NFL Player News

McGowan (5'11/211) inked his NLI with the Sooners as a four-star recruit in the 2020 class and showed much promise as a true freshman this past fall, rushing for 370 yards (6.4 YPC) and three touchdowns while logging a 13-201-1 receiving line. Under ideal circumstances, McGowan would figure to stick around in Norman, but he was suspended earlier this month due to his alleged role in a robbery. Trying for a fresh start, now, it would appear, though McGowan’s off-field indiscretions aren’t just going to go away. Your baggage enters the transfer portal with you.

Shough and the Saints stayed true to recent form as they quickly fell into a 14-point hole in the first quarter, with the team now averaging an almost eight point deficit at the half since head coach Kellen Moore took over to start the 2025 season. The team was unable to reproduce the second half magic they so frequently muster behind an overmatched offensive line. Shough needed a late touchdown toss to Devaughn Vele with less than two minutes to play to give fantasy managers something of value. Moore and Shough have their work cut out for them with Brian Flores’ relentless defense coming to town in Week 5, where Shough will be on the QB1/2 border in fantasy circles.

Dotson continues to operate as the team’s WR2 opposite Drake London but remains unlikely to return consistent fantasy production in an offense heavily concentrated on its top two options in London and Bijan Robinson. Dotson’s touchdown came in the fourth quarter with the team cruising, pushing the lead to 21 points with under 10 minutes to play. Fantasy managers can safely keep Dotson on the bench ahead of a Week 5 meeting with the Ravens in Atlanta.

Pitts played just one snap on the team’s first two possessions before seeing modest usage the rest of the game. His counting stats were padded in the second half with a 28-yard, catch-and-run reception on a play action pass out of the flat. Pitts isn’t getting the snaps or route participation to return consistent fantasy production and is best left on fantasy benches for as long as Drake London remains healthy. That won’t change ahead of a Week 5 meeting with the Ravens.

London turned in his second consecutive usable fantasy week with Michael Penix under center. The low volume can primarily be attributed to just 20 Penix pass attempts in a game Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson combined for 207 yards and five touchdowns on the ground on 33 carries. London could be tasked with more volume when the Falcons host the Ravens in Week 5, for which he will remain an unquestioned WR1 in fantasy circles.

Robinson watched from the sidelines as Bijan cashed in on two first quarter rushing scores, getting in on the fun in the second quarter with a touchdown from four yards out. He would add one from eight yards out in the third quarter and cap off his outburst with an 11-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth quarter to send the Falcons to a 2-2 record ahead of a Week 5 meeting with the Ravens. Brian Robinson remains an elite handcuff but is unlikely to return consistent fantasy production for as long as Bijan remains healthy, despite the eruption against the Saints.

Week 4 marked Robinson’s second consecutive game going over 100 yards with two touchdowns on the ground, this time aided by a 59-yard touchdown run on his first touch of the game. The Falcons tied a franchise record with five rushing scores, with backfield mate Brian Robinson adding three to the two of Bijan. The return of quarterback Michael Penix has given the Falcons the threat of passing after dropping their first two games of the season behind suboptimal play from the position, and nobody has benefited more from reduced numbers in the box than Robinson. He’ll look to keep the momentum going as a top-tier RB1 when the Falcons host the Ravens in Week 5.

Penix wasn’t asked to do much with his arm as the Falcons tied a franchise record with five rushing scores, but the threat of consistent and reliable passing has done wonders for a Falcons offense that looked lost through two games behind poor quarterback play. It also doesn’t hurt when your All Pro running back goes for a 59-yard touchdown on his first touch of the game. The Falcons were never threatened by an underperforming Saints team after jumping out to a 14-point lead in the first quarter. Penix has yet to be called on for increased passing volume through two starts, something that could change, pending the health of Lamar Jackson, in Week 5 when they host the Ravens. Penix remains a middling QB2 and does not warrant starting in all formats outside of two-quarterback leagues.

Barkley departed the team’s Week 4 loss to the Rams in the second quarter and did not return, with Ian Rapoport relaying that the team views him as “week-to-week,” for the time being. Rapoport added that the team does not view the injury as a long-term issue. Regardless, Barkley appears set to miss multiple games with the soft tissue injury, leaving the team paper thin at running back after backup Tank Bigsby inured a core muscle that requires surgery. Will Shipley is the only other back currently on the active roster, while Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele, and Jaydon Blue are with the team on the practice squad. Shipley warrants a waiver addition while managers in deeper leagues can consider taking an early flier on Blue.

Rush will serve as the emergency quarterback over Jack Strand. LB Samsom Ebukam, who came into the weekend listed as questionable, will play against the Saints. The Falcons look to move into a tie atop the NFC South against their divisional opponent after beating the Packers in Week 3.