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    Malik Willis throws for 43 yards, scrambles twice

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    MIA Quarterback #2
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    Malik Willis completed 4-of-5 passes for 43 yards in Friday’s preseason game against the Commanders, adding two rushes for nine yards.

    Willis’ lone incompletion was not his fault. His intended receiver stepped out of bounds during the catch. The Dolphins’ new quarterback was not afraid to push the ball downfield and scrambled twice in Commanders territory. One carry occurred in the green zone, and Willis managed to break an attempted horse-collar tackle before being pushed out of bounds at the four-yard line. Willis won’t fool you into thinking he is an elite quarterback, but his dual-threat profile should yield QB1 spiked weeks this season.
Are Browns competitors or contenders now 3-1?
Dan and the Danettes debate if the Cleveland Browns are "competitors or contenders" after their Week 4 win and discuss the heated exchange between Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy.

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  • MIA Quarterback #2
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    Hafley’s full quote is fairly non-committal. The first-year head coach was asked whether Willis could receive more designed rushes with De’Von Achane (knee) out for the year. Hafley said the game planning in that regard will “go game by game,” and be employed “situationally when we need him to.” For those hoping that Willis will consistently be involved in the run game, those outings could come, but the occurrences could be volatile. Willis remains a QB2 at this time.
  • MIA Quarterback #2
    Willis also lost a fumble late in the second quarter. Willis made some of his best throws of the season this afternoon, though the two turnovers were also his first of the year. He also missed impressive rookie Chris Bell on what could have been a pair long-ish touchdowns. He was at least running more after combining for just eight carries between Weeks 1 and 2. That is going to remain a must, especially now with De’Von Achane being waylaid with a serious knee injury. That will further change the face of this undermanned offense, and make things even harder for Willis in this no-win setup. Despite his intriguing young wideouts, he will be difficult to trust as a superflex option vs. the Vikings’ blitz-happy defense in Week 4.
  • MIA Quarterback #2
    Willis was also held to just six yards on the ground as the 49ers’ defensive line was in his face all game long. 77 of Willis’ 197 passing yards came on one busted coverage pass to Ryan Miller in garbage time against defensive backups. There was a belief that Willis would provide fantasy value because of his talent as a runner, but the Dolphins offense has been so bad through two games that we’d find it hard to recommend playing Willis outside of the deepest two quarterback leagues.
  • MIA Quarterback #2
    Willis practiced in full all week, so his toe injury should not be an issue against the 49ers. The Dolphins’ quarterback told reporters this week that he is focused on taking fewer sacks moving forward. As his team fell farther behind on the scoreboard last week, Willis began holding onto the ball for far too long. Getting the ball out quickly or throwing on the run could help.
  • MIA Quarterback #2
    Willis stood in the pocket, holding onto the ball too long when trailing the Raiders in the second half last week. He is currently nursing a toe injury, though scrambling faster, or at least throwing on the run, might help him achieve his new goal. Checking down to explosive RB De’Von Achane would also be smart, but the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s David Furones instead highlighted Willis’ strong connection with rookie WR Caleb Douglas in his article on the subject. Getting the ball out of his hands quickly to either player would be a smart move. Willis’ Dolphins will likely be trailing often in the second half. Developing go-to responses to this situation would help out all involved for fantasy purposes.
  • MIA Quarterback #2
    Willis popped up on the Dolphins’ injury report with a toe injury, though he was a full practice participant. This indicates the issue is minor enough for the 27-year-old to keep practicing at full strength. Note down Willis’ toe issue, but expect him to be back out there for Week 2 against the 49ers.
  • MIA Quarterback #2
    Willis scrambled very effectively and was unafraid to test the Raiders’ defense deep. His pocket awareness seemingly waned as the Raiders extended their lead throughout the game, leading to two batted passes and three sacks taken in the fourth quarter, bringing his total to five on the day. Dolphins rookie WR Caleb Douglas looks like a hit, and RB De’Von Achane was his typically reliable self as a receiver. Willis should produce better box scores as the season progresses. He is a borderline QB1/2 against the 49ers next week.
  • MIA Quarterback #2
    Kelly published an offseason awards list today, and Willis’ review was not great. Kelly believes the coaching staff " needs to find a way to improve his processing speed.” He also thinks Willis “needs to spend the next month developing better chemistry with his weaponry.” The latter issue has been mentioned before by coach Jeff Hafley and OC Bobby Slowik. To be fair to Willis, Kelly notes that Willis never once attempted a scramble in practice open to media members because he is trying to refine his pocket passing. Unfortunately, Kelly believes Willis failed to put distance between himself and backup QB Quinn Ewers, whom Slowik complimented publicly earlier this month. Willis will score plenty of fantasy points with his legs this season, but he will need to produce at least somewhat reliably as a passer as well.
  • MIA Quarterback #2
    “I think he’s looked as good as he’s looked since I met him,” Hafley told reporters Tuesday morning. This comes one week after Dolphins offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said learning the team’s offense and getting comfortable with the team’s pass catchers has been an “ongoing process” for Willis, who last season led the NFL in EPA per drop back on a small sample size (58 plays) in Green Bay. He was 22 percent over his expected pass rate with the Packers in 2025, leading all quarterbacks. While the updates on Willis are not exactly wildly optimistic, it’s good for the Miami offense that he’s making progress as he prepares to start for a team with as little offensive talent as any in the NFL.
  • MIA Quarterback #2
    At the beginning of the Dolphins’ mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley described the passing offense as “a work in progress.” It doesn’t sound like Willis made many leaps in his development over the last three days. Slowik added that “it’s probably going to be an ongoing process up until the regular season starts, that’s how it always is.” Apparently, Dolphins coaches made more substitutions than they typically do during team drills, which can “throw chemistry off,” and Slowik at least complimented Willis’ improved confidence. Willis is a rushing quarterback with decent upside. If he can produce even moderately as a passer, he has a chance to be in the QB1 tier. Hopefully, we get some resoundingly positive news in the coming weeks.

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  • CHI Quarterback #17
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    Bears QB Tyson Bagent will start in Week 4 against the Jets, reports Dan Wiederer of the Athletic.

    Bagent came in after Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring strain in Week 2, but missed Week 3 as he was in concussion protocol with Case Keenum getting the start. With Williams still out, Bagent will be back under center against the Jets. With Ben Johnson calling plays, Bagent is a super-flex option in Week 4.
  • WAS Wide Receiver #17
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    Commanders WR Terry McLaurin (hamstring) is likely to miss Week 4 against the Colts, reports Commanders beat writer Ben Standig.

    McLaurin injured his hamstring at practice on Friday. While there was initially optimism he could play through the injury, McLaurin is now likely to miss the game against the Colts, according to Standig. Stefon Diggs and Antonio Williams should serve as the Commanders’ top wide receivers with Marcus Mariota under center in Week 4.
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    Colts WR Keenan Allen (groin) is out for Week 4 against the Commanders.

    Allen was limited in practice throughout the week and listed as questionable. Now he’s been ruled out for Week 4 against the Commanders. Josh Downs is locked in as the Colts top wide receiver this week and Tyler Warren should also see a boost in value with Allen sidelined.
  • DET Defensive Back #32
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    Lions S Brian Branch (Achilles) has a “really good chance” to return to practice next week, reports the Ringer’s Tom Pelissero.

    Branch is still on the PUP list after tearing his Achilles last season. Lions HC Dan Campbell said Branch was close to returning to practice on Friday, though he wouldn’t disclose when exactly the Lions will open the 21-day practice window for the 24-year-old safety. According to Pelissero, there’s a really good chance Branch returns to practice next week. He’ll undoubtedly help a Lions pass defense that has been torn to shreds in the first three weeks of the season.
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    Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield (thumb) could return against the Steelers in Week 6, reports the Ringer’s Tom Pelissero.

    Mayfield dislocated his thumb in Week 3’s loss against the Vikings. The 31-year-old quarterback had no ligament or tendon damage. According to Pelissero, it would be tough but not impossible for Mayfield to return in Week 5, making Week 6 against the Steelers the more likely return date. Jalon Daniels will start for the Buccaneers against the Packers in Week 4.
  • LA Wide Receiver #12
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    Rams WR Puka Nacua (groin) may be on “stricter snap count than usual” in Week 4 against the Eagles, reports the Ringer’s Tom Pelissero.

    Rams HC Sean McVay said Nacua, who has been dealing with a groin injury, is good to go after getting a full practice in on Friday. The coach also noted that they’re still working through Nacua’s snap count and now Pelissero reports that it could be stricter than usual. Fantasy managers should still treat Nacua as a high-end WR1 even in a difficult matchup against the Eagles in Week 4.
  • GB Defensive End #1
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    Packers EDGE Micah Parsons (knee) isn’t expected to practice next week and could return in November, reports the Ringer’s Tom Pelissero.

    Parsons is coming back from tearing his ACL late last season. The 27-year-old defensive end didn’t practice this week and isn’t expected to practice next week, according to Pelissero. Parsons hasn’t had any setbacks in his rehab, but still isn’t ready for the Packers to open the 21-day window for him to practice before he’s activated. Pelissero points out that it could be November before Parsons is ready for game action. Green Bay is 1-2 this year and 1-8 without Parsons in the lineup over the last two years (including playoffs).
  • MIN Wide Receiver #18
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    Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (ankle) is “hopeful” to return in Week 5 against the Saints, reports ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

    Jefferson suffered an ankle injury in Week 3’s win over the Buccaneers. He didn’t practice this week and has already been ruled out for Week 4 against the Dolphins. According to Fowler, the Vikings are “hopeful” Jefferson could return next week against the Saints and don’t believe the injury will be a long-term issue. In the meantime, Jordan Addison will serve as the WR1 this week against Miami.
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    Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (elbow) could play in Week 5 against the Giants, reports Jonathan Jones of the Athletic.

    Daniels practiced in a limited capacity this week, but will ultimately sit out the Week 4 matchup against the Colts. According to Jones, sources in Washington believe Daniels could return in Week 5 against the Giants if he gets in a full week of practice this week. While Daniels is going to play through the same elbow injury he had last year, offseason surgery hasn’t been ruled out. Marcus Mariota will continue to start under center for the Commanders in Daniels’ absence.
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    Seahawks owner Vinod Khosla said he has “no current plans to change anything about the team, including the coach, president, operation or Lumen Field.”

    Axios’ Dan Primack reminded Khosla of his stated desire to preserve what Paul Allen built before asking him if he would commit to keeping the Seahawks in Seattle long term. Khosla first responded by saying he would “never say never,” and then rhetorically wondered aloud whether this team would be in Seattle “500 years from now,” before making his “no current plans” remarks. Primack helpfully refocused the conversation on the Lumen Field lease’s 2032 end date, prompting Khosla to say that he doesn’t think he’ll “do anything but learn for a while.” Seriously entertaining a move seems unlikely, but Khosla would do well to provide a more concrete answer to a city that once saw its NBA team relocated after new ownership took over. His comments can be ignored for now. Perhaps this is just an early negotiation tactic for future stadium renovations.