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    Walker has third two-TD game of season in win

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    Kenneth Walker rushed 22 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns in the Chiefs’ Week 4 win over the Raiders.

    Walker found the end zone twice in 19 seconds in this one. After scoring on a two-yard run in the fourth quarter, Walker then broke free for a 22-yard run on his next play after the Chiefs recovered a fumbled kickoff by the Raiders. Walker’s longest run of the game was an explosive burst down the right sideline that saw him pick up 76 yards, but he was tackled at the Raiders eight-yard line and lost out on a scoring opportunity two plays later when Tyquan Thornton came down in the end zone with an eight-yard reception. Walker has now scored multiple touchdowns in three of four games this season and has 621 yards from scrimmage and seven total touchdowns. He’s been more than fantasy managers could have hoped for through the first four weeks, but they will have to manage without him next week as the Chiefs enter their bye week. He’ll be firmly in the RB1 mix in Week 6, however, when the Chiefs play host to the winless Chargers.
Evaluating a 'very flat' NFL COY market
Drew Dinsick and Jay Croucher discuss the betting favorites for the NFL Coach of the Year award, headlined by Klint Kubiak and Ben Johnson at +600 following Week 4.

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  • KC Running Back #9
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    The two-touchdown outing was Walker’s second in three games as a Chief after he had only one such effort for the Seahawks last season. His 20 touches were a rather remarkable total seeing as the Chiefs were limited to 49 plays with the Dolphins attempting to play keep away. He was not efficient, but Patrick Mahomes was. That’s the new reality for defenses facing the Chiefs, as this is no longer a stop Mahomes at all costs team. You now have to pick your poison, which is going to lead to many more blow-up efforts for KWIII. Perhaps that will include Week 4 in Vegas against the Raiders.
  • KC Running Back #10
    Johnson has turned 14 touches into 103 scrimmage yards thus far. Evidently pleased with his fifth-round rookie, Reid wants to keep “allowing Emmett to grow,” in turn taking “a little bit of load off” starting RB Kenneth Walker. Reid notes that Walker wants the ball on every play and is not asking for a lighter workload, but Reid is seeking “a nice balance with those two in there,” which “keeps them even more fresh as the season goes on.” Walker, of course, remains an elite RB1. Johnson, however, should be rostered in all 12-team leagues as a high-upside bench stash that could return standalone value before long.
  • KC Running Back #9
    Walker has now notched 178 combined yards or more in each of his new team’s first two games to start the season. In addition to the gaudy yardage numbers, Walker saw 10 targets on 47 Patrick Mahomes pass attempts in the overtime victory, while accounting for all but four running back opportunities. His backfield opportunity share, touchdown equity, and pass game involvement make Walker a top-tier fantasy asset for those that invested a second-round pick in his services this offseason. The only micro-blemish on his record against the Colts was a sequence of carries at the end of the second quarter in which he was stuffed from the one-yard line on three straight plays, with the team eventually scoring on fourth down via a touchdown pass to Xavier Worthy. Walker remains a top-tier RB1 ahead of a road date with the much more forgiving Dolphins in Week 3.
  • KC Running Back #9
    Walker single-handedly out-gained the entire Denver offense on the evening as he was the clear point of emphasis in Patrick Mahomes’ first game back after tearing his ACL in 2025. He was fed seven carries on the team’s first nine offensive plays run from scrimmage, a drive that would result in a 15-yard Mahomes rushing touchdown on the team’s first possession. The highlight of the game for the explosive back was a 60-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-one, in which he bounced the football outside and dusted the secondary on his way to the end zone. He would add a receiving score on a “Kansas City Special” later in the game, taking a Mahomes shuttle pass to the end zone from two yards out to further bolster his counting stats. What’s more, walker played all but five offensive snaps in the first half with the game still within reason, highlighting a massive ceiling for the remainder of the season. Walker is a locked-in RB1 ahead of a Week 2 matchup against the Colts.
  • KC Running Back #9
    What is clear in the wake of the Chiefs waiving Emari Demercado is that they don’t really have another player that qualifies as a passing-down back besides Walker without squinting. The other backs they kept are Emmett Johnson, a Day 3 rookie, and Brashard Smith, a gadget player without enough size to really block. Perhaps the Chiefs will address this in street free agency ahead of the season, but as things stand, it certainly seems like Walker will be involved on all three downs.
  • KC Running Back #9
    Chiefs coach Andy Reid and QB Patrick Mahomes believe last season’s run game failed to make defenses respect their play-action run fakes. With Walker now on board, the Chiefs believe both the run game and play-action game will improve. The staff has catered to Walker by installing more plays from under center, which Walker prefers to shotgun. “One way Walker can help transform the offense,” per Taylor, “is by becoming a true dual-threat player.” Reid believes Walker’s “receiving skills and ability to make defenders miss” will allow Reid to incorporate “one of his favorite passing concepts: the variety of plays where a play-action fake to the running back is executed before a short screen pass is thrown back to the same running back.” Walker should be expected to handle a high-end, dual-threat workload. He is a locked-in RB1 with immense upside.
  • KC Running Back #9
    Walker was held out of practice recently because of the issue, but this seems to be as minor as it gets. It’s safe to assume Walker will be back at practice soon, likely without any limitations. Walker has been going at the top of the second round of fantasy drafts. This little injury scare shouldn’t move that ADP in the slightest. He remains a strong RB1 bet this year.
  • KC Running Back #9
    This probably isn’t a major cause for concern — if you’ve ever drafted Kenneth Walker before, you know he misses plenty of practice time — the Chiefs are likely just taking it easy on the man expected to be their bellcow back this season. But the more practice he misses, the more serious we’ll take it. Stay tuned.
  • KC Running Back #9
    Newell writes that the way the Chiefs have been getting the ball to Walker has been “one of the most striking parts of camp,” while adding that Walker has been the primary target in the screen game and in the red zone. It’s about as encouraging a report as fantasy managers could hope for if they’re eyeing Walker in drafts this season. The 25-year-old back signed a three-year, $40.05 million contract with the Chiefs this offseason and could operate as the true bell cow in Andy Reid’s offense this season. Newell also noted that the Chiefs don’t appear to be alternating backs on every other series as they have in recent years, which would only raise Walker’s fantasy ceiling for this upcoming season. Walker already figures to be in the running for a top-12 fantasy season at his position, but he could be in line for a career year if his reported camp usage holds up in the regular season.
  • KC Running Back #10
    Breer refers to RB Kenneth Walker as an “every-down” player, says RB Brashard Smith “has already shown he can be a weapon in space,” and notes RB Emari Demercado adds depth. Perhaps taking on a change-of-pace rushing role is in play for Johnson this season. The rookie back has pass-catching experience as well, but Smith and Demercado could offer more in that department at the moment. Johnson could be the next player up if Walker were to miss time.

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    Patriots brought in free agent RB Jamaal Williams for a workout.

    The Pats brought in an interesting name to work out for the backfield this week, bringing in former Packers, Lions, and Saints running back Jamaal Williams. The 31-year-old last appeared in the NFL for the Saints in 2024, tallying 164 rushing yards that season. He had a career year for the Lions in 2022, totaling 1,000 yards on the ground and leading the league in rushing touchdowns. The Patriots are looking for some depth behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson; there is no indication Williams will sign, but he will be practice squad depth if he does.
  • NYG Wide Receiver #87
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    Giants WR Braxton Berrios (foot) announced he will need season-ending surgery.

    Berrios announced on his Instagram that he will need season-ending surgery for his foot injury that landed him on injured reserve. The 31-year-old is primarily a special teamer, returning four punts and five kicks this season. Injuries have prevented Berrios from appearing in more than 14 games over the last three seasons and he now has his season end early as he requires foot surgery.
  • ATL Running Back #30
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    Falcons signed RB Jam Miller to their practice squad.

    Miller is a 2026 seventh-round pick by the Patriots, though he was waived during final cuts. He joins the Falcons practice squad as fellow RB Cash Jones is released.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #87
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    Broncos signed WR Cam Ross to their practice squad.

    With Pat Bryant (ankle) suffering a multi-week injury in Week 4, the Broncos are adding to their wide receiver depth by signing Ross to the practice squad. The 25-year-old Ross was an undrafted free agent out of Virginia who spent training camp with the Broncos before he was let go in final cuts. Ross now re-joins the practice squad. EDGE Jahfari Harvey was let go from the practice squad in a corresponding move.
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    Cardinals signed OL Jedrick Wills off Buffalo’s practice squad.

    He’ll replace Paris Johnson, who heads to season-ending injured reserve. Wills, the former 10th overall pick in the 2020 draft, will compete with 2026 seventh-rounder Jayden Williams for reps at left tackle in Johnson’s absence.
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    Buccaneers LB Josiah Trotter (knee) did not practice on Tuesday.

    It was a mid-week downgrade after a limited estimated session on Monday. Trotter’s in real danger of missing Thursday night’s game against the Cowboys.
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    Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin (right groin/hip) did not practice on Tuesday.

    It was an addition to the report. Never a great sign, especially on a short week. The Buccaneers aren’t carrying a practice-squad kicker, so expect some workouts as they try to find someone you won’t be starting in fantasy football with Jalon Daniels under center.
  • ARI Tight End #89
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    Cardinals placed TE Hunter Long (knee) on injured reserve.

    He’ll miss at least the next four weeks. Long had played 91 snaps in his first four weeks with the Cardinals and will cede blocking duties to promoted practice-squadder Teagan Quitoriano for those of you in points-per-blocked-players leagues.
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    OT Lane Johnson retired from the NFL after 14 seasons.

    We’d heard word through former Eagles EDGE Brandon Graham on a post-game show that this was on the table following Week 4, but it’s still a stunner to see it come to fruition. Johnson cites that his “personal and family priorities” have changed in his post about retiring. The stalwart Eagles right tackle made two first-team All-Pro appearances and three second teams, along with six Pro Bowls. Markel Bell started in his stead in Week 4 and should be expected to get the playing time at right tackle going forward.
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    Browns designated QB Dillon Gabriel (back/IR) for return.

    His 21-day practice window will open up. There’s obviously no rush to promote him to the active roster with the Browns already dressing three quarterbacks every week, so this is probably just starting a ticking clock on a trade or cut from the quarterback room.