Fantasy football owners will be on high alert all day on Sunday, as several key running backs are “questionable.” We’ll focus on early-afternoon game-time decisions in this article (Dalvin Cook, Antonio Gibson, Jonathan Taylor), but you can find news on late-afternoon RBs here (Darrell Henderson, Elijah Mitchell, Melvin Gordon). These injury updates will be key prior to finalizing your Week 4 start ’em, sit ’em decisions, and we’ll be providing the latest throughout the morning on whether these backs are playing.
For updates on injured late-game RBs Elijah Mitchell, Darrell Henderson, and Melvin Gordon, go here; for more on banged-up pass-catchers George Kittle, Tyler Lockett, and Curtis Samuel, click here; for an update on Lamar Jackson, go here; for an update on Josh Jacobs, click here. For all the latest fantasy updates, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy (Links coming soon)
WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Dalvin Cook playing Week 4?
Cook (ankle) was limited in practice all week and is officially “questionable” for Sunday’s game against the Browns.
Given how close Cook was to suiting up last week, it seems likely he’ll be active in Week 4. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer previously implied that as long as Cook is active, he’ll see a normal workload, so fantasy owners shouldn’t have any hesitation about using him as an RB1. If Cook is a surprise scratch, then Alexander Mattison will once again start and handle close to 20 touches, making him an RB2 in all formats.
WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Antonio Gibson playing Week 4?
Gibson (shin) missed practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday, and he’s officially listed as “questionable” for Sunday’s game against Atlanta. Washington coach Ron Rivera said he’s “pretty confident” about Gibson, but a late setback could change things.
If Gibson plays, he might see a few less snaps, particularly on passing downs, but he’s still a must-start against Atlanta’s weak defense. If he’s out, then Jaret Patterson and J.D. McKissic will split RB touches, with McKissic being the better play, especially in PPR leagues.
WEEK 4 FANTASY: Start ’em, sit ’em | Sleepers | Busts
Is Jonathan Taylor playing Week 4?
After being in limited in practice all week, Taylor (knee) was listed as “questionable” for Sunday’s game against Miami.
WEEK 4 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo
Taylor is an RB1 if active. If he’s a surprise scratch, then Nyheim Hines and presumably trade-bait Marlon Mack would get the bulk of the RB touches. Hines would be a solid RB2 in PPR leagues and flex in standard, while Mack would be a fringe flex in standard leagues.