Last minute fantasy football start/sit advice as inactives come in

The NFL kicks off in less than 90 minutes and inactives are officially in across the board. We’re all figuring out last minute roster decisions, and that means not only who is not playing this week, but who is playing but might not be the best start in your Week 4 fantasy football lineup.

Danny Amendola, WR, Detroit Lions/Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions

The Lions have deactivated Amendola due to his chest injury, while Stafford is active in spite of a hip injury. Amendola was listed as questionable but only got in a limited practice on Friday after sitting Wednesday and Thursday. Stafford is believed to be in some pain, so it will be something to track against the high-flying Chiefs. With Amendola out, Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay, and T.J. Hockenson all could be looking at big opportunities in the passing game. The question is how Stafford will look with the hip injury.

Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

As expected, Andrews is active for Week 4. He’s been dealing with a foot injury that has required weekly rest, and so you can expect him to appear on the injury report for the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, there is zero reason to bench him in fantasy football. Unless you are in an insanely shallow league, you do not have a better starting tight end option week in and week out. You plug him in and save your fretting over more significant roster decisions.

Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots

Edelman is active in spite of a chest injury. The news is not surprising, but it raises something about Phillip Dorsett in light of workload questions. Edelman remains a solid starting option in Week 4, but if you have Dorsett and some questions at your wide receiver position, there is some value to be had there. Game script could mean Patriots-Bills is a rushing-oriented game, but Dorsett could be a sneaky value today.

Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington

Some surprising news came at 11:15 when J.P. Finlay reported that McLaurin would be inactive against the New York Giants. He had a hamstring injury that was not believed to be too serious, but instead he will not play. Paul Richardson is the receiver most likely to benefit in his place, while tight end Vernon Davis gains some value. Chris Thompson remains a great PPR start, while Adrian Peterson is worth consideration in standard leagues.

Melvin Gordon, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers are without running back Justin Jackson, and have been forced to activate Gordon three days after he ended his holdout. Austin Ekeler is starting on Sunday, and by all accounts, Gordon is going to be an emergency option. The Chargers face what should be an easy game against the inept Miami Dolphins. Gordon might get some late work, but I suspect Ekeler is a workhorse and Gordon should remain on your bench.