Whom should you start? Whom should you sit? To help you set your fantasy football lineups and avoid starting an offensive player who won’t be in the lineup, we’ll post fantasy-relevant updates and analysis here as NFL teams release their official inactives lists.
Official Sunday inactives should begin coming in approximately 90 minutes before the scheduled kickoff times: around 11:30 a.m. ET for the early games and 2:30 p.m. ET for the late-afternoon games.
Refresh often for the latest information.
Don’t forget to check these out: Mike Clay’s Playbook | Week 4 Buzz
Week 4 Rankings | Expert chat (noon-1 p.m. ET)
What we’re watching for late
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Isaiah Likely, TE, BAL (foot): It’s looking as though Likely will be in uniform on Sunday, which could lower the fantasy value of Mark Andrews.
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D’Andre Swift, RB, CHI (hip): His performance hasn’t exactly been stellar so far, but it does seem like Swift will try to right the ship on Sunday.
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Colston Loveland, TE, CHI (hip): Loveland is not expected to play in Week 4, leaving Cole Kmet as the most likely TE target in Chicago.
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Dyami Brown, WR, JAX (shoulder): There’s a chance he’ll be able to suit up, but keep in mind that Parker Washington led the Jaguars in targets last week.
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Tyler Higbee, TE, LAR (hip): Both Higbee and Colby Parkinson (shoulder) are questionable for Sunday’s game, which could mean Terrance Ferguson or Davis Allen might end up with some fantasy points.
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Davante Adams, WR, LAR (hamstring): While it’s always good to have a pivot in place, especially for 4 p.m. starts, Adams does have a good chance at starting in Week 4.
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Michael Mayer, TE, LV (hamstring): With Mayer out, there’s no reason for Brock Bowers not to be targeted early and often by Geno Smith.
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Mac Jones, QB, SF (knee): Brock Purdy has indeed been cleared to play, so the timing of Jones’ injury is pretty fortuitous for the 49ers.
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Jauan Jennings, WR, SF (ankle): After no practices early in the week, Jennings got in a limited session on Friday. That leans toward a start, but it’s no guarantee.
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Ricky Pearsall, WR, SF (knee): A lot of soreness kept his practice time down this week as well. So far, signs point to a start.
Ruled out before Sunday
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Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, CAR (ankle): Expect Tommy Tremble to step up in place of the Panthers’ top tight end.
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Xavier Legette, WR, CAR (hamstring): David Moore should once again step in for Legette.
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CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL (ankle): George Pickens should be the biggest WR beneficiary of Lamb’s absence, but TE Jake Ferguson should also see an uptick in usage.
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Alec Pierce, WR, IND (concussion): Adonai Mitchell will step into Pierce’s role this week — and perhaps next week as well if Pierce doesn’t clear the league’s protocol.
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Will Dissly, TE, LAC (knee): Oronde Gadsden II filled in nicely for Dissly last week and could do so again.
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J.J. McCarthy, QB, MIN (ankle): Carson Wentz will start again for the Vikings and there’s a chance he’ll be in there for several weeks more as McCarthy’s mobility is really poor.
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Graham Gano, K, NYG (groin): Gano has been placed on IR. Jude McAtamney beat out Younghoe Koo to win the now-open kicking job.
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Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, NYG (shoulder): Cam Skattebo will take over No. 1 RB duties for at least two to four weeks.
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Mike Evans, WR, TB (hamstring): The emergence of rookie WR Egbuka certainly makes Evans’ continued absence tolerable for Tampa Bay fans, though perhaps not for fantasy managers who drafted Evans.
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Jayden Daniels, QB, WAS (knee): Daniels reportedly wants to play, but the team is playing it safe. Marcus Mariota once again takes the reins of this offense.
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Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (quad): A trip to the IR looms for McLaurin. Deebo Samuel should get a ton of targets.
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Noah Brown, WR, WAS (groin): Jaylin Lane, already shining in special teams, may get a chance to reel in some passes.
What we were watching for early
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The Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers square off in Ireland, with a 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff time. Inactives for this game came out at around 8 a.m. ET.
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Jaylen Warren, RB, PIT (knee): He got added to the injury report on Friday. While the thought was that he’d be able to play, that is not the case. He is inactive after not feeling right during Saturday’s practice. Kenneth Gainwell should start in his place. Hopefully, you woke up early enough to make this change to your lineups!
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Jonnu Smith, TE, PIT (hip): Limited practice and international travel rarely result in good news. Even with Smith being active, you can probably find better fantasy TE options.
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Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR (calf): He is active and expected to get a normal number of touches for Carolina.
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Tetairoa McMillan, WR, CAR (calf): A pair of limited practices was concerning, but McMillan is active and will suit up on Sunday.
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Baker Mayfield, QB, TB (biceps): Despite the “questionable” tag, everyone fully expected Mayfield to be under center in Week 4. He is active.
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Chris Godwin Jr., WR, TB (ankle): Godwin is active and will make his 2025 debut in Week 4. We’ll see how his presence impacts rookie Emeka Egbuka.
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Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, WAS (knee): He is active, but keep in mind that Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols are still going to split carries with him.