NFL Player News

At the Fantasy Football Today blog, we took a look at the most-dropped players in CBSSports.com leagues.

The five most-dropped players are Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins and tight end Niles Paul, Chargers running back Donald Brown, Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams and Buccaneers running back Bobby Rainey. 

You probably won't regret dropping Williams or Paul given their injuries, and Cousins' next few matchups will probably bring out more bad habits. However, if Brown is available in your league (as he is in 19 percent of leagues), you might want to snatch him. He has a tough matchup in Week 5, but we think he can run all over the Raiders in Week 6. 

Making sense of the Ravens backfield is going to be a chore for the next few weeks, especially since we assume Bernard Pierce will return to the field at some point in Week 5 against the Colts. How should Fantasy owners view Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro heading into this weekend's matchup?

Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg are in agreement that Justin Forsett is the guy to own and start this weekend, with both ranking him among the top-21 for running backs in Week 5. Dave is higher on Taliaferro than Jamey, ranking him 24th, just behind Forsett; Jamey has him at 31.

Neither has Pierce ranked this week, as his role is a total mystery. Pierce was active but didn't see the field in Week 4, and we aren't sure how much he is expected to play Sunday. Even if you are desperate, there have to be better options on your roster with just two teams on bye. 

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin is looking for his first big game of the season, but it is not clear if that is coming in Week 5 against the Saints.

New Orleans' defense has struggled against running backs this season, allowing 21.5 Fantasy points per game through four contests. However, this might be a game where the Buccaneers have to abandon the run early, since the Saints' offense tends to be unstoppable at home. Opponents rushed for just 93.78 yards per game against the Saints in the Superdome last season, compared to 129 on the road.

Martin's role might just depend on how the game goes this Sunday. If the Buccaneers can keep it close, he could put together a solid performance, as he did in Week 3 a year ago, when he rushed for 144 yards against the Saints.

Consider him more of a No. 2 back this week, with both Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg ranking him toward the bottom of the top 20. 

The Titans signed rookie running back Lache Seastrunk to their practice squad. The sixth-round pick out of Baylor was cut by the Redskins, then the Panthers.

Former 49ers running back LaMichael James signed with the Dolphins, reports Fox Sports. San Francisco released the oft-injured back following the season opener.

Vikings rookie running back Jerick McKinnon was limited in Tuesday's practice with an ankle injury ahead of Thursday's game at Green Bay. McKinnon ran 18 times for 135 yards in Sunday's win over Atlanta.

The Vikings' receiving corps has had to deal with two different quarterbacks over the last two weeks, and they may see a third if Teddy Bridgewater's ankle injury forces him to sit out Thursday's game against the Packers in Week 5.

Though Bridgewater threw the ball well in his first start, it was little-used third receiver Jarius Wright who saw the bulk of the bump. Greg Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson, the team's more well established duo, combined for just five receptions. Even if Bridgewater does play Thursday, we just don't have enough information on how he likes to use his receivers to know whether Sunday's game is the start of a pattern or not.

We really need to see more from Bridgewater before we can determine how he and the coaching staff wants to use his receivers. With nothing in the way of must-start players among this trio, you probably want to avoid using them in Week 5. 

With Ben Tate expected back in Week 5 to start against the Titans, how should Fantasy owners approach the Browns' backfield?

Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West have emerged as contributors in Tate's absence, but the Browns have maintained that they expect Tate to be the No. 1 back when he plays. Though the team will likely limit his workload, Tate should be at the top of the hierarchy in Week 5, with Crowell and Terrance West filing in behind.

Though there is obviously the chance for re-injury, both Jamey Eisenberg and Dave Richard consider Tate the best option for Fantasy owners this week. Tate was running well in Week 1 prior to his injury, and could be in line for 15-plus touches this week against a Titans defense that has allowed 21.5 Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. He should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy running back, barring a setback this week in practice.

If Crowell or West are to find success, it will have to come with a much smaller workload than they have experienced so far. Crowell has been the team's go-to option on the goal line, which makes him slightly more valuable than West in a diminished role. Still, neither player is likely to be worth starting as anything more than a flex option in deeper leagues, especially with so few teams on by this week. 

The running back position has been a tough one to pin down for Fantasy owners this season, with so many big names struggling -- if they aren't out of action entirely. With this in mind, it is more important than ever to hit on your waiver-wire pickups. Jamey Eisenberg's top waiver-wire targets at the running back position are as follows:

The Vikings' Jerick McKinnon, The Ravens' Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro, the Browns' Isaiah Crowell and the Texans' Alfred Blue. Additionally, Andre Williams of the Giants, Darrin Reaves of the Panthers and Denard Robinson of the Jaguars are mentioned as possible options worth targeting.

If you need a roster spot, consider dropping Adrian Peterson, DeAngelo Williams and Darren McFadden this week. 

The Jets placed fullback Tommy Bohanon on injured reserve, ending his season. He'll undergo surgery for a broken collarbone.