Week 3 of the 2022 NFL season is in the books and for most fantasy football managers, it’s certainly one we’d like to forget. In season-long formats we saw the early-round running backs continue to frustrate, while owners of the elite quarterbacks continued to move forward with wins. In NFL DFS we saw an easy value running back and plenty of wide receivers get hurt to really limit the upside of our lineups. Before we close the chapter that was Week 3, let’s recap and get up-to-speed on the latest injuries so we’re “in the know” for this week’s Fantasy Football Waiver Wire. Also be sure to check out this week’s Fantasy Football Stock Watch to see who you should consider acquiring or trying to deal heading into Week 4!

 

 

 

 

2022 NFL Injury Report Week 4

NFL Quarterback Injury Report

Tua Tagovailoa, MIA – Potential Concussion

Tua Tagovailoa experienced some nasty whiplash in Sunday’s big win over the Buffalo Bills. Immediately after the play it looked as if he needed to be evaluated for a concussion.

Tua actually did return and come back into the game, which the NFLPA has said they’re going to investigate. It was pretty clear immediately after the play the hit impacted Tagovailoa and his return was incredibly quick as the team cited he was having trouble due to back spasms. Keep in mind, the Dolphins have to travel to Cincinnati in Week 4. In most cases it’s safe to travel via a long-distance flight after a head injury but most airlines recommend waiting ten days to heal before traveling. I have no doubt in my mind that he will make the trip and likely play, but if he is feeling the effects then it could impact his play.

 

Justin Herbert, LAC – Rib Cartilage/Back Spasms

Justin Herbert stepped up and played on Sunday. Whether that was the right call or not remains to be seen as the offense looked horrible and even when the game was out of control, he still went out there. It probably would have been a smarter call to think long-term and sit him, but they left the decision up to him and let him play as long as he wanted. Don’t be surprised if he gets multiple rest days this week before a road matchup against the Texans.

 

Mac Jones, NE – Ankle

Patriots second-year quarterback, Mac Jones, suffered a high ankle sprain in the team’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Truthfully, it looked a lot worse during the game the way he limped off the field and then these images surfaced…

A bit over dramatic? Sure. Early X-rays were negative, but he was schedule for a MRI on Monday. A high ankle sprain does signal that he could miss about three-to-four weeks so if you were utilizing Jones in a two-quarterback or superflex league, you’ll need a backup plan in place.

 

Zach Wilson, NYJ – Knee

Zach Wilson is expected to return this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but per Rich Cimini, that decision will ultimately go to team doctors. Wilson has been sidelined for the first three games with a knee injury sustained in the preseason. His return could impact the fantasy values of the pass catchers as the offense has gotten along okay with Joe Flacco under center. It’s not a guarantee that he’ll be back this week so be on the lookout for an update on Friday.

 

Dak Prescott, DAL – Thumb

Dak Prescott has missed two games with a thumb injury, but ahead of Monday night’s game featuring the Giants and Cowboys, he did note that he’s not ruling out a return in Week 4. That would be a massive surprise, but keep expectations in check as they’ll likely rest him in Week 4 unless he truly feels he’s good to go. Until then, this is a good sign.

 

 

 

NFL Running Back Injury Report

Dalvin Cook, MIN – Shoulder

Dalvin Cook left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury. Currently he is day-to-day but head coach Kevin O’Connell did note that he’s prepared to play through the injury. If he’s unable to go then Alexander Mattison is at the ready to get a large role against the Saints in London. Here is what Mattison has done whenever Cook has missed time…

 

D’Andre Swift, DET – Shoulder/Ankle

After an explosive Week 1, Swift has seen his workload decrease the last couple weeks as he’s dealing with separate ankle and shoulder injuries. Dan Campbell indicated that Swift could miss the next two weeks, which would be a big boost to Jamaal Williams’ value. The Lions are also on their Bye for Week 6 so this injury could realistically keep Swift sidelined until Week 7. Be ready to have a backup plan in place even if that means grabbing Williams.

 

Joe Mixon, CIN – Ankle

Another ankle injury for a premier running back in the NFL. Mixon was limited to just a dozen carries and 45 total snaps in Sunday’s game against the Jets. The injury isn’t believed to be serious, but with the Bengals having to play on Thursday it’s worth keeping an eye on. It sounds like a very slim chance he misses the team’s next game.

 

David Montgomery, CHI – Ankle

The Bears haven’t been entirely clear about Montgomery’s injury but it is to his ankle and it sounds like he could end up on the IR which would shut him down for a while. If that’s the case Khalil Herbert is in line for a good amount of work. For now, it sounds like they’ll take it one day at a time, but we shouldn’t be overly optimistic about him playing this week. If he does go on IR then Herbert is going to be a popular waiver wire acquisition but keep in mind, this is still a poor offense and he’s running behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league.

 

NFL Wide Receiver Injury Report

Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET – Ankle

It was a slightly disappointing day for St. Brown, as he failed to continue his streak of games with at least eight receptions. He left the game with an ankle injury but did return. It looks like his ankle injury was a mild sprain, which is a good sign meaning he should likely play in Week 4 unless he suffers a drastic setback during the week.

 

Tee Higgins, CIN – Toe

Tee Higgins was a limited participant in Monday’s practice with the Bengals set to host the Miami Dolphins Thursday night. Higgins briefly left Sunday’s game against the Jets with a head injury, but he did return. It’s likely he still suits up on Thursday, but his status will be worth monitoring up through roster lock Thursday as he deals with a separate toe injury.

 

Michael Thomas, NO – Toe

Michael Thomas, like Tee Higgins, has a bit of a toe injury that took him out of Sunday’s game. This is separate from his ankle injury on his other leg that impacted him earlier this season. The Saints don’t believe the injury is serious, but he’ll likely be limited throughout the week for the team’s next matchup against the Vikings across the pond.

 

Jarvis Landry, NO – Foot

Similar to his teammate, Jarvis Landry’s foot injury isn’t believed to be serious, but he is dealing with some soreness. It’s likely he suits up for the team’s game in London, but don’t be surprised if he’s limited or a non-participant early in the week.

 

Tre'Quan Smith, NO – Concussion

Smith suffered a concussion in Week 3 to make matters worse for the Saints this last week. Smith will have to clear the concussion protocol ahead of Sunday’s game against Minnesota. Given that the game is in London, teams will be traveling early in the week and if he doesn’t travel with the team then we can assume he’s out for Week 4.

 

Sterling Shepard, NYG - Leg

Sterling Shepard suffered a leg injury on a rather casual route down field Monday night. It looked as if he was easing up on his route and it was a freak, non-contact injury that brought him down immediately and he was clearly in a lot of pain. He was carted off the field and early reports indicate that his season is over although we don't know the details of the injury completely.

 

 

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