of 11 touchdowns. He's the No. 4 RB in RotoBaller's Week 15 rankings, and he should be started in all formats since he is trending in the right direction for Monday.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been marginally better lately, avoiding costly turnovers and letting his running back and defense carry his team to four straight wins. His numbers have been not impressive even during his team's winning streak. He has attempted under 25 passes in every one of those games with 15 or fewer completions and under 175 passing yards in each game. He only has three passing touchdowns in those four wins as well with only one total touchdown in his last three games. He may have to do more this week against Pittsburgh, but he'll likely continue to rely on short "dink and dunk" passing, which limits his potential. He's the No. 27 QB in RotoBaller's rankings this week, meaning he is not a strong starting option in almost any format.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (knee) won't come off Injured Reserve this week and has been ruled out for Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Chandler hasn't played since injuring his knee back in Week 1's win over the Chicago Bears. The 27-year-old had his practice window opened ahead of Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks, but the team has still determined that he is not ready to return for game action. Chandler was a full participant in practice this week, so it seems he is getting close. He will need to be activated by next week, or he will revert to Injured Reserve and miss the remainder of the season. If he can return, Chandler will contribute primarily on special teams while serving as the RB3 behind Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Rams activated wide receiver Tutu Atwell (hamstring) off Injured Reserve, and he will play on Sunday against the Detroit Lions. Atwell will make his return in Week 15 after missing six games due to a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old wideout wasn't a significant piece of the Rams offense before getting injured, playing 38% of the offensive snaps and catching four of his nine targets for 164 yards and a touchdown in six games. The speedy wideout will likely slot back in as the team's No. 2 wide receiver behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams on Sunday against Detroit. Atwell projects as a deep league flex option at best in his first game back in Week 15.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (calf) has been on Injured Reserve the entire season with a calf injury, and he is now dealing with a hamstring injury, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It was reported on Friday that the second-year back will not be activated from Injured Reserve this week. A hamstring injury has been an ongoing issue since training camp for Lloyd, but it wasn't listed when he was designated to return. Lloyd now just has one week of practice eligibility left before he must be activated, or he will be out for the rest of the season. The 2024 third-rounder has been devastated by injury since entering the league, playing in only one game since entering the league last year. If Josh Jacobs (knee) is unable to play in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos, it will likely be Emanuel Wilson (illness) leading the way with Chris Brooks as the backup, though Wilson was also added to the injury report on Saturday with an illness.
From RotoBaller
The Seattle Seahawks and tight end Eric Saubert have agreed to a one-year contract extension, per NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. Saubert was designated to return from Injured Reserve this week after missing six games due to a calf injury. The 31-year-old tight end signed with the Seahawks during the offseason and is most known for his ability to do the dirty work as a blocker and as a contributor on special teams. He has just one catch for 12 yards while playing 34.1% of the offensive snaps this season in seven games, and is now under contract with Seattle through the end of the 2026 season.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (back) has been added back to the Week 15 injury report and is now listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans due to a back injury, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. It's a concerning sign to see the superstar back be added to the Week 15 injury report this late in the week, so his status needs to be monitored up until gametime on Sunday. McCaffrey has handled the biggest workload in the league this season with 322 touches in 13 games and has arguably been the best player in fantasy football. Fantasy managers should rush to pick up Brian Robinson Jr. if he is available, as he would be in line for a workhorse role on Sunday in a solid matchup against the Titans if McCaffrey ends up being ruled out.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks saw his playing time crater in Week 14's game against the Minnesota Vikings with the return of Noah Brown from Injured Reserve. The former 2022 first-round pick played a season-high 65.9% of the snaps in Week 13 against the Broncos, recording one catch for five yards and a touchdown on four targets. With Brown back in the lineup for the first time since Week 2, Burks only drew one target, and his snap share slid to 34.7% against the Vikings last week, ranking fourth among Washington's receivers. The 25-year-old will likely be limited to a depth role again on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. Burks hasn't shown enough in his first games in Washington to be considered as a fantasy option just yet, and that probably won't change before the year is over.
From RotoBaller