Wed Sep 24 4:51pm ET
Field Level Media
Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, who played 13 of his 15 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, said he would consider taking over as the head of the NFL Players Association, Front Office Sports reported Wednesday.
NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. resigned in July, one month after a series of controversies were revealed, including a reported conflict of interest and a decision to hide key parts of an arbitration ruling from the players.
Howell was replaced by former player J.C. Tretter, the NFLPA's chief strategy officer, but he also stepped down.
Labor executive David White has been in charge of the NFLPA on an interim basis.
Smith, 56, said there are a number of ways the players should be protecting themselves when it comes to the business side of the NFL.
"But see, oftentimes, it's like anything else that you see in the U.S., you divide and conquer," Smith told Front Office Sports. "You keep people divided, then you can always manipulate one of the sides. And the one to the sides that's always getting manipulated is the talent side, not the ownership side."
Other prospective candidates to run the NFLPA, according to the report, are former players Matt Schaub and Darrelle Revis.
Smith, who also played two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, holds NFL records for total rushing yards (18,355), career rushing touchdowns (164) and total rushing attempts (4,409). In 1993, Smith helped the Cowboys to the Super Bowl title while winning the MVP, the rushing title and the Super Bowl MVP.
Smith and former wide receiver Jerry Rice are the only two non-kickers to score more than 1,000 career points.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson could see more involvement in the offense during Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Lead back Jaylen Warren (knee) has been ruled out for this game. That being said, Kenneth Gainwell, Johnson, and possibly Trey Sermon see bigger roles. Johnson has only seen two carries through the first three weeks of the season. However, the Steelers invested a third-round pick on Johnson, so he should start to see an increased role at some point. This seems like a prime opportunity for the Steelers to see what they have in the rookie back. Johnson is too risky to start in fantasy leagues, but is someone to keep an eye on for this early game in Dublin.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has scored a touchdown in back-to-back games heading into Week 4. He has been a nice surprise for fantasy managers early in the season, but could see decreased value going forward. The Chiefs are getting Xavier Worthy back for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. Worthy hasn't played since the season opener, but figures to surpass Thornton on the pecking order. Thornton only saw four targets in the season opener when Worthy actually played. That being said, fantasy managers should be prepared for Thornton to take a backseat in the receiving game. Given his recent success, Thornton could be a flex option for Sunday's game, but the 25-year-old is expected to lose usage.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is back in the mix after serving a three-game suspension. Robinson has reportedly looked good in practice and could be involved right away. The 49ers are banged up with Brandon Aiyuk (knee), George Kittle (hamstring), Jauan Jennings (ankle, shoulder), and Jacob Cowing (hamstring) all dealing with injuries. If Jennings is limited it could lead to Robinson actually having a decent role on Sunday. Given all the injuries to this roster, Robinson could be worth a stash. However, he'll be tough to trust as a streaming option for this Week 4 contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell is expected to see an increased role during Sunday's Week 4 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. The Steelers are going to be without lead back Jaylen Warren (knee) for this game. That being said, Gainwell figures to be the lead back for this game. He has mainly been the receiving back through three weeks, but should see more carries in this one. Fantasy managers in desperate need of help should consider Gainwell a low-end flex option for this weekend. Also, Kaleb Johnson and Trey Sermon figure to be in the mix, but Gainwell is likely to see a bulk of the carries. Fantasy managers needing help should act fast with this being an early game in Dublin.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (knee) has been ruled out for the Week 4 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Warren tested out his knee pregame and wasn't feeling good enough to give it a go. This absence is a troubling situation for the Steelers who don't have a viable backup right now. Kenneth Gainwell figures to see increased snaps while Kaleb Johnson and Trey Sermon should be in the mix as well. Between the three, Gainwell offers the most fantasy upside for desperate managers heading into Week 4. Gainwell could offer some low-end flex appeal for this tough Sunday morning matchup in Dublin.
From RotoBaller
Top Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique) is "pushing to play" on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Texans are 0-3 and desperately in need of any good news, so the possibility that one of the league's top corners will be available qualifies. Stingley, however, is not likely to be at full health, Rapoport reported. The Titans have been one of the NFL's worst offenses through three weeks, giving Houston a good chance at its first win of the year.
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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) is likely to play through the injury on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Rams listed Adams as questionable after he missed practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. The first-year Ram has drawn an excellent 29 targets through three weeks, but caught only 13 of them. Still, he's been productive nonetheless with 213 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Against a middling Colts defense against fantasy receivers, Adams has WR1 potential.
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Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (knee) is likely to be available when his team takes on the Atlanta Falcons, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. "Bill" missed multiple days of practice this week, but did make a return on Friday and is trending toward playing. Washington's backfield, however, hasn't developed a rhythm with Austin Ekeler (Achilles) out for the year. Though he did score last week, Croskey-Merritt has only 48 total yards the past two games, while Jeremy McNichols broke a long run to lead the team in rushing in Week 3. Chris Rodriguez, who was inactive the first two weeks, earned a team-high 11 carries in his return. Croskey-Merritt still has RB3/Flex potential against a good Falcons run defense, but another platoon seems likely.
From RotoBaller
For the first time this season, the Baltimore Ravens should have tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) available when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The fourth-year tight end finished in the top-20 at his position last year, but has yet to play this season due to the injury. It remains to be seen how Baltimore will work in Likely with Mark Andrews, who broke a cold streak last week with six catches, 91 yards, and two touchdowns in primetime against Detroit. Against a Chiefs defense that is among the very best against fantasy tight ends, Likely is a low-end TE3 for his return.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington brings intriguing upside to Monday Night Football's divisional matchup against the Jets. The second-year receiver from Virginia returned a punt for a touchdown in Week 2 and played a larger role in Week 3. He's operating as the team's third receiver behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and has played over 50% of snaps each week. Against the Bills in Week 3, he had a season-high three catches on five targets and also had 20 rushing yards on two carries. He has 34 receiving yards and 52 rushing yards to go with that punt return touchdown this year, and the Dolphins will continue to try to find ways to get the ball into his hands. They need an offensive spark with Tua Tagovailoa struggling, and incorporating Washington more could be a way to find some big plays on Monday night. He's a very high-risk start at this point as RotoBaller's WR73 this week, but he's also a player with breakout potential who is worth keeping an eye on with bye weeks just around the corner.
From RotoBaller
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (hip) is likely to be active for the Week 4 matchup between Chicago and the Las Vegas Raiders. The veteran back is officially listed as questionable on the Bears's final injury report, though it seems as if he'll still play this week. He's been a serviceable starter this year with some receiving upside, catching nine passes on 11 targets through three games, albeit on offense that has really struggled at times. Swift is a playable flex option this week against a good Raiders run defense.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip) does not have an injury status for Monday Night Football against the Jets, setting him up for his first action of the season. The 33-year-old had a few huge years with the Raiders but has not played a game since the 2023 season. The Dolphins lured him out of retirement this year, but he hasn't been able to play due to a hip issue. It's very uncertain what he'll be ready to contribute on Monday Night Football against the Jets, who have been fairly good against tight ends this season. He is worth a stash from the waiver wire if you are desperate for a tight end solution. However, it seems unlikely that Waller will have a huge role right away. He's the TE37 in RotoBaller's Week 4 rankings, so he isn't an option to play this week, even though he is worth watching to evaluate his future potential.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill has dealt with numerous off-field issues and rumors over the last year, and his on-field production has been inconsistent as well. He'll look to put all that behind him with a big game against the Jets this Monday night, and hopefully help his team get its first win of the season. Last year, Hill had 10 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown in his first matchup with the Jets before only snagging two catches for 20 yards in the regular season finale in the rematch. This year, he and Tua Tagovailoa have struggled to get on the same page, leaving some big plays on the field. He has had solid fantasy games the last two weeks, posting 109 yards against the Patriots before 49 yards with a touchdown against the Bills last Thursday. Hill brings a very high ceiling but is a volatile play due to his team's struggles. He's RotoBaller's WR19 this week, indicating he's a WR2 that should still be started in most formats.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) is likely to be available when his team takes on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The second-year receiver is listed as questionable on the injury report, but it appears as if he'll be able to play come game time Sunday. Pearsall has gone over 100 yards twice in three games this year, including a season-high eight catches for 117 yards last week in a win against Arizona. Pearsall is a high-quality WR3/Flex play against a suspect Jags pass defense.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has posted five catches and a touchdown each of the last two weeks, and he'll look to extend his scoring streak this week in a favorable matchup against the Jets. Waddle was questionable last week with a shoulder injury, but played a season-high 87% of the team's snaps against the Bills. He caught five of his six targets for only 39 yards but did find the end zone for the second straight week. Waddle could get more work this week if Sauce Gardner focuses on locking down Tyreek Hill, leaving more space for Waddle, who is third on the team in targets behind only Hill and De'Von Achane. With Tua Tagovailoa playing very conservatively, Waddle will likely have to pick up most of his yardage after the catch. However, his volume and his red zone work keep him as a solid play despite the offense's issues. This week, he is the No. 35 wide receiver in RotoBaller's rankings, making him a solid WR4 or flex option in most leagues.
From RotoBaller
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle, shoulder) of the San Francisco 49ers is expected to play in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. But Jennings being active comes with a catch: he's also likely to be limited. The circumstances point to the possibility that Jennings could be a snap count for the game, obviously hampering his fantasy ceiling for this week. Jennings is otherwise a strong WR3/Flex play with a great matchup, though his injuries will present the risk he plays fewer snaps than normal.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright was active last Thursday after missing the first two weeks of the season with a knee injury, but he didn't play a single snap on offense or special teams. Ollie Gordon II had a solid game as the complement to De'Von Achane, taking nine carries for 38 yards and a touchdown. Achane also continues to be a PPR beast as a receiver out of the backfield, not leaving any room for Wright to get any chances yet. Coach Mike McDaniel said he wants to incorporate Wright into the game plan, but trade rumors have also been swirling this week since Wright showed some potential as a rookie last year after he was a fourth-round pick from Tennessee. He's only the RB81 in RotoBaller's Week 4 rankings, so he shouldn't be started in any format until he has a role, but it is worth watching to see if he can get involved this Monday night in a favorable matchup against the Jets.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II had a good training camp and preseason, but it took until Week 3 for him to really get a chance to shine this season. He'll look to build on his success this week in a favorable Monday Night Football matchup against the Jets, who have allowed three running back touchdowns in three games. Gordon got his first NFL touchdown last week after taking over in the red zone for De'Von Achane on his team's opening drive. He finished with nine carries for 38 yards and a touchdown, after getting only three carries in the first two games of the season. Gordon's physical running style is especially effective between the tackles and in the red zone, making him an excellent complement to Achane. If he is in that role again on Monday, he has touchdown-dependent upside as a flex option. RotoBaller's rankings have Gordon as the No. 46 RB, so he isn't quite a starter yet. However, if he can lock into his change-of-pace role with another strong showing this week, he definitely brings sleeper potential.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has struggled so far this season, playing very conservatively but also turning the ball over at critical times. He and his team will look to turn things around and get their first win on Monday when they host the Jets. Tua has thrown at least one interception in each game this season, with five touchdowns to go with his four interceptions on the year. He threw two touchdowns in each of his last two games, with 315 yards against the Patriots and 146 yards against the Bills. He has failed to exceed 5.0 yards per attempt in two of his three games, and when he has pushed the ball down the field, the results have usually not been good for his team. Even in a very favorable matchup on Monday against the Jets, he is only a fringe starter in dual-quarterback leagues. He's the QB21 in RotoBaller's rankings, so he can be a QB2 in desperate spots, but he'll need to bounce back after struggling in the first three weeks of the season.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane has been one of the few bright spots in the Dolphins' offense this season, and he makes a strong RB1 start against the Jets on Monday Night Football. Achane has scored two touchdowns this season, both as a receiver out of the backfield, and he totaled 147 rushing yards and 141 receiving yards over his three games. He has totaled 15 catches on 19 targets in his last two games, making him a strong PPR option that brings both a high ceiling and a high floor with so much volume. The Jets have allowed three running back touchdowns in their three games, and if the Dolphins play from ahead, the game script could call for plenty of work for Achane. He's the RB5 in RotoBaller's PPR rankings this week, and a very strong start on Monday night in all formats
From RotoBaller