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Washington Commanders Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Fantasy Football News 2023

Most Recent Fantasy Football News & Updates

After just 7 total targets and 5 receptions over the previous two games, Commanders WR Curtis Samuel tallied 7 receptions for 51 yards on 8 targets in Sunday's loss to the Eagles. Samuel added a 1-yard TD on his only carry of the game. The combo obviously made for a nice fantasy line, but Washington's elevated passing volume and condensed target distribution helped. Sam Howell attempted 41 passes -- despite taking 5 sacks -- and only threw more than 3 targets to Samuel, Jahan Dotson (9), and Terry McLaurin (10). Samuel has now drawn a target on just 14.3% of Howell's attempts for the season. He's not a lineup option for most leagues, despite an upside matchup with Chicago in Week 5.

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 QB Sam Howell threw for 290 yards and a TD -- with 0 INTs -- in Sunday's OT loss at Philadelphia. He found WR Jahan Dotson for the game-tying score at the end of the fourth quarter but watched the team's other two TDs get scored on the ground. Howell added 40 rushing yards on 6 carries. That more than doubled his rushing-yardage total from any of the first three games. It was an encouraging outing for the second-year QB, especially after his brutal 4-INT performance in Week 3. Howell carries some superflex and deep-league appeal into a Week 5 home date with Chicago.

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. 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.

Commanders TE Logan Thomas (concussion) isn't listed on the final Week 4 injury report. He'll be back for Sunday's game vs. the Eagles. Thomas racked up 11 targets in about six quarters of action before suffering that head injury, making him worth a look for the many fantasy teams who don't have a reliable starter at the position.

Commanders TE Logan Thomas (concussion) graduated to a full practice on Thursday. He's on track to be cleared for this weekend's game vs. the Eagles. We'll see how he's listed on the final injury report tomorrow.

Commanders TE Logan Thomas (concussion) was limited in Wednesday's practice. We'll see if he can get cleared in time for this weekend's game vs. the Eagles. Thomas racked up 11 targets in about six quarters of action before suffering that head injury.

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.

Commanders QB Sam Howell tallied only 170 passing yards, 0 TDs, and 4 picks in Week 3. He took 9 sacks in the loss to Buffalo. The first-year starter didn’t have much of a chance in this one, as the Bills pressured him on 69.2% of his dropbacks (per Next Gen Stats). Howell faces another tough matchup next week at Philly.

Commanders WR Curtis Samuel (illness) has been removed from the Week 3 injury report. He'll play vs. the Bills tomorrow. Samuel has caught all eight of his targets for 73 scoreless yards through two games, adding another 19 yards on two carries.

Commanders WR Curtis Samuel (illness) did not practice on Friday and is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Bills. He should be able to play in that one, but hopefully you’re not counting on Samuel in Week 3 fantasy lineups.

Commanders TE Logan Thomas (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game vs. the Bills. TEs Cole Turner and John Bates split snaps in Thomas' absence in the second half of last week's game, so neither guy can be trusted in Week 3 fantasy lineups.

Commanders TE Logan Thomas (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday. Fantasy owners shouldn't count on him playing vs. the Bills this weekend, but we'll keep you updated on Thomas' progress through the protocol.

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.

Commanders TE Logan Thomas sustained a concussion on a 4-yard TD in the second quarter of Sunday’s game vs. the Broncos. It’s his first documented concussion. We’ll track his progress through the protocol this coming week. Thomas’ absence leaves Washington with TEs Cole Turner and John Bates.

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin (turf toe) landed just 2 catches on 6 targets for 31 receiving yards in Sunday’s win vs. the Cardinals. Teammate Curtis Samuel led the team in receiving with 54 yards and a perfect 5-for-5 on his targets. McLaurin has dealt with this toe injury dating back to the preseason and practiced in a limited fashion for much of this week. It’s no surprise he got out-targeted by WR Jahan Dotson (5 for 40 yards on 7 targets) in Week 1, though we expect McLaurin’s impact to increase as he becomes further removed from the ailment. An underrated takeaway to consider before their Week 2 matchup vs. the Broncos is that TE Logan Thomas led the Commanders with 8 targets in this game—something to remember for those in deeper leagues.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson recorded 76% of the team’s backfield carries with 19 attempts for 59 rushing yards in Week 1’s victory over the Cardinals. Teammate RB Antonio Gibson saw 3 carries for 9 yards and added a single catch for 10 yards before a costly fumble saw him evaporate from the game. There are few things NFL coaches hate more than fumbles, and he paid dearly for it by being replaced by rookie RB Chris Rodriguez to end the contest. Fantasy managers will have a better idea of what the RB workshare split looks like in Week 2 vs. the Broncos, though it will be tough to bet against Robinson being the favorite Commanders’ back next Sunday.

Commanders QB Sam Howell completed 19 passes on 31 attempts for 202 passing yards with 1 TD and 1 INT vs. the Cardinals. The first-year starter also contributed a rushing TD with 11 yards on the ground in Sunday’s win. Other than the INT and a lost fumble, Howell played relatively well. Given his lack of NFL experience, fantasy managers can only hope production goes up from here. The 2022 fifth-round pick with have a chance to improve against the Broncos in Week 2.

Commanders Edge Chase Young is inactive for today's game against the Cardinals. He was limited in practice all week with a neck injury. We'll see about Young's status heading into Week 2. He's a risk-reward IDP option overall. We're not downgrading the Washington defense for today's high-ceiling matchup with the Cardinals.

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