Injury Status: Championship Games

Thu Jan 25 9:02am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

The good news is the injury reports aren’t too long this week. Now there are a few key players hurting, though, which could impact the game. The Chiefs have some injuries along the offensive line and the 49ers could be without one of their best offensive players. So it isn’t all great when it comes to injuries. There are a few to watch.

Here is the latest. . . .

Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens. It is looking more and more like Andrews will make his return this week. He is practicing in full and seems closer to full strength than last week. He has yet to be activated from Injured Reserve but look for that to happen before the week is out. Andrews still might not play his usual role in the game but look for him to be out there and helping the team.

Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs. Pacheco has a toe injury and is out of practice to start the week. He is resting more than anything, though, and it seems the toe injury isn’t too serious. It would be a shock if Pacheco is not active for the big game this week. He should be ready to go.

Marlon Humphrey, CB, Ravens. Humphrey has not played since Week 17 because of a calf strain. He is back at practice this week, though, and trending towards being ready for the game. It would be a big boost to the secondary to have Humphrey back in the lineup for the Ravens.

Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs. Moore seemed finally close to returning last week, returning to some practice. But he seemed to have a setback late last week with the knee injury. He missed Friday’s practice and has not practiced since. This is not a good sign for a return for Moore. He should miss another week of action.

Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers. Samuel has the big injury to watch this week. He was knocked from last week’s game because of a shoulder injury. He is out of practice to start this week. He is apparently not dealing with a significant injury but it is serious enough that it could sideline him this week. He is truly up in the air to play. It might come down to a game-time decision for Samuel.

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 [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 3

Player Notes
Jaleel McLaughlin Sep 22 11:10pm CT
Jaleel McLaughlin

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin found paydirt for the first time this season in the 26-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3 on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, but that was really the only notable thing about his day. Outside of the touchdown scamper, McLaughlin had five carries that went for only seven yards (1.4 yards per carry) while catching his only target for a seven-yard gain. His five carries matched that of Javonte Williams, but it was Tyler Badie leading this backfield with nine carries for 70 yards. Through the first two weeks, the 24-year-old was in a timeshare with Williams, with neither back standing out. It's bad news for both McLaughlin and Williams that Badie was thrown in there on Sunday to try and inject some life into the rushing attack. Heading into Week 4, McLaughlin is a bench stash, at best, in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Courtland Sutton Sep 22 11:10pm CT
Courtland Sutton

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had a nice bounce-back performance in the Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, even though he still has yet to find the end zone in 2024. After catching just one pass for 26 yards in the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sutton led Denver in targets (11), receptions (seven) and receiving yards (68) in the 26-7 victory over the Buccaneers. It was nice to see the 28-year-old return to being the club's WR1 as rookie quarterback Bo Nix looked his way early and often. Hopefully, Sutton can build on this performance, but fantasy managers should expect more ups and downs as he continues to develop a rapport with his young QB. Sutton will need to maintain this kind of heavy volume to stay on the WR4/flex radar on a weekly basis. He'll have his work cut out for him in Week 4 against the New York Jets.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Taylor Sep 22 11:10pm CT
Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ran the ball 23 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the team's 21-16 win against the Chicago Bears. Taylor also grabbed his lone target of the game for another 25 yards through the air. This was another huge performance for Taylor, as he was the focal point for this Colts offense. The 25-year-old continues to monopolize the Colts backfield, seeing 23 out of the 25 RB opportunities in the matchup. Pairing his usage behind this offensive line is a recipe for success for fantasy production, and Taylor put that on display in the team's win. The Colts offense continues to struggle through the air, and Taylor's production will remain the primary beneficiary. All that in mind, the Colts find themselves in a tough Week 4 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that's currently top-five in rushing yards allowed. Given his talent and usage, fantasy managers can still start Taylor as an RB1 option, but will have to bare in mind that his ceiling will be lower than in week's past.

From RotoBaller

Javonte Williams Sep 22 11:00pm CT
Javonte Williams

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams is quickly losing hold of lead-back duties in the team's backfield after their 26-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. Williams saw five carries for 12 yards (2.4 yards per tote) and lost a fumble while securing all four of his targets through the air for 29 yards. After his fumble, the 24-year-old had just three touches the rest of the game and saw Tyler Badie lead the team with nine carries for 70 yards. The Broncos' offense looked improved in Week 3 against the Bucs, but their ground attack of Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin remained stalled. If Williams doesn't pick things up soon, he could start to lose even more work to Badie and McLaughlin. A bounce-back in Week 4 against a stout New York Jets defense is unlikely. Fantasy managers have probably lost all faith in Williams as a viable RB3/flex play after Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Bo Nix Sep 22 10:50pm CT
Bo Nix

While it was by no means an excellent performance, Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix had the best game of his young career in the 26-7 victory on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday to pick up the first win of his career. Nix went 25-for-36 through the air for 216 yards while tying for the team lead with nine carries for 47 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He was able to avoid turning the ball over for the first time this year and looked much more comfortable throwing the ball into tight windows. Nix's rushing TD was his second of the year, but he has still yet to throw a touchdown pass through three games. The 24-year-old took a notable step forward in Week 3 and has shown his upside with his feet, but he still has a ways to go in his development and will be no better than a shaky low-end QB2 for a Week 4 date against a tough New York Jets defense.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Badie Sep 22 10:50pm CT
Tyler Badie

Denver Broncos running back Tyler Badie surprisingly led the team's backfield with 70 rushing yards in Sunday's 26-7 victory at Raymond James Stadium in Week 3. Badie was tied with rookie quarterback Bo Nix on the day with nine carries and had a healthy 7.78 yards per carry, thanks to a 43-yard pickup. The 24-year-old saw most of his work in the second half of this contest after coming into the Week 3 game with just two touches for 18 yards through the first two weeks. We're not quite ready to say that fantasy managers needing help at the RB position should try to pick Badie up off the waiver wire next week, but if both Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin continue to be inefficient behind Nix, the Broncos coaching staff could give Badie even more chances moving forward. The former sixth-rounder is currently rostered in 0% of Yahoo leagues.

From RotoBaller

Isaac Guerendo Sep 22 10:30pm CT
Isaac Guerendo

San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo saw the first meaningful playing time of his career in a 27-24 loss to the Rams in Los Angeles on Sunday. The fourth-round pick out of Louisville entered with one carry for no gain through two games but took the ball five times for 19 yards in Week 3. It's conceivable that Guerendo's involvement could increase further in the next few weeks but it's very unlikely that he'll become startable in fantasy as long as Jordan Mason is healthy while filling in for Christian McCaffrey (Achilles). Head coach Kyle Shanahan has seemed to prefer a backfield bell cow situation throughout his tenure in San Francisco so Guerendo is a worthy stash in redraft formats as the next man up while McCaffrey is out in case of a Mason injury, but nothing more. Guerendo and the 49ers get the New England Patriots at home in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Sep 22 10:30pm CT
Malik Nabers

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers delivered another standout performance in Sunday's 21-15 win over the Cleveland Browns, contributing across multiple areas. Nabers caught eight of his 12 targets for 78 yards, averaging 9.8 yards per catch, including a reception of 28 yards. He also added two rushing attempts for four yards, showcasing his versatility usage as a runner. He also added two touchdowns, displaying that he is already a red-zone favorite of Daniel Jones. With heavy involvement in the offense and red-zone production, Nabers continues to solidify himself as a WR1 for fantasy managers, particularly with his strong target share and ability to score touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Wan'Dale Robinson Sep 22 10:30pm CT
Wan'Dale Robinson

New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson was a reliable target in Sunday's 21-15 win over the Cleveland Browns, showing his consistency in the passing game. Robinson hauled in seven of his eight targets for 61 yards, averaging 8.7 yards per reception, with his longest catch going for 28 yards. Though he didn't score a touchdown, his steady volume and efficiency make him a valuable asset in PPR formats. With his high target share and ability to generate yards after the catch, Robinson is emerging as a dependable WR3 or flex option in fantasy football, especially in matchups where short-yardage work is key.

From RotoBaller

Tyrone Tracy Jr. Sep 22 10:30pm CT
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. had a modest but versatile performance in Sunday's 21-15 win over the Cleveland Browns. Tracy rushed five times for 23 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, with his longest run going for six yards. In the passing game, he caught both of his targets for 17 yards, though he didn't find the end zone. While his role in the offense remains limited, Tracy's dual-threat ability as a rusher and receiver could make him a deeper-league roster stash. If anything happens to starter Devin Singletary, the fifth-round rookie looks to be the next player up.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Tolbert Sep 22 10:20pm CT
Jalen Tolbert

Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert was involved in the offense again on Sunday in the 28-25 loss to Baltimore. Tolbert saw five targets come his way in the comeback attempt. The 2022 third-round pick secured three receptions for 45 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Tolbert split time as Dallas' third receiver with returner KaVontae Turpin and second-year Jalen Brooks. He is an intriguing stash in fantasy, but cannot be trusted in lineups as of right now.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Sep 22 10:20pm CT
Daniel Jones

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones played an efficient game in Sunday's 21-15 win over the Cleveland Browns, managing the offense well without any interceptions. Jones completed 24 of 34 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. Though he didn't find the end zone on the ground, he added 20 rushing yards, using his mobility to extend plays despite being sacked twice. His clean performance, highlighted by zero interceptions, boosts his fantasy value as a dependable QB2, particularly in matchups where he can take advantage of weaker secondaries. The Giants face the Cowboys this Thursday in a huge inter-divisional game. Both teams are 1-2.

From RotoBaller

Brandin Cooks Sep 22 10:20pm CT
Brandin Cooks

Dallas Cowboys receiver Brandin Cooks did not have a productive day in the 28-25 loss to Baltimore. The veteran receiver was targeted six times, but only caught two balls for 16 yards. Cooks has now recorded back-to-back disappointing performances and is falling off of the fantasy radar. With that being said, he still holds an every-down role in a high-volume passing offense. The 30-year-old will be back in action on Thursday against the New York Giants.

From RotoBaller

Devin Singletary Sep 22 10:20pm CT
Devin Singletary

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary made a significant impact in Sunday's 21-15 win over the Cleveland Browns, despite some ups and downs. Singletary rushed for 65 yards on 16 carries, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt, including a 43-yard burst that displayed his breakaway ability. He also contributed in the passing game with four receptions for 43 yards but failed to score through the air. However, a costly lost fumble dampened his otherwise strong performance. Singletary's dual-threat ability and usage in both the run and pass game make him a solid RB2 option in fantasy, though ball security remains a concern.

From RotoBaller

Zach Charbonnet Sep 22 10:13pm CT
Zach Charbonnet

Dynasty | Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet had 91 rushing yards, three catches, 16 receiving yards and two touchdowns in Seattle's win against Miami. Dynasty Analysis: The Seahawks have been blessed with the league's easiest schedule (Denver, Miami, Tua-less Miami), but that shouldn't take away from the progress we've seen with Charbonnet. If Kenneth Walker continues to miss time, he's an easy "set it and forget it" lineup option. At this point, it also wouldn't be shocking to see Seattle move to a bit of a committee moving forward with as well as he's played. Charbonnet remains a high-upside handcuff and maybe more as the season rolls on.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Bryce Young Sep 22 10:13pm CT
Bryce Young

Dynasty | Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton completed 26-of-37 passes for 319 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions in Carolina's win over the RaIders. Dynasty Analysis: Oh boy. In just one start, Dalton had more yards, three more touchdowns and three fewer interceptions than Bryce Young had in his first two starts of the year combined. While Carolina may be excited to win this game, it also could have solidified the worst - the problem clearly was Young at the helm. With Dalton making this team more than competitive for at least one week, it's clear we won't see Young next week and may not for a while. Young's dynasty arrow is going to go down even further after this.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Brock Bowers Sep 22 10:13pm CT
Brock Bowers

Dynasty | Raiders tight end Brock Bowers had three catches for 41 yards in the Raiders loss to Carolina. Dynasty Analysis: The Raiders offense was a bit of a mess today against the Panthers and Bowers couldn't shake himself through the ineptitude. It was a disappointing day for him but also what amounts to a blip on the radar in terms of his season. Bowers is a clear lineup lock at this point and while he may post some clunkers here and there, his upside seems real.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Andy Dalton Sep 22 10:13pm CT
Andy Dalton

Dynasty | Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson had eight catches for 122 yards and a touchdown in Carolina's win against the Raiders. Dynasty Analysis: Andy Dalton ignited the Panthers offense and nobody benefited more than Johnson, who posted a whopping 14 targets on the day. It was a much-needed breakout for Johnson, who was nearly invisible the first two weeks of the season. While we need to see more from Dalton moving forward, Johnson will clearly be in the mix for lineups moving forward.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Zamir White Sep 22 10:13pm CT
Zamir White

Dynasty | Raiders running back Zamir White had 34 rushing yards in the Raiders loss to the Panthers. Dynasty Analysis: At this point, White just simply doesn't look like an NFL or fantasy viable option at running back, despite a golden opportunity to start the year. His dynasty value is starting to sink as it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Raiders either bring in another veteran or start playing Alexander Mattison a little more. While the game script today didn't help White, we just haven't seen anything in three weeks to recommend White in fantasy lineups moving forward.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Brandon Aiyuk Sep 22 10:13pm CT
Brandon Aiyuk

Dynasty | 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings had 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns in San Francisco's loss to the Rams. Dynasty Analysis: The 49ers can point a lot of fingers as to who to blame for this one, but Jennings clearly did his part. After a couple of solid outings to start the season (he had seven catches for 101 yards in the first two games), Jennings just went nuclear in this one. It's going to be tough to recommend him in lineups with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk still entrenched as the top two options. However, Jennings has real promise and has now solidified his spot on dynasty rosters permanently.

From Dynasty League Fantasy