Washington faces Week 4 shorthanded, with Daniels, Bates, McLaurin and Brown out. Tay Martin is elevated from the practice squad, and Washington also fills in at corner with Hamilton Sr. The backfield could be split if Croskey-Merritt rests; Rodriguez Jr. and McNichols are the primary ballcarriers. Atlanta misses Terrell, while Mariota starts against the Falcons, fueling intrigue for fantasy managers.

Historically, Washington has owned Atlanta, riding a four-game win streak and a recent OT victory led by Daniels before his injury. With Daniels sidelined, Mariota’s return to start adds a veteran angle to the matchup and supports speculative DFS exposure to Washington’s reshuffled attack and potential Falcons game plan shifts.

Falcons aim for their first home win as they host the Washington Commanders in Week 4. Atlanta has struggled offensively, firing Ike Hilliard and moving Zac Robinson to the sideline after a 30-0 loss at Carolina. The Commanders enter banged up, with Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin ruled out, shaping a week 4 that could hinge on which Falcons depth players step up and which Washington backups capitalize.

Fantasy angles center on Falcons pass-catchers stepping into larger roles and how Washington’s injury absence reshapes the game script. Home-field could help Atlanta rebound, while the Commanders may lean on pragmatic game plans to minimize risk with backup quarterbacks. Streaming and DFS pivots will depend on final injury updates and in-game flow.

A.J. Terrell’s hamstring injury opens a larger role for Dee Alford as Atlanta hosts Washington. Alford impressed in Week 3 vs Carolina, facing Bryce Young four times with only one nine-yard completion and multiple knockdowns, earning high praise from Raheem Morris as he prepares for Sunday. With KhaDarel Hodge and Nathan Carter out and Agnew/Washington back, Atlanta leans on depth and the return game to stabilize a sputtering offense.

Terrell’s status looms: the Falcons expect to be without him Sunday, but no injury designation is listed for Agnew or Washington as they return after Week 1. Pitts, Hellams, and Casey Washington are limited but appear ready. Fantasy managers should watch Alford’s expanded CB role and Agnew’s returns as Atlanta faces Washington’s aerial attack.

The Atlanta Falcons faced a disappointing end to their 2024 season after a promising 6-3 start, finishing at 8-9 and missing the playoffs once again. The team's aspirations were initially fueled by the signing of Kirk Cousins, but inconsistencies in quarterback play plagued their performance. Despite this, rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. showed potential, and key players like Bijan Robinson and Drake London had breakout seasons.

Moving into 2025, the Falcons plan to emphasize their passing game, with coaches Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson focusing on making Penix comfortable within the offensive scheme. Robinson and Tyler Allgeier are expected to continue their success in the running game, while London, Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney, KhaDarel Hodge, and Ray-Ray McCloud are set to take on more prominent roles. The upcoming season is crucial for the Falcons as they look to maximize their offensive capabilities and finally secure a playoff berth.