As we head into Week 5 there are just two teams that haven’t given up a rushing TD to a RB: the Patriots and the 49ers. The Ravens, who have a reputation for having a stout defense, give up an average of 5.38 YPC, and have yielded the most rushing TDs to RBs (6). The Texans have given up the most receptions to RBs (34), and the Dolphins have given up the most TD receptions to the position (4). The Bears have a legit run defense that made Vikings RB Dalvin Cook look average. The Packers have given up 5.30 YPC this season and let Eagles RB Jordan Howard look like an RB1 as he scored three TDs against them this week. Here’s some more:
Kansas City Chiefs
Damien Williams returned to practice this week could be active for Sunday night’s matchup against the Colts. LeSean McCoy is dealing with an ankle issue but if he’s active as expected, he and Williams should split carries. Darrel Williams would be the biggest loser if both Williams and McCoy are a full go this Sunday. Follow this situation closely as game time approaches.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers kind of played us a little bit last week. Melvin Gordon was active, but didn’t play a single snap. That should change this week. Gordon might not be the Chargers’ lead back this week, but with Justin Jackson out, he should have a semi-significant role in the Chargers offense against the Broncos. The Broncos just got carved up by Leonard Fournette in Week 4 for 225 rushing yards and are giving up 4.75 YPC on the season. You’re probably safer playing Austin Ekeler than Gordon in fantasy this week. However, Gordon owners should monitor the news coming out of L.A.
New York Giants
There’s been some speculation that Saquon Barkley could possibly return to action in Week 6 against the Patriots. The instillation of Daniel Jones as the team’s QB seems to have reinvigorated the entire franchise and Barkley has been very vocal about wanting to get back on the playing field as quickly as possible. In the meantime, Wayne Gallman will be the Giants’ lead back this week but stay tuned!
Pittsburgh Steelers
Both James Conner and Jaylen Samuels had a productive Week 4. That kind of makes sense, since they were playing the Bengals who’ve given up eight total TDs to RBs, and the most fantasy points to the position. However, it was ironic that each had 10 carries and eight receptions. At 0-3, the Steelers’ backs were up against the wall. With rookie QB Mason Rudolph having gotten off to a slow start in his first two NFL games, they looked outside the box and used an offensive scheme that took advantage of Samuels’ dynamic skillset and incorporated wild cat and jet sweep action. With Conner dealing with an ankle issue which caused him to miss practice this week, if he does play, he’s probably not going to be at 100%. The Steelers would be wise to attack the Ravens with a heavy dose of Samuels this week. Remember, the Ravens showed they’re vulnerable to the run after they gave up 165 rushing yards and three TDs to Nick Chubb last week. If we get another big week from Samuels, look for him to have a significant role in the Steelers offense going forward.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ronald Jones rushed a season high 19 times in Week 4 against the Rams and out snapped Peyton Barber 36 to 19. He also rushed for 5.71 YPC in Week 3. Jones has been the more productive back of the two over the past two weeks and it seems as if we’re starting to see him develop into the more dominant RB in the Buccaneers’ backfield. The Bucs face the Saints who haven’t given up too many fantasy points to RBs, but they have yielded a 4.25 YPC against to the position. Keep an eye on Jones’ usage this week.
Team | Primary RB | Change of Pace | 3rd Down Back | Handcuff | IR/PUP/Susp./Holdout/Injured |
Arizona Cardinals |
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Atlanta Falcons |
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Buffalo Bills | Devin Singeltary | ||||
Carolina Panthers |
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Chicago Bears |
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Cincinnati Bengals |
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Cleveland Browns | Dontrelle Hilliard | D’Ernest Johnson | Dontrelle Hilliard | ||
Dallas Cowboys |
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Denver Broncos |
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Detroit Lions |
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Green Bay Packers |
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Houston Texans |
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Indianapolis Colts |
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Jacksonville Jaguars |
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Kansas City Chiefs | |||||
Los Angeles Chargers |
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Los Angeles Rams |
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Miami Dolphins |
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Minnesota Vikings |
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New England Patriots | |||||
New Orleans Saints |
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New York Giants |
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New York Jets | Le’Veon Bell |
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Oakland Raiders |
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Philadelphia Eagles | |||||
Pittsburgh Steelers |
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San Francisco 49ers | |||||
Seattle Seahawks |
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
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Tennessee Titans |
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Washington Redskins |
Player News
CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala says free agent QB Aaron Rodgers “is not going to play just for the sake of playing.”
Kinkhabwala has had conversations with Rodgers and executives around the league trying to sign him. Based on those conversations, she says, “it’s extremely clear Rodgers is not going to play just for the sake of playing.” He remains unsigned with the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon and multiple teams needing quarterback help. The Steelers are the most likely fit, but it seems Rodgers won’t force it if he does not find a good fit. This explains why Rodgers has been interested in the Vikings and has not yet signed. The 41-year-old may be headed for retirement if a situation he prefers, like the Vikings, does not want him back. His options remain limited and Rodgers may call it a career if he still does not like his options later in the offseason.
Bears signed LB T.J. Edwards to a two-year, $20 million extension.
Edwards’ extension includes $16.6 million guaranteed. The Bears originally signed him to a three-year, $19.5 million contract two seasons ago and he has outplayed that salary. Edwards has four interceptions, 6.5 sacks, and 20 tackles for loss in two seasons starting for Chicago in the middle of the field. He gets a raise as the Bears lock up another important part of their defense after extending CB Kyler Gordon earlier in the week.
Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams visited the Falcons on Wednesday.
Williams posted on his Instagram that he visited the Falcons facility on what was the last day of pre-draft visits. The 20-year-old is a Georgia native, played at the University of Georgia, and is expected to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Falcons have a need for an edge rusher and hold the No. 15 pick. They may look to keep Williams in-state and add his skillset to their pass-rushing group. Williams tallied five sacks last season and has explosive production for any team looking to add an edge rusher in the first round.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart “won’t fall out of the first round.”
Schultz reports his sources are indicating that Dart will not fall out of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He continues that the Giants are a candidate to trade up from pick No. 34 into the first round to take Dart if they do not take a quarterback at pick No. 3. The Saints are also an option with pick No. 9 or a trade up from pick No. 40. Dart is generally considered the third quarterback to come off the board after Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, so a team in need of a franchise quarterback may take a chance on him after Ward and Sanders are selected. Teams could look to gain a fifth-year option on Dart and trade into the first round if he is not taken earlier.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Raiders LT Kolton Miller is not participating in the voluntary offseason program and seeks an extension.
Miller was the Raiders’ first-round pick in 2018 and has started 107 games over seven seasons for the team. He is set to enter the final year of his current contract in 2025, making $12.25 million. Though he is not technically holding out yet since the offseason program is voluntary, Fowler notes Miller is seeking an extension. He finished last season with an 80.6 PFF grade, No. 14 among offensive tackles. Miller has been the Raiders’ franchise left tackle for seven years now and both sides will certainly discuss an extension as training camp nears.
Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten said he had a private workout with the Commanders’ running backs coach.
Tuten didn’t name him directly, but Anthony Lynn is currently the Commanders’ running backs coach and run game coordinator. The Commanders were hampered by injuries to both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler last year. Robinson Jr. missed three games and played through some of his injuries while Ekeler missed five contests and was limited to just 112 touches. Tuten crushed the combine with a 4.32 Forty at 5'9/206. He handled 200 touches in back-to-back seasons at Virginia Tech while topping 1,100 yards from scrimmage in both campaigns. He would offer the Washington backfield a good mix of durability and home run potential.