Malik Nabers Injury Overshadows Sunday's Fantasy Football Slate
In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Xfinity, we're recapping the Week 4 Sunday slate.
In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Xfinity:
Do you want the good news or the bad news first?
The bad news is that Malik Nabers—the best young WR in the NFL—is done for the year with a torn ACL after blowing out his right knee on the brutal turf at MetLife Stadium.
It’s awful any way you slice it, but it’s especially demoralizing timing since the offense was clearly about to take flight with Jaxson Dart at the helm.
Kendall has more on the fantasy fallout for the Giants in her waiver piece below, but I did promise some good news …
Remember the panic on Ashton Jeanty (32.5 fantasy points) and Omarion Hampton (25 fantasy points) two weeks ago? They both looked incredible in Week 4, turning in performances that hopefully coaxed their managers back from the ledge.
At the WR position, Puka Nacua continued his absurd streak of production vs. the Colts—13 receptions, 170 yards, and one TD. His 42 receptions through four games put him in elite company alongside Cooper Kupp’s legendary 2022 season and Michael Thomas’ 2018 campaign. As the kids would say, he’s an absolute dawg.
How about one more positive note since I’m still not done mourning the loss of Nabers? Woody Marksfully took over the Texans backfield and dropped 27.9 fantasy points. Considering he was pretty much free in drafts, that looks like a league winner to me.
For a full breakdown of the highs and lows from Week 4, check out Adam Ronis’ piece below …
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One of the themes of the first three weeks was the disappointing performance of the rookie running backs, especially the ones drafted in the first few rounds. There are numerous examples in recent seasons of patience needed for the roles to grow.
Ashton Jeanty was one of the biggest disappointments through three weeks. Much of it was due to a poor offensive line and the lack of involvement in the passing game. Jeanty was held to 63 rushing yards or fewer and 3.9 yards per carry or fewer in the first three games and had five receptions in the first three games. Many were ready to give up or bench him. Jeanty showed why patience is important.
The Raiders rookie running back rushed for 138 yards on 21 carries, including a 64-yard run, and caught two passes for 17 yards with both going for scores.
Omarion Hampton was another source of frustration for fantasy players, but with Najee Harris suffering a season-ending injury in Week 3, the runway to bell cow status was there for Hampton. The Chargers running back played 82% of the snaps and was the lone running back to get a carry. He rushed for 128 yards with a TD and caught all five passes for 37 yards on five targets. Matthew Berry’s Ride or Die is looking pretty, pretty, pretty good.
On the flip side, TreVeyon Henderson still isn’t where many had hoped, especially after Rhamondre Stevenson lost two fumbles and Antonio Gibson lost one in Week 3. Stevenson had 10 touches, Gibson six and Henderson rushed for 32 yards on seven carries with a TD and caught two passes for 14 yards. At least he scored …
Welcome to Week 5 and the start of the Bye Weeks in the NFL. DO NOT PANIC! We have been preparing for this moment. There will be four teams unavailable to you this week — the Steelers, Falcons, Bears and Packers. It's safe to say that because of these teams being out, you'll also be missing some key fantasy players like Bijan Robinson, Drake London (just when he's back!), Caleb Williams, Tucker Kraft, Kenneth Gainwell (hello there!), Rome Odunze, DK Metcalf and more.
And it does not stop there. Remember, we always want to try to be a week ahead in our leagues, so while we're preparing to be without the four teams previously mentioned, also keep in mind that for Week 6, we'll be without the Texans and Vikings. So let's see what we can get you this week!
Note: All rostership percentages are from Yahoo.
Jaxson Dart, QB, Giants (23% rostered)
With Dart's first official start for the New York Giants, how can you not look at Dart as THE quarterback to pick up? I said in the offseason he could be the waiver wire hero of 2025 and Sunday showed why. Dart threw for 111 yards and connected with Theo Johnson for a touchdown, but Dart added even more on the ground. He finished the day with 10 carries for 54 yards and a score on his way to upsetting the Los Angeles Chargers.
It's not always going to be smooth sailing for Dart and Co. The team takes on the Saints on the road next week before taking on the Eagles twice, Broncos and 49ers — yikes. One thing is for sure, though: Dart brought life to this Giants team. Losing Malik Nabers for the season is a huge blow, but with the rushing upside Dart brings, he should still have a nice floor for fantasy managers.
Woody Marks, RB, Texans (30% rostered)
Why hello there, Woody Marks! Last week I highlighted Marks because his role was growing every single week. In Week 3 he hit season-highs in rushing attempts (40%), route participation (44%), and target share (6%). And against the Titans in Week 4? He came alive. Marks had 17 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown while also notching four receptions for 50 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air.
Almost as importantly, Nick Chubb was just 13 for 47, with two catches for 15 yards.
Now more than ever, it's tough to find running backs on the waiver wire, but it's time to spend some money on Marks heading into Week 5.
Emari Demercado, RB, Cardinals (4% rostered)
LOOK AWAY, TREY BENSON MANAGERS! One might have already forgotten that Thursday Night Football game against the Seahawks, but if your leaguemates are asleep at the wheel, then it's worth picking up Demercado. Benson had more work, but Demercado had two rushing attempts for eight yards and also caught two passes for 13 yards and a touchdown. Better days are ahead for Benson, but we know Demercado is going to be the RB2 in this offense and holds some value moving forward.
