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Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) is expected to miss four-to-six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus, another setback for a backfield already reeling from the season-ending loss of James Conner (foot). Benson had been working into a steady role with 29 carries for 160 yards and 13 receptions for 64 yards through four games, but his absence now opens the door for Emari Demercado to take on feature-back responsibilities. Demercado should be added in all fantasy formats as he projects to see the bulk of opportunities in both the running and passing game, especially with Arizona lacking proven depth behind him. While Benson showed flashes of efficiency early, his return timetable places him on injured reserve and makes him droppable unless you have an IR spot available.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is set to take on a true WR1 role with Tyreek Hill (knee) out for the season. Head coach Mike McDaniel emphasized that the team has always viewed Waddle as a top receiver, but Hill's absence ensures a heavier workload moving forward. Through four games, Waddle has recorded 17 receptions for 185 yards and two touchdowns, and his speed and route running make him the most dangerous option left in Miami's passing game. The Dolphins have struggled offensively this season, ranking just 26th overall and 22nd in passing, but Waddle's expanded role gives him a chance to spark the unit. Fantasy managers should view him as a must-start in Week 5 against Carolina and a strong candidate for weekly WR1 production going forward.

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Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said he's hoping to get running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) "involved as quickly as possible," according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Spears is still on Injured Reserve and has missed the first four games of the season, but the Titans opened his 21-day practice window this week, and he's eligible to be activated to the 53-man active roster at any time. For now, it's unclear if Spears has a legitimate chance to play in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. When he's back, Spears will be a nice change-of-pace to starter Tony Pollard in Tennessee's backfield. Even if Spears does not make his 2025 debut this weekend, fantasy managers in need of some RB depth, especially in point-per-reception formats, should consider adding Spears off the waiver wire if he's available. In his two years in the NFL, Spears has 765 rushing yards and six rushing TDs on 184 attempts while catching 82 passes for 609 yards and two more touchdowns.

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New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (knee) has a "pretty serious knee injury," according to head coach Aaron Glenn. However, the Jets are not unveiling their Injured Reserve plans just yet, and Allen is seeking a second opinion. Allen took a shot to his knee during a kickoff return in Monday night's loss to the Miami Dolphins and is going to miss some time. If he is forced to go on IR, Allen would have to miss at least four games. The 21-year-old reportedly suffered an MCL sprain. With Allen injured, Breece Hall could see even more touches in New York's backfield, with Isaiah Davis stepping into a backup role. Davis is worth a waiver-wire pickup for those looking for more RB depth or if you have Hall rostered. Through the first four weeks in 2025, Allen has 18 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown while catching only two passes for 17 yards through the air.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers still aren't ruling out running back Bucky Irving (foot) for Week 5 on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, and head coach Todd Bowles said the team will wait to see if he's out of his walking boot by Friday, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Quarterback Baker Mayfield framed it as "if" Irving can't play against Seattle. The 23-year-old is day-to-day right now, but fantasy managers can't be very optimistic with Irving in a walking boot and on crutches on Wednesday. He almost certainly won't practice and most likely will not be available on Sunday as he battles a foot sprain. Irving apparently has avoided a long-term injury, but don't expect to see him active this weekend. If Irving doesn't play against the Seahawks, Rachaad White will be a plug-and-play RB2 in fantasy, with Sean Tucker also seeing a boost in his role in Tampa's backfield.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) is being placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday with a knee injury that he suffered in last Thursday night's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Cardinals are expecting Benson to play again this year, but he will now be forced to miss at least the next four games. It's another major blow to Arizona's backfield after they already lost James Conner (Achilles) for the season. The earliest that Benson can return is Week 10 against the Seahawks -- the Cardinals have a bye in Week 8. In the meantime, Emari Demercado will become Arizona's No. 1 backfield option, making him a priority addition off your league's waiver wire if he's available. Michael Carter will also see an expanded role as the team's RB2 and is worth a look in deeper leagues for RB depth. Benson should be stashed in an IR spot if you have him rostered.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) has been medically cleared by doctors and will practice in full on Wednesday, according to head coach Dan Quinn. Daniels suffered a knee sprain in the Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers and was forced to miss the last two games. However, it appears the 24-year-old second-year signal-caller has made great progress and is on track to return for a Week 5 matchup in Los Angeles this Sunday against the Chargers. There could be some issues with Daniels' mobility outside the pocket as a playmaker and runner, though, and the matchup isn't an ideal one for fantasy purposes. On top of it, top wideout Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) could miss a second straight game. Things aren't lining up great for fantasy purposes in Daniels' return, but he should at least be in the low-end QB1 picture if he's active on Sunday.

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The Miami Dolphins officially placed All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Hill dislocated his knee in Monday night's win over the New York Jets and also tore multiple ligaments in his knee, including his ACL. His 2025 season is officially over, and although he's planning on being ready for the start of the 2026 season, it won't be a guarantee that he'll be ready for Week 1. The Cheetah had surgery on his knee on Tuesday. In redraft fantasy leagues, Hill can safely be dropped for reinforcements. In his absence, Jaylen Waddle will be Miami's new WR1, with Malik Washington and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine also moving up the depth chart. Tight end Darren Waller, who had two touchdowns in his 2025 debut on Monday night, should also be heavily involved in the passing attack for Miami going forward with Hill done for the year.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado has recorded 21 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on just six total touches so far in 2025. However, there's a chance he's the team's featured back in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans with James Conner (ankle) out for the season and Trey Benson (knee) possibly facing a short-term absence. If Benson misses Week 5, the Cardinals would likely split touches to some degree between Demercado and running back Michael Carter. Demercado started the season as the team's RB3 while Carter was only added to the active roster once Conner went down. Still, Demercado has not logged more than four carries in a game since Week 8 of the 2023 season. Demercado should be added in all deep fantasy leagues and could be a low-end flex option in Week 5 if Benson is sidelined.

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With the news that Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (foot) is battling a foot sprain, fellow Bucs back Sean Tucker could be in line for a significant workload increase. Tucker has just one carry so far in 2025, but he was extremely efficient when given the opportunity in 2024, rushing for 308 yards and two touchdowns on 50 carries for Tampa Bay. Veteran running back Rachaad White would likely be given the first opportunity in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks if Irving misses time. Still, White has proven to be a more efficient receiving back than an early-down rusher over the course of his career. In fantasy leagues where both White and Tucker are available, White should be the waiver-wire priority. However, in deeper leagues where White is already rostered, Tucker should be added in case Irving misses time and Tucker works his way into the early-down role.

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ESPN's Dan Graziano reports that the Washington Commanders are "very happy at the moment using a committee" in the backfield, but they "view (rookie running back) Jacory Croskey-Merritt as the most capable one of the three to emerge as an all-around threat." Since veteran running back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) suffered an Achilles tear in Week 2, the Commanders have split backfield playing time fairly evenly between Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and Jeremy McNichols. Overall, through his first four NFL games, Croskey-Merritt has recorded 172 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries to go along with three catches for 15 yards on five targets. As long as all three Washington backs are sharing snaps, none profile as fantasy starters. However, it sounds as though Croskey-Merritt is the most likely Commanders running back to eventually seize a true lead role.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) is considered "week-to-week" due to the hamstring injury he suffered during his team's Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapoport notes that Jackson is "going to try to play" in Week 5 against the Houston Texans, but that his status is "in doubt." If Jackson is unable to play in Week 5, veteran signal-caller Cooper Rush would be in line to make the start for Baltimore against Houston. Rush completed nine of his 13 pass attempts for 52 yards after replacing Jackson in Week 4. The 31-year-old played in 12 games (eight starts) for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, completing 60.7% of his pass attempts for 1,844 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Looking forward, Baltimore will play the Los Angeles Rams in Week 6 before hitting their bye week in Week 7.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) "banged his knee" during the team's Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and Benson's status for Week 5 is "now in question," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Benson recorded 54 yards from scrimmage on 13 total touches in Week 4, which was the team's first full game since veteran running back James Conner (ankle) was lost for the season with an ankle injury. Third-year back Emari Demercado was Arizona's RB2 in Week 4, recording 21 yards from scrimmage and a receiving touchdown on four total touches. If Benson misses the Cardinals' Week 5 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, backfield touches would likely be split between Demercado and running back Michael Carter. Carter has just one carry so far in 2025, but he rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries across three games (one start) with Arizona in 2024.

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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (ankle) is expected to miss the team's Wednesday practice due to an ankle injury, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Garrett is one of the NFL's best defensive players and has recorded four sacks and eight QB hits through his first four games of the season. The Browns will face off against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. If Garrett is unable to play, the matchup would be significantly easier for Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz, running back Jordan Mason, and the rest of the Minnesota offense.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (foot) is dealing with a foot sprain and was spotted at practice on Wednesday "on crutches and in a walking boot," per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The team has not provided a formal timeline for Irving, but it certainly appears he will be sidelined for the team's Week 5 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. If Irving indeed misses time, Buccaneers running backs Rachaad White and Sean Tucker should both see an uptick in touches and playing time. White has recorded 142 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 31 total touches so far in 2025. Tucker has just one carry this season, but he rushed for 308 yards and two touchdowns on 50 carries across 17 games in 2024.

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Dynasty | The Browns will start Dillon Gabriel this week against Minnesota. Dynasty Analysis: Joe Flacco was likely to never actually finish the year under center but his awful first month opened the door sooner than expected. Gabriel will take over with Flacco moving to the QB2 and Shedeur Sanders reportedly still being a distant third in the pecking order. Gabriel showed some juice in the preseason but that's going to mean little. His performance will be critical for the Browns future as they'll need to either commit to him, see what Sanders can do or be forced to look at the NFL Draft once again as they attempt to rise above the putrid Deshaun Watson era.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | The Browns have benched veteran Joe Flacco in favor of Dillon Gabriel. Dynasty Analysis: The 40-year old veteran only completed 58.2% of his passes the first four weeks for 815 yards with just two touchdowns and six interceptions. The Browns are 1-3 and yet again looking like one of the NFL's worst teams, despite having a solid defensive unit. Dillon Gabriel is taking over and Cleveland simply needs to see if he can give them a spark and save their season before it gets out of hand. Flacco will serve as the QB2 moving forward but he's going to hit a lot of waiver wires this week as his minimal dynasty value is now cooked.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | The Browns will start rookie Dillon Gabriel against the Vikings this week and keep Shedeur Sanders as their QB3. Dynasty Analysis: Joe Flacco was ineffective the first month of the season but Cleveland has been steadfast in saying it was Gabriel, not Sanders, who would get a shot first should Flacco falter. That indeed becomes the case as Sanders will reportedly stay as the QB3. It's still quite possible he makes starts this year but we've really seen nothing to indicate his draft day fall wasn't completely justified. Sanders is worth a roster spot in deep leagues but continues to be overvalued in most.

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ESPN Rams reporter Sarah Barshop reports that Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (hip) was listed as a DNPs for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, making his status for Thursday's game against the Arizona Cardinals uncertain. If Higbee can't go on Thursday, rookie Terrance Ferguson and Colby Parkinson will be in line to get more opportunities in the passing game. However, with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams earning most of Matthew Stafford's targets, Rams' tight ends should not be started or even rostered in most league formats at this time. Higbee is leading the tight end room in receptions, yards, and targets, and through four games, he has six catches for 62 yards and no touchdowns on 11 targets.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is being used "all over the field," according to the offensive coordinator for the Colts, Jim Bob Cooter. Downs has been able to "line up on the outside as well as the slot," showcasing his versatility on the field and being an option for quarterback Daniel Jones in the passing game. So far through the four weeks of the season, Downs has yet to have a breakout game, topping 50 receiving yards only once, and has yet to find the endzone. However, hearing Cooter speak about Downs, the Colts may be looking to get Downs more involved in the passing game down the stretch. With bye weeks coming up and injuries being inevitable, Downs could be a nice bench stash for the time being in deeper leagues, especially if he continues to lineup all over the field and we see his targets increase per game. However, at this time, we have not seen it happen on the field, so until then, Downs should remain out of starting lineups in most standard formats. The Colts play the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6, so look for Downs to be more involved than he has been against a poor Raiders defense that has allowed the third-most points to the wide receiver position.

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