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.
For the most recent injury news, make sure to check out our most up-to-date fantasy football injury report.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB update
Here is where we currently stand in terms of the fantasy football QB options dealing with an injury.
Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears
Head coach Matt Nagy told reporters on Monday [September 27] that Dalton (knee) is considered “week to week.” To further complicate the matter, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported Nagy said all three QBs (Justin Fields, Nick Foles, and Dalton) are in consideration to start in Week 4 against the Detroit Lions.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday [September 25] that Miami placed Tagovailoa on injured reserve, meaning he’ll miss at least three games after fracturing his ribs in Week 2.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: RB update
How is the injury bug affecting RB committees heading into Week 4?
James White, New England Patriots
White suffered a subluxation of the hip during Week 3, per Rapoport. He has been undergoing tests, but given the timeline of similar injuries, an IR stint is likely. Entering Sunday’s game, White led the Patriots with 12 receptions for 94 yards while adding 9 rushes for 32 yards. Second-year back J.J. Taylor could see more work in the passing game following this news.
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
Head coach Matt Rhule said Monday [September 27] that McCaffrey (hamstring) would not be placed on injured reserve, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports. While McCaffrey will likely miss at least one more game, this is a positive sign for fantasy managers who selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in drafts. In the meantime, rookie Chuba Hubbard becomes a priority add in Week 4.
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
During his Monday press conference, head coach Jon Gruden gave an update on Jacobs after the RB missed the last two games (ankle).
“I met with Josh this morning, and we’re going to see how he feels on the practice field this week,” Gruden said. “Not making any predictions, but we’re hopeful we can get him back on the grass at some point this week.”
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
After sustaining a sprained ankle in Week 2, Cook was declared out and missed the Vikings game in Week 3. We will have to monitor practice reports to see if he’ll be back in Week 4. Still, given the success of Alexander Mattison, Minnesota will give Cook the necessary time to recover rather than rushing him back to the field.
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams
As we all expected, Darrell Henderson (ribs) was ruled out for Week 3. He was unable to practice all week, making his inactive designation unsurprising.
WR injury update
News for pass catchers is essential in PPR leagues — let’s break down the WR fallout.
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Jamison Hensley of ESPN reports head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that Bateman (groin) would practice this week. Bateman was placed on short-term IR during the preseason, making Week 4 the earliest he could return.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
According to Cincinnati’s estimated practice report, Higgins (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant. Higgins was inactive for the Bengals’ Week 3 victory over the Steelers.
KJ Hamler, Denver Broncos
Hamler suffered a torn ACL on Sunday, Schefter reported. He will miss the remainder of the season. The Broncos were already thin at WR after placing Jerry Jeudy (ankle) on IR in Week 2.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports Hilton (neck) is not expected to come off IR in time to face the Dolphins in Week 4, but he’s “making great progress” in his recovery.
N’Keal Harry, New England Patriots
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said Monday that it’s “definitely a possibility” that Harry (shoulder) will return to practice this week, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. Harry began the regular season on injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury during the second preseason game.
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, the Saints removed Thomas from the COVID-19/reserve list. However, he is still on the PUP list following ankle surgery.
Sterling Shepard, New York Giants
Shepard exited Sunday’s game against the Falcons after suffering a right hamstring injury in the first half and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. Shepard has been New York’s best receiver this season.
Darius Slayton, Miami Dolphins
Like Shepard, Slayton was also ruled out due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the first quarter of New York’s Week 3 game.
Elijah Moore, New York Jets
In the Jets’ 26-0 loss to the Broncos, Moore suffered a concussion and was subsequently placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers
Smith-Schuster (ribs) is considered day to day after X-rays came back negative on the injury that knocked him out against the Bengals in Week 3, per Rapoport.
Scotty Miller, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Head coach Bruce Arians said Monday that Miller is dealing with a severe case of turf toe. Rapoport later indicated that Miller is likely headed to IR. The third-year wideout caught 2 of his 3 targets for 11 yards in Week 3.
A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans
According to Schefter, Brown is considered “week to week” due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the first quarter of Week 3. Before the injury, Brown had not recorded a reception on just 2 targets.
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
In the fourth quarter of Seattle’s game against Minnesota, Lockett was taken down awkwardly and suffered a left knee injury. After staying on the field a few minutes, Lockett walked off the field under his own power and later returned to play in the game. He managed to avoid serious injury and will likely be listed as questionable for Week 4.
TE injury update for Week 4
Which tight end injuries should we be mindful of when setting our fantasy lineups?
Tyler Kroft, New York Jets
Kroft was ruled out of New York’s Week 3 game against the Broncos with a rib injury, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. Before exiting, Kroft had 2 catches on 2 targets for 12 yards.