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Washington Commanders Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Shark Bites are the latest fantasy football news & NFL updates. Draft Sharks has been in business since 1999. And when we started, redraft was the dominant form of fantasy football. Check out what we've learned about this most basic form of fantasy football along the way.

Cardinals TE Zach Ertz asked the team to release him, and they are granting that request, according to multiple reports (starting with former teammate J.J. Watt's). Ertz has spent the past five games on IR, leaving room for TE Trey McBride to become Arizona's lead receiver. Ertz's impending return looked like the biggest potential remaining hurdle for McBrides 2023 fantasy outlook. Now that Ertz is out of the way, you can (even more) comfortably start McBride the rest of the way. His second-half breakout this season also position's the 2022 second-round pick as a nice-looking dynasty asset. We'd bet on Ertz finding a new 2023 home, but he'll have a tough time regaining fantasy relevance.

Texans WR Noah Brown (knee) returned to a limited practice on Wednesday -- his first since going down in Week 10. We'll see if Brown is able to make it back for Sunday's game vs. the Broncos. He'd be tough to trust in Week 13 fantasy lineups, though, assuming Tank Dell, Nico Collins, and Robert Woods all play.

The Saints placed CB Marshon Lattimore (knee) on IR ahead of Sunday's loss to the Falcons. That means he'll miss at least three more games, improving the WR matchups for the Lions, Panthers, and Giants the next three weeks. Unfortunately for us, that trio of teams doesn't feature many WRs worth plugging into starting lineups in common-sized fantasy football leagues.

Now is not the time to hit the panic button, but it's fair to be slightly worried about Chargers RB Austin Ekeler. The veteran struggled on Sunday night, logging 64 total yards on 16 touches with a lost fumble in Week 12's loss vs. the Ravens. Ekeler has now failed to reach double-digit PPR points for the second week in a row. But the issues he's experienced lately stem from a downtick in passing game production and a lack of TDs. Ekeler averaged 19 receiving yards per game over the past two weeks; by contrast, he'd averaged 40.2 yards over his prior five games since returning from an ankle injury. Also, 30.6% of Ekeler's 98 PPR points he's scored since Week 6 have come from finding the end zone. However, don't get too caught up in these concerns. Ekeler has the easiest remaining RB schedule against a string of phenomenal matchups per our adjusted fantasy points allowed. Even though he's dangerously close to deserving a "TD-or-bust" label, it's tough to bet against a guy who ranks seventh in RB opportunity share and faces the Broncos (31st in run defense DVOA) twice between now and fantasy championship week. It may be a bumpy ride, but keep holding on.

Panthers LB Frankie Luvu (shoulder) is active for today's game against the Titans. Use him as planned in IDP lineups.

Niners WR Deebo Samuel racked up a team-high 9 targets that converted into a 7-79 receiving line Thursday night against the Seahawks. Samuel’s lack of involvement since returning from his multi-week shoulder injury had been a concern (8 combined targets across weeks 10 and 11). Samuel now has four healthy games of 7+ targets, but also four in which he drew 4 targets or fewer. We'd certainly bet on him going higher than 4 targets per game the rest of the way. But Samuel will face weekly volume challenges. The 49ers rank last in the league at 28.1 pass attempts per game and continue to sport WR Brandon Aiyuk, TE George Kittle, and RB Christian McCaffrey. Samuel's remaining schedule ranks second-easiest for WRs per our adjusted fantasy points allowed, which obviously helps. Next week’s matchup vs. the Eagles looks particularly good. The Philly defense ranks fifth in passing yards allowed per game (248.1), and opposing QBs have posted the eighth-best passer rating (96.4) against them this season. The Eagles also play the run much tougher than the pass, which has motivated opponents to pass at the league's second-highest rate over expected. Samuel should sit comfortably inside our top 24 WRs across formats for that matchup. And he's likely to hover in that WR2 range the rest of the way.

Panthers LB Frankie Luvu (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans. He opened the practice week limited, then went full Thursday before being limited again Friday. We'd bet on Luvu playing but will check his status ahead of Sunday's game.

Texans WR Noah Brown (knee) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Jaguars. He remained sidelined in practice all week and has no timetable for return. Robert Woods will again operate as Houston’s No. 3 WR behind Tank Dell and Nico Collins this weekend.

The Commanders have fired DC Jack Del Rio in the wake of Thursday's 45-10 loss at Dallas. It's tough to envision any real impact from this move. Washington has struggled at basically every level of the defense all season and traded away two of its best players -- Edges Montez Sweat and Chase Young -- after Week 8. Washington's defense shouldn't be anywhere near your fantasy plans. And the individuals that make sense for IDP use should make sense regardless of who's calling the plays. We'll see if Del Rio's departure -- and/or the unit's recent performance -- leads to any lineup changes.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. managed just 2 receptions for 11 yards on 3 targets in Thursday's loss to the Cowboys. That was noteworthy for a couple of reasons: 1) Washington attempted 44 passes in a 35-point loss. So overall volume wasn't an issue. 2) He had racked up 15 targets, 13 catches, and 178 receiving yards over the previous two games. One of those came without RB Antonio Gibson, who returned from injury to lead Washington RBs in routes and targets (4) against Dallas. Robinson did get a solid 15 carries (for 53 yards) despite the negative game script. That hasn't tended to be the case this season. He entered Thursday averaging just 10.4 carries across seven losses. Still, the abnormal receiving production for Robinson against the Seahawks and Giants likely inflated his fantasy value. That's why we highlighted the Washington RB for the second straight week in our Trade Targets article ahead of Thursday's game. If your league still allows trading beyond this week, go ahead and see if you can make a worthwhile move. Robinson gets a tough remaining slate of defenses and still has his bye ahead in Week 14.

Texans WR Noah Brown (knee) remained sidelined on Wednesday. At this point, fantasy owners shouldn't be counting on him returning for this weekend's game vs. the Jaguars. That'd again leave Tank Dell, Nico Collins, and Robert Woods as Houston's top three WRs.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. led the team in targets (9) and receptions (7) and tied for the lead in receiving yards (58) in Sunday's loss to the Giants. Robinson benefited from the absence of RB Antonio Gibson (out with an ankle injury) but also set his season high in receptions for the second straight game. Robinson added 73 yards on 17 carries in a positive rushing matchup. We'll see about Gibson's availability for Week 12. Robinson might need that help to reach the top 24 in our RB rankings for a matchup at Dallas. Robinson's next four weeks look rough -- including a Week 14 bye. A Week 16 visit to the Jets stands as his only remaining positive matchup. If your trade deadline hasn't passed yet, consider trying to trade the Washington RB.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler carried just 10 times in Sunday's loss to the Chargers, but he tallied 64 yards (6.4 per rush). He added just 2 receptions for 6 yards on 3 targets. That marked strangely low receiving for L.A.'s lead back. But his playing time didn't reflect any change. Ekeler ran 20 more pass routes than No. 2 RB Joshua Kelley and topped 70% playing time for the first time this season. There's nothing worrisome to take from Ekeler's Week 11 production in projecting him forward.

11:32am UTC 11/19/23

Texans WR Noah Brown (knee) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Cardinals. That leaves Robert Woods in the No. 3 WR spot, behind Tank Dell and Nico Collins. Woods has been inefficient all season and is no better than a WR4 today.

ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms that Texans WR Noah Brown (knee) is "unlikely" to play vs. the Cardinals today. Schefter adds that, "the Texans want to work him out pregame before making any decisions." We'll get Houston's inactives around 11:30 am ET, but Brown should be on fantasy benches for now.

Texans WR Noah Brown (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Cardinals. He didn’t practice all week, though, and insider Aaron Wilson said Friday that Brown won’t play this weekend. He should be on fantasy benches. Brown’s absence will keep Robert Woods in the No. 3 WR role, behind Tank Dell and Nico Collins.

Vikings WR K.J. Osborn (concussion) is not listed on the final injury report and will play vs. the Broncos on Sunday night. Assuming WR Justin Jefferson misses that one, Osborn will be a volume-based WR4 option. Note, though, that Denver’s pass defense has been excellent lately. The Broncos are up to 13th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs.

Texans WR Noah Brown (knee) remained sidelined on Thursday. He's now seemingly in real danger of missing this weekend's game vs. the Cardinals. We'll see if Brown gets on the practice field tomorrow and how he's listed on the final injury report.

Vikings WR K.J. Osborn (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. He was actually cleared for last weekend's game vs. the Saints, but the team opted to hold him out. Barring a setback, Osborn will play vs. the Broncos on Sunday night. And he'll be a viable WR4 play if WR Justin Jefferson remains out with his hamstring injury.

Texans WR Noah Brown (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. He seemed to make it out of last weekend's game fine, so this might be more of a rest day for a guy with 13 catches over the last two games. Check back tomorrow for another update on Brown.

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