{
  "id": 12528447,
  "title": "Week 4 Linebacker Usage and Review",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/week-4-linebacker-usage-and-review",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T02:48:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/week-4-linebacker-usage-review-024844270.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As the season progresses, linebacker usage and production become crucial for IDP lineups. In Week 4, we examine several teams and their linebacker situations.\n\nThe Arizona Cardinals have two startable linebackers, with Jack Gibbens (67 snaps, 100%) topping the charts with six tackles and a sack. Mack Wilson Sr. (61 snaps, 91%) follows with eight tackles. Gibbens boasts a 13.7% tackle rate, while Wilson carries a 13.7% rate as well. Both are viable options, but Gibbens has outperformed Wilson.\n\nThe Baltimore Ravens prioritize Roquan Smith (64 snaps, 100%) as their every-down linebacker. Trenton Simpson (36 snaps, 56.2%) falls behind, playing fewer than 60% of snaps. Simpson's consistent production makes him a solid choice, though his reduced playing time is a concern.\n\nThe Buffalo Bills start with Terrel Bernard (70 snaps, 92.1%), the top option. Dorian Williams (52 snaps, 68.4%) provides strong tackle efficiency (16.5%) and is a deeper-league streamer. Kaleb Elarms-Orr's limited snaps suggest he's not yet ready for regular use.\n\nFor the Carolina Panthers, Devin Lloyd (71 snaps, 100%) returns to an every-down role with a 16% tackle rate. Tyrel Dodson (53 snaps, 74.6%) remains a strong LB2 option, while Bobby Okereke (53 snaps, 74.6%) is also playable.\n\nChicago Bears linebacker corps is less clear-cut. T.J. Edwards (32 snaps, 100%) has the lowest tackle rate (6.3%) among linebackers, while Devin Bush (31 snaps, 96.9%) shows better production potential. DeMarco Jackson, who continues to tempt managers, is not yet a reliable option.\n\nThe Cincinnati Bengals remain steady with Barrett Carter (61 snaps, 100%) as their every-down linebacker. Demetrius Knight Jr. (45 snaps, 73.8%) shows declining workload and is a watch-list addition.\n\nCarolina Panthers linebacker Carson Schwesinger (72 snaps, 100%) leads the Cleveland Browns, finishing with nine tackles (12.9% tackle rate). Quincy Williams (71 snaps, 98.6%) has fewer tackles (four), suggesting Schwesinger is the safer start.\n\nDallas Cowboys linebacker corps rotates through four players. Dee Winters (44 snaps, 80%) and Jaishawn Barham (39 snaps, 70.9%) share playing time, making it difficult to predict the weekly winner. Stay away until a clear option emerges.\n\nDenver Broncos Alex Singleton (66 snaps, 100%) is a standout, with strong box snaps (263) and a 16.8% tackle rate. Justin Strnad (56 snaps, 84.8%) still offers deeper-league appeal due to his ability to create big plays.\n\nFinally, Detroit Lions Jack Campbell (75 snaps, 100%) remains the reliable choice for the Lions' linebacker position. He finished Week 4 with 14 tackles (19.4% tackle rate), making him a solid starting option.",
  "summary": "Steve Hungarter uses several metrics to separate the contenders from the pretenders at linebacker through four weeks of the 2026 season.",
  "key_points": [
    "Arizona Cardinals' Jack Gibbens leads with 67 snaps and 6 tackles",
    "Baltimore Ravens' Roquan Smith is every-down linebacker with 64 snaps",
    "Dallas Cowboys' Dee Winters and Jaishawn Barham share playing time"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Several linebackers, including Jack Gibbens, Roquan Smith, and Alex Singleton, solidified their roles as every-down starters, while others like Trenton Simpson and Demetrius Knight Jr. face uncertain playing time.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}