2 weeks agoDespite facing what was expected to be his toughest matchup of the season, Arizona Cardinals running back
James Conner had a solid performance, racking up 100 total yards from scrimmage and scoring a crucial two-point conversion against the San Francisco 49ers. The 29-year-old
rushed 19 times for 86 yards and caught two of three targets for 14 yards in Sunday's win. After a challenging first half, the Cardinals shifted their offense to lean on Conner, giving him a total of 21 touches. He showcased his strength, breaking tackles and consistently pushing forward for tough yards. Notably, the Cardinals did not give any other running back a single carry in this game. With Conner firmly entrenched as the workhorse, he's a must-start against the Green Bay Packers next week in Week 6.
--Cody Pestino - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
2 weeks agoArizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray delivered an impressive performance in Sunday's 24-23 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He completed 19 of 30 pass attempts for 195 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 83 yards and another touchdown. From the first drive, it was clear Murray was ready for a bounce-back game, highlighted by a spectacular 50-yard rushing touchdown. He showed composure in the pocket, effectively taking what the defense offered, even though he fell short of 200 yards passing. He nearly added another touchdown through the air but was thwarted by a dropped pass from tight end
Trey McBride. Fantasy managers should be optimistic, as it appears the Cardinals will focus on more designed runs for Murray moving forward. Next week, the Cardinals will face the Green Bay Packers, making Murray a must-start option in Week 6.
--Cody Pestino - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
2 weeks agoArizona Cardinals kicker
Matt Prater (knee) has officially been tagged as inactive for the team's Week 5 contest against the San Francisco 49ers.
Chad Ryland will step in and take on the place-kicking duties. Kickers haven't had a great time against the 49ers so far this season as they rank 22nd in fantasy points allowed to the position. Kickers are averaging just 8.0 fantasy points per game against them. While the offense has been sputtering, it's probably better to go a different direction for a kicker this week.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Arizona Cardinals
2 weeks agoArizona Cardinals tight end
Trey McBride (ribs) has officially avoided the inactive list ahead of their late-afternoon matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The star tight end suffered a concussion in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions and was forced to miss their last game in Week 4. While he's a must-start every time he's healthy enough to be on the field, he draws a tough matchup against the 49ers defense who only gives up 4.4 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends in half-PPR formats. McBride will try to pump some life into this Cardinals offense that has gone cold over the last two games.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Bo Brack
2 weeks agoArizona Cardinals tight end
Trey McBride (ribs) is expected to play in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers despite being listed as questionable, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. McBride missed last Sunday's game with a concussion and cleared concussion protocol earlier this week, but then he was added back to the injury report with a ribs issue. In the end, though, the injury won't be serious enough to keep him sidelined for additional games. He'll suit up against the 49ers, giving Arizona an extra boost on offense as they take on a talented NFC West foe. McBride, who has 14 catches and 122 yards through three games, should be treated as a mid-range TE1 in fantasy football.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
2 weeks agoThe Arizona Cardinals elevated kicker
Chad Ryland to the active roster for Sunday's game against the 49ers. The 24-year-old had a rough season in 2023, making only 64% of his field goal attempts. While that type of production won't land him on most fantasy rosters, Saturday's move could mean
Matt Prater, who is questionable, (knee) won't be healthy enough to get on the field versus the Niners.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
2 weeks agoThe Arizona Cardinals have downgraded tight end
Trey McBride (ribs) to questionable for Sunday's game due to a rib injury. McBride had cleared concussion protocol earlier this week after missing Week 4 against the Commanders, but he has now appeared on the injury report with this new issue. This season, McBride has recorded 14 receptions on 21 targets for a total of 122 yards. In his last outing against San Francisco in Week 15 of 2023, he caught 10 passes for 102 yards. Backup tight end
Elijah Higgins saw an increase in playing time last week, managing two receptions for 12 yards against Washington. However, it's difficult to project his future role, especially since the Cardinals had effectively lost that game by halftime. More updates on McBride's injury are expected before Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff against the 49ers.
--Martin Grisko - RotoBallerSource: Darren Urban @Cardschatter
2 weeks agoArizona Cardinals kicker
Matt Prater (left knee) returned to practice in a limited capacity on Friday. This was an improvement after he missed two consecutive practices, but it still leaves some uncertainty about his availability. The Cardinals are officially listing him as questionable for Week 5 versus the San Francisco 49ers. Prater has remained quite effective in his age-40 season, converting all 10 of his extra points attempts and all six of his field goal attempts. Fantasy managers can continue to start Prater in leagues with 12 teams or fewer.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Josh Weinfuss
2 weeks agoThe Arizona Cardinals DST should be left on the waiver wire heading into their Week 5 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. Last week, they had their worst outing of the season against the Washington Commanders, allowing 42 points in the loss. While the Cardinals have been able to force turnovers and create sacks, they haven't generated many fantasy points otherwise. Although their schedule lightens up later in the season, they don't appear to be a viable streaming option for fantasy managers right now.
--Cody Pestino - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
2 weeks agoArizona Cardinals wide receiver
Michael Wilson is likely not a viable fantasy option in Week 5 as the team travels to San Francisco to face the 49ers. However, he is starting to show some promise in the fantasy landscape, having received 16 targets over the last two weeks and emerging as the team's third option behind
Marvin Harrison Jr. and
Trey McBride (concussion). The 49ers defense ranks 13th against opposing fantasy receivers, though they have shown some signs of vulnerability. As underdogs, the Cardinals may need to shift to a pass-heavy attack if they fall behind. If that happens, it could create an opportunity for Wilson as a risky streaming option, but this would likely be a last resort for fantasy managers. While Wilson is a name to monitor moving forward, he's not someone to consider outside of deep leagues in Week 5.
--Cody Pestino - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
2 weeks agoArizona Cardinals wide receiver
Greg Dortch should remain on the waiver wire as the team travels to San Francisco to face the 49ers in Week 5. Dortch is rostered in just 3% of fantasy leagues, marking a season-low in ownership as many managers have dropped him. While he had a solid performance in Week 1 against the Bills, which gave some hope for the season, he has primarily been used in the slot as a check-down option and occasionally works the middle of the field on intermediate routes. With Cardinals tight end
Trey McBride (concussion) back in the lineup, Dortch's target share will likely decrease further. He's not a viable fantasy option outside of deep leagues until he takes on a more significant role in the passing attack.
--Cody Pestino - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
2 weeks agoArizona Cardinals running back
James Conner is a low-end RB2 against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5. He quickly eased fantasy managers' concerns last week by bouncing back from a season-low performance, racking up 104 yards and a touchdown against the Washington Commanders last week. The Cardinals will face a solid 49ers front seven, which could lead to a tougher outing for Conner. The Cardinals are large underdogs, and if they find themselves trailing, they may shift to a pass-heavy attack, limiting Conner's usage. However, he still has enough touchdown upside to warrant RB2 status in Week 5.
--Cody Pestino - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
2 weeks agoArizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray and the passing attack have cooled off a bit after a strong start. In Week 5, the Cardinals will travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers, ranked 11th against opposing fantasy quarterbacks. In last week's loss to the Washington Commanders, Murray struggled, failing to break 200 passing yards and only running the ball once. While this performance raises some concerns, it's not time to bench him in fantasy just yet. He remains one of the most explosive players on the field, with the potential for big fantasy outings. Despite his recent struggles, he has done an excellent job protecting the ball all season, with only one turnover. As significant underdogs against the 49ers, if the Cardinals fall behind and need to shift to a pass-heavy offense, Murray can quickly rack up fantasy points. He should be considered a low-end QB1 in Week 5.
--Cody Pestino - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
2 weeks agoArizona Cardinals wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. is proving to be a magnet for the end zone, having caught his fourth touchdown of the season last week against the Washington Commanders. Fantasy managers should be pleased, as he is now tied for second with
Justin Jefferson in touchdown receptions. Despite facing a strong 49ers defense in Week 5, Harrison Jr. remains a must-start option in fantasy. While the 49ers' pass defense isn't as formidable as in previous years, it still ranks 13th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. Given that the Cardinals are significant underdogs in this matchup, we can expect a more pass-heavy game plan, making Harrison Jr. even more appealing this week. He ranks as a mid to low WR1 for Week 5 and should be started in all leagues.
--Cody Pestino - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
2 weeks agoArizona Cardinals tight end
Trey McBride (concussion) is "good to go" for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers, according to Dani Sureck of the Arizona Cardinals. McBride suffered a concussion during their Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions and was held out of last weekend's game. During the first three weeks of the campaign, McBride has seen at least six targets his way in every game, with a high of nine in the opening week. The tight end has caught at least five passes in two games and averaged 40.7 yards in each game. Fantasy managers should confidently lock the 24-year-old into their lineup this weekend as a high-end TE1 despite facing a tough San Francisco defense.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Dani Sureck
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