Week 3 ended up being another brutal week for football injuries. Players at all positions suffered major injuries, and fantasy football continues to get harder week over week. With Week 4 right around the corner, there’s much more monitoring that must take place, especially as we have started to get clearer looks at how players are being used. Let’s dive into the injury report.

 

 

 

NFL Injury Report for Week 4: Fantasy Football Injuries 

NFL Week 4 Injury Report: Quarterbacks 

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

9/26 UPDATE

McCarthy has officially been ruled out for this week. Carson Wentz will get the start which is promising for all pass catchers.

Justin Fields, New York Jets

As of Monday, Fields has not yet cleared concussion protocol. In fact, head coach Aaron Glenn has stated that he is unaware of any updates on Fields' progress in the protocol. This is concerning, as this could indicate a concussion so severe that it could be a multi-week issue for Fields.

Brock Purdy/Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers

Purdy seemed close to playing this past weekend, but was ultimately held out. We will watch this as the week goes on, but I’m expecting Purdy to return this week, given Mac Jones aggravated a previous knee injury in the game. We will need to monitor this not only for the QBs themselves, but also for pass catchers in this offense.

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Daniels missed week 3 and will likely need to practice multiple times, as implied by head coach Dan Quinn, to be active this coming week. This will be one to monitor, given Daniels' weekly upside at the QB position is nearly unmatched.

9/26 UPDATE

Daniels is confirmed to be OUT with his knee injury. Marcus Mariota is once again a streaming option this week.

 

 

 

NFL Week 4 Injury Report: Running Backs

Najee Harris, Los Angeles Chargers

Najee Harris suffered an Achilles injury in the team's week 3 matchup. While the severity is currently unknown, all signs unfortunately point towards this being a season-ending injury. Harris had been a bit of a role player thus far, recording only 18 touches prior to going down, but rookie Omarion Hampton projects to truly take over as the workhorse in this backfield.

James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

Conner suffered a season-ending ankle injury on Sunday. Conner, coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, sees his age-30 season end. Trey Benson has seen a prominent role this year and projects to take over as the lead back for the rest of the season. 

Tyrone Tracy, New York Giants

Tracy suffered a dislocated shoulder in week 3 and was clearly instantly in pain and was quickly ruled out. While we’re awaiting more info here, I’m expecting Tracy to miss multiple weeks. Cam Skattebo is likely a tier 1 waiver pickup, given his role was clear once Tracy went down (though Devin Singletary will still get his touches as well).

Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks

Charbonnet missed last week with a foot injury after not practicing prior. We will likely need to see Charbonnet log at least one limited practice, if not multiple, to be active this week. 

 

 


 

NFL Week 4 Injury Report: Wide Receivers

Malik Nabers, New York Giants

9/26 UPDATE

Nabers was limited in practice but is off the injury report. He will see action along with rookie QB Jaxson Dart, who is replacing Russell Wilson.

Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers

9/26 UPDATE

Legette is officially out this week. Expect Tet McMillan to receive an even bigger piece of the pie, given that Sanders is also out.

CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

Lamb suffered an ankle injury (high ankle sprain) in Dallas’ week 3 matchup against the Chicago Bears. After the injury, Lamb returned for one play but was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the contest. It has been rumored that this injury is expected to keep Lamb out for up to 4 weeks, so managers will need to find a way to replace their WR1. 

Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans' dreaded hamstrings have reared their head yet again, as he left the week 3 contest against the Jets in the 4th quarter with a hamstring strain. Evans will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, but given the history of this injury with Evans, I’m expecting it to be a lingering injury.

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Thankfully for Buccaneers fans, even if they may be without Mike Evans, they may see the return of Godwin in week 4. Godwin will likely need to log at least a full practice this week, but he has a solid shot to return.

Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts

Pierce left the team's week 3 matchup with a concussion. Given how hard it has been to clear concussion protocol in recent years, I’m expecting Pierce to miss a game, opening up some targets for Michael Pittman and Josh Downs. While nothing more than a flex play, Pierce offers unquestionable weekly upside that some are a fan of, given his big-play ability.

Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

McLaurin left his week 3 game in the second half with a quad injury. Given McLaurin is no stranger to injuries, we need to monitor this one closely, but if he believes he can play, he will suit up. 

9/26 UPDATE

Unsurprisingly, McLaurin is OUT this week. Expect to be without him for at least a few weeks.

Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs

Worthy missed yet another game in week 3, but has a chance to return in week 4. The Chiefs are clearly taking their time with this injury, though, so monitor him closely as even limited practices might not be enough for him to suit up.

Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers

Jennings ended up inactive in week 3, so we will need to monitor his status for week 4. We will likely need to see some progression through the week, as San Francisco is dealing with multiple severe injuries to key pieces. 


 

 

 

NFL Week 4 Injury Report: Tight Ends

Ja’Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers

Sanders suffered an ankle/foot injury and is currently awaiting an MRI to diagnose the severity, per David Newton of ESPN. According to the report, the X-ray was encouraging, but that likely just means no broken bones; however, ligament damage is still possible. I’m expecting a decent absence for the young tight end.

9/26 UPDATE

Sanders is officially out this week. Managers will need a streaming option at TE this week.

Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears

Loveland left the week 3 game against Dallas due to a hip injury, though it is believed that he avoided major injury. There is a chance he’s able to suit back up for week 4, but Loveland is still in a holding pattern with the rotation in the Bears TE room between him and Cole Kmet.

Noah Fant, Cincinnati Bengals

Fant suffered a concussion in week 3 and, as a result, was removed from the game. Fant will have to clear protocol to play in week 4, which seems unlikely given the current state of the concussion protocol.

Evan Engram, Denver Broncos

Engram missed Week 3 with a calf injury, so we’ll have to see if he has progressed or progresses throughout the week to be able to suit back up in Week 4. Monitor this one closely as Engram is a solid start, even with a slow start this year.
 

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