1 day agoAs expected, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (ankle) was removed from the final Week 5 injury report on Friday after he put in a second straight limited practice. Johnson was given a DNP in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, but the Panthers all along expected him to play this Sunday against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The 28-year-old needs to be locked into all starting fantasy lineups despite the tough matchup against Chicago's defense on the road. In two games since quarterback Andy Dalton took over for Bryce Young under center, Johnson has caught 15 of his 27 targets for 205 yards and two touchdowns. High volume should be expected yet again with Adam Thielen (hamstring) still on Injured Reserve.Source: ESPN.com - David Newton
1 day agoThe Dallas Cowboys' defense has had a very up-and-down season through the first month. They looked like the unit we were all used to a season ago in Week 1 against Cleveland, but quickly fell off a cliff for Weeks 2 and 3. Week 4 against the Giants was no tough test, and now Dallas will face a conservative Pittsburgh Steelers offense in Week 5. Quarterback Justin Fields has been on a hot streak, accounting for six touchdowns and one turnover in the past three games. There are better streaming options available this week. Dallas is a fringe startable unit, but check free agency first for a better option against a weaker offensive unit.Source: ESPN
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1 day agoDallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey has been the top option at his position this season. The Cowboys play in Pittsburgh on Sunday night in what could be a lower-scoring game. Despite the tough matchup, Aubrey should remain in all lineups. The number one kicker in fantasy cannot be cut from rosters, forcing him into lineups in a tough matchup. Downgrade expectations for Aubrey this week, although he still remains a top-three option at the position.Source: RotoBaller
1 day agoDallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson has been one of the few consistent tight end options this season. With Brandin Cooks (knee) ruled out for Sunday night's game in Pittsburgh, Ferguson should figure to see a consistent target share again. Ferguson has seen 21.6% of passes come his way when in the lineup this season, accounting for the second-highest percentage of targets on the team behind only CeeDee Lamb. The 25-year-old should be thrown into lineups this weekend in all formats despite going up against a tough Pittsburgh secondary. Dallas has leaned on the passing game and should continue to do so in Week 5.Source: RotoBaller
1 day agoWashington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) was officially cleared to play on Sunday, according to JP Finlay of 1067 The Fan. Ekeler logged a full practice on Thursday and will now return to game action this weekend. The former Charger suffered a concussion in Week 3 and was unable to suit up last weekend. Through his first three games as a Commander, Ekeler has taken the backseat to Brian Robinson Jr. as he has typically been deployed in passing situations. The 29-year-old has tallied at least 22 receiving yards in every game, with a high of 52 in Week 1. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Brian Robinson Jr.'s status heading into the weekend, as he has been dealing with a knee injury throughout the week. If Robinson were to miss Sunday's game, Ekeler should see an uptick in work and be viewed as a solid RB2 with upside.Source: JP Finlay
1 day agoDallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert should see an expanded role on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brandin Cooks (knee) has been ruled out, opening up an every-down role for the 25-year-old. Tolbert has 13 receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown through four games. He recorded a season-high nine targets and 82 yards against Baltimore in Week 3. While Pittsburgh's secondary (8th against opposing receivers) is no easy matchup, Dallas has gotten little production out of their rushing attack this season and has been forced to lean on the pass. Tolbert should see targets on Sunday, making him a flex candidate with many bye weeks and injuries limiting available options.Source: RotoBaller
1 day agoWashington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) was seen at Friday's practice, according to Ben Standig of The Athletic. Standig noted that the portion of practice that was open to the media was very brief and did not provide much clarity on his status heading into Sunday. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to the injury report later on Friday afternoon as the Alabama product will likely carry a designation into the weekend as he did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. The 25-year-old has enjoyed an excellent start to the season as he has found the end zone in all but one game and eclipsed 100 yards in two of them. If Robinson suits up, he should be viewed as a high-end RB2. If he is unable to play, fantasy managers should lock Austin Ekeler into their lineup, as he should be expected to see a significant uptick in opportunities. UPDATE: Robinson is likely to be a game-time decision on Sunday.Source: Ben Standig
1 day agoDallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb remains one of the top fantasy options at the position going into Sunday night's matchup with Pittsburgh. Despite a road matchup in a tough nighttime environment against the eighth-best secondary against opposing receivers, Lamb remains a no-brainer start due to his high volume share and unlimited fantasy ceiling. With Brandin Cooks (knee) ruled out for the game and Rico Dowdle (wrist) banged up, even more work should go Lamb's way in prime time. The 25-year-old is one of the few matchup-proof players in fantasy and should be started in all formats this weekend.Source: RotoBaller
1 day agoDallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has strung together back-to-back QB1 fantasy performances, but the same should not be expected from the veteran heading into Sunday night's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh has the sixth-best defense against opposing quarterbacks through the season's first month, creating a tough matchup for the Cowboys' signal caller. Brandin Cooks (knee) has also been ruled out, leaving Prescott with fewer options in the passing game than usual. Prescott is still playable, but beware that both his ceiling and floor will be more limited than usual. Consider sitting the 31-year-old in one quarterback leagues.Source: RotoBaller
1 day agoThe Miami Dolphins defense/special teams is one of the more intriguing plays in Week 5 when they face the New England Patriots on the road. Miami's defensive unit has allowed the seventh-most points per game in the league this year (25.8) but is averaging just the sixth-fewest yards per game to opposing offenses (282.0). Conversely, New England's offense ranks at the bottom of the league in total offense per contest (238.8) and second-to-last in scoring (13.0 PPG). The Dolphins will be missing linebacker Jaelan Phillips (knee) for the rest of the season and could be down safety Jordan Poyer (shin) after he was forced from their 31-12 loss to the Tennessee Titans. However, the Fins have recorded an interception in back-to-back outings and three sacks in 2-of-4 contests thus far. They're RotoBaller's DST8 for this week's rankings.Source: ESPN
1 day agoNew York Giants running back Devin Singletary (groin) will practice on Friday, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. This is a great sign as Singletary did not practice earlier this week. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status during Friday's practice as it should provide clarity on his availability for Sunday's game. Through his first four games as a New York Giant, the 27-year-old has logged at least 40 snaps in every game and has been deployed as a three-down back. He has seen double-digit rushing attempts in every game and received at least four targets in two out of the four games. If the former Buffalo Bill is able to suit up, he should be viewed as a low-end RB2. If not, rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. is worth considering as an upside flex option in deeper formats.Source: Jordan Raanan
1 day agoHouston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud faces a marquee game on Sunday with the Buffalo Bills in town. The quarterback's sophomore campaign is off to a solid start: he already has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark, he has a 3:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and the Texans are 3-1. Next up is a steady Bills defense that has blitzed less than any team in the NFL and allowed the third-fewest air yards. Stroud and the Texans can expect to see a lot of coverage-heavy looks against the Bills, especially with running back Joe Mixon (ankle) unlikely to see the field. Even so, the second-year quarterback is at the helm of a dangerous offense, making him a safe QB1 play in this matchup.Source: RotoBaller
1 day agoThe Buffalo Bills have been awfully tough on pass catchers in 2024, but Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins remains in elite territory as the two sides prepare to clash in Week 5. The 25-year-old receiver looks to be entering his prime with a capable supporting cast, and the early returns have been excellent. Collins leads the NFL in receiving yardage and is drawing 10.8 targets per game. Buffalo has allowed the third-fewest air yards in the NFL and ranks No. 1 against fantasy wide receivers, though Collins has produced against everybody he has played in 2024. Until that changes, the Michigan product should be valued as a WR1 in any format.Source: RotoBaller
1 day agoWith his former Buffalo Bills teammates visiting this week, Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs continues to be a solid WR2 play. The 30-year-old has allayed concerns about his usage on a new team by playing 81% of snaps, drawing more than eight targets per game, and putting up three top-20 finishes in four weeks. The Bills' pass defense ranks first against fantasy wide receivers thus far, but Diggs and fellow wideout Nico Collins are drawing so much volume each week that they still belong in starting lineups. And if you're a believer in revenge games, the former Bill is definitely looking for a big performance on Sunday.Source: RotoBaller