Fantasy football: Who got the ball on Sunday?

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.

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.

Oct. 12: Who got the ball on Sunday, and who didn’t?

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.

Bhayshul Tuten led the Jaguars’ backfield in snaps and routes while setting a career high with 22 rushing attempts against the Eagles. He’s had at least 15 touches in every game this season and scored at least 11 fantasy points in four consecutive games. The volume is very encouraging, and more productive fantasy days should be ahead for Tuten. He’s someone fantasy managers should hold onto rather than trade away.

The Packers shifted to a two-man backfield against the Bears with Chris Brooks on injured reserve. MarShawn Lloyd led the backfield in snaps before garbage time, while Pierre Strong Jr. handled passing situations and ran the most routes. Kaleb Johnson didn’t play until garbage time. Lloyd finished with 11 touches and a season-high 16.7 fantasy points, including two rushing touchdowns. He could be a viable flex option with favorable matchups ahead and less competition for touches.

D’Andre Swift remained the Bears’ lead back against the Packers despite being benched the previous week. With Kyle Monangai inactive, Swift handled most of the backfield snaps before Roschon Johnson took over late in the blowout loss to the Packers. Swift finished with 17.3 fantasy points on 13 touches, while Johnson caught five passes for 34 yards and scored 9.0 fantasy points. Swift is worth seeking in trades. Chicago has the sixth-easiest rest-of-season schedule for running backs, and QB Caleb Williams could return in Week 6.

Woody Marks played nearly all of the Texans’ offensive snaps after David Montgomery exited with a groin injury. Marks finished with 19 touches and 12.5 fantasy points. His playing time has steadily increased in recent weeks, and he could be in line for a massive workload in Week 6 depending on the severity of Montgomery’s injury.

Tyjae Spears led the Titans backfield in snaps, routes run and fantasy points (9.8), thanks in large part to his nine receptions. It was also encouraging to see Spears play his most early-down snaps since Week 1. He isn’t someone fantasy managers should be starting, but he deserves a spot on more benches. Dan Graziano recently identified Tony Pollard as a potential trade candidate ahead of the deadline. Marvin Harrison Jr., another player mentioned in that column, has already been traded.

Ollie Gordon II remained the Dolphins’ lead back against the Bengals with De’Von Achane out for the season. Gordon led the backfield in snaps and routes, finishing with 18 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown while scoring 14.8 fantasy points. Jaylen Wright, who’s dealing with a foot injury, had six carries for 11 yards, while Carlos Washington Jr. saw some work on passing downs. None of Miami’s running backs were targeted. Gordon should remain in fantasy lineups with the Dolphins having the second-easiest rest-of-season schedule for running backs, but his workload could change as Wright gets healthier and Kaytron Allen becomes more involved.

Malik Washington led the Dolphins’ pass catchers in snaps, routes run, targets (eight) and fantasy points (12.1). He also set season highs in receptions (six) and fantasy points. Washington should be rostered in more fantasy leagues considering Miami’s favorable remaining schedule. Even when Caleb Douglas returns, Washington has played well enough to maintain a significant role in the Dolphins’ passing game.

TreVeyon Henderson suffered an ankle injury early in the second quarter and didn’t return. Rhamondre Stevenson, who entered the game questionable with a knee injury, handled most of the backfield snaps following Henderson’s departure, while Corey Kiner served as the backup. If Henderson misses Week 6, Stevenson would see a heavy workload against a Jets defense that’s allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to running backs.

Romeo Doubs set a season high in snaps against the Raiders with Mack Hollins on injured reserve, but caught just one pass for 16 yards on three targets. That’s a significant drop from his 23.8 fantasy points in Week 4. Efton Chism III and Kyle Williams took advantage of their opportunities, with Williams finishing with 91 receiving yards and a touchdown. A.J. Brown could return next week, further complicating the receiver rotation. Doubs could lose playing time to Chism and Williams, making this a situation to monitor.

The Saints used a three-man committee against the Vikings with Alvin Kamara dealing with a back injury. Kendre Miller played 14 snaps and led the team with 10 carries and 9.0 fantasy points. CJ Donaldson led the Saints in snaps, while Kamara played the the third-fewest snaps and had just five touches and 2.6 fantasy points. Miller is worth adding in deeper leagues if Kamara’s injury lingers, but this remains a difficult backfield to trust for fantasy.

Aaron Jones Sr. played his highest percentage of offensive snaps in a game this season despite briefly leaving with a knee injury. He’s had at least 23 touches in each of the last four games with Jordan Mason on injured reserve, scoring 15.0 fantasy points per game during that stretch. It’s worth noting that Mason will be eligible to return following the Vikings’ Week 6 bye.

Juwan Johnson finished with a season-low 5.6 fantasy points in Week 5. The Saints had their full tight end rotation available with Noah Fant returning alongside Johnson and Oscar Delp. Johnson’s route participation has been significantly higher when either Fant or Delp is sidelined compared to when all three are healthy. He could also see fewer targets and routes once Jordyn Tyson returns.

Quinshon Judkins remained the Browns’ lead back against the Jets, finishing with 17 touches for 50 total yards and 8.0 fantasy points. He’s averaged 17.2 touches per game this season, but was spotted in a walking boot after appearing to injure his foot late in the game. Raheim Sanders also exited with a hip injury, leaving Jaleel McLaughlin to finish the game. McLaughlin could see a significant workload against the Ravens in Week 6 if both backs are sidelined, although Dylan Sampson is eligible to return from injured reserve.

Germie Bernard stepped into a starting role for the Steelers with Michael Pittman Jr. on injured reserve. Bernard matched DK Metcalf in snaps and routes, commanded a team-high nine targets and caught six passes for 80 yards. Roman Wilson didn’t see an increased role before exiting with a finger injury, while Ben Skowronek also left with a calf injury. Bernard could see a steady stream of targets while Pittman is sidelined, making him a priority waiver wire addition and potential flex option against the Buccaneers in Week 6.

Pat Freiermuth finished with a season-high 21.5 fantasy points against the Colts after drawing seven targets, also a season high. His playing time didn’t increase following the injuries to Wilson and Skowronek, but he saw more targets. Freiermuth continues to split tight end duties with Darnell Washington, who handles more early-down snaps. With Pittsburgh dealing with injuries at wide receiver, Freiermuth is on the streaming radar for Week 6 against a Buccaneers defense that’s allowed three touchdowns to tight ends and the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position.

The Commanders returned to their usual two-man backfield rotation against the Giants with Rachaad White back from a shoulder injury. Jacory Croskey-Merritt remained the primary early-down back, rushing for a season-high 82 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. White handled passing situations and led the backfield in snaps, while Austin Ekeler played fewer than 10. Croskey-Merritt has averaged only 10.4 touches per game and caught just five passes this season. His 33-yard touchdown run accounted for much of his production, and his lack of involvement in the passing game makes him very touchdown-dependent.

Chig Okonkwo had his best game with the Commanders in Week 5, scoring a season-high 10.0 fantasy points on a team-high six targets. Healthy for the first time since Week 1, Okonkwo played most of Washington’s offensive snaps and was on the field for every third down. Injuries at wide receiver may have contributed to his increased targets, but his playing time was encouraging. Okonkwo is worth a look in deeper leagues.

Cam Skattebo remained the Giants’ lead back against the Commanders, leading the backfield in snaps and routes run while splitting passing-down work with Tyrone Tracy Jr. Skattebo finished with 71 total yards and 7.1 fantasy points after losing a late fumble. He’s scored fewer than 10 fantasy points in three of five games despite averaging 16.4 touches per game. Najee Harris continues to serve as the backup on early downs. Skattebo’s workload keeps him in the RB2 conversation, but he’s scored just one touchdown this season and has yet to finish with more than 14.1 fantasy points.

The Chargers continued using a three-man backfield, with Kimani Vidal leading in snaps and Keaton Mitchell handling most passing situations. Omarion Hampton led the team with 15 touches but managed just 39 total yards. His playing time continues to decline, and he didn’t play any third-down or two-minute-drill snaps. Vidal finished with 12.6 fantasy points, including a 42-yard touchdown run, while Mitchell caught three passes. Both are worth adding in deeper leagues, but the Chargers’ struggling offensive line make this backfield hard to trust.

Jameson Williams played nearly as many snaps and ran as many routes as Amon-Ra St. Brown, but St. Brown remains the clear leader in targets. St. Brown drew 11 against the Cardinals compared to just four for Williams, who finished with 18.7 fantasy points and two touchdowns. Williams has now scored at least 16 fantasy points in consecutive games, and his 39-yard touchdown was his 11th receiving score of 30-plus yards over the past three seasons, second only to Ja’Marr Chase. Williams remains a boom-or-bust WR2 heading into Detroit’s Week 6 bye.

The Cardinals have a new wide receiver rotation following Marvin Harrison Jr.’s trade to Houston. Michael Wilson led Arizona’s receiver room in snaps and routes run against the Lions but managed just four catches for 30 yards and 7.3 fantasy points. He’s averaged 10.2 targets and 12.8 fantasy points per game this season. Kendrick Bourne led the team with 70 receiving yards, while Jalen Brooks took over Harrison’s role. Wilson should continue seeing plenty of targets, but his Week 5 performance was disappointing given the favorable matchup against Detroit.

The 49ers entered this Week 5 with four receivers on injured reserve, and their depth took another hit against the Seahawks. Mike Evans played through a rib injury and briefly exited with a neck issue before returning. He led the team in snaps and routes, finishing with 10 targets and 26.3 fantasy points. Deebo Samuel Sr. left with a hamstring injury and didn’t return, while Jacob Cowing briefly exited with a knee injury. Brandin Cooks took on a larger role in the fourth quarter, running a route on nearly every 49ers passing play. Cooks is worth adding off waivers, especially if Samuel misses time.

The Seahawks continued their two-man backfield rotation against the 49ers, with Emanuel Wilson leading in snaps and touches while George Holani ran more routes and handled more passing-down work. Wilson finished with 22 touches and 13.2 fantasy points. Holani caught four passes for 24 yards. Jadarian Price remains on injured reserve, while Zach Charbonnet could return soon from a knee injury. Charbonnet’s return would further complicate the rotation, making it difficult to trust any of Seattle’s running backs in fantasy lineups.

Kyle Pitts Sr.‘s fantasy production has improved over the last two weeks, including a season-high 15.2 points against the Ravens. He caught five of six targets for 42 yards and his first touchdown of the season. However, Pitts’ playing time remains inconsistent, with Charlie Woerner seeing significant snaps. He ran the second-most routes for Atlanta against the Ravens, but Pitts’ role still varies by personnel grouping. He’s difficult to trust as a weekly starter, although Atlanta has the easiest rest of season schedule for tight ends and Pitts has a solid rapport with Michael Penix Jr.

Oct. 11: What does the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade mean for fantasy managers?

By Tristan H. Cockcroft

We’ve finally got our Marvin Harrison Jr. trade destination, and it’s one of the better landing spots if he is to recapture high-level fantasy value anytime in 2026: the Houston Texans, who have struggled all year to keep their wide receivers healthy.

Between the season-ending ACL injury to Jayden Higgins and the hamstring injury that cost Nico Collins two games, C.J. Stroud hasn’t had much to work with so far, contributing to the Texans’ 0-4 start to the 2026 season (with their first win coming in Week 5).

Harrison’s acquisition, which comes at the cost of 2027 second- and sixth-round picks while bringing back a 2027 seventh-rounder from the Arizona Cardinals, reinforces a passing game that has been pretty decent despite the aforementioned absences. The Stroud-led Texans rank in the upper half in passer rating (97.6) and have seen him exceed 16 fantasy points in four of five games while going five straight weeks without an interception.

It’s not unthinkable that Harrison could quickly settle into a deep-threat role while placing behind Collins on the depth chart, diversifying the passing game in much the same way that Tank Dell did for the Texans during Stroud’s 2023 rookie year. That could restore a good chunk of Harrison’s lost fantasy stock, as he has gone from being a top-10 drafted wide receiver entering his rookie year in 2024 to being dropped entirely in more than 25% of ESPN leagues since the beginning of this season.

Despite needing to adapt to a new scheme in Houston — which isn’t easy for players traded in-season — and the fact that such a deep-threat role would make him touchdown-dependent and highly susceptible to his matchups, Harrison rebounds from “Cutsville” to fantasy WR4 territory following the trade, but it’s Stroud himself who captures the most intrigue.

Stroud has a higher career passer rating (95.9) on attempts at least 15 yards downfield than on throws of shorter distance (93.9), and much of his success during that elite-level fantasy 2023 came from that part of his game. Considering he has looked markedly better to me through five weeks of 2026 than he did in either 2024 or 2025, he has a very real path to top-10 fantasy quarterback status following Harrison’s acquisition.

As for the Cardinals, Michael Wilson‘s role as the clear WR1 — noting that tight end Trey McBride is effectively Jacoby Brissett‘s top target — will only solidify now. In Harrison’s five absences last season, Wilson averaged 27.2 fantasy points and McBride averaged 23.2.