DeMeco Ryans offered little clarity on Joe Mixon’s status, while the Texans prepare for two returns from the PUP list this week: edge rusher Denico Autry and safety Jaylen Reed, opening a 21-day window to play. Tank Dell has been a constant at practice, with a late-season return possible but uncertain.

Mixon led Houston’s ground game last season with 1,016 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, but his current ankle/foot injury and non-committal updates leave fantasy managers on alert. In his absence, Nick Chubb and Woody Marks have shouldered carries elsewhere, with Dare Ogunbowale and Dameon Pierce in the deeper backfield mix as Houston navigates the offense without a clear Mixon timetable.

Houston looks to break its winless start in Week 4 against Tennessee, with three clear keys: bolster a balanced ground attack, improve third-down conversion, and limit late-game mistakes that have plagued the opening weeks. If Nick Chubb and Woody Marks get more touches and CJ Stroud sustains drives, the offense could finally click on home turf. The Titans, also 0-3, present a similar challenge on third downs, making discipline and timing crucial down the stretch.

Penalty control, turnover avoidance, and clock management become the decisive factors as both teams try to prevent last place in the AFC South. For fantasy managers, the storyline centers on when Houston’s run game unlocks play-action and creates more scoring opportunities for Stroud and his supporting cast, potentially flipping the season’s momentum in Week 4.

Week 3 waiver-watch spotlights high-upside stash candidates across the NFL, led by rookies and depth-chart shuffles that could reshape fantasy value in deeper formats. Woody Marks in Houston surfaces as the clear handcuff to Nick Chubb-adjacent potential, while Jeremy McNichols in Washington could seize a bigger role if Ekeler remains out. Brashard Smith in Kansas City and Jalen Coker in Carolina represent long-shot upside for 12-team and deeper leagues, with Luther Burden III and Ja'Tavion Sanders offering TE/WR flex appeal in Chicago and Carolina. Spencer Rattler in New Orleans stands out as a multi-week QB stash, and DJ Giddens and Kyle Monangai provide late-round RB intrigue behind volatile backfields.

These players are widely available in Yahoo leagues and could become must-starts if depth-chart opportunities align. The article stresses patience and smart rostering, as most of these stashes carry minimal immediate value but offer meaningful season-long upside with the right breaks.

Jake Browning takes Cincinnati’s quarterback duties, flashing a stable fantasy floor around 20 points per game in his last starter stint, signaling weekly streaming viability in favorable matchups.

Denver’s WR pecking order shifts as Troy Franklin edges Marvin Mims Jr. for outside work, with Courtland Sutton anchoring the unit. Woody Marks is breaking out in Houston’s backfield, potentially becoming a top waiver RB and even a starter soon. PFF+ tools and in-season projections round out the plan for smart, early-week roster decisions.