Week 4 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Advice for Fringe Flex Fantasy Football Starters

Week 3 brought another thrilling slate of NFL action. Unfortunately, it also brought another round of injuries that will impact the fantasy football landscape.

The list of players who suffered season-ending injuries in Week 3 includes Nick Bosa, James Conner and Najee Harris. CeeDee Lamb is expected to miss multiple weeks with a high-ankle sprain, and Terry McLaurin is looking iffy with a quad injury.

It feels early in the season to be diving deep into the bench, but that's exactly what many managers will be doing in Week 4. Let's examine some of the best and worst matchups for fringe starters, based on past performances, projected roles and point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Start: Nick Chubb, RB, Houston Texans

AP Photo/Eric Gay

Managers who drafted Nick Chubb this year should have had low expectations. The Houston Texans' offensive line is suspect, and Chubb is coming off of consecutive campaigns ended by injuries.

Yet, the 29-year-old has shown a little bit of juice this season and has seen a fair bit of work in the passing game (7 targets, 5 receptions). He should be viewed as a low-end flex play when facing a favorable matchup.

Chubb will face a very favorable matchup in Week 4.

The Texans are set to host the rival Tennessee Titans, who have been vulnerable to the run. While Tennessee's defense has shown life overall, it's also coughed up six rushing touchdowns and 5.3 yards per carry. Only the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals have surrendered more fantasy points to opposing running backs than the Titans.

Sit: Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Stacy Bengs

Like Chubb, Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier is a matchup-based play in 2025. Bijan Robinson is clearly Atlanta's top back, but Allgeier can reward managers when the Falcons can afford to go run-heavy.

In Week 2, for example. Allgeier logged 16 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown.

On paper, Allgeier had a start-worthy matchup in Week 3. However, the Carolina Panthers stunned the Falcons in a 30-0 blowout, and Atlanta largely abandoned the run.

Allgeier finished Week 3 with one carry, one reception and four scrimmage yards. He could have similarly dismal results this week against a Washington Commanders defense that has surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs through three weeks.

Start: Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Since their Week 1 win over the New England Patriots, not much has gone right for the Las Vegas Raiders. Third-year receiver Tre Tucker, however, has been a bright spot.

The 24-year-old is coming off of a monster game against the Commanders in which he caught eight passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns. While he's not going to replicate those numbers every week, his breakout game isn't a complete fluke.

Tucker also caught a touchdown pass in Week 1 and has clearly developed a rapport with quarterback Geno Smith. Over his past two games, Tucker has been targeted a whopping 17 times.

If Tucker is heavily targeted again this week, he should deliver. The Raiders will host the Chicago Bears, who have surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

Sit: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Something is off with second-year wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. One of the most polished prospects in the 2024 draft, Harrison has struggled to consistently perform well with the Arizona Cardinals.

To be fair, the Cardinals have done a terrible job of utilizing the Ohio State product and playing to his strengths. However, Harrison has made glaring mistakes himself, like his ugly drop against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3.

Harrison has just five catches for 71 yards over his past two games. However, he had five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown in the opener and should be a matchup-based play as long as he doesn't completely lose his confidence.

Unfortunately, this week won't bring Harrison a favorable matchup. The Cardinals are set to host the rival Seattle Seahawks, who have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.