The unfortunate reality of the return of the NFL is that when players are allowed to go full speed, injuries are bound to happen. Week 3 of the NFL season was no exception. Now that fantasy football managers are updating their lineups for the coming week, several players have found themselves on the injury report, leaving their status for Week 4 in the air.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB update
Here is where we currently stand in terms of the fantasy football QB options dealing with an injury.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
After missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Lamar Jackson (back) was a full participant on Friday, according to head coach John Harbaugh. Unless something significant happens, Jackson is on track to start in Week 4 against Denver.
Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears
Andy Dalton was limited at practice on Friday but is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Lions. Coach Matt Nagy said that his Week 4 starter would be a game-time decision, but on Saturday it was revealed that Justin Fields will draw the start as Dalton is still not ready to start.
Carson Wentz, Indianapolis Colts
After a week of limited participation, Carson Wentz (ankles) is listed as questionable for Week 4. He did play last week on dual sprained ankles, but we clearly saw his mobility hampered.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: RB update
How is the injury bug affecting RB committees heading into Week 4?
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have officially ruled Christian McCaffrey out for Week 4, which should come as no surprise. He was expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 2. Head coach Matt Rhule did say they would not place McCaffrey on the IR.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
Dalvin Cook (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Cleveland. On Friday, head coach Mike Zimmer said that the RB “looked pretty good” during their final practice. After missing Week 3, Cook practicing all week on a limited basis is a great sign for his availability.
Cook also told Tom Pelissero on Friday that he expects to be on the field in Week 4. However, he may play a limited role, after Alexander Mattison impressed in Week 3.
Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos
Update 10/3/2021: Gordon has officially been announced as active for Week 4.
According to Troy Renck of Denver7 News, Melvin Gordon (ribs/lower leg) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Ravens after being limited in practice this past week. It is expected Gordon will be available for the 4:25 PM ET kickoff.
D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions
The Lions listed D’Andre Swift (groin) as a limited participant at Friday’s practice. At this point, it seems like a non-issue for fantasy. Swift has been listed with a groin injury for three weeks yet sits as the RB3 in PPR formats.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
While he was limited in practice all week, Aaron Jones will enter Week 4 with no injury designation as they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams
Update 10/3/2021: Henderson has officially been announced as active for Week 4.
After missing Week 3, Darrell Henderson (ribs) was able to log a week of limited practices capped off by a full practice on Friday. Before his injury, Henderson was the RB9 in PPR scoring (16.5 ppg) and played on 94% of the snaps in Week 1.
Henderson is expected to suit up in Week 4. However, it is not clear what his participation will be during the game.
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Josh Jacobs was a limited participant during Saturday’s practice. He’s listed as questionable for Monday’s contest against the Chargers. Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports Jacobs will be a game-time decision.
This is a worst-case scenario for fantasy managers. A game-time decision to a starting player on a Monday night game where the backup had a great game in his place. If Jacobs was healthy, you would start him in fantasy. But also know if the Raiders choose to sit him, given how well Petyon Barber played, you would have little to no fallback options.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
After a week of limited practices, Jonathan Taylor (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. The Colts placed star OL Quenton Nelson (knee) on the IR Saturday, which is a massive blow to the offense. Taylor is expected to play in Week 4, as he looks for his first big game of the season, which many were expecting by now.
James White, New England Patriots
After suffering a hip subluxation in Week 3, the Patriots have placed James White on the IR. He is expected to miss most, if not, all of the remainder of the 2021 NFL season.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Update 10/3/2021: Mitchell has officially been announced as inactive for Week 4.
Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Seattle. Head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested the running back’s availability could come down to pain tolerance, Nick Wagoner of ESPN reports.
On Sunday morning, Adam Schefter reported that Mitchell is expected to be inactive in Week 4.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team
Gibson appeared on the Washington injury report Thursday with a shin injury. Although he entered the weekend as questionable, Gibson is expected to play, per Adam Schefter.
WR injury update
News for pass catchers is essential in PPR leagues — let’s break down the WR fallout.
A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans
Unfortunately for the Titans, both Julio Jones and A.J. Brown have been ruled out for Week 4 due to hamstring injuries they picked up in Week 3.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Josh Reynolds, Chester Rogers, and Cameron Batson will serve as the top targets. Nevertheless, the offensive script will be dominated by Derrick Henry, who is averaging 30.7 touches per game.
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
DK Metcalf popped up on the Seahawks’ injury report Thursday with a foot injury. While this normally is never a good sign, it seems to have been a non-issue. Metcalf was removed from the injury report and does not carry a designation for Sunday’s game.
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
Update 10/3/2021: Lockett has officially been announced as active for Week 4.
Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports Tyler Lockett (hip) appears likely to play Sunday against the 49ers. Head coach Pete Carroll sounded optimistic after the wide receiver was a full practice participant on Friday. Lockett is off to an incredible start to the season as the WR3 in PPR (21.6 ppg) fantasy formats with 309 yards and 3 touchdowns.
On Sunday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed that Lockett is expected to play in Week 4.
Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers
Burt Lauten of the Steelers’ official site reports Chase Claypool (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday’s game against the Packers.
Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons
Russell Gage (ankle) didn’t participate in practice this week and has been ruled out for Week 4 against Washington.
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Rashod Bateman is drawing closer to making his NFL debut. It was reported Bateman is traveling with the team ahead of Sunday’s game, but the Ravens did not add him to the active roster Saturday. Bateman has reportedly looked good in practice to date, and the Ravens have a three-week window to add Bateman to the 53-man roster.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
Darnell Mooney (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Lions. He was a limited participant throughout this week and should be active for Week 4. However, given the state of the offense, the Bears cannot even sustain Allen Robinson, let alone two receivers for fantasy.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur listed Marquez Valdes-Scantling as out for Sunday’s game against the Steelers. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports Green Bay is expected to place Valdes-Scantling on injured reserve.
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Keenan Allen (ankle) was a limited participant in the Chargers’ practice Friday ahead of Monday Night Football. It was the second straight practice Allen was limited, but all reports are that he will suit up for Week 4.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Minnesota Vikings
Ihmir Smith-Marsette (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Browns.
N’Keal Harry, New England Patriots
According to Field Yates of ESPN, the Patriots have activated N’Keal Harry from the IR, making him eligible to play Sunday night against the Buccaneers. Harry missed the first three games of the season due to a shoulder injury he suffered in the Patriots’ second preseason game. He has just 45 catches for 414 yards and 4 touchdowns over his first two seasons.
Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, New York Giants
Both Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard (hamstrings) have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against New Orleans. Both players were injured early in the game last week and were quickly ruled out. The Giants will be heavily reliant on Kenny Golladay and possibly Kadarius Toney, who, despite being a first-round pick, has had little impact in 2021.
Jeff Smith and Elijah Moore, New York Jets
Coach Robert Saleh said Friday that Jeff Smith and Elijah Moore (concussions) have been ruled out for Week 4 against the Titans.
Jamison Crowder, New York Jets
According to Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio, Jamison Crowder (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Tennessee. This is a significant move as Crowder has yet to play in 2021, and the Jets are without both Smith and Moore.
Crowder logged his first full practice of the season Friday after limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday. He’s trending towards suiting up in Week 4. Adam Schefter confirmed Sunday morning that Crowder is expected to play in Week 4.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Football Team
JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports that Washington designated Curtis Samuel (groin) to return from the IR on Wednesday, starting the 21-day window for him to be activated and added to the 53-man roster. He will not play in Week 4, but there’s at least daylight at the end of the tunnel for one of the offseason’s biggest named free agents.
TE injury update for Week 4
Which tight end injuries should we be mindful of when setting our fantasy lineups?
Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In a game full of storylines, one of the biggest stories will be the absence of Rob Gronkowski (ribs). Gronk has officially been ruled out for Sunday Night Football against the New England Patriots. Gronkowski took a big shot in Week 3 to his ribs but was able to finish the game.
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Update 10/3/2021: Kittle has officially been announced as active for Week 4.
Wagoner of ESPN reports George Kittle (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. Kittle did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday and was limited on Friday with what Shanahan described as “calf soreness” stemming from getting stepped on in Week 1 against Detroit.
Kittle is a game-time decision but there appears to be optimism that he will suit up in Week 4.
Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts
Jack Doyle (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. Doyle was able to practice in a limited capacity Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday.
Gerald Everett, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks placed Gerald Everett on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Seeing that he needs back-to-back negative tests before he can return, Everett is unlikely to play in Week 4.