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    Austin Ekeler to work out for Panthers

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    FA Running Back #30
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    Panthers will host a workout for Austin Ekeler, formerly of the Commanders.

    Carolina is in need of some backfield reinforcements after losing Jonathon Brooks to a core injury that will leave him sidelined for at least six weeks. AJ Dillon is set to fill in for Brooks while Chub Hubbard presumably continues as the team’s lead back. Ekeler, 31, who hasn’t played since injuring his Achilles last September, could be an emergency running back if Hubbard or Dillon go down with injuries in the coming weeks. First he’ll need to make the squad.
Monken: There's no better time to coach the Browns
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken joins John Fanta and Jay Croucher on Fanta in 60 to talk how he's led the 2026 Browns to first in the AFC North through 6 weeks, why he returned to Cleveland and more.

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  • CAR Running Back #30
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    It wasn’t easy for Hubbard, who didn’t have many runs over 10 yards, but he ran hard, broke tackles, and was able to find the end zone in the fourth quarter for a short touchdown run. Still, the Panthers did have some issues running the ball up the gut against the Eagles and continued to do it, rather than try to get Hubbard going on the edge. Trevor Etienne was the only other running back to have a carry in this game, and he had just one rush, so this backfield belongs entirely to Hubbard, which is tremendous for his fantasy value.
  • WAS Running Back #22
    No surprise here. Croskey-Merritt has been dealing with a groin injury since the start of the season. This week he couldn’t practice and has since been officially ruled out for the Commanders’ Monday Night Football matchup against the 49ers. Croskey-Merritt will get a two-week break with Washington on bye in Week 7. Rachaad White and Austin Ekeler figure to handle the majority of the backfield touches in his absence with White being the preferred fantasy option between the two.
  • WAS Running Back #30
    Ekeler continues to practice in a limited capacity while wearing a red non-contact jersey. He has a chance to play on Monday night, but he is clearly hurting. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) remains sidelined and Rachaad White (shoulder) has been downgraded to limited. It’s an ailing backfield.
  • WAS Running Back #30
    Ekeler and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) are both ailing, though the latter player sat out entirely. Rachaad White (shoulder) and Jeremy McNichols (quad) are both practicing in full. Croskey-Merritt is the only fantasy-relevant Commanders running back at this time, assuming he is good to go on Monday night.
  • CAR Running Back #30
    Hubbard’s successes on the ground allowed the Panthers to remain balanced on a night they were without two of their top three wide receivers due to the absences of Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette, cashing in on two scores from 15 and two yards out. Hubbard appears to be locked into an RB1 workload in the absence of Jonathan Brooks, who will be out for 6-8 weeks after undergoing core muscle surgery. His 26 opportunities dwarfed the six of current backup AJ Dillon, the latter of whom gained just seven total yards on six touches. Fantasy managers can start Hubbard with confidence when the team returns from their bye to face the Eagles in Week 6.
  • WAS Running Back #30
    Ekeler made his 2026 debut in London and immediately operated as the Commanders’ backup with Rachaad White out. The team did, however, give four running backs multiple touches in this game. Ekeler’s role could grow as he gets more reps under his belt this year, but he could just as easily be made inactive once White is healthy. He’s only worth stashing in the deepest of leagues.
  • WAS Running Back #1
    He didn’t practice at any point this week after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 3. He has to be considered questionable for Week 5 at this point. ‘Bill’ Croskey-Merritt figures to shoulder the majority of the workload for the Commanders this week and is a reasonable FLEX play against the Colts. Freshly-signed Austin Ekeler figures to handle third-down work.
  • WAS Running Back #1
    With two DNPs to start the week, White looks unlikely to suit up for Week 4 against the Colts. Austin Ekeler traveled with the team after signing with the team earlier this week, so he could ultimately take on White’s role. Backup running back Kayton Allen could also see more work, but Jacory Croskey-Merritt remains the clear lead back in Washington for now. He is on the RB2/3 border for Week 4.
  • WAS Running Back #1
    It sounds like White will be a question mark headed into Washington’s Week 4 game against the Colts in London. Quinn added that it’s too early to tell whether Austin Ekeler, who signed with the Commanders this week, will be active for Week 4. Jacory Croskey-Merritt could see a significant bump in carries and pass routes — and maybe targets — if White is sidelined this week. JCM, who has 58 percent of the team’s carries through three games, would be a nice flex option in that case.
  • WAS Running Back #30
    Ekeler is fully recovered from a torn Achilles that ended his 2025 season after just two games. The 31-year-old running back returns to a familiar place in Washington and will sign to the 53-man roster, making him immediately eligible to play in Week 4. We expect him to have a bit of a ramp-up period before being active on game days, but Ekeler could end up having a meaningful role in a backfield that has struggled to get going through the first three weeks. Ekeler may be worth a stash in deeper leagues, but we’ll have to see what kind of role he has before we can consider putting him in lineups. Ekeler met last week with the Panthers about possibly joining their practice squad but a deal was never reached.

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  • WAS Wide Receiver #17
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    Terry McLaurin (knee) was carted to the locker room in the first quarter of Week 6 against the 49ers.

    The mechanism of the injury did not look promising, with the veteran receiver buckling to the turf in non-contact fashion. It’s a devastating development for the 31-year-old receiver in what was the first game since Week 1 where Jayden Daniels, McLaurin, and Stefon Diggs were healthy together. Expect further updates from the team as the game progresses, but it certainly appears as if McLaurin’s season could be in jeopardy. McLaurin caught his only target for 27 yards prior to departing. Rookie Antonio Williams and Treylon Burks are the most likely fill-ins for the remainder of the game, and, potentially, the season.
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    The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo reports Steelers are expected to sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

    Say it ain’t so, a former Rodgers favorite set to rejoin him during his twilight tour. Valdes-Scantling is reportedly set to sign to the Pittsburgh practice squad and could work his way to the active roster considering the absence of Michael Pittman, the latter of whom was moved to injured reserve Saturday. There likely won’t be any fantasy value to speak of.
  • SEA Running Back #26
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    Mike Macdonald said Zach Charbonnet (knee) has a “good chance” to play in Week 7.

    Finally, some good news for both Seahawks fans and fantasy managers, alike, after the Seattle run game has gotten off to a sluggish start to the 2026 season. Charbonnet has been on the physically unable to perform list through the first six weeks of the season but appears likely to make his return to the active roster for a marquee matchup against the Chiefs in a game some would consider a must-win for the suddenly reeling Seahawks. Macdonald added that the veteran back would get a full week of practice this week before any decision was made. Fantasy managers can add Charbonnet from waivers, if available.
  • SF Wide Receiver #5
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    Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) is active for Week 6 against the Commanders.

    Evans will gut it out in Week 6 as fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel is unable to go. Look for the bulk of the aerial offense to flow through Evans, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey, the three of whom handily led the team in route participation a week ago following Samuel’s departure. Inactive for the 49ers are QB Kurtis Rourke, DE Nick Bosa, WR Deebo Samuel, S Marques Sigle, LB Garret Wallow, OT Enrique Cruz Jr., and DT Naquan Jones.
  • WAS Wide Receiver #3
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    Stefon Diggs (hamstring) is active for Week 6 against the 49ers.

    Diggs returns from a one-game absence due a hamstring injury. Although possible he sees his route participation curtailed, fantasy managers that made it this far are likely forced to ride with the veteran receiver in a solid schematic matchup against the zone-heavy 49ers. Inactive for the Commanders are QB Marcus Mariota, CB Fabian Moreau, CB Isaac Yiadom, OLB T.J. Magunranyanga, G Tanoa Togiai, and DE Charles Omenihu.
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    Seahawks activated Anthony Bradford’s 21-day practice window.

    Bradford was placed on injured reserve after Week 1, seeing his first step to a return processed with the activation of his 21-day practice window. Head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters Monday that the veteran guard has a “really good chance” to return for Sunday Night Football against the Chiefs in Week 7.
  • GB Defensive Tackle #91
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    Packers signed DT Mazi Smith, formerly of the Dolphins.

    Smith, a former first-round pick by the Cowboys in 2023, appeared in one game for the Dolphins earlier this season and has appeared in just nine games since 2025. The 25-year-old lineman has tallied 57 tackles and two sacks in his career and wouldn’t be asked to serve as anything more than added depth for the Packers if he were elevated to the 53-man roster.
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    Rams placed DL Kobie Turner (groin) on injured reserve.

    It’s a tough injury for Turner, who is in the final year of his rookie contract and will miss at least four weeks. He’s been a mainstay of Los Angeles’ defense over his first three years with several high-hurry seasons and stellar run defense. The Rams interior defense has taken a big hit today.
  • LA Nose Tackle #97
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    Rams placed DT Poona Ford (biceps) on injured reserve.

    It will end his season. Ford has been a find for the Rams the last two years as a premium run-stuffer. This injury will test their defensive line depth. The soon-to-be 31-year-old will be a release candidate after the season with an $11.08 million cap hit of which the Rams can save $9.25 million by cutting him.
  • LA Wide Receiver #17
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    Rams coach Sean McVay said Davante Adams (hamstring) will miss 6-10 weeks with a ruptured tendon.

    Adams had a non-contact injury at the end of Week 6’s loss to the Cardinals and unfortunately is as serious as it appeared. He’ll likely be placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 7. His absence will further focus targets on Puka Nacua and likely elevate Konata Mumpfield into a bigger role. Adams had put together a 30/480/4 line in his first six games of the season. Adams will reportedly have surgery to “clean” out the tendon, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, in hopes he can return around the team’s bye week, which is scheduled for Week 11. It’s a major blow for a Rams team that is already reeling at 2-4.