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Everything that happens in the NFL has some 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 in fantasy football. 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 NFL. Key links: Fantasy depth charts | Weekly rankings
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Cam Skattebo-Jaxson Dart party continues on TNF By Eric Moody Cam Skattebo is still the de facto Giants RB1 after converting 21 touches into 31 fantasy points, powered by three rushing touchdowns. Even with Tyrone Tracy Jr. active, Skattebo led the Giants backfield in snaps, routes, touches and fantasy points. Given that usage, it's hard to imagine the trend reversing. Skattebo remains firmly on the RB2 radar with upside whenever the Giants play in neutral or positive game scripts. Jaxson Dart delivered another strong fantasy performance against the Eagles. He has scored at least 19 fantasy points in two of his last three games, fueled by his rushing ability, a huge asset in fantasy. Dart joined Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson as the only QBs in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to rush for at least 50 yards in each of their first three NFL starts. He's quickly pushing into QB1 territory. Wan'Dale Robinson finished with seven targets and 20.4 fantasy points against the Eagles. He led all New York pass catchers in snaps, routes run and receiving yards. With Malik Nabers out for the season, Robinson has seen seven targets in back-to-back games and is clearly Dart's top option in the passing game. He profiles as a solid flex option with upside heading into Week 7 against the Broncos. One thing fantasy managers with Giants players should keep in mind is that their rest-of-season schedule for quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers gets tougher moving forward. Eagles notes: Dallas Goedert finished with a team-high 26.0 fantasy points. He led the Eagles in targets, receptions and receiving yards. Goedert also played nearly as many snaps and ran almost as many routes as A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. The veteran tight end has stockpiled 20 targets over the last two games and currently is showing more chemistry with Hurts than either Brown or Smith. Goedert remains firmly on the TE1 radar in Week 7 against the Vikings. He was started in only 37.8% of ESPN leagues; that number should be higher. Saquon Barkley showed flashes against the Giants, gaining 31 yards on the Eagles' first two carries, but he finished with just 58 rushing and nine receiving yards, failing to surpass 60 rushing yards for the fourth straight game. He averaged over 4.5 yards per carry in the last two games, up from under 4.0 in the first four. The bigger concern for managers is that Barkley has had just 23 total touches over the last two games due to game flow and Philadelphia's offensive struggles.
Oct. 10: Warren likely to resume lead role for Steelers By Stephania Bell Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (knee): Remember when Warren was a bit of a surprise inactive in an early morning game for the Steelers? It was just two weeks ago when the Steelers were in London that Warren -- whose knee did not respond as well as the team had hoped coming into the game -- was replaced by Kenneth Gainwell who merely posted 99 yards rushing and two touchdowns while adding six receptions for 35 yards. With the Steelers on a bye immediately afterward, it was hard to know what to anticipate about the length of Warren's absence, especially with limited information in advance of the Week 4 game. On the first official injury report of the week Warren was listed as a full participant which would suggest he is on track to resume his lead back role on Sunday against the Browns. See more: Week 6 matchup rankings Rest-of-season rankings
Oct. 7: Bengals trade for Joe FlaccoBy Eric Moody Joe Flacco started Cleveland's first four games this season, but scored double-digit fantasy points only once, completing just 58.1% of his passes. The Browns' decision to move on from the veteran reflects their confidence in rookie Dillon Gabriel, who made his NFL debut overseas against a tough Vikings defense and scored 16.1 fantasy points. With Flacco officially gone, Gabriel remains the clear starter, accelerating his development, while Shedeur Sanders could move into the backup QB role. In deeper, superflex formats, Gabriel is still best viewed as a QB3. For the Bengals, Flacco's arrival is a curious move. In expected points added (EPA) per dropback, he ranks second worst among 33 qualified QBs, only slightly better than new teammate Jake Browning. EPA measures how much a play changes a team's chances of scoring. With 18 years of experience, he could stabilize Cincinnati's offense and slightly boost the fantasy floors for Ja'Marr Chase, a low-end WR1, and Tee Higgins, a low-end flex. The team is holding out hope Joe Burrow will be able to return in December, but it is not a certainty.
Week 5 injury fallout: Hampton headed to IR, plus more on Antonio Gibson, Darius Slayton By Stephania Bell Omarion Hampton, RB, Chargers (ankle): Hampton injured his left ankle late in Sunday's game against the Commanders and is now headed to injured reserve, per coach Jim Harbaugh. Hampton's lower leg appeared to collide with a defender's as he was running out of the backfield, and he walked into the tunnel with a member of the medical staff shortly afterward. He was spotted in a walking boot after the game. Although wearing a walking boot does not necessarily indicate severity -- sometimes it is used as a precautionary measure to limit foot and ankle motion until a player can undergo further testing -- it certainly registered concern. As usual, the team did not offer further specifics about the injury, so there is no way to know whether Hampton will be able to return immediately after the requisite four-game absence that comes with an IR designation. The soonest Hampton would be eligible to return is Week 10 when the Chargers host Pittsburgh. The team has a bye in Week 12. Fantasy impact of Hampton injury: The Chargers could explore external options for backfield help, but if they stick with what they have in-house, expect a committee approach. Hassan Haskins profiles as the power back between the tackles and offers the most immediate fantasy value. Kimani Vidal brings more burst and receiving ability but remains unproven in pass protection, likely limiting him to change-of-pace duties. Neither fully replaces Hampton's production, but Haskins is the better bet for early-down carries and goal-line work. Vidal could flash on passing downs or big plays. The Chargers face the Miami Dolphins in Week 6, a defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season, including a 32.4-point explosion from Rico Dowdle on Sunday. Given the matchup, Haskins will be on the RB2 radar in Week 6. -- Eric Moody
Antonio Gibson, RB, Patriots (knee): Gibson suffered a season-ending knee injury when he was upended on a tackle during a kickoff return in the second quarter. He was clearly emotional as he was escorted off the field by the medical staff, an indication he already knew the severity of the injury. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gibson tore his ACL, an injury that typically requires nine to 12 months for recovery. Darius Slayton, WR, Giants (hamstring): Slayton pulled up in the fourth quarter with what was reported by the team to be a hamstring injury. Although listed as questionable to return, Slayton remained out of the game. The Giants face a short week with a Thursday night matchup against Philadelphia, and even the mildest of hamstring strains are challenging to resolve within three days. With Malik Nabers already lost for the season to a torn ACL, it would seem the Giants will be inclined to be protective of Slayton. He was listed as a nonparticipant in Monday's practice report.
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