News

1. 10h ago
   Head coach Mike Vrabel said that he expects to know more about Hollins' calf injury later Monday, and the Patriots are uncertain if the wideout will be able to practice "for a couple days," Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston reports.

   Hollins recorded three catches for 53 yards on four targets before exiting in the third quarter of Sunday's 29-26 win over the Bills due to the calf issue. The Patriots listed Hollins as questionable to return at the time of his departure, but he never ended up checking back into the contest. More information on the severity of Hollins' injury should be known in the next day or two, but if he ends up being unavailable for next Sunday's game against the Raiders, more reps would be opened up for Efton Chism, who helped fill in for Hollins in the fourth quarter and made an acrobatic 23-yard touchdown grab with just under two minutes remaining to seal the win over Buffalo.

   RotoWire via ESPN
2. Oct 4
   Hollins (calf) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Bills.

   Hollins hauled in three passes (on four targets) for 53 yards before exiting for the locker room, where he'll have his calf injury evaluated by medical staff to determine whether he can return to Sunday's game. Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas and Hunter Henry are all in line for more targets from Drake Maye while Hollins is out of the game.

   RotoWire via ESPN
3. Oct 4
   Fantasy football last-minute pickups for Week 4: Raymond, Waller among top options

   At various points during the fantasy football season, injuries, bye weeks and breaking news can cause you to need reinforcements for your fantasy lineup. Every Friday throughout the 2026 NFL season, Matt Bowen will offer some late-week pickup options at each of the primary fantasy positions to help fill those holes, with an emphasis on deeper leagues. Because of that, this column will focus mostly on players rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues, with occasional exceptions. Looking at the Week 4 NFL slate — and the available players — I'll start with the wide receiver position. I have two veteran pass catchers who are seeing consistent volume and producing solid fantasy numbers. There are options at quarterback, too, and one signal-caller could be getting his top target back. We'll also hit on the running backs in line to see an increased role due to injury, plus I have a tight end and a defense to get into lineups. Wide receivers Kalif Raymond, Chicago Bears (48.4% rostered; vs. Jets) The Bears haven't announced whether Case Keenum or Tyson Bagent will start at QB for the Week 4 home game versus the Jets, but either way I'm still pushing for Raymond based on his route deployment in Ben Johnson's offense. Raymond scored 21 points in the Week 3 win over the Eagles, and he has at least five receptions in all three games played this season. Raymond will see the ball as an outlet on crossers, sit routes and unders, plus he has the speed to create big plays (deep over routes and verticals). Raymond fits as a WR3 this week. Dontayvion Wicks (44.7% rostered) and Makai Lemon, Philadelphia Eagles (47.6% rostered; vs. Rams) DeVonta Smith (hamstring) has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday's home game versus the Rams, so managers can pivot to Wicks or Lemon, as both should see a bump in target volume. Wicks scored 12 or more points in each of his first two games, with at least four targets in all three this season, while Lemon caught three of four targets for 29 yards in the Week 3 loss to the Bears. I'm really interested in seeing how Lemon performs with an expanded role. The rookie out of USC has the traits to win at the top of the route and he accelerates through the ball. Mack Hollins, New England Patriots (11.2% rostered; at Bills) The Bills have been zone-heavy under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, and they play from a two-deep safety look on 49.2% of opponent dropbacks. That works for Hollins, as he has the coverage awareness to find open voids on short-to-intermediate throws. Hollins caught six of nine targets for 87 yards in the Week 3 loss to the Jaguars (14.7 points), and he has seen at least five targets in two of three games played. He's a deeper-league option this week. Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins (23.3% rostered; at Vikings) You can take a shot on Washington because of his versatility and expanding role. Washington caught five of a season-high 10 targets for 56 yards in the Week 3 loss to the Chiefs, plus he had two carries for five yards from backfield alignments. Washington has seen five or more targets in all three games this season, with at least one rushing attempt in the past two. The Vikings' pressure defense will create conflict for quarterback Malik Willis and Miami's protection schemes, but that unit is giving up the 10th-most points per game to opposing wide receivers. Quarterbacks Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders (18.4% rostered; at Colts) I didn't see Mariota scoring 20.42 points on the Seahawks defense in Week 3. The veteran quarterback delivered the ball with timing and location, finishing with 183 yards and three touchdown passes. While I would like to see Mariota deployed more on designed carries, there is a clear connection here with Terry McLaurin (six receptions, 77 yards, one touchdown in Week 3), and we can't pass on this matchup versus Indianapolis. The Colts are allowing 276 yards passing per game (third most). Mariota is a solid QB2 in Week 4, while Jayden Daniels (elbow

   ESPN
4. Sep 28
   Fantasy football free agent pickups: Gordon leads options to replace Achane for Week 4 and beyond

   Each Monday, before the current NFL week ends, we will identify players worthy of your attention who are available in at least 50% of ESPN standard leagues. Things change quickly for player valuation and roles each week in the NFL, and free agency is a critical way to acquire players. We are here to help! Top pickup options at every position Looking for the top recommendation at each skill position? Look no further! Here are the players to target heading into Week 3, along with their current roster percentages and a recommendation of how much of your free agent budget (FAB) you should consider using for your bid.  Sam Darnold, QB, Seahawks (rostered in 33.9%, 5% of your FAB) Darnold (glute) missed most of Week 1 and all of Week 2, but he sure looked healthy in Sunday's shootout against the Washington Commanders. Game score and a challenged run game dictated myriad passes, and Darnold completed 31 out of 45 attempts for a career-high 379 yards and four touchdowns. He also tossed a pair of interceptions, one of which was returned for a score. Immeasurably aided by dominating WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is off to one of the greatest starts ever, Darnold might match his success from last season, when he surpassed 4,000 passing yards, threw 25 TD passes and mattered in fantasy. The Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. Ollie Gordon II, RB, Dolphins (1.1%, 12% FAB) Gordon, a second-year Oklahoma State product who averaged only 2.8 yards per his 70 carries last season, replaced an injured De'Von Achane (knee) during Week 3's action and scored 14.5 points. Gordon wasn't efficient, but getting 20 touches and scoring a touchdown often masks inefficiency. With Achane reportedly done for the season, Gordon is next up, although Jaylen Wright might have a role, too. Keenan Allen, WR, Colts (23.8%, 7% FAB) Allen, second among active players in receptions behind Travis Kelce, was one of three Indianapolis Colts to earn at least nine targets Sunday, but he was the one who scored the team's touchdown. In addition, teammates WR Josh Downs and TE Tyler Warren are already rostered in most leagues. Allen is not, but with Alec Pierce (heel) on IR, he now has opportunity. Allen isn't close to the threat he was as recently as 2023, but he did catch 81 passes for last season's Chargers (for only 777 yards), so perhaps he can do that again. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Jets (33.5%, 10% FAB) Sadiq, selected 16th in the draft out of Oregon, scored a short rushing TD in Week 1, but he totaled only six targets and 38 receiving yards through two weeks, failing to excite potential investors. They might be excited now, after Sadiq caught seven passes for 105 yards and a 24-yard TD on Sunday. Sadiq is strong and fast and is a potential top-10 fantasy tight end if he gets the targets. He should from now on. Other quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals (4.6%, 3% FAB): Brissett bounced back from a rough Week 2 by throwing for 280 yards and two touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers, and he rushed for another score. His three games haven't been consistent for fantasy purposes, but Brissett is worth a look for Week 4 against the New York Giants — and clearly in Week 5 against the Detroit Lions when the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers are on their bye. Plan ahead if you can. Geno Smith, Jets (7.1%, 1% FAB): Smith delivered his best game of the season, scoring 26.04 points in the team's Week 3 loss to the Lions — a team fantasy managers should target for offensive options. New York's Week 4 opponent, the Chicago Bears, has also struggled to defend the pass this season, making Smith an intriguing streamer. Marcus Mariota, Commanders (3.3%, 1% FAB): Mariota led the stunning win over the Seahawks with 20.42 points, aided by three TD passes. He might not be the starter in a month's time if Jayden Daniels (elbow) returns, but we can deal with that later. The Commanders and Colts meet Sunday morning in London. Deep-league options/streamers Michael Pe

   ESPN
5. Sep 28
   Hollins caught six of nine targets for 87 yards during Sunday's 35-6 loss to the Jaguars.

   Hollins saw nearly twice as many targets as the next closest option DeMario Douglas (five), and his 87 yards were his highest total in a regular-season contest since Week 10 of the 2025 campaign. With A.J. Brown (ankle) on injured reserve, someone will have to take the reins as the Patriots' top option at wide receiver, and Hollins certainly showed he's capable of handling a larger workload.

   RotoWire via ESPN

Injury reports

No injury reports this season.

League history

Nothing yet: he hasn’t been drafted, signed, traded or cut in this league.