Big-time names at running back. Teammate studs at wide receiver. Some sneaky line injuries that could crush some offenses? There’s unfortunately way too much going on related to injuries that could have serious implications on fantasy football. It’s time to note them all heading into the weekend so that you can keep an eye on all players that might be affected by injury designations.
Joe Mixon left #TNF with an injury.
Other RBs questionable for #NFL Week 4 ⬇️
Dalvin Cook
Aaron Jones
Jonathan Taylor
D'Andre Swift
Antonio Gibson
Saquon Barkley
Darrell Henderson Jr.
Josh Jacobs
Elijah Mitchell
Melvin Gordon IIICheck WW/FA in your #FantasyFootball league. 😳 pic.twitter.com/bXaBgCnptY
— Ahaan Rungta (@AhaanRungta) October 1, 2021
This series will continue to be live every Saturday morning, meaning that if brand new statuses appear, they are not covered here. You can also follow me on Twitter (@AhaanRungta) for more regular fantasy football discussions, including comments on injury-riddled fantasy rosters. If a game does not appear on this list, that means there is currently no current injury threat in the realm of fantasy relevance.
Yeah, we know football is in full swing. That doesn’t mean you can’t jump into fantasy hoops? From joining a public league with our Fantasy Basketball Commissioner to trying one of our Classic Draft Contests, there are plenty of ways to play Fantasy Basketball on Fantrax!
Week 4 NFL Inactives
Tennessee Titans vs. New York Jets
QUESTIONABLE: WR Jamison Crowder, NYJ (groin)
OUT: WR A.J. Brown, TEN (hamstring) / WR Julio Jones, TEN (hamstring)
OUT: WR Elijah Moore, NYJ (concussion)
Unreal—while the Titans have several injuries on both sides of the ball, none have hit the fantasy football headlines as hard as their top two wide receivers being declared out for a matchup against the atrocious Jets. While the Titans believe they are still the superior team with elite running back Derrick Henry leading the way, the receiving game can now be viewed as a wild card scenario against the soft Jets secondary.
The top pass-catchers for the Titans are now tight end Anthony Firkser and wide receivers Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Josh Reynolds, and Chester Rogers. The Titans caught three touchdowns in Week 3, courtesy of Westbrook-Ikhine, Rogers, and running back Jeremy McNichols.
On the Jets side, the rookie wideout Elijah Moore is concussed and will thus miss Week 4 while the veteran wideout Jamison Crowder remains nagged with the injury bug. Top wide receiver Corey Davis is likely in line for an uptick in volume against a Titans team that has given up the second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers in 2021.
Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
QUESTIONABLE: RB D’Andre Swift, DET (groin)
QUESTIONABLE: QB Andy Dalton, CHI (knee) / WR Darnell Mooney, CHI (groin)
It looks like rookie quarterback Justin Fields, who got demolished by the Browns in Week 3, is in line to attempt to shake off some nerves and deliver his second career start against the very defeatable Lions. The Bears have most of their top weapons healthy but Darnell Mooney was limited in practice on Friday, putting him in danger of missing a game for the first time this season.
Meanwhile, the Lions backfield has been an electric two-headed attack but starting running back D’Andre Swift was also limited in practice on Friday; it’ll be interesting to see if Jamaal Williams sees an added workload in light of Detroit’s talented RB1 being banged up.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Miami Dolphins
QUESTIONABLE: QB Carson Wentz, IND (ankle) / RB Jonathan Taylor, IND (knee) / TE Jack Doyle, IND (back)
On the Miami side, they are one of the healthier teams in the NFL as of right now per quantity. Watching starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on the injured reserve until at least Week 6 is indeed a painful loss for them but there are no other major fantasy-relevant injury designations for the weekend in the Dolphins’ locker room.
The Colts, however, are in deep trouble. Not only is their newly-acquired quarterback Carson Wentz likely playing through some pain, their offensive weapons Jonathan Taylor and Jack Doyle were limited in practice. Arguably even greater news, their other injury news directly affects their starting lineup, changes at winning the game, and production on offense—these include superstar offensive guard Quenton Nelson.
#Colts have ruled out LG Quenton Nelson (ankle/knee), RT Braden Smith (foot), DE Kwity Paye (hamstring) and CB Rock Ya-Sin (ankle) for Sunday's game vs. Miami.
Nelson will be missing his first career NFL game.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 1, 2021
Also check out our Week 4 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | PPR | Flex
Cleveland Browns vs. Minnesota Vikings
QUESTIONABLE: RB Dalvin Cook, MIN (ankle)
A relatively clean slate on this game but first-round fantasy football pick Dalvin Cook is making yet another appearance on the NFL injury report as he was limited in practice on Friday. In Cook’s absence in Week 3, backup running back Alexander Mattison took part in only 68% of Minnesota’s offensive snaps but still led the backfield attack, going for 112 yards on the ground on 26 attempts and taking part in the receiving game (6 receptions on 8 targets for 59 yards).
Washington Football Team vs. Atlanta Falcons
QUESTIONABLE: RB Antonio Gibson, WSH (shin)
Another early-round fantasy football draft pick—Antonio Gibson’s usage has been a frustration of fantasy managers early in 2021 and he continues to deal with health issues. Despite his supreme talent and efficiency when on the field, there is reason to worry that a shin injury that left him limited in Friday’s practice could come back to haunt him for valuable snaps in Week 4. If Gibson were to miss Week 4’s matchup against the lazy Falcons defense, J.D. McKissic would likely get the start and pave the way to Jaret Patterson for some nontrivial touches as well.
New York Giants vs. New Orleans Saints
OUT: WR Sterling Shepard, NYG (hamstring) / WR Darius Slayton, NYG (hamstring)
The Giants played in an ugly game against the Falcons in Week 3 but the quality of play wasn’t even the ugliest aspect of the matchup—it was the multiple injuries to Daniel Jones’ receiving core. With both Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton still not ready for game action, the Giants will call on the talents of rookie Kadarius Toney, Collin Johnson, and C.J. Board along with the established wide receiver Kenny Golladay and long-time Giants tight end Evan Engram.
Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys
OUT: RB Christian McCaffrey, CAR (hamstring)
While Michael Gallup remains out for the Cowboys as their WR3, there are no new offensive additions to the Cowboys’ injury report. They’ll be facing a 3-0 Panthers but now will not have to contend with Christian McCaffrey, the unanimous #1 overall pick in redraft fantasy football this season. McCaffrey left Thursday Night Football in Week 3 early with a hamstring injury; his return is uncertain but it could be as soon as Week 5. In his absence, rookie Chuba Hubbard will start at running back.
It is noteworthy that the Panthers do have a lot of injuries to account for on the defensive side of the ball, prompting a trade for 2020 NFL Draft first-rounder C.J. Henderson to help at cornerback.
Trade! The #Panthers are closing in on a trade for CB CJ Henderson, sources say.
The details: CAR TE Dan Arnold and a third-round pick to the #Jaguars for the former Jax first-round pick Henderson and a fifth-rounder. Immediate help in Carolina, while Henderson starts new.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 27, 2021
Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
QUESTIONABLE: WR Tyler Lockett, SEA (hip)
QUESTIONABLE: RB Elijah Mitchell, SF (shoulder) / TE George Kittle, SF (calf)
OUT: TE Gerald Everett, SEA (illness)
The 49ers are making a habit out of offensive centerpieces on the injury report. As running backs JaMycal Hasty (IR, expected back about Week 7), Jeff Wilson (PUP, expected back about Week 8), and Raheem Mostert (IR, done for the season) all remain out, former FAAB darling Elijah Mitchell is still a question mark for Week 4. Now, star tight end George Kittle is also a concern as he was limited in practice on Friday.
The Seattle offense should mostly be intact as their primary concern is Tyler Lockett, who still practiced in full on Friday despite a hip injury.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams
QUESTIONABLE: RB Darrell Henderson Jr., LAR (ribs)
Ah, more running backs. It’s a good time to check for available running backs quickly because Darrell Henderson Jr. joins a lengthy list of running backs who are in danger of suiting up on Sunday. Henderson was unavailable in Week 3; in his absence against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ elite rushing defense, Sony Michel took the lead for the Rams’ backfield and put up a serviceable performance for a handcuff despite not scoring a touchdown. Michel partook in 74% of the Rams’ offensive snaps, rushed for 67 yards on 20 carries, and caught 3 receptions on 4 targets for 12 yards.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers
QUESTIONABLE: WR Chase Claypool, PIT (hamstring)
OUT: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB (hamstring)
It’s looking like an exchange of wideout losses on the fantasy scheme for this contest. While it’s looking like it could have been worse for Pittsburgh, their struggling pass offense could be without only one major wideout—the second-year big-body Chase Claypool. After not practicing on Friday, Claypool is in danger of missing the start in Week 4 against a Packers secondary that has been inconsistent at defending in the air since last season. The Steelers will get back top receiving target Diontae Johnson, who missed Week 3 due to a knee injury.
As for the Packers, they will be without their fourth-year wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Although “MVS” hasn’t been the most consistent offensive player over his career, he is coming off a productive Week 3, where he tallied 3 receptions on 4 targets for 59 yards and a touchdown.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos
QUESTIONABLE: QB Lamar Jackson, BAL (back) / WR Rashod Bateman, BAL (groin) / WR Miles Boykin, BAL (hamstring)
More appearances on the injury report for Baltimore, shocking! On a less sarcastic tone, there’s actually encouraging news this time. While franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson is on this injury report, he was a full participant in practice on Friday and is expected to play against the 3-0 Denver Broncos. While he has been depleted in offensive help this season, he might be getting two additional wide receivers in Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin back from injury. Bateman and Boykin have combined to play 0 snaps for the Ravens this season.
The Ravens have other issues to deal with regarding non-fantasy names which could directly affect gameplan and execution in Week 4. Take a look for yourself.
Ravens injury report at Broncos
OUT
OT Ronnie Stanley
DE Derek WolfeQUESTIONABLE
QB Lamar Jackson
CB Anthony Averett
S Chuck Clark
S DeShon Elliott
CB Marlon Humphrey
LB Pernell McPhee
S Geno Stone
OT Alejandro Villanueva
CB Tavon Young— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 1, 2021
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New England Patriots
QUESTIONABLE: WR N’Keal Harry, NE (shoulder)
DOUBTFUL: TE Rob Gronkowski, NE (ribs)
OUT: RB James White, NE (hip)
OUT: RB Giovani Bernard, TB (knee)
Anybody know this game is happening? On Sunday Night Football? So much news has been surrounding the offensive stars in this game and the emotions surrounding their reunion that there are significant injuries going under-the-radar in the storylines.
On the Patriots side, the hosts are dealing with a plethora of injuries on both sides of the ball, most recently the veteran running back James White, who is now done for the season and will not appear again on my inactive reports going forward. The Patriots do have a chance of getting back former first-round draft pick N’Keal Harry but contrary to popular belief, he is not fantasy-relevant until he proves to be productive and trusted in a game.
As for the reigning Super Bowl champions, they will get former Patriots wideout Antonio Brown back from the COVID-19 list but are now in danger of going forward with the Brady-Gronk reunion without Gronk himself. Rob Gronkowski took an injury to the ribs in Week 3 and did not practice on Friday. He is in serious danger of not suiting up in Foxborough and if he does not, Cameron Brate will likely start at tight end for Tampa Bay.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers
QUESTIONABLE: RB Josh Jacobs, LV (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Keenan Allen, LAC (ankle)
Two fantasy stars—not ideal for an upcoming Monday Night Football matchup between two teams that gave us two thrillers in 2020. Both Raiders RB1 Josh Jacobs and Chargers WR1 Keenan Allen were limited in practice on Friday and their statuses will need to be monitored carefully, given their recent injury histories. It is critical to realize the possibility that we don’t get updates on their statuses until after Sunday afternoon so a contingency plan is absolutely necessary just in case their availability for Week 4 is in serious question over the weekend.
More fantasy football fun for Week 4: Waiver Wire | FAAB Guide | Buy-Low, Sell-High Trade Targets | Start & Sit | Loves & Hates | Stock Watch | Sleepers & Streamers | QB Streamers | D/ST Streamers |
Fantrax was one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites of 2020, and we’re not stopping now. With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan – sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com.