Everything that happens in the NFL has additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.
Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the league.
Sept. 29: Case Keenum to the Monday Night rescue
By Michael F. Florio
Case Keenum was the star of the show on "Monday Night Football," emerging from third on the Bears' QB depth chart in Week 2 to make the Week 3 start, his first since Dec. 24, 2023. He threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, completing 71% of his passes. He also added six rushing yards and a touchdown. He finished with 24.48 fantasy points, meaning he has more in one game than Drake Maye does on the season (21.6).
Keenum could be in line to start again in Week 4, and would be in play in superflex leagues against a Jets secondary that has been tough to pass on this season. Tyson Bagent would be the other Bears option while Caleb Williams recovers from his hamstring injury.
Kalif Raymond led the Bears in receiving yards for the second time in three weeks. He and Luther Burden III have been the Bears' top two target-getters in each game. Through three weeks, he is second on the team in targets. He should be the top WR waiver wire pickup, as he is available in almost 90% of leagues. Burden had a big night of his own, seeing a team-high 11 targets, turning them into seven catches for 61 yards and a touchdown. He also added in a 7-yard run. He leads the Bears in targets and has a 32% red zone target share. Burden is blossoming into the must-start option fantasy managers envisioned during draft season.
Both Colston Loveland and Rome Odunze just missed touchdowns. Loveland dove and was down just short of the goal line at the 1. Meanwhile, Odunze had an open touchdown slip through his hands. In total, Odunze turned six targets into three catches for 44 yards. Loveland finished with four catches for 31 yards on four targets. Both players' fantasy stocks remain down. Loveland is in play just because the lack of high-ceiling options at tight end. Odunze though is purely a flex option that should hit a good amount of benches until we see otherwise.
The Bears did not duplicate the rushing success that they had in 2025, but D'Andre Swift did have himself a nice showing. He played 70% of the snaps with 20 carries for 84 yards. He also caught two of three targets for four yards. While he did not score a touchdown, he was used often in the red zone. Kyle Monangai finished with 10 carries for 31 yards. He is a top insurance back but has had trouble finding standalone value.
It was a tough night for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense. The team's best drive was right before the half, where Hurts snapped the ball with one second left on the ticking clock and scored his first rushing touchdown of the season. He finished with 153 yards passing and an interception. He missed four plays while in the medical tent and Andy Dalton threw a goal line interception.
Saquon Barkley played 75% of the snaps and turned 15 carries into 82 yards. He saw two targets, catching one for -2 yards. Barkley has yet to score double-digit fantasy points in a game this season. The Eagles face two tough run defenses in their next two games (Rams, Jaguars) but it opens up after that. The next two weeks are an opportunity to acquire Barkley at a discount.
DeVonta Smith saw eight targets, catching six for 65 yards. Through three weeks, he has a 33% target share and a 48% air yard share. That usage could lead to a fantasy WR1 season. He is the only Eagles pass catcher that can be trusted weekly.
Dontayvion Wicks saw five targets, catching two for 32 yards. He has been the top red zone target for Hurts to start the season. That has him in play as a deep-league flex option. Rookie Makai Lemon is still operating as the WR3, but is starting to be used more. He caught three of four targets for 29 yards. He remains a bench stash.
Sept. 28: Jets, Saints grapple with RB injuries
By Michael F. Florio
New York Jets RB Breece Hall is week-to-week after suffering a quad injury on Sunday, per Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter. Rapoport reported that the injury is not as significant as feared.
That leaves Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis active for the Jets. I would anticipate that Allen, who has been the RB2 behind Hall for the past three years, starts and handles the majority of ground work. Both backs have handled limited volume in their careers, but Allen has been the superior runner of the two. He has a 51% success rate.
Davis is a bit of an explosive runner and has been effective as a pass catcher out of the backfield. While he does not have a touch this season, he has caught 75% of targets in his career and averaged 8.7 yards per reception.
Both Jets backs are worth adding in fantasy as this plays itself out in the coming weeks. Allen will be a flex option in a favorable matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Etienne to miss time with hamstring injury
New Orleans Saints coach Kellen Moore announced Monday that RB Travis Etienne Jr. has a hamstring injury that will force him to miss time. Moore did not reveal a specific timetable.
That leaves the Saints' backfield with Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller. I would expect Kamara to handle the bulk of the passing downs, while the two will likely split the ground work.
Kamara has seen nine carries in each game he has played this season and racked up seven targets. The efficiency is gone, as he has averaged just 2.6 yards per touch. Still, volume keeps him in play as a potential flex option moving forward.
Miller is an option for those deep league players. He is the more efficient runner of the two, but we know the Saints are not going to just hand him the job over Kamara. Miller should see enough carries to be in the flex range in deep leagues. How the goal line work is distributed between the two will be huge for fantasy purposes.
Both are volume dependent flex options, with low floors, in a tough matchup against the Falcons next week.
Sept. 28: QB-depleted Giants trade for J.J. McCarthy, Bucs lose Baker Mayfield
By Eric Karabell
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, is now a member of the New York Giants after they sent a fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for his services. In some ways, this is stunning. The Vikings gave up on McCarthy after one terrible season in which he completed only 57.6% of his throws and accrued more interceptions than touchdown passes. He is 23, but the Vikings might or might not be set with their future quarterback depending on how newcomer Kyler Murray performs. Early returns -- for Murray's performance and durability -- are quite mixed.
The Giants are taking a chance on an intriguing prospect even though McCarthy did not play well during his first active season. Then again, the Giants already have an intriguing quarterback prospect in Jaxson Dart, the No. 25 pick in the 2025 draft. Dart remains their future quarterback, but concussions marred his rookie campaign, and this season ended in Week 2 with major tears in his left knee. Nobody knows whether Dart can stay healthy for a full season, which is why this trade makes sense for the Giants.
For fantasy purposes, those who roster Dart in a keeper/dynasty league should already have been quite worried about his future in terms of staying on the field. This trade doesn't necessarily alter that. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury, too. The Giants add another body who, when healthy, needs to prove himself on the field. Dart has done that part already.
As for this season's Giants, veteran backup Jameis Winston seems likely to remain the starting quarterback for as long as he is healthy and competent. He was competent enough Sunday, leading the team to a 12-7 win over the Titans, even though he did little to aid fantasy managers statistically. Winston threw for only 118 yards, albeit in difficult weather conditions, but he avoided turnovers. The Winston who passed for 5,109 yards, 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions for the 2019 Buccaneers is long gone.
Expect Winston to remain the starter, and assuming the Giants prefer Winston to act cautiously as a passer, merely directing the offense and attempting safe throws, it already impedes the upside for WRs Malik Nabers and Malachi Fields, and TE Isaiah Likely. RB Cam Skattebo earned 23 touches Sunday. His volume should remain high. If McCarthy were to replace Winston, it would not appear to aid Nabers, Fields and others, but that is because we don't know enough about McCarthy. One season proved little.
Still, McCarthy has some value for the rest of the 2026 season, as he becomes next in line to start, and for keeper/dynasty formats. McCarthy is young. Quarterbacks struggle to stay healthy in the NFL. It would not be surprising if McCarthy starts some games this season and plays competently, and who knows, perhaps he'll start next season if Dart is compromised. It is tough to assume McCarthy will perform well. His fantasy value rises a bit after this trade because the Vikings had made it abundantly clear they didn't want him around anymore, but the Giants have a franchise quarterback when healthy. The Vikings did not.
How Mayfield's absence affects the Bucs' offense
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield left Sunday's game with a dislocated right thumb injury, and word came Monday that he will miss at least the next three weeks. Mayfield, off to a disappointing start statistically and rostered in 49.4% of ESPN standard leagues, is averaging only 11.7 points per game, a bit behind Cam Ward, Aaron Rodgers and Malik Willis. Mayfield will miss enticing games during the next two weeks versus the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, and then the Buccaneers face the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers.
Jalon Daniels, an undrafted rookie from Kansas, assumes the starting role. Fantasy managers should be cautious in their pursuit, including in multi-QB and superflex formats, and we must downgrade wide receivers Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr. and others. Daniels, who spent six seasons with the Jayhawks, enjoyed three seasons with at least 2,000 passing yards and 400 rushing yards, and rushed for 17 touchdowns during those seasons. He is not known for his accuracy or decision-making.
Sept. 28: Who got the ball on Sunday?
By Eric Moody
The box score doesn't tell you everything. Here are the roles and usage trends from Sunday that stood out to me.
Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills
The Chargers used a much more balanced backfield rotation in Week 3. Omarion Hampton still led the group with 27 snaps and 15 carries, but Keaton Mitchell was right behind him with 23 snaps and turned eight carries into 52 yards. Hampton also led the backfield with 25 snaps on first and second down, compared with 17 for Mitchell and 10 for Kimani Vidal, so he still appears to have the clearest hold on the early-down role.
The bigger concern for Hampton is his shrinking passing-game usage. He ran only six routes and saw one target, while Mitchell ran 14 routes and caught three passes, including a touchdown. Vidal also ran 10 routes. Mitchell's combination of increased early-down work, passing-game involvement and efficiency makes this look more like a committee than it did to start the season. He's worth adding where available, while Hampton's fantasy ceiling could be lower if this rotation continues.
This was supposed to be a chance for Oronde Gadsden to step up with David Njoku and Charlie Kolar injured. He dominated the tight end routes, but still split snaps with Hayden Rucci and saw just two targets. Tre' Harris, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston combined for 18 targets. It's hard to trust anyone in the Chargers offense right now.
Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns
KC Concepcion's role took a step forward in Week 3. He played significant snaps in both 11 and 12 personnel, pushing Jerry Jeudy out of the No. 2 receiver role. The production hasn't followed yet, as Concepcion caught just two of nine targets for nine yards, but quarterback accuracy played a part. Deshaun Watson was off target on five of those nine throws, and those are the only five off-target passes Concepcion has seen on 20 targets this season. The usage remains encouraging, making him someone to add in deeper formats.
New York Jets at Detroit Lions
Kenyon Sadiq took advantage of an expanded role with Mason Taylor out, leading the tight end room in snaps, running 25 routes and drawing eight targets. He was also the Jets' primary tight end in 11 personnel, logging 23 snaps there compared with 11 for Jeremy Ruckert and five for Jelani Woods. Sadiq turned that usage into seven catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, giving him 12 receptions for 143 yards and a receiving score through three games, plus a rushing touchdown. His role could change when Taylor returns, but this breakout should make it difficult for the Jets to scale him back too much.
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams both saw their roles dip in Week 3 as Detroit leaned more heavily on 12 and 13 personnel. After using 13 personnel just eight times over the first two weeks, the Lions used it 10 times in Week 3, only the sixth time under Dan Campbell they've reached double-digit 13-personnel plays. St. Brown dropped to 28 routes and eight targets, while Williams ran 29 routes with four targets. That's a noticeable decline from their first two games, so if Detroit continues using heavier personnel at this rate, it could lower the weekly volume and fantasy ceiling for both receivers.
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs saw a major boost with Alec Pierce on injured reserve, drawing a team-high 10 targets and turning them into 12.7 fantasy points. He ran the third-most routes and remained one of the focal points of the passing game alongside Tyler Warren and Keenan Allen. Downs' snap rate dipped in some heavier personnel packages, but the target volume is what matters most for fantasy managers. With Pierce sidelined, Downs looks like a solid flex option in Week 4 against a Commanders defense that has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Dalton Schultz's fantasy production fell off in Week 3 as Houston used more multiple-tight-end sets. That cut into his snaps and routes, and he finished with just three targets and 6.0 fantasy points after seeing 14 targets and scoring 26.0 fantasy points in Week 2. Schultz could still have useful weeks when Houston is forced to throw more, but his role looks less secure now, especially with Nico Collins returning and taking back a big share of the targets.
Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins
Rashee Rice's season-high 15.8 fantasy points wasn't the result of more playing time or increased slot usage. He actually played his fewest snaps of the season and ran fewer routes from the slot than he did in Weeks 1 and 2, while Kansas City used less 11 personnel and more 12 personnel. The difference was target volume. Rice caught seven of nine targets for 88 yards and has now topped 80 receiving yards in back-to-back games. That's encouraging, but fantasy managers should expect some regression if that target concentration comes back down.
Tennessee Titans at New York Giants
Cam Skattebo led the Giants backfield in snaps, routes run, touches (23) and fantasy points (13.0). However, he averaged just 3.0 yards per carry, while Najee Harris averaged 5.8 yards on nine carries. Skattebo remains a volume-based RB2, but it would be nice to see him become more efficient as a runner, especially in Week 4 against a Cardinals defense that has allowed the seventh most rushing yards per game.
Isaiah Likely opened the season with a huge Week 1, and while the fantasy production has cooled, his role keeps improving. His route participation has climbed each week, and he currently ranks 12th among tight ends in routes run. Likely still drew five targets against the Titans despite Jameis Winston attempting just 22 passes. The usage remains strong, making Likely a tight end fantasy managers should continue to hold.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Warren took full advantage of Rico Dowdle's absence, handling a true every-down role for the first time in his career. He led the Steelers backfield in snaps, routes, touches (20) and fantasy points (20.6). Warren also showed plenty of explosiveness, creating multiple chunk plays. If Dowdle remains out in Week 4 against the Browns, Warren should again see a heavy workload.
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders
The Seahawks backfield became even more difficult to trust in Week 3. Emanuel Wilson led the team in carries (9) and handled the biggest share of early-down work, while Jadarian Price played just 19 snaps and saw much of his action late. Price still led the team in rushing with just 15 yards, which was disappointing behind Seattle's offensive line, and he also lost a fumble. George Holani mixed in heavily as well, especially in the passing game, and led the backfield with 10.8 fantasy points. With Zach Charbonnet expected back soon, Price's role looks too unstable to trust in fantasy lineups.
New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Thomas Jr.'s role took another hit. Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington have clearly moved ahead of him in Jacksonville's receiver rotation, while rookie Josh Cameron is also cutting into his playing time. Thomas is even losing work in heavier personnel packages, which makes the situation more concerning than just a quiet box score. For fantasy managers, Thomas is becoming difficult to trust as anything more than a risky flex until his role starts to grow again.
The Patriots settled into a true split backfield, but Rhamondre Stevenson still handled the more valuable work. Stevenson shared early-down snaps with TreVeyon Henderson while also taking most of the passing-down, short-yardage and goal-line opportunities. Henderson remains the more explosive option, but his limited receiving role makes him much more dependent on big plays. The bigger issue is an offense that hasn't been very productive, which limits the ceiling for both backs. Stevenson is the safer fantasy option right now, while Henderson is more of a boom-or-bust flex until his role grows.
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
George Kittle set a season high in snaps, led the 49ers with seven targets and finished with 26.2 fantasy points. With all of San Francisco's injuries at wide receiver, Kittle should remain a focal point of the passing game, especially with Brock Purdy playing at such a high level. Purdy has a 93.7 Total QBR this season, the highest by any quarterback through his team's first three games since the metric was introduced in 2006. Three of the other four QBs on the list went on to win MVP that season.
Jeremiyah Love took a clear step forward in Week 3, handling over 80% of Arizona's early-down snaps after a more limited role to start the season. He finished with a season high 26 touches and 21.9 fantasy points Tyler Allgeier still controls some of the passing-down and goal-line work, which caps Love's receiving and touchdown upside.
Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers' backfield is starting to look more defined. Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell had eerily similar snap and route totals, but Irving handled most of the early-down work while Gainwell took more of the passing-down snaps. Irving remains the best fantasy option and has reached at least 15 touches in every game, even though his efficiency dipped in Week 3 with 3.1 yards per carry. Gainwell's standalone fantasy value is limited, but he would become a much more relevant option if Irving were to miss time.
Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys
Javonte Williams dominated the Cowboys backfield, finishing with 21 touches and 18.3 fantasy points against the Ravens. He's had at least 15 touches in every game this season. Behind him, the backup role has been a revolving door. Tyler Goodson is now the primary backup after being active over Emari Demercado in Week 3, making him the Dallas insurance back to roster in deeper leagues.
Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara assumed lead back duties after Travis Etienne Jr. aggravated his hamstring injury in the third quarter and did not return against the Raiders. Kamara played more snaps and had more touches over Kendre Miller following Etienne's departure.
Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos
Kyren Williams continues to separate himself from Blake Corum despite the Rams still rotating their backs by drive. Williams handled the larger workload in Week 3 and turned it into 21 touches and 21.9 fantasy points, including a career-high 70 receiving yards. Corum managed just 15 rushing yards and has yet to record a red-zone carry this season. Williams has now produced at least 15 fantasy points in every game and remains a high end RB2, while Corum is best viewed as one of the top insurance backs in the league.
More:
Sept. 27: Top fantasy scorers through Sunday Night Football
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions -- 41.4
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks -- 35.36
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons -- 35.3
Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers -- 31.28
Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons -- 28.4
Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle Seahawks -- 27.66
Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders -- 27.6
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets -- 26.7
George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers -- 26.2
Geno Smith, QB, New York Jets -- 26.04
Click here for a complete list of the week's leading fantasy scorers.
Sept. 25: Bijan Robinson, Falcons offense back in a big way
By Adam Rank
Is Michael Penix Jr. the MVP of the NFL? I mean, the dude might have a case right now after what the Atlanta Falcons did to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. There hasn't been an upgrade this significant and this fast since Laney Boggs got rid of the glasses and paint-soaked smock in "She's All That." But it's hard to ignore how good the Falcons looked on Thursday night. Let's take a look at some of the numbers from an incredible game. Well, incredible if you're both a fan of an NFC North team (like me) and also started Bijan Robinson.
Robinson had 213 scrimmage yards with a pair of touchdowns for 35.3 fantasy points. Drake London finished with just 194 receiving yards on 9 catches for 28.4 points. I mean, it seems paltry in comparison (it doesn't). Both guys were on fire. It was the third time they each had more than 150 in a single game. The Falcons were the first visiting team at Lambeau Field to produce a 150-yard rusher and receiver.
For Robinson, it was his third game with 200 yards from scrimmage since 2023, tying Jonathan Taylor for the most during that span. All three of these games have been in primetime.
The Falcons found the red zone! The Falcons went 27 drives without reaching the red zone to start the season, but they made up for it after finally breaking the skid on the third drive of the game. But be honest, you were nervous when Penix opened the game with the interception? It's ok, we were all a little nervous.
Some other good news is that London and Kyle Pitts Sr. combined for 214 receiving yards! All right the four points from Pitts wasn't ideal. I do have more hope that he's going to break out of his season-opening skids. I mean, four points seem massive compared to where he was to start the season. But Penix makes this offense more dynamic and raises the bar for everyone.
London has 100 receiving yards in six of his past seven games with Penix.
The Packers were still able to put up big numbers for Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. Which is what we are really concerned about here, right? Watson became the first Packers receiver to open the season with a touchdown in three consecutive games since Davante Adams in 2018. Golden was targeted 12 times and turned that into 5 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown.
The Packers are putting up some fantasy numbers, which is great. But if this offense is truly going to get rolling again, it needs to run the football. The Packers rushed for 17 yards on Thursday night. That was the third-lowest total in club history since 1933.