Mon Oct 5 3:21pm ET
Field Level Media
Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater is believed to have a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss multiple weeks, ESPN reported Monday.
Slater's injury is yet another blow for the Chargers' offensive line, which saw right tackle Joe Alt leave Sunday's 30-23 loss against the Seattle Seahawks with a neck injury while left guard Trevor Penning was being checked for a concussion.
Those issues have come after new center Tyler Biadasz was lost for the season with a knee injury during training camp.
The Chargers are off to an 0-4 start as quarterback Justin Herbert has completed 59.7% of his passes, which is 24th in the NFL. He has four touchdown passes to six interceptions and has been sacked 12 times, which is one off the NFL lead.
Slater, 27, was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2024. He missed the 2025 campaign after tearing a patellar tendon during camp.
He started each of the Chargers' first four games and has started in all 55 games he has played since he was a first-round draft pick by the Chargers out of Northwestern in 2021.
In a Week 4 win played without one of the team's leading receivers, Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller caught only three passes for 36 yards. With Jalen Coker (quadriceps) sidelined by a quadriceps injury, the passing offense was funneled primarily through second-year receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who set or matched career highs across the board with 14 receptions on 16 targets, 192 yards, and two touchdowns. Still, despite a quiet outing, Waller remains a critical piece of one of the league's most improved offenses. Following a disappointing performance, and with the Panthers on a Week 5 bye, he is likely to hit waivers in a number of leagues, making the 34-year-old veteran an intriguing stash candidate for contending teams with adequate bench space. Unfortunately, the Panthers face an Eagles team in Week 6 that has been the most difficult tight end matchup through the first month of the season.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that the flow of the game and long downs have prevented running back Sean Tucker from getting snaps sometimes, but he said that the offense needs to find ways to get Tucker and Kenny Gainwell more carries, according to River Wells of Bucs Gameday. It would be bad news for Bucky Irving's fantasy managers if both Tucker and Gainwell find more touches in Tampa's backfield. In the 17-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 on Sunday, Tucker played only three offensive snaps, carrying the ball three times for 10 yards. Gainwell, meanwhile, played 42% of the snaps and had three carries for five yards while catching both of his targets for 22 yards and a receiving touchdown. Irving led the backfield with a 58% snap share and a team-high 16 rushing attempts for 61 yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. As long as Irving remains healthy, he will continue to see most of the early-down work for the Bucs, with Tucker and Gainwell battling for change-of-pace duties as the Buccaneers look for their first win of the season to kick off Week 5 on Thursday night on the road against the Dallas Cowboys.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders rookie third-round wide receiver Antonio Williams played a season-high 69% of the offensive snaps in Sunday's Week 4 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London with fellow wideout Terry McLaurin inactive due to a hamstring injury. The 22-year-old from Clemson did little with a season-high eight targets, though, catching three passes for 21 yards. It did not help Williams' cause that veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota (knee) left the game with an MCL sprain, leading to third-stringer Athan Kaliakmanis entering the game. Through his first four NFL games, Williams has caught 12 of his 19 targets for 124 yards and one touchdown. He is currently rostered in only 6% of Yahoo leagues, but Williams deserves some attention with McLaurin injured and potentially up in the air to play this weekend against the division-rival New York Giants. If McLaurin misses another game and starting QB Jayden Daniels returns from his dislocated left elbow, Williams will be a sneaky flex play in deeper fantasy leagues in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
Although Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington is still searching for his first touchdown through four games in his first season in South Beach, it is clear that he has become quarterback Malik Willis' go-to downfield target through the air. It has helped that rookie wideout Caleb Douglas has missed the last couple of games due to an ankle injury. In the Week 4 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Washington led the Dolphins' receivers in snap count (34), catches (five), targets (five), and receiving yards (67), which were also a season high for him. Through the first four games in 2026, the 25-year-old former sixth-rounder in 2024 from Virginia has 17 catches for 219 yards on 28 targets from Willis. Washington will be a decent WR3/flex option in Week 5 as the Dolphins seek their first victory of the year against the Cincinnati Bengals, especially if Douglas misses a third straight game due to his ankle injury. He is not a sexy fantasy option because of the offense he is in, but he deserves a look off the waiver wire and is rostered in only 31% of Yahoo leagues.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee has become a useful waiver option for managers who need help at the position. He caught five of six targets for 67 yards in Sunday's win over Philadelphia, giving him 13 catches for 129 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets over the last two games. Just as importantly, the volume held up with Puka Nacua back in the lineup. Terrance Ferguson is now on injured reserve with a medial ankle sprain, leaving Higbee with a clearer path to targets for at least the next few weeks. RotoBaller has him third among its Week 5 tight end waiver options and recommends adding him in 12-team PPR leagues. Higbee is not a set-and-forget TE1, but six more targets against Buffalo would make him a usable streamer. At a position where reliable volume is hard to find, he is worth a claim for managers who need short-term help.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson should be more popular off the waiver wire this week after finding the end zone for a second straight game in Sunday's 24-18 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. Robinson was out-snapped by rookie Carnell Tate 54 to 43 in the game and caught only three passes for 19 yards, but he found the end zone for the second straight week after his seven-catch, 57-yard, one-touchdown performance in the Week 3 loss to the New York Giants. The 25-year-old's touchdown on Sunday came with just over a minute left in regulation. He has not been the target hog that he was the last few years with the Giants, as Robinson has 16 catches on 23 targets for 123 yards and two touchdowns in his first four games with Tennessee. Still, Robinson can be useful as wide receiver depth for fantasy managers, especially if he can continue to develop chemistry with young quarterback Cam Ward. He could be a nice flex play at wideout for the Titans' upcoming matchup this Sunday against the winless Houston Texans.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Saints quarterback Tyler Shough completed 30-of-48 passes for 286 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in a loss to the Falcons. Dynasty Analysis: Shough didn't turn the ball over but also was unable to make much of an impact as he was running for his life most of the game. The Saints inability to run the ball effectively between the 20s greatly hampered their ability to score and Shough was left slinging the ball around as they got blown out by Atlanta. Shough has made great strides but this just wasn't his night. He'll remain an ascending QB1 in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty | Falcons running back Bijan Robinson had 145 rushing yards, one catch, two receiving yards and two touchdowns in a win over New Orleans. Dynasty Analysis: Dynasty managers were left wondering what could have been as Brian Robinson sniped three more rushing touchdowns from Bijan but it's hard to get too upset when you have one of the two best running backs in fantasy on your team. BIjan looks poised to post another career season now that Michael Penix is healthy and back in the saddle. He remains untouchable in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty | Falcons running back Brian Robinson had 62 rushing yards, one catch, five receiving yards and three touchdowns in a win over New Orleans. Dynasty Analysis: Yes, that was BRIAN Robinson, not Bijan Robinson. And somewhere all those people who accidentally drafted Brian Robinson instead of Bijan in a league full of people who chose to laugh at them and not fix it have one night to smile. For what it's worth, Brian Robinson has staked claim as being perhaps the best handcuff in fantasy football and his touchdown potential is going to keep him under flex consideration moving forward.
Dynasty | Falcons quarterback Michael Penix completed 15-of-20 passes for 223 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in a win over New Orleans. Dynasty Analysis: Penix isn't putting up video game numbers but the Falcons were the worst scoring team in the league the first two weeks with Cooper Rush at the helm and the highest scoring team the past two weeks with Penix back - that's tough to argue. The question with Penix is always going to be about his health. If he can stay on the field, his ADP and ranking will start to move up again slowly.
Dynasty | Saints running back Alvin Kamara had 23 rushing yards, five catches, 35 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Falcons. Dynasty Analysis: Kamara was the beneficiary of New Orleans finding its way inside the five by throwing the ball, then giving it to him to score. It was an otherwise inefficient night for Kamara but it's hard to argue with the results. The Saints are looking like a team wanting to mix and match their running backs with Travis Etienne out but Kamara looks like the one you can have as an RB2/Flex option. While his dynasty value is just about cooked, we may just get one more short-term burst of decent value after all.
Dynasty | The Seahawks have signed free agent running back Joe Mixon. Dynasty Analysis: Well, this is interesting. Mixon himself was telling people his career was likely over not more than two months ago but apparently he's finally healthy enough to play again. Mixon's foot injury remains one of the great mysteries in fantasy football history but Seattle must have seen enough in a workout to believe he's ready to contribute. Mixon will likely, well, mix in with Emanuel Wilson, George Holani and perhaps Zach Charbonnet here soon while Seattle awaits the return of Jadarian Price. In short, this is a backfielld that could use someone like, say, Kenneth Walker. Regardless, Mixon will have himself an audition to try to stick with the team moving beyond just a couple of weeks. He could be a decent add off waiver wires if you have some open spots.
Dynasty | Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love is dealing with sprains in both of his ankles. Dynasty Analysis: Well, that explains a little bit in regards to Love's cryptic and frankly weird comments about this shaping up to be the longest year of his life. In short, Love is hurt and not close to 100%. It's also fair to wonder if this is going to linger for the rest of the season. The idea he was going to be a bell cow (something we thought we were looking at a week or two ago) is going up in smoke. Love seems destined for a lead committee role this year as the Cardinals attempt to keep him as healthy as they can with Tyler Allgeier getting work as well. Love remains a great dynasty prospect but he's simply not going to put up elite level numbers this season as so many had hoped.
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange put himself squarely on the waiver radar with his best game of the season Sunday. He caught seven of eight targets for 95 yards in the win over Cincinnati after entering Week 4 with seven catches for 72 yards through three games. The eight targets were a season high, and Trevor Lawrence leaned on him several times in important spots. Strange now has 14 catches for 167 yards and one touchdown on 18 targets. The breakout is worth chasing in 12-team leagues, where RotoBaller currently has him second among tight end waiver options. The caution is that Jacksonville has several mouths to feed, and Strange is still better viewed as a matchup-based TE2 than an automatic weekly starter. Philadelphia is also a tougher Week 5 draw. Managers who need tight end help should add Strange, but there is no need to treat one big afternoon as a permanent jump into the TE1 tier.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has played his way into the waiver conversation after another productive afternoon. Cousins threw for a season-high 365 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas City, completing 31 of 52 passes and adding one interception. He has now thrown multiple touchdowns in all four games and owns 1,026 passing yards with 11 scores against four picks. The Week 5 matchup at New England is not ideal, so Cousins is not the top one-week streamer on the board. His value goes beyond this Sunday, though. Las Vegas has been willing to put the ball in his hands, and there is little reason to worry about his starting job after three straight 22-point fantasy performances. Cousins should be rostered in Superflex leagues and is worth adding in standard formats for managers who want a quarterback with staying power beyond one matchup.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris has been the team's leading receiver this season and could see an even bigger role in Week 5. Through four games, Harris has caught 13 of 21 targets for 209 yards, including more than 60 yards in back-to-back games. In last week's 30-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Harris played 66 of 71 snaps (93%) and ran 39 of 43 routes (91%), both leading the team. With Ladd McConkey (foot) uncertain to play in Week 5, Harris could become Justin Herbert's clear number one receiver. With the Denver Broncos next up and star cornerback Pat Surtain (ankle) unlikely to play, Harris could be in line for a solid outing in Week 5. Fantasy managers should add Harris as both a short-term and long-term option this season.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett is coming off an ugly Week 4, but the schedule gives fantasy managers a reason to go right back to him. Brissett completed 21 of 35 passes for 166 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions against the Giants, his first three-pick game of the season. He has still attempted at least 35 passes in three of four starts, and that volume matters heading into a home matchup with Detroit. The Lions have been the most generous defense to fantasy quarterbacks through four weeks, allowing 27.9 points per game at the position. RotoBaller lists Brissett as its top quarterback waiver option for Week 5 and recommends a 2-4% FAAB bid in one-quarterback leagues, with a much larger investment in Superflex. The turnovers make him difficult to trust long term, but this is exactly the kind of matchup where Brissett makes sense as a short-term streamer.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks running back Joe Mixon is worth a speculative waiver claim now that his comeback has a real landing spot. Seattle is in the process of signing the 30-year-old to its practice squad after Monday's workout, pending the completion of his medical evaluation. Mixon has not played since the 2024 season after a foot injury wiped out all of 2025, so there is no reason to expect immediate volume. Still, the upside is easy to understand. He rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns in 14 games for Houston the last time he was healthy and added 309 receiving yards. Seattle is also thin at running back with Jadarian Price on injured reserve, while Zach Charbonnet will not return in Week 5. Emanuel Wilson just strengthened his grip on the short-term role with a big game, so Mixon is not a priority add. In 12-team leagues, though, he is worth stashing while Seattle sees what he has left.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson had a monster game in Week 4, hauling in all 13 targets for 119 yards in the 15-10 win over the Miami Dolphins. With star receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) out, Hockenson led the team in targets and played 83% of snaps. Despite a slow start, hauling in just nine passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in the first three games, Hockenson operated as the lead receiver and showed strong chemistry with quarterback Kyler Murray. With Minnesota on bye in Week 6, the Vikings could be cautious with Jefferson if he isn't fully recovered from his ankle sprain. Even if Jefferson is active, Hockenson should be a viable option against a struggling New Orleans Saints defense in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir could see an increased role in Week 5 with wideout DJ Moore (shoulder) injured. In four games, Shakir has caught 15 of 23 targets for 176 yards, with his best game coming in Week 4, when he caught seven passes for 82 yards. With Moore re-injuring the shoulder he suffered in Week 2, he could miss Week 5's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. In his absence, Shakir saw a noticeable increase in usage, playing 45 of 59 snaps (76%) and leading the team in routes run (31). Fantasy managers should monitor Moore's status during the week, as Shakir could factor in as the lead receiver in what should be a high-scoring affair against the Rams.
From RotoBaller