Quick answerThis is the archived Week 4 edition. Week 4 ended October 5, 2026. The original September 29 outlook follows; use the weekly hub for current lineup, waiver and injury decisions.
Quick answerFor Week 4, replace confirmed absences and preserve alternatives for unresolved injury cases. A positive early report is not a final active designation. Compare healthy options using role and scoring, then check each player's lock time. Washington and Indianapolis require an earlier Sunday decision because of the London kickoff.
Week 4 injury watch: what is known as of Tuesday
| Player | Reported update | Lineup action |
|---|---|---|
| Baker Mayfield | Dislocated thumb; expected to miss at least three weeks. | Find a usable QB; prioritize scarcity in superflex. |
| Justin Jefferson | Ankle sprain; Week 4 remains possible. | Keep a replacement until availability is confirmed. |
| Puka Nacua | Hip/groin issue; Week 4 status unresolved. | Do not remove receiver cover yet. |
| Mike Evans | Rib injury; not ruled out. | Check participation and any workload limits. |
| Jayden Daniels | Expected to practice and travel to London. | Travel does not confirm a start; prepare a quarterback alternative. |
| Jalen Coker | Quad strain; availability uncertain. | Preserve a late-game replacement if waiting. |
Check the report date as well as the status. A limited practice, a coach's optimistic comment and a final game designation answer different questions. When a player is active, assess whether any reported restriction changes his expected opportunity enough to prefer your healthy alternative.
Start/sit choices for the new waiver candidates
| Decision | When to consider starting | When to wait |
|---|---|---|
| Gordon versus your current RB2 | If his expected workload and receiving role beat your available alternative. | If a changing backfield makes his role less reliable than your established starter. |
| Allen versus a healthy FLEX | If the opening is confirmed and the expected touches improve your lineup. | If the role remains unresolved when your safer alternative locks. |
| Sadiq versus your current TE | If your current TE has little route or target opportunity. | If replacing an established option requires assuming another breakout score. |
Week 4 lineup deadlines: Thursday and London
Steelers–Browns: October 1, 8:15 p.m. ET. Colts–Commanders in London: October 4, 9:30 a.m. ET.
Review Pittsburgh and Cleveland choices before Thursday locks. For London players, schedule your final check before the early kickoff. Do not wait until the normal afternoon inactive reports to discover that your quarterback or FLEX has already locked.
Where league rules allow, use a dedicated RB or WR slot for an early starter and leave FLEX for a later eligible player. A late receiver can cover FLEX but cannot fill a dedicated RB position. Preserve both timing and eligibility when planning a replacement.
Compare the whole lineup before saving it
- Remove confirmed absences and verify that every required slot is legal.
- Compare healthy alternatives by expected routes, targets, carries and receiving work.
- Apply your scoring format and use floor or upside to resolve close calls.
- Check each uncertain player's fallback before that fallback locks.
- Save and verify the lineup in your fantasy platform after any recommendation.
These articles provide a dated news review and decision framework. They do not publish a new weekly projection board, and the public draft rankings remain season-long draft research. Connect your league for comparisons using your actual roster and scoring settings.