CJ Donaldson Fantasy outlook, stats and Week 4 start/sit for 2026
- Age
- 22
- Height / weight
- 6'1", 230 lb
- Experience
- Rookie
2026 Season
- PPR PPG
- 0.6
- Pos rank
- RB87
- Rostered
- —
Week 4 vs. Falcons, Mon Oct 5, 8:15 PM ET 30th vs. RBs, tough
CJ Donaldson Fantasy Football Stats & Analysis
Scoring rate
0.6 PPG
Played
3 games
Role
Depth
Trend
Stable
CJ Donaldson's 2026 Season, Week by Week
3 games played: three busts. The next four matchups include one of the league's softest run defenses.
- Week 1, Loss,at DET,1.2,RB65
- Week 2, Win,at BAL,0.2,RB81
- Week 3, Loss,vs LV,0.5,RB73
- Up next. Week 4, Oct 5,vs ATL,ToughFalcons vs. RBs
- Week 5, Oct 11,vs MIN,ToughVikings vs. RBs
- Week 6, Oct 18,at NYG,NeutralGiants vs. RBs
- Week 7, Oct 25,vs PIT,FavorableSteelers vs. RBs
Matchup rank is PPR points allowed to RBs through Week 4. 1st allows the most, 32nd the fewest.
Should You Start or Roster CJ Donaldson?
Donaldson is averaging 0.6 PPR points per game through 3 games, with 11 rushing yards and 0 TD on 4 carries, plus 1 catches for -2 yards. That ranks RB87, which makes him a bench stash in most leagues.
He is averaging 2.8 yards per carry. His quarterback has been Tyler Shough.
His best week was RB65 in Week 1 at the Lions (1.2 points); his worst, RB81 in Week 2 at the Ravens (0.2). Two favorable matchups are coming: the Steelers (10th vs. RBs) in Week 7 and the Panthers (1st vs. RBs) in Week 10.
For the season-long call, whether to hold, trade or start him, check where Donaldson ranks among all RBs in Redraft Command.
CJ Donaldson 2026 Game Log
| Wk | Opp | Result | FPTS | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | @ Lions | L 30–31 | 1.2 | RB65 |
| 2 | @ Ravens | W 24–17 | 0.2 | RB81 |
| 3 | vs Raiders | L 27–35 | 0.5 | RB73 |
| Total | 1–2 | 1.9 | RB87 |
Career Fantasy Stats by Season
| Season | Team | GP | Rush yds | Rush TD | Rec | Rec yds | Rec TD | FPTS | PPG | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | NO | 3 | 11 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 | 1.9 | 0.6 | — |
| Career | 3 | 11 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 | 1.9 | 0.6 |
Rest-of-Season Outlook and Availability
Outlook
The near-term outlook is a roster-bubble fight rather than a fantasy proposition. Dynasty boards slot him around RB128, and he is rostered in essentially zero leagues with no ADP or projections attached. For 2026 he is a deep-stash dart throw at most, worth monitoring only if camp injuries thin the backfield and his power running earns a short-yardage and goal-line specialist role. Next on the depth chart after him: Kendre Miller. Full outlook
Injury status
Active, no designation
RBs like CJ Donaldson
CJ Donaldson Fantasy Football FAQ
Should I start CJ Donaldson in Week 4?
CJ Donaldson is depth in most leagues for Week 4 against the Falcons, as the RB87 in PPR total points this season (0.6 a game). The Falcons rank 30th in PPR points allowed to RBs, a tough matchup. Get the start/sit call for Donaldson.
How many fantasy points is CJ Donaldson averaging in 2026?
CJ Donaldson is averaging 0.6 PPR fantasy points per game in 2026, 1.9 points across 3 games. His last game produced 0.5 points.
Where does CJ Donaldson rank in fantasy football in 2026?
CJ Donaldson ranks RB87 in PPR total points in 2026, through 3 games. That makes him depth in most leagues. View his complete season statistics.
Is CJ Donaldson worth rostering in fantasy football?
Mostly not: CJ Donaldson is waiver-wire material in 12-team PPR, 10-team PPR and half-PPR leagues.
What is CJ Donaldson's fantasy football role?
CJ Donaldson is RB3 on the Saints depth chart. He is averaging 1.3 carries and 0.7 targets a game, on 20% of the offensive snaps in 2026.
What are CJ Donaldson's upcoming fantasy football matchups?
CJ Donaldson's next three games are Week 4 vs. the Falcons (30th in PPR points allowed to RBs, tough), Week 5 vs. the Vikings (31st in PPR points allowed to RBs, tough) and Week 6 at the Giants (12th in PPR points allowed to RBs, neutral). Zero of them are favorable by points allowed to the position.
How consistent has CJ Donaldson been in fantasy football this season?
CJ Donaldson has finished as a top-12 RB in 0 of his 3 games this season and outside the top 36 in 3. His weekly scoring has a standard deviation of 0.5 points around his 0.6-point average.
What is CJ Donaldson's fantasy floor and ceiling?
This season CJ Donaldson's floor has been 0.2 PPR points (Week 2, RB81) and his ceiling 1.2 (Week 1, RB65). His median week has been 0.5 points. See Donaldson's full game log.
CJ Donaldson 2026 Stats
2026 through Week 4 · New Orleans SaintsHe hasn't scored a touchdown yet, so all of his fantasy production has come from volume.
Rushing
- Yards
- 11
- TD
- 0
- Carries
- 4
2.8 Y/C
Receiving
- Rec
- 1
- Yards
- −2
- TD
- 0
2 Targets
Fantasy (PPR)
- Points
- 1.9
- Pos rank
- RB87
1.2 Best Week 1 @ DET0.2 Worst Week 2 @ BAL
Advanced Rushing Stats
Donaldson is on the field for 20.7% of snaps and draws 1.6% of his team's targets.
| Stat | 2026 Thru Wk 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | ||
| Yards after contact per carry | 1.00 | — |
| Explosive run rate | 0.0% | — |
| Fantasy points per opportunity | 0.15 | — |
| Yards before contact per carry | 1.75 | — |
| Broken tackles | 0 | — |
| Usage | ||
| Snap share | 20.7% | — |
| Target share | 1.6% | — |
| Red-zone opportunities | 1 | — |
| Targets per game | 0.7 | — |
Percentiles: 2026: below the qualifying line so far, so no percentiles.
For fantasy: his floor is his volume, 1.3 carries and 0.7 targets a game this season; efficiency decides how much of it becomes points.
Fantasy Points per Game, Every Season
0.6
Fantasy PPG
4
Rush yds/g
0.3
Rec/g
CJ Donaldson career stats by season
| Season | GP | Car | Rush yds | Rush TD | Rec | Rec yds | Rec TD | FPTS | PPG | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026to date | 3 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 | 1.9 | 0.6 | — |
| Career | 3 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 | 1.9 | 0.6 | — |
What His Career Numbers Say
0.6
Career PPG
3 games over 1 season
100%
Availability
Share of team games he played
0%
Top-24 weeks
Share of his games as a top-24 RB
Donaldson has averaged 0.6 fantasy points per game over 3 games and 1 season.
Career numbers describe the past; for what he is worth from here, see Donaldson's rest-of-season rank and trade value in Redraft Command.
Career highs
- 11Rush yards2026
- 1.9Fantasy pts2026
- 9Career scrimmage yds2026–2026
RBs like CJ Donaldson
CJ Donaldson Stats FAQ
How many fantasy points does CJ Donaldson have in 2026?
CJ Donaldson has 1.9 PPR fantasy points in 2026 through Week 4, 0.6 per game across 3 games. That total ranks RB87 at the position. See how those numbers break down week by week.
How many rushing yards does CJ Donaldson have this season?
CJ Donaldson has 11 rushing yards in 2026 through Week 4, 4 a game at 2.8 yards per carry. His high was 5 yards, in Week 3 against the Raiders.
How many touchdowns does CJ Donaldson have this season?
CJ Donaldson has no touchdowns in 2026 through Week 4: 0 rushing and 0 receiving.
How many rushing touchdowns does CJ Donaldson have this season?
CJ Donaldson has no rushing touchdowns in 2026 through Week 4, on 4 carries.
How many carries does CJ Donaldson have this season?
CJ Donaldson has 4 carries in 2026 through Week 4, 1.3 a game, for 11 yards. His high was 2 carries, in Week 1 at the Lions.
How many receptions does CJ Donaldson have this season?
CJ Donaldson has 1 reception for -2 yards in 2026 through Week 4, on 2 targets. His high was 1 catches, in Week 1 at the Lions.
How many receiving yards does CJ Donaldson have this season?
CJ Donaldson has -2 receiving yards in 2026 through Week 4, -0.7 a game on 1 catch.
How many targets does CJ Donaldson have this season?
CJ Donaldson has drawn 2 targets in 2026 through Week 4, 0.7 a game, and caught 1 of them. His high was 2 targets, in Week 1 at the Lions.
How many games has CJ Donaldson played in 2026?
CJ Donaldson has played 3 games in the 2026 season through Week 4.
What are CJ Donaldson's career NFL stats?
Across 1 season and 3 games, CJ Donaldson has 11 rushing yards and 0 rushing touchdowns, plus 1 catches for -2 yards, for 1.9 PPR fantasy points (0.6 per game).
How many touchdowns does CJ Donaldson have in his career?
CJ Donaldson has no touchdowns in his NFL career: 0 rushing and 0 receiving, over 3 games.
CJ Donaldson Game Log 2026
Games played
3
FPTS/G (PPR)
0.6
Carries/g
1.3
Rush yds/g
3.7
Rec/g
0.3
Rec yds/g
-0.7
Across 3 games in 2026, CJ Donaldson has averaged 1.3 carries, 3.7 rushing yards and 0.6 PPR fantasy points per game. CJ Donaldson has finished as a top-12 RB in 0 of those weeks, and inside the top 24 in 0. The best week was Week 1 against DET (1.2 points); the lowest was Week 2 against BAL (0.2).
| Wk | Opp | Result | FPTS | CAR | RUSH YDS | RUSH TD | TGT | REC | REC YDS | REC TD | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DET16th | L 30-31 | 1.2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -2 | 0 | RB65 |
Week 1 · DET · L 30-31 · 1.2 pts
How the 1.2 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||||
| 2 | BAL13th | W 24-17 | 0.2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RB81 |
Week 2 · BAL · W 24-17 · 0.2 pts
How the 0.2 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||||
| 3 | LV30th | L 27-35 | 0.5 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RB73 |
Week 3 · LV · L 27-35 · 0.5 pts
How the 0.5 points scored (PPR)
| |||||||||||
Opponent rank is fantasy points allowed to RBs across 2026: 1st allows the most, 32nd the fewest.
Where His Weeks Finished
All three weeks outside the top 36. For a running back ranked RB87 overall, his weeks cluster in a range you can plan around, between RB65 and RB81.
Game-by-Game Breakdown
Shut down by Las Vegas
1 carries, 5 yds. 0/0 receiving, 0 yds.
He played 16% of the snaps and handled 1 carries. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Held in check by Baltimore
1 carries, 2 yds. 0/0 receiving, 0 yds.
He played 29% of the snaps and handled 1 carries. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well below his season average.
Shut down by Detroit
2 carries, 4 yds. 1/2 receiving, -2 yds.
He played 17% of the snaps and handled 2 carries. A clean, mistake-free game that landed well above his season average.
Fantasy Points By Week
- Weekly points
- Season average (0.6)
Upcoming Matchups
View matchup — New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons
View matchup — New Orleans Saints vs Minnesota Vikings
View matchup — New Orleans Saints vs New York Giants
View matchup — New Orleans Saints vs Pittsburgh Steelers
RBs like CJ Donaldson
CJ Donaldson Game Log FAQ
How did CJ Donaldson do in his last game?
CJ Donaldson scored 0.5 PPR points in Week 3 against the Raiders, a 35–27 loss, an RB73 finish. He ran 1 time for 5 yards. View his 2026 season totals.
How many fantasy points did CJ Donaldson score in his last game?
CJ Donaldson scored 0.5 PPR fantasy points in his last game, Week 3 against the Raiders, an RB73 finish for the week. That was right at his season average of 0.6.
How many rushing yards did CJ Donaldson have in his last game?
CJ Donaldson ran for 5 yards on 1 carry in Week 3 against the Raiders.
How many touchdowns did CJ Donaldson score in his last game?
CJ Donaldson did not score a touchdown in Week 3 against the Raiders; his 0.5 points came from yardage and catches.
How many carries did CJ Donaldson have in his last game?
CJ Donaldson had 1 carry for 5 yards in Week 3 against the Raiders, playing 16% of the offensive snaps.
How many receptions did CJ Donaldson have in his last game?
CJ Donaldson caught 0 of no targets for 0 yards in Week 3 against the Raiders.
What were CJ Donaldson's stats in Week 2?
In Week 2 at the Ravens, a 24–17 win, CJ Donaldson ran 1 time for 2 yards. That was 0.2 PPR points, an RB81 finish.
What was CJ Donaldson's best game this season?
CJ Donaldson's best 2026 game was Week 1 at the Lions: 1.2 PPR points, an RB65 finish. He ran 2 times for 4 yards, and caught 1 of 2 targets for -2 yards.
What was CJ Donaldson's worst game this season?
CJ Donaldson's lowest-scoring 2026 game was Week 2 at the Ravens: 0.2 PPR points, an RB81 finish. He ran 1 time for 2 yards.
How many games has CJ Donaldson scored a touchdown in this season?
CJ Donaldson has scored a touchdown in 0 of his 3 games this season.
CJ Donaldson Rest-of-Season Outlook
depth RB for deep leagues only
Preseason Projection vs. Reality
Our Take After Week 4
Through 3 games he's RB87 at 0.6 PPR points per game.
He's RB3 on the depth chart, so his value depends on the players ahead of him.
The next favorable matchup is the Steelers in Week 7 (10th against RBs).
Read our preseason outlook (June 2026)
Published June 17, 2026. Kept for reference; the take above replaces it.
Donaldson arrives in New Orleans as an undrafted rookie out of Ohio State, and the path to touches is steep. At 6-1, 230 he profiles as a downhill, early-down grinder built to finish runs between the tackles, but the scouting read flags only modest burst and little juice in the open field. That skill set is replaceable, and the Saints already have it covered with Alvin Kamara, Ty Chandler and Kendre Miller ahead of him.
The near-term outlook is a roster-bubble fight rather than a fantasy proposition. Dynasty boards slot him around RB128, and he is rostered in essentially zero leagues with no ADP or projections attached. For 2026 he is a deep-stash dart throw at most, worth monitoring only if camp injuries thin the backfield and his power running earns a short-yardage and goal-line specialist role. Until that opening appears, leave him on the wire.
What Could Change His Value
Upside
- A soft spotThe Steelers in Week 7 is a top-10 matchup for RBs.Wk 4 ATL, 30thWk 5 MIN, 31stWk 6 NYG, 12thWk 7 PIT, 10th
Risk
- RoleHe's RB3 on the depth chart.
- Tough matchupsThe Falcons in Week 4 (30th) and the Vikings in Week 5 (31st) are among the stingiest defenses against RBs.
RBs like CJ Donaldson
CJ Donaldson Fantasy Outlook FAQ
What is CJ Donaldson's fantasy outlook for the rest of the 2026 season?
CJ Donaldson projects as a depth RB for deep leagues only for the rest of the 2026 season: waiver-wire material in 12-team PPR, 10-team PPR and half-PPR leagues. See his live rank in Redraft Command.
What is CJ Donaldson's rest-of-season fantasy ranking?
CJ Donaldson is the RB87 in PPR points per game through Week 4. That puts him in depth RB territory, waiver-wire material in 10-team PPR leagues.
What is CJ Donaldson's projected role going forward?
CJ Donaldson is RB3 on the depth chart, so a bigger role needs an injury or a change ahead of him.
Will CJ Donaldson get more touches?
CJ Donaldson's touches are holding steady: 1.0 a game over his last two games against 2.0 for the season. His share of the offense is what his fantasy value rides on.
What is CJ Donaldson's fantasy football upside?
CJ Donaldson's upside: his ceiling this season is 1.2 PPR points (Week 1, RB65) and the Steelers in Week 7 is a top-10 matchup for RBs.
What could hurt CJ Donaldson's fantasy value?
CJ Donaldson's risks: the Falcons in Week 4 and the Vikings in Week 5 are tough matchups. See his injury status and history.
How difficult is CJ Donaldson's remaining fantasy schedule?
Difficult: of his next seven games, 2 come against a top-10 matchup for RBs and 3 against one of the stingiest defenses, by PPR points allowed to the position.
Latest CJ Donaldson News & Updates
Donaldson struggles vs. Las Vegas
1 CAR, 5 YDS
0.5 fantasy points · RB73
Donaldson ran 1 times for 5 yards in the 35–27 loss vs. Las Vegas. He played 16% of the offensive snaps.
Season Timeline
Every update this season, grouped by week, newest first.
Week 2Sep 20W 24–17 @ BAL
Fantasy impact: Negative. Donaldson struggles at Baltimore
0.2 fantasy points · RB81 · right at his 0.6 average
Donaldson ran 1 times for 2 yards in the 24–17 win at Baltimore. He played 29% of the offensive snaps.
Game logWeek 1Sep 13L 30–31 @ DET
Fantasy impact: Positive. Donaldson struggles at Detroit
1.2 fantasy points · RB65 · 0.6 above his 0.6 average
Donaldson ran 2 times for 4 yards, with 1 catches for -2 yards in the 31–30 loss at Detroit. He played 17% of the offensive snaps.
Game log
No updates of this type yet this season.
Saints Teammates News
Updates on Donaldson's backfield partners and quarterback.
- Travis Etienne: Will miss time with hamstring injury (opens in new tab)Travis Etienne, RB. 30 carries this season. Via Dynasty CommandPositive
- Travis Etienne: Limited by hamstring injury (opens in new tab)Travis Etienne, RB. 30 carries this season. Via Dynasty CommandPositive
- Travis Etienne: Limited volume in Baltimore (opens in new tab)Travis Etienne, RB. 30 carries this season. Via Dynasty CommandNeutral
- Tyler Shough: Produces two TDs in Week 2 win (opens in new tab)Tyler Shough, QB. 132 pass attempts this season. Via Dynasty CommandNeutral
- Alvin Kamara: 'Feeling great' ahead of Week 2 (opens in new tab)Alvin Kamara, RB. 18 carries this season. Via Dynasty CommandPositive
- Tyler Shough: Tops 400 yards in OT loss to Detroit (opens in new tab)Tyler Shough, QB. 132 pass attempts this season. Via Dynasty CommandNeutral
Around the Saints
RBs like CJ Donaldson
CJ Donaldson News FAQ
What is the latest news on CJ Donaldson?
The latest Donaldson update, from September 27: Donaldson struggles vs. Las Vegas. Donaldson ran 1 times for 5 yards in the 35–27 loss vs. Las Vegas. He played 16% of the offensive snaps.
How does the latest CJ Donaldson news affect his fantasy value?
Negatively: he scored 0.5 fantasy points, a RB73 finish, right at his 0.6 average. See the updated fantasy outlook.
CJ Donaldson Bio
CJ Donaldson is a running back for the New Orleans Saints, where he wears No. 43. Born July 9, 2004, he attended Gulliver Prep and played college football at West Virginia and then Ohio State.
He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 2026.
In 3 regular-season games since 2026, he has run for 11 yards and 0 touchdowns and caught 1 passes.
Career Timeline
1 stop with 1 team in 1 season. Each block's width is the time he spent there.
What happened at each stop
New Orleans Saints Current team2026–present
He was a reserve, playing less than a quarter of the offensive snaps in 2 of 3 games.
College: West Virginia, Ohio State
Trades and Team Changes
- SignedSigned as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints.
RBs like CJ Donaldson
About CJ Donaldson: Bio FAQ
How old is CJ Donaldson?
CJ Donaldson is 22 years old. He was born on July 9, 2004. 2026 is his 1st NFL season.
How tall is CJ Donaldson?
CJ Donaldson is 6 feet 1 inch tall (6'1"), listed at 230 pounds, and plays running back for the New Orleans Saints.
How much does CJ Donaldson weigh?
CJ Donaldson weighs 230 pounds, his listed weight on the New Orleans Saints roster. He is listed at 6'1".
What number does CJ Donaldson wear?
CJ Donaldson wears number 43 for the New Orleans Saints. He plays running back.
What position does CJ Donaldson play?
CJ Donaldson plays running back for the New Orleans Saints, wearing number 43. 2026 is his 1st season in the NFL.
What team does CJ Donaldson play for?
CJ Donaldson plays for the New Orleans Saints as a running back. He has been with the Saints since 2026.
Where did CJ Donaldson go to college?
CJ Donaldson played college football at Ohio State, after attending Gulliver Prep (FL).
Where is CJ Donaldson from?
CJ Donaldson went to high school in Florida, at Gulliver Prep, before playing college football at Ohio State.
When is CJ Donaldson's birthday?
CJ Donaldson's birthday is July 9. He was born on July 9, 2004 and is 22 years old.
How long has CJ Donaldson been in the NFL?
CJ Donaldson is an NFL rookie in 2026. View his career statistics.
What teams has CJ Donaldson played for?
CJ Donaldson has played for the New Orleans Saints. View his career statistics.
What year did CJ Donaldson enter the NFL?
CJ Donaldson entered the NFL in 2026. 2026 is his 1st season.