WEEK 4 FANTASY FOOTBALL MORNING REPORT
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2026
TOP PRIORITY: Check official inactive lists at approximately 11:30 AM ET before locking in 1:00 PM players. Wide receiver injuries are the biggest issue this morning.
INJURY / STATUS ALERTS
OUT — BENCH NOW
Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings: OUT vs. Miami
DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles: OUT vs. Rams
Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders: OUT vs. Colts
Keenan Allen, WR, Colts: OUT vs. Commanders
Baker Mayfield, QB, Buccaneers: OUT vs. Packers
Breece Hall, RB, Jets: Listed inactive
Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seahawks: Listed inactive
Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles: Listed inactive
RETURNING / ACTIVE BUT MONITOR
Puka Nacua, WR, Rams: Expected to return vs. Eagles. Startable, especially in PPR, but reports indicate a possible snap count. Lower floor than normal.
Nico Collins, WR, Texans: Expected back. Upgrade Houston’s passing game and use him if your alternatives are lower-volume options.
START / SIT LEANS
STARTS
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks vs. Chargers: Strong WR1/WR2 start.
Omarion Hampton, RB, Chargers at Seahawks: Good RB2/flex upside.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jaguars vs. Bengals: Viable deeper-league flex option.
Cam Skattebo, RB, Giants vs. Cardinals: Solid flex/RB2 consideration.
Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs vs. Raiders: Confident start.
SITS / DOWNGRADES
Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons at Saints: Sit unless options are extremely limited.
Puka Nacua, WR, Rams at Eagles: Start only if you can accept a snap-count risk.
Washington receivers and tight ends: Downgrade with Jayden Daniels unavailable.
Tampa Bay pass catchers: Downgrade with Baker Mayfield out.
LINEUP STRATEGY
Move all late-game players into FLEX whenever possible.
Do not leave a 1:00 PM player in FLEX if a 4:05 PM, 4:25 PM, or Sunday night player can go there instead.
Replace confirmed outs immediately.
For injury replacements, choose projected touches and targets over a boom-or-bust name.
If you are projected to lose heavily, use high-variance options. If favored, favor players with secure volume.
Check official 1:00 PM inactive reports around 11:30 AM ET.
SCHEDULE WINDOWS
9:30 AM ET
Colts vs. Commanders
Make any Washington or Indianapolis injury pivots before this kickoff.
1:00 PM ET
Titans at Ravens
Patriots at Bills
Jets at Bears
Rams at Eagles
Jaguars vs. Bengals
Packers vs. Buccaneers
Cowboys vs. Texans
Cardinals at Giants
4:05 PM / 4:25 PM ET
Dolphins at Vikings
Chargers at Seahawks
Broncos at 49ers
8:20 PM ET
Lions at Panthers
QUICK PIVOTS
REPLACING JUSTIN JEFFERSON OR DEVONTA SMITH
Favor your healthiest WR with the clearest target share.
Do not chase a low-volume deep threat unless you need a major ceiling outcome.
REPLACING JAYDEN DANIELS OR BAKER MAYFIELD
Use a confirmed starting quarterback rather than waiting on uncertain injury news.
Downgrade Commanders and Buccaneers receiving options accordingly.
REPLACING BREECE HALL OR ZACH CHARBONNET
Recheck the official inactive list and starting RB news around 11:30 AM ET.
Prioritize the back with the clearer role in early downs, goal-line work, or receiving work.
FINAL REMINDER
Jefferson, DeVonta Smith, Jayden Daniels, Keenan Allen, Baker Mayfield, Breece Hall, Zach Charbonnet, and Dallas Goedert should not be in starting lineups.
Puka Nacua is playable but carries lower-than-normal floor risk because of a likely reduced workload.
Preserve flexibility by using FLEX spots for late-game players only.
