MORNING FANTASY REPORT – Thursday, October 1, 2026
NFL Week 4
=== TONIGHT: STEELERS (2-1) AT BROWNS (2-1) ===
- Kickoff: 8:15 PM ET, Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland – Prime Video
- Rico Dowdle (toe): OUT tonight – missed Week 3, no practice all week
- Rest of Week 4: Sunday opens with Commanders vs. Colts in London; Monday night is Falcons at Saints
=== KEY INJURY UPDATES ===
- De'Von Achane (MIA): Torn ACL, out for season – pick up Ollie Gordon II / Jaylen Wright
- Breece Hall (NYJ): Quad, week-to-week, out Week 4 – Braelon Allen is a must-start RB2
- Travis Etienne Jr.: Hamstring, expected to miss multiple weeks – Alvin Kamara becomes a volume RB2/3
- Baker Mayfield (TB): Dislocated thumb, out at least 3 weeks – rookie Jalon Daniels starts
- Justin Jefferson (MIN): Ankle, no practice Wednesday – have a backup ready
- Puka Nacua (LAR): Limited practice, McVay expects him to play – START
- Nico Collins (HOU): Hamstring, back at practice – watch Friday's report
- Mike Evans / Chris Godwin (TB): Rib / ankle, both no practice – risky starts
- Caleb Williams (CHI): Hamstring, out Week 4, unlikely Week 5 – stream a QB
- Lamar Jackson (BAL): Back, limited, expects to play – START
- Jayden Daniels (WAS): Elbow, limited, traveled to London – check status before Sunday
- Terrance Ferguson (LAR): Ankle, not expected to play – Tyler Higbee is a streaming option
- Jaxson Dart (NYG): MCL/meniscus surgery, out for season – drop in redraft leagues
=== TOP WAIVER TARGETS ===
1. Braelon Allen (RB, NYJ) – 36% rostered, at Bears – immediate RB2
2. Ollie Gordon II (RB, MIA) – 24% rostered – lead back (20 carries, 41 yds, TD in Week 3)
3. Kenyon Sadiq (TE, NYJ) – 29% rostered, at Bears
4. Keenan Allen (WR, IND) – best PPR receiver available
5. Juwan Johnson (TE, NO) – NFL.com's No. 1 waiver priority, vs. Falcons
6. Jaylen Wright (RB, MIA) – worthwhile flier, limited in practice Wednesday
7. Kirk Cousins (QB, LV) – streaming option vs. Chiefs
8. Vikings D/ST – streaming option vs. Dolphins
=== PLAN FOR BYES ===
- Byes start in Week 5: Panthers and Chiefs are off (4 teams total)
- Add bench depth now, before other managers do
- Week 5 Thursday: Buccaneers at Cowboys, Oct. 8 – DAL -9.5, O/U 47.5
