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Justin Jackson (RB, Los Angeles Chargers)
ESPN ownership: 8.8%
Week 4 stats: 6 carries, 9 rushing yards; 2 receptions, 12 receiving yards
Austin Ekeler left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, and he is expected to miss multiple weeks, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN:
Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler was spotted postgame with crutches and a brace to help him with the hyperextended knee and hamstring injury he is thought to have suffered today, per source. Ekeler will have an MRI on Monday but he is expected to miss multiple weeks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 4, 2020
Without Ekeler, the Chargers running game struggled against the Buccaneers. Outside of Ekeler, they rushed for only 34 yards on 21 carries. Joshua Kelley was the lead back in Ekeler’s absence, but Jackson also saw an increase in touches. The Chargers are averaging 32.25 rushing attempts per game this season, so Jackson should have plenty of opportunities to produce over the next few weeks.
D’Ernest Johnson (RB, Cleveland Browns)
ESPN ownership: 0%
Week 4 stats: 13 carries, 95 rushing yards
Nick Chubb suffered a knee injury against the Cowboys. He will undergo a MRI on Monday.
Stefanski says RB Nick Chubb will undergo an MRI on his knee.
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) October 4, 2020
"We just don't know (until the MRI)," Stefanski says.
Surprisingly, Johnson emerged as the Browns leading rusher in Chubb’s absence. Johnson only had one touch this season before Sunday’s game. If Chubb misses time, Johnson and Kareem Hunt will gain short-term value. Johnson is an intriguing option, especially in deeper leagues.
Tim Patrick (WR, Denver Broncos)
ESPN ownership: 0.6%
Week 4 stats: 6 receptions, 113 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
The Broncos started Brett Rypien at quarterback on Thursday night. Patrick was Rypien’s favorite target; he led the Broncos in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Patrick also scored a touchdown against the Buccaneers in the week prior. Courtland Sutton is out for the rest of the season after tearing his ACL, so Patrick could continue to see a large share of targets. Jerry Jeudy still holds more upside, but at minimum, Patrick appears to be the Broncos second wide receiver.
Mo Alie-Cox (TE, Indianapolis Colts)
ESPN ownership: 21.1%
Week 4 stats: 1 reception, 13 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
I put Alie-Cox on my waiver wire adds list last week. He has now had three straight solid fantasy weeks. He had 111 receiving yards against the Vikings in Week 2. Then, he had 50 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Giants in Week 3. Philip Rivers clearly has strong chemistry with the tight end. Alie-Cox has favorable matchups coming up against the Browns and Bengals. He is a must-add in most leagues.