If Week 2 was the week of QB injuries, Week 3's theme was RB getting hurt. The most notable injury was the Dolphins losing RB De’Von Achane for the season with a torn ACL. Jets RB Breece Hall (quad) is also now considered week-to-week.
As we try to pick up the pieces heading into Week 4, some backs may be primed to exploit favorable matchups. Others might struggle against tough opponents.
Below, let's list some NFL Week 4 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em candidates for the RB position, including picks to consider on PrizePicks for Aaron Jones Sr., Chuba Hubbard, and more. Keep this analysis in mind when making your Week 4 fantasy football decisions.
Make your NFL Week 4 predictions and picks on PrizePicks now.
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Start: Vikings RB Aaron Jones Sr.
Game: Dolphins vs. Vikings – Sunday, October 4, 4:05 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 64.5 Rush Yards, 18.5 Rush Attempts, 19.5 Rec Yards
Jones has been busy since Vikings RB Jordan Mason (thumb) landed on IR heading into Week 2. In a Week 2 9-3 win over the Chicago Bears, he ran 23 times for 105 yards.
Minnesota then gave him 17 rush attempts in their Week 3 23-16 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which he turned into 58 yards. He also received 6 targets, finishing with 5 receptions for 34 yards.
The Vikings have a good defense and don’t have to throw a lot to win games. Their 73 pass attempts are the fewest in the NFL while being tied for the 10th-most rush attempts in the league. With Mason out the last two weeks, backups DeeJay Dallas and Demond Claiborne combined for just 6 rush attempts.
Minnesota may not need to throw a lot again in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed 28.7 PPG on their way to starting the season 0-3. Achane was their best player, so a 12-PPG offense could be even worse moving forward.
Miami has already allowed the seventh-most rush attempts (89) in the league, which has contributed to allowing 4 TDs on the ground. In a game in which Jones could approach 20 carries, he has the potential to shine.
Add Aaron Jones + Vikings to win to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Start: Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard
Game: Lions vs. Panthers – Sunday, October 4, 8:20 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 66.5 Rush Yards, 16.5 Rush Attempts, 18.5 Rec Yards
Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks is on IR again, leaving little competition for Hubbard in the backfield. He received a season-high 19 rush attempts with Brooks out in a 21-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3, finishing with 82 yards on the ground. He also posted 4 receptions for 28 yards, giving him 9 catches on the year.
During his breakout 2024 season, Hubbard posted 4.8 yards per carry. He regressed to 3.8 YPC during his disappointing 2025 campaign, but he's shown improved efficiency again with 4.5 YPC through three games in 2026. Per PFF, he ranks ninth among 46 RBs in explosive runs.
Week 4 brings the potential for a high-scoring matchup against the Detroit Lions, with the PrizePicks projection for the over/under for the game being 50.5 points. On their way to allowing 31.7 PPG, the Lions rank 31st in rush EPA/play allowed, according to RBSDM.
With Hubbard’s ability to contribute both on the ground and in the passing game, he could be an ideal fantasy option for this matchup.
Add Chuba Hubbard + Panthers to cover the spread to your PrizePicks lineup now.
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Sit: Titans RB Tony Pollard
Game: Titans vs. Ravens – Sunday, October 4, 1:00 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 51.5 Rush Yards, 12.5 Rush Attempts, 11.5 Rec Yards
The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants played an ugly, rain-soaked game in Week 3, with New York winning 12-7. As both teams leaned on their rushing attacks, RB Tony Pollard received a season-high 17 carries. He turned them into 74 yards while also posting 4 receptions for 22 yards.
His workload hasn’t been a problem considering his 31 carries across the last two weeks. The problem is that he has yet to reach the end zone for a Titans team that has only averaged 12.3 PPG.
A matchup against the Baltimore Ravens wouldn’t seem to lend itself towards a run-heavy game script for the Titans. The Ravens average 30.7 PPG and are 11.5-point favorites, per PrizePicks.
The possible combination of fewer rushing attempts and an offense that struggles to score doesn’t leave Pollard with a ton of theoretical fantasy upside.
Add Tony Pollard + Titans to win to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Sit: Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson
Game: Patriots vs. Bills – Sunday, October 4, 1:00 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 31.5 Rush Yards, 8.5 Rush Attempts, 18.5 Rec Yards
The New England Patriots were steamrolled by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, losing 35-6. RB Rhamondre Stevenson was stuck in a timeshare with TreVeyon Henderson again, leaving him with only 7 carries for 22 yards. Henderson ran 8 times for 23 yards.
The week prior, Henderson received 16 rush attempts compared to only 6 for Stevenson.
With QB Drake Maye struggling, points have been at a premium for the Patriots. They average only 12.0 PPG, which has contributed to Stevenson failing to reach the end zone. Until WR A.J. Brown (ankle) returns from IR, it might continue to be difficult for New England to put points on the board.
Per RotoWire, the Buffalo Bills allow just 3.93 YPC to RBs. They also surrender a modest 5.6 yards per target to the position. The potential for Stevenson to receive single-digit carries in this matchup puts him in a tough spot to provide fantasy value.
Add Rhamondre Stevenson + Patriots to cover the spread to your PrizePicks lineup now.
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Injuries to teammates have thrust Jones and Hubbard into increased workloads. That makes them viable fantasy football options heading into favorable Week 4 matchups. The same can’t be said for Pollard and Stevenson, who might not receive enough work to be viable fantasy starters.
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