Washington Commanders Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Commanders RB Brian Robinson registered season lows with six carries and 10 rushing yards in Thursday night's loss to the Bears. He struggled to find running room early on, and the Bears fell behind 17-0 early in the second quarter. Robinson's final carry came with 9:28 left in the second quarter. He at least added 33 yards on four catches, but it was still an ugly fantasy outing in what looked like a great spot. That's the risk when dealing with a game script-dependent RB. Robinson wound up getting out-snapped 38 to 25 by RB Antonio Gibson in this one. The good news is that the Commanders shouldn't face much negative game script the next two weeks vs. the Falcons and Giants. (Of course, we didn't think they'd get crushed by the Bears at home.)

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) said Tuesday that he expects to play in Week 6. Los Angeles gets a Week 5 bye and then plays the Cowboys on Monday night of Week 6, so Ekeler even gets an extra day to get ready for that one. We'll track his practice participation next week.

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin led the team in targets (10), receptions (8), and receiving yards (86) in Sunday's OT loss at Philadelphia. Those marked season highs in each category. WR Jahan Dotson followed with 9 targets, catching four for just 27 yards. But he nabbed QB Sam Howell's lone TD pass at the end of regulation to push the game to OT. McLaurin remains the only Washington WR in serious lineup consideration and gets an upside matchup with the Bears in Week 5.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. gained just 45 yards on 14 carries (4.2 per rush) in Sunday's OT loss to the Eagles. But he scored one of Washington's two rushing TDs. (WR Curtis Samuel delivered the other from 1 yard out.) Robinson added 2 receptions for 6 yards on 2 targets. Robinson nearly had another TD as well, but he fumbled near the goal line and watched teammate Terry McLaurin recover it for the score. Antonio Gibson remained behind him in both phases, going just 6-19 rushing with one catch for 7 yards. Robinson gets a much more favorable matchup with Chicago in Week 5, then a tougher spot at Atlanta but another upside matchup at the Giants in Week 7.

Commanders WR Jahan Dotson went down with an ankle injury in the second half of Sunday's game vs. the Eagles. He's officially questionable to return. Stay tuned for an update.

Update: Dotson returned to the game.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Raiders. He put in three limited practices this week and seems to be trending toward a return after Los Angeles’ Week 5 bye. Joshua Kelley gets another crack at lead duties today.

Panthers LB Frankie Luvu (hip) is active today against the Vikings. He arrived questionable after leaving Week 3 early but should be set for most IDP lineups.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the Raiders. He got back on the practice field this week, but it looks like he'll be held out one more game, with the Chargers getting a Week 5 bye. Barring a setback, Ekeler should return for Week 6. Joshua Kelley gets another game as Los Angeles' lead back this weekend but is tough to trust as more than a RB3 after disappointing outings the last two weeks.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) remained limited in Thursday's practice. We'll see what he does on Friday and how he's listed on the final injury report for this weekend's game vs. the Raiders.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice -- his first official participation since going down in Week 1. Ekeler told NFL Network's Bridget Condon that he hasn't tried to push that injured ankle to 100% yet but if he can in practice this week then he wants to play vs. the Raiders on Sunday. "It's one of those things where you kind of progress with how fast it allows you to," Ekeler added. "You saw me back on the field today so mine's obviously in a good spot." We'll keep a close eye on his progress over the next few days. The Chargers have an upcoming Week 5 bye, but Ekeler said that won't impact whether he plays this weekend.

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin tied for the team lead in targets (6) in Week 3. He caught all 6 but tallied only 41 yards against a Bills D that held Washington to 3 points. McLaurin’s now been held under 50 yards twice this season, which happened only four times all of 2022. He’s also tied with Jahan Dotson in 2023 target share (17.4%). Improved play from Sam Howell is a must if McLaurin is to get back to WR2 status. He figures to see plenty of top CB Darius Slay when Philly hosts the Commanders in Week 4.

Panthers LB Frankie Luvu left Sunday's loss to the Seahawks with a hip injury and did not return. We'll see about his status heading into Week 4. With fellow starter Shaq Thompson already out, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill tallied 10 tackles to lead the team. He'll be worth a pickup for Week 4 in many IDP leagues -- especially if Luvu is expected to miss further time.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero hears that Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is "hopeful" to return for Week 4. "But with a Week 5 bye looming, they could opt for more rest," Pelissero adds. We'll track Ekeler's progress this coming week.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Vikings. He didn’t practice all week, so it’s possible that he misses more time beyond Week 3. Joshua Kelley will again serve as the Chargers’ lead back on Sunday after playing 79% of the offensive snaps last week. Kelley is a nice RB2 play in a likely shootout.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. HC Brandon Staley said earlier this week that there's no timetable for Ekeler's return. Fantasy owners should not be banking on Ekeler playing in this weekend's game vs. the Vikings. That'd again leave Joshua Kelley as the Chargers' lead back.

On Monday, Chargers HC Brandon Staley shared that there's "no timeline" for RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) to return to play, per The Athletic's Daniel Popper. It's a vague message, though it sounds like fantasy managers shouldn't expect to see Ekeler suit up in Week 3 vs. the Vikings. Backup Joshua Kelley will presumably remain the lead back in Ekeler's absence. We'll keep tabs on this situation as more information becomes available.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson hogged backfield work in Sunday's win over Denver. The second-year man compiled 87 yards and 2 TDs on 18 attempts (4.8 YPC). Robinson added 2-42 receiving, while backup Antonio Gibson mixed in for only 5 total touches. Robinson believes this is just the beginning of a breakout season. “I know I got a lot more in the tank that I can show,” he said after the win. “I’m taking those strides week in and week out. Eventually, it’ll be all out on display.” Robinson will face a pair of tough matchups (Bills and Eagles) over the next two weeks. He remains an RB2.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweets that Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) "has a chance" to return for Week 3. We've heard whispers that Ekeler might be dealing with a high-ankle sprain, so it's good to hear that Week 3 is a possibility. We'll track his progress this coming week. Joshua Kelley steps in as Los Angeles' lead back vs. the Titans today.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game vs. the Titans. He didn't practice all week and certainly isn't a lock to make it back for Week 3. Joshua Kelley will operate as the Bolts' lead back this weekend and is a solid RB2 play, despite the negative matchup.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the Titans. The team evidently doesn't want to rule Ekeler out just yet, but he didn't practice all week and is obviously a long shot. Ekeler's absence will leave Joshua Kelley as Los Angeles' lead back, with RBs Isaiah Spiller and Elijah Dotson behind him. This matchup is brutal against a Tennessee defense that ranked third in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs last year and held Saints RB Jamaal Williams to 52 scoreless yards in the 2023 opener. But Kelley is a strong bet for 15+ touches on an offense with a 24.0-point implied total, making him a solid RB2 play.