Noah

Brown

Brown initially suffered an injury to his ribs that then developed into a lacerated kidney, prompting the move to injured reserve and ending his season. The team signed K.J. Osborn away from the Patriots earlier in the week but we shouldn’t expect him to make an immediate impact on the offense, likely leaving Dyami Brown and Luke McCaffrey to handle secondary pass-catching duties in the near term.

Brown, per Quinn, suffered internal injuries two weeks ago against the Titans and looks to be out indefinitely. Brown has positioned himself as the Commanders’ de facto WR2 behind Terry McLaurin. Brown’s absence could open up more targets for McLaurin, Zach Ertz, and Dyami Brown in the run-heavy Washington offense.

Brown dove toward the sidelines for an errant pass late in the third quarter and landed awkwardly on the ball. He remained on the ground for an extended period before getting up and leaving under his own power, but the team has deemed him questionable to return. With a quarter left in the game and the Commanders up by three possessions, it seems unlikely they would force Brown back into play even if he was well enough to give it a go. If his day is over, he would end the afternoon with three catches for 27 yards on four targets.

Browns’ biggest play came in the second quarter when he drew a 23-yard pass interference against Steelers corner Joey Porter Jr. The DPI helped set up an eventual 48-yard field goal for the Commanders, who could not generate a scoring play through the air in this one. Brown’s seven targets were second only to Zach Ertz, as he has now seen six or more targets in four of his last five games. Brown will have some WR3/WR4 viability in Week 11 against the Eagles.

Brown’s Week 9 outing wasn’t quite as exciting as last week when he hauled in a 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown to walk off Week 8’s game against the Bears, but the veteran receiver still turned in a solid day. Brown led the Commanders in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, with his biggest play coming on a 31-yard gain late in the second quarter that helped set up a touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin. Brown’s target volume isn’t enough to warrant serious fantasy consideration in Week 10 against the Steelers.

Browns’ most meaningful catch was his last, as the veteran receiver found himself on the receiving end of a 52-yard Hail Mary to give the Commanders the walk-off win over the Bears. A deep pass by Jayden Daniels fell just short of the goal line, but Brown was in position to track the ball the whole time, which he did to perfection when his time came. The six targets Brown saw marked his second-highest total of the season, while his 73 yards set a new season-high. If not for his miraculous score, it would’ve been another forgettable outing for Brown. There’s no fantasy upside here, but it was an incredible moment for the eight-year vet who joined the team after being left off the Texans’ 53-man roster.

Brown’s one-target outing against the Panthers is his fewest in any game this season. The veteran receiver hauled in a 16-yard pass in the third quarter that helped setup an Austin Seibert field goal, but Brown’s usage has been spotty at best. He entered the day averaging just 4.5 targets per game, but that number is buoyed by an eight-target outing against the Ravens. Brown is not on the fantasy radar at this time.

Browns’ eight targets led the Commanders, while his 58 yards set a new season-high. The veteran receiver hauled in a 28-yard reception in the third quarter on a drive that ended with an Austin Seibert field goal and was on the receiving end of a DPI that gave the Commanders 23 yards on a critical fourth down. The Commanders trailed for much of this one, and didn’t have a running game to lean on with Brian Robinson (knee) sidelined. We wouldn’t expect another eight-target game for Brown in Week 7 against the Panthers. He’ll be hard to trust as anything more than a deep league streamer.

Brown missed Week 5 with the groin injury but is good to go for a potential shootout with Baltimore. He has appeared in three games this year and has three receptions in each contest. He will be a desperation WR6 for fantasy managers truly in a bind at receiver this week.

After being limited in Wednesday’s practice, Brown was a DNP on Thursday and has now been ruled out. The veteran receiver has caught nine passes for 111 scoreless yards this season while running the third-most routes of any receiver on the team. His absence could lead to a few more targets for Luke McCaffrey or Olamide Zaccheaus, but neither receiver should be started in fantasy leagues in Week 5 against the Browns.