The fun does not stop for fantasy GMs who are consistently juggling lineups and running to the waiver wire to compensate for injuries that pop up on a daily basis.  No one is safe and such hysteria and havoc over the first three and a half weeks of the season has already tested the mettle of fantasy GMs who have been decimated by injuries.  So without further ado, here is the next edition of the fantasy football walking wounded.

J.J. Watt (DL-HOU)

The Texans defense has sustained a catastrophic loss now that J.J. Watt has undergone another back surgery and will miss the rest of the season.  He re-injured his back after coming back from surgery over the summer.  There are many questions being raised about Houston’s handling of Watt, but the fact remains that he is done for the season which impacts IDP leagues in a big way.  Watt has been one of the most dominant defensive players in the league for several years and puts up dominant statistics in leagues that follow the IDP format.  Now GMs will have to seek alternatives to make up for that loss, and the Houston team defense also loses significant value as well.

Julio Jones (WR-ATL)

Jones was a major disappointment in Week 3 as he was held to one catch for 16 yards in what should have been a highly favorable matchup against a terrible New Orleans defense.  He has been limited in practice this week with a calf injury but that is more just to limit his reps and keep him fresh for Week 4 against Carolina.  It’s hard to imagine a much worse statistical performance than he had last week so put him in your lineup and expect Jones to be motivated to make up for the lackluster performance.

Rob Gronkowski (TE-NE)

Gronk returned to the field for Week 3 but was more of a decoy than an offensive weapon.  His status has not changed much since last week and he is still practicing in a limited capacity with his hamstring issue.  However, he is expected to take the field this week against Buffalo and could see an expanded role in the offense which makes him a must-start.

Dez Bryant (WR-DAL)

The good news is that Bryant received a very positive report from Dr. James Andrews regarding his injured knee.  The bad news is that he will still likely miss the Cowboys game against San Francisco in Week 4.  Earlier in the week there was some serious concern about the severity of Bryant’s knee injury and it had been speculated he could miss significant time.  Now it appears he may be back by Week 5 but his status as an elite fantasy wide receiver is still in question.  Be prepared to be without him this week but also be prepared to downgrade him to a WR2 on your roster going forward.

Alshon Jeffery (WR-CHI)

Jeffery now has both a hamstring and knee injury to deal with this week which has limited him in practice.  The Bears have not sat him completely during practice which is a good indicator that he will play on Sunday against the Lions.  That being said, he seems to be physically limited with his lower extremities so that is a concern for any player, especially as an explosive wide receiver like Jeffery.  He should still be in your lineup but any expectations of WR1-type production from him should be tempered.

Sammy Watkins (WR-BUF)

Watkins missed several days of practice this week and is likely going to miss his second straight game with a foot injury.  The Bills haven’t completely ruled him out yet, but the signs are trending in the wrong direction for the oft-injured receiver.  Watkins has established himself as a big fantasy risk in his short career so you should plan accordingly and have an alternative for him this week as he will likely not play against New England.

Tevin Coleman (RB-ATL)

Coleman has been limited in practice this week after suffering a minor ankle injury last week but his status for Week 4 is not in jeopardy.  He had a monster game on Monday night against New Orleans and has entrenched himself as a RB2 or Flex option in any league format.  While Devonta Freeman is still the primary running back for the Falcons, there is no question that they are involving Coleman significantly in the offense and providing him with more scoring opportunities than Freeman.

Jamaal Charles (RB-KC)

Charles was limited in practice all week but there is a chance he makes his season debut this Sunday.  We should know for sure over the weekend which will help you make any lineup decisions necessary.  Even if Charles does play, he will likely be on a snap count and will not receive a heavy load at all.  This makes him a borderline RB2 or Flex option because we just don’t know what we can expect from the formerly elite running back.  Expect Spencer Ware to still see a bulk of the playing time either way.

Rashad Jennings (RB-NYG)

Jennings missed last week with a thumb injury which has continued hampering him in practice all week.  The Giants have an extra day this week because they play on Monday night in Minnesota so that could bode well for Jennings if he can recover enough to suit up.  However, when making lineup decisions before Sunday it is advised to assume he will not play.  Orleans Darkwa would see most of the playing time with both Jennings and Shane Vereen on the shelf.

Isaiah Crowell (RB-CLE)

Crowell returned to practice in a full capacity on Thursday which removes any concern there was regarding his status for Week 4 against Washington.  He is a must-start as a RB2 with his 274 rushing yards and two touchdowns through the first three games.  The Browns are obviously a mess but Crowell has stabilized the running game as he has accumulated the second most rushing yards in the league behind LeGarrette Blount.

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Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and is also the co-host of the Fantasy Alarm podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment),