Fantasy football injury situations to watch for Week 4

Welcome to the Week 4 injury report and fantasy football impact article. Injuries are the worst part of football, but we can’t pretend like they don’t happen and that they don’t have an impact on fantasy football decisions.

Each week during the 2021 NFL season, I’ll walk us through the key injury news and notes to know each week. We’ll do an initial run Monday and an update Saturday so you have the latest info and analysis before kickoff.

Saturday update

Here are the fantasy-relevant players that were either limited at practice or did not practice at all in their most recent practice report (typically Friday). Note that some other players may be playing through injuries that don’t prevent them from being limited or missing practice, so they won’t be listed here. This list is for the injuries that are serious enough to keep them off the field, even in practice.

Quarterback

• Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears (knee) — Dalton was limited all week and is questionable for the game. There’s apparently a three-way QB competition with Dalton, Justin Fields and even Nick Foles all potentially starting in Week 4 — which we won’t know until just before kickoff. Don’t play any of them.
• Carson Wentz, Indianapolis Colts (both ankles) — Wentz was limited again this week but should play. He doesn’t need to be in fantasy lineups, though.

Running back

• Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers (hamstring) — McCaffrey is out for Week 4 and likely a few weeks beyond, but he won’t be placed on short-term IR, which would force him to miss at least three weeks. Chuba Hubbard is a must-start while CMC is out. He played over 70% of the snaps after McCaffrey was injured and saw 22% of the team’s targets.
• Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings (ankle) — Cook was limited in practice this week and is questionable for the game. Mike Zimmer said Cook looked good in practice, which is a good sign for his return. If he misses, Alexander Mattison is a must-start again after racking up 171 yards from scrimmage last week.
• Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (knee) — Barkley was limited again this week, but he appears to be at or near 100% for game days. Start him.
• D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions (groin) — Swift was limited all week again, but there’s nothing to indicate he won’t play. Keep starting him.
• Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers (ankle) — Jones was limited all week but will play in Week 4 (no injury designation).
• Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (knee) — Taylor was limited all week and is questionable for Week 4. He’ll likely play, but Nyheim Hines and Marlon Mack would get fantasy bumps if Taylor misses. His usage has been trending down: 23 touches in Week 1, then 16 touches, then 11. It’s definitely a situation to monitor.
• Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos (ribs and lower leg) — Gordon is questionable after being limited in practice all week. He’s not expected to miss the game. Gordon remains in a timeshare but is a viable fantasy starter nonetheless.
• Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams (ribs) — Henderson was limited this week but is expected to play after missing Week 3. He’s a risky start, though, because the Rams are clearly fine with Sony Michel handling a big workload if Henderson is banged up (Michel had 23 touches last week).
• Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers (shoulder) — Mitchell was limited this week but is doubtful for the game. Trey Sermon is a viable flex play if Mitchell misses again.

Wide receiver

• A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans (hamstring) — Brown is out for Week 4. So is Julio Jones. Look for an enormous amount of Derrick Henry against the Jets this week. None of the Titans secondary pass-catchers are particularly interesting for fantasy, but Nick Westbrook did produce a 4-53-1 line last week.
• Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans (hamstring) — Jones is out for Week 4. So is A.J. Brown. Look for an enormous amount of Derrick Henry against the Jets this week. None of the Titans secondary pass-catchers are particularly interesting for fantasy, but Nick Westbrook did produce a 4-53-1 line last week.
• DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (foot) — Metcalf was limited in the team’s final two practices of the week but will play in Week 4. With Tyler Lockett questionable, Gerald Everett out and D’Wayne Eskridge doubtful, Metcalf could see massive volume this week.
• Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks (hip) — Lockett fluctuated between being limited or not practicing this week and is questionable for Week 4. He is expected to play, though. It’s a good idea to have a backup (if possible) because Lockett plays in the late window.
• Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers (hamstring) — Claypool was a full participant in the first practice of the week, limited in the second, and out for the third. He’s questionable for Week 4 but trending in the wrong direction. JuJu Smith-Schuster has no injury designation, nor does Diontae Johnson. They could both push for 10-plus targets if Claypool misses.
• Kenny Golladay, New York Giants (hip) — Golladay was limited this week but will play in Week 4.
• Sterling Shepard, New York Giants (hamstring) — Shepard missed practice this week and will not play in Week 4. Golladay and Evan Engram will see added volume, as will Saquon Barkley. Collin Johnson is an interesting dart throw with Shepard and Darius Slayton out.
• Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers (hamstring) — MVS missed practice this week and will not play in Week 4.
• Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears (groin) — Limited all week and questionable for the game, Mooney is extremely hard to trust in fantasy lineups even at 100% health, given the mess that is this offense.
• Darius Slayton, New York Giants (hamstring) — Slayton missed practice this week and will not play in Week 4. Golladay and Evan Engram will see added volume, as will Saquon Barkley. Collin Johnson is an interesting dart throw with Slayton and Sterling Shepard out.
• Elijah Moore, New York Jets (concussion) — Moore missed practice this week and will not play in Week 4. Jeff Smith is also out for the game, which open up the door for Denzel Mims to be active after being a healthy scratch in Weeks 2 and 3. Mims doesn’t need to be on the fantasy radar except for in the deepest of leagues.

Tight end

• George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (calf) — Kittle missed practice all week and Kyle Shanahan said there’s no guarantee he plays in Week 4. We’ll know more later Saturday and Sunday morning, but it’s important to have a backup plan ready to go if Kittle is ultimately ruled out. The 49ers play in the late window (4:05 p.m. ET).
• Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ribs) — Gronk returned to light practice later in the week but has been deemed doubtful for the big return to New England. It will be disappointing if he doesn’t play, but there seems to be a high chance he misses the game. Since he plays Sunday night, the safer bet is to pick up a TE that will play during the day Sunday, so you aren’t left with a 0 at the TE spot if Gronk misses.

Original injury run

Quarterback

New injuries this week:

• Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (hand) — Herbert had his throwing hand wrapped in ice after the game, but he’s expected to be fine.

Players who were already hurt: 

• Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (rib) — Tagovailoa has fractured ribs and has landed on short-term IR, keeping him out at least three weeks. Jacoby Brissett is an option in two-QB leagues, but nothing more. Jaylen Waddle (12 receptions) and Mike Gesicki (10) were Brissett’s favorite targets in Week 3.
• Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears (knee) — Dalton missed Week 3 but will supposedly get the job back when he’s healthy. That’s easier to believe after seeing Justin Fields struggle (6-of-20 for 68 scoreless yards) in his first start.

Short-term IR players: Ryan Fitzpatrick (hip, droppable), Tyrod Taylor (hamstring, droppable)

Running back

New injuries this week:

• Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers (hamstring) — McCaffrey is expected to miss a few weeks. Nothing more specific is given than that yet, but that usually means at least three weeks. If he’s not placed on short-term IR, consider that good news. Chuba Hubbard is an easy fantasy RB2 for as long as CMC remains out and should be in starting lineups. He played over 70% of the snaps after McCaffrey was injured and had a monster 22% team target market share.
• James White, New England Patriots (hip) — He was carted off and immediately ruled out for Week 3. JJ Taylor is the name to know if White misses extended time.

Players who were already hurt: 

• Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings (ankle) — Cook was ruled out for Week 3 after being a game-time decision. He seems likely to come back sooner rather than later, but for however long he’s out, Alexander Mattison is a top-10 fantasy RB (112 rushing yards, 59 receiving yards in Week 3).
• Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams (ribs) — Henderson missed every practice this week and then missed the game. Sony Michel handled 20 carries and added 3 receptions in Henderson’s absence.
• Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders (toe/ankle) — Jacobs has now missed both Weeks 2 and 3. Peyton Barber (23 attempts, 111 yards, 1 TD and 3-31-0 through the air) is a good flex start while Jacobs is out. Kenyan Drake is a mediocre flex option in PPR leagues.
• D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions (groin) — Swift was limited in practice all week but handled 21 touches in the loss. He’s fine.
• Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers (shoulder) — However long Mitchell out, Trey Sermon will be the team’s starting RB and is a flex option. He had 10 carries and a TD in Week 3, but the team also rotated in a lot of Kyle Juszczyk (5 attempts, 4 receptions). Juszczyk isn’t on the fantasy radar, but he is capping Sermon’s upside.
• Trey Sermon, San Francisco 49ers (head) — Sermon has been removed from the concussion protocol. He served as San Francisco’s lead back after another wave of injuries to the RB room. He could see a hefty workload with only Trenton Cannon and Jacques Patrick to contend for touches for however long Mitchell is out.

Wide receiver

New injuries this week:

• A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans (hamstring) — Brown was ruled out in the first quarter Sunday. We hope this one doesn’t linger, but it’s certainly going to be one of the most-watched injuries on the docket. Julio Jones is the only other Titans WR you need to know about still.
• JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers (rib) — He was ruled out in Week 3. Chase Claypool could become a target monster if Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson miss time and would be a must-play in all formats.
• Sterling Shepard, New York Giants (hamstring) — He was ruled out in the first quarter Sunday. He’s a flex option in PPR leagues if he suits up for Week 4.
• Darius Slayton, New York Giants (hamstring) — He was ruled out in the first quarter. He’s a weak flex option (at least until bye weeks hit), but his big-play ability keeps him on the radar.
• Elijah Moore, New York Jets (head) — Moore suffered a concussion late in the third after registering 6 targets. Moore is droppable in 12-team leagues and holding on by a thread in 14-teamers.

Players who were already hurt: 

• DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals (ribs) — Hopkins played in Week 3 despite not practicing all week and recorded only 3 catches for 21 yards.
• Kenny Golladay, New York Giants (hip) — Golladay was limited in practice all week and was on a pitch count in Week 3 to manage the pain, but he still produced a solid 4-64-0 line.
• Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals (shoulder) — Higgins missed Week 3 and Ja’Marr Chase exploded for 155 yards and 2 TDs. Chase is now a must-play if Higgins continues to miss time.
• Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers (knee) — Johnson was out for Week 3. We should consider it a good sign he’s not on short-term IR. He’ll be back soon, but in the meantime, Chase Claypool should be a target hog at WR.

Short-term IR players: Jarvis Landry (keep stashed); Michael Thomas (keep stashed); Jerry Jeudy (keep stashed); Michael Gallup (keep stashed); Tre’Quan Smith (stashable but not a must); Curtis Samuel (keep stashed)

Tight end

New injuries this week:

• Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ribs) — Gronk was hit in the third quarter, went into the locker room, but then returned to the field and received back-to-back end zone targets. He should be fine.

Players who were already hurt: 

• Evan Engram, New York Giants (calf) — Engram played his first game of the season and logged a healthy 6 targets, but he caught only 2 of them for 21 yards and he lost a fumble. You can start him in Week 4 (6 targets is certainly not easy to come by at TE), but he’s a risky play.

Short-term IR players: James O’Shaughnessy (droppable)