Washington Commanders Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Commanders are signing RB Austin Ekeler to a two-year deal, according to multiple reports. NFL Networks' Tom Pelissero reports it's worth "up to $11.43 million." The exact terms aren't yet clear, but it looks like he'll get a larger annual average than the three-year deal Antonio Gibson agreed to with the Patriots. The new Washington staff likely views Ekeler as at least an upgrade over Gibson. And Commanders run-game coordinator Anthony Lynn is plenty familiar with the veteran RB, having served as Chargers HC through the first four years of Ekeler's career. Ekeler figures to share touches with Brian Robinson Jr., operating as the lead receiving back. We'll watch for more signals on Ekeler's expected role. For now, both Washington RBs make sense in RB3 range of best ball drafts. Check our best ball rankings to see exactly where they land.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that TE Zach Ertz has agreed to a one-year deal with the Commanders worth "up to" $5 million. We'll be curious to see more specific terms on the contract -- such as whether it even guarantees he'll even break training camp with the team. Ertz managed just 27 catches over six games for the Cardinals last year, coming off a 2022 ACL tear. He failed to reach another active roster after Arizona waived him Nov. 30. (He finished the year on Detroit's practice squad.) Ertz will turn 34 in November and has set career lows in yards per catch each of the past two seasons (8.6, then 6.9). He spent his pre-2023 Arizona time playing under then-HC Kliff Kingsbury, who joined Washington as OC this offseason. We'll see how much that factored into Ertz's signing and what Kingsbury might have planned. The Commanders have room on the TE depth chart after dumping Logan Thomas, with only Cole Turner and John Bates under contract. But the Ertz signing shouldn't exclude them from making any other moves at the position. You can consider Ertz as a third TE late in your best ball drafts, but we wouldn't chase him any earlier than that.

The Commanders are hiring Kliff Kingsbury as their OC under HC Dan Quinn, according to multiple reports. Kingsbury had an underwhelming tenure as Cardinals HC from 2019 to 2022, going 28-37-1 over those four seasons. He landed two of those teams inside the top 8 in total yards, but none cracked the top 10 in points. Kingsbury at least deployed fast-paced attacks, with three of his four offenses finishing top 3 in pace and offensive plays. He joins a Washington squad with plenty of skill-position talent and the No. 2 overall pick in this spring's draft, which will presumably be used to take a QB.

The Commanders are hiring Dan Quinn to be the new HC. Quinn spent the past three years as Cowboys DC. Those teams finished seventh, fifth, and fifth in points allowed after checking in 28th and 11th the two years before he arrived. Quinn spent 2015-19 as HC of the Falcons, going 43-37 over that span with two winning seasons. Atlanta fired him five games into 2020 (with an 0-5 record). As a career-long defensive coach, Quinn shouldn't affect offensive outlooks in Washington with his arrival. We'll see who he brings in to assist on that side of the ball and what the Commanders decide to do at QB. We'd bet they'll select one with the second overall pick in the draft. The Washington defense can only improve after ranking last in both yards and points allowed in 2023.

The Lions are signing TE Zach Ertz, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Ertz arrives as a fairly big name, but don't consider him a serious challenge to TE Sam LaPorta's outlook. Detroit suddenly finds weak depth at the position after losing Brock Wright to a forearm fracture in Sunday's win over the Buccaneers. The team previously placed TE James Mitchell on IR after he suffered a hand injury in practice ahead of the win over the Rams. Wright drew just 1 target before leaving Sunday's game, in which he played 30 snaps. No Lions TE besides LaPorta drew a target in the previous game, despite LaPorta being just a week removed from a knee injury.

The Commanders fired HC Ron Rivera on Monday. The writing was on the wall after Washington went 4-13 and ended the season with eight straight losses. Rivera lasted four seasons on the job but never posted a winning record. Per league insider Jordan Schultz, Washington has contacted the agent for Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh. We’ll see if there’s mutual interest. But there’s little doubt that Washington will usher in a new starting QB after Sam Howell’s second-season slump. The Commanders sit atop the league in projected cap space -- $85 million, according to Spotrac -- while they also hold the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner said Wednesday he's "100%" playing in 2024, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson. Wagner added that he hasn't even thought about not playing into his age-34 season. Wagner returned to Seattle on a one-year deal after spending 2022 with the Rams. He has played all but 19 snaps through the team's first 16 games, having what HC Pete Carroll calls a "fantastic season." We'll see where Wagner lands in 2024, but we'd bet on him getting a job somewhere. Seattle's probably the best bet at this point. Expect Wagner to land inside the top 15 of our 2024 LB rankings. Keep him around on IDP dynasty rosters where you can.

The Browns will start QB Jeff Driskel in Week 18. Cleveland’s guaranteed the No. 5 seed, so they’ll rest Joe Flacco for a fairly meaningless matchup at Cincinnati. Driskel owns a 59.2% completion rate and 6.1 yards per attempt across 23 career appearances (11 starts). He’s not someone we’d rush to play in Week 18 DFS contests.

Panthers LB Frankie Luvu (quad) is active for today's game against the Jaguars. Use him as planned in your IDP lineups. CB Jaycee Horn (toe) is active but merely a low-level IDP at best.

Panthers LB Frankie Luvu (quad) and CB Jaycee Horn (toe) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. Interim HC Chris Tabor said he "feels good" about both players' chances of being ready for the game, according to The Athletic's Joe Person. We'll check on the status of both players Sunday.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (hamstring) is not listed on the final Week 17 injury report. Washington will be back to a Robinson/Antonio Gibson backfield vs. the 49ers on Sunday, with RB Chris Rodriguez (ankle) on IR. Robinson sits in low RB3 range in the Week 17 Rankings with the Commanders 12.5-point underdogs. He's averaged just 10.6 carries per game in losses this season.

The Commanders placed RB Chris Rodriguez (ankle) on IR, ending his 2023 season. The rookie flashed with a 10-58-2 rushing line last week but remains a long shot for tangible fantasy value in 2024 and beyond. Washington looks set to get RB Brian Robinson back from his hamstring injury for Sunday's game vs. the 49ers.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (hamstring) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. RB Chris Rodriguez (ankle) did not practice. We'll see how this backfield shapes up over the next few days, but it's a situation to try to avoid with Washington sporting an 18.25-point implied total vs. the 49ers.

Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez racked up 58 yards and 2 TDs on 10 carries in Sunday's loss to the Jets. After the game, though, he had a boot on his right foot. ESPN's John Keim says Rodriguez "rolled" that ankle, but we haven't seen any other details on the injury or his Week 17 outlook. We'll watch the whole backfield -- including whether Brian Robinson Jr. will be ready -- throughout the practice week. Whoever's playing will get a challenging matchup with the 49ers.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (hamstring) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Jets. RB Jonathan Williams is back on the practice squad, so he has no official game status. But he's in concussion protocol and is unlikely to play this weekend. That'll leave the backfield to RBs Antonio Gibson and Chris Rodriguez. Rodriguez out-carried Gibson 10 to 4 last week, but Gibson out-targeted Rodriguez 5 to 0. Neither is a very attractive Week 16 fantasy play with Washington sporting a 17-point implied total in New York.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. Fantasy owners shouldn't be counting on him returning for this weekend's game vs. the Jets. Washington used RBs Antonio Gibson, Chris Rodriguez, and Jonathan Williams last week -- but Williams is now in the concussion protocol. Gibson's passing-game role makes him the best fantasy bet of the trio, but he's no better than a RB3 or flex play.

The Commanders have ruled RB Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) out for Sunday's game against the Rams. That should leave Antonio Gibson leading the backfield. Rookie Chris Rodriguez figures to work in to some degree as well. We have no full games without Robinson yet this season to know how much Rodriguez might get, though. Washington now sits 4-9, coming off the bye, and with a coach who looks likely to get fired at the end of the season. We don't know whether or how any of that will affect workload decisions this week. But there's potential for any of those components to factor in. We're projecting Gibson as the clear leader and a low-end RB2 in our Week 15 RB rankings. Just be careful about overrating him in your lineup decisions.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. The fact that he's still sidelined coming off the Week 14 bye has him looking unlikely to play vs. the Rams this weekend. Robinson's absence would leave Washington's backfield to Antonio Gibson and Chris Rodriguez. See where those guys land in the Week 15 RB Rankings.

The Commanders are placing LB Jamin Davis on IR because of a shoulder injury that will require surgery. Davis still has one year left on his rookie contract, and Washington will have to decide this spring on his fifth-year option for 2025. Davis seems like a weak bet for that option, but we'd also bet that decision will come after the team hires a new coach (and maybe GM). Davis has disappointed vs. his first-round draft status but has at least seen his playing time increase in his third season. He's an unspectacular dynasty asset. David Mayo should operate as the No. 2 LB alongside Cody Barton the rest of this season.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler rebounded in Week 14 with 100 total yards, 5 catches, and 1 TD. Ekeler’s 3-yard score marked his first end zone trip since Week 10. He lost carries to Isaiah Spiller (6) and Josh Kelley (3), but as expected, the veteran remained heavily involved in the passing game (33 routes). Per PFF, Ekeler also handled all 18 fourth-quarter snaps while the Chargers played from behind. So he's certainly trending in the right direction following the positive showing (and plus matchup). The Raiders turn up a favorable opponent for Week 15, but note that Ekeler will likely play without Justin Herbert.