Injuries are already forcing fantasy managers to make some uncomfortable lineup decisions. With Week 4 approaching, Wednesday’s practice reports help us sort through potential returns, lingering issues, and players who need a backup plan. Here are the latest injury updates and what they mean for your fantasy football lineup.
Quarterback Injury Updates
Jayden Daniels Injury Update
Jayden Daniels missed last week’s game with a dislocated elbow but is opting against surgery and could return soon. He traveled with the team to London and was listed as limited on Wednesday’s estimated practice report.
That’s an encouraging step toward a Week 4 return, although it’s still no guarantee he plays. Marcus Mariota is expected to start again.
Lamar Jackson Injury Update
Lamar Jackson was limited at Wednesday’s practice with a back injury. He spoke to reporters as usual and expects to play Sunday. At this point, there’s no reason to be concerned about his Week 4 availability.
Baker Mayfield Injury Update
Baker Mayfield is expected to miss at least three weeks with a dislocated thumb, leaving rookie UDFA Jalon Daniels to start in his absence.
That’s a significant downgrade for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense. Bucky Irving is the only Buc I would put in fantasy lineups while Mayfield is out.
Caleb Williams Injury Update
Caleb Williams missed last week’s game with a hamstring strain and remained sidelined at Wednesday’s practice, as expected. He won’t return in Week 4 and should be considered a long shot for Week 5.
Case Keenum or Tyson Bagent will start in his absence. Fantasy managers need to plan for at least another week without Williams, and likely longer.
Running Back Injury Updates
Rico Dowdle Injury Update
Rico Dowdle missed last week’s game with a toe injury, did not practice at all this week, and will remain out Thursday night in Week 4.
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Expect another heavy workload for Jaylen Warren, who could use a breather after handling 20 touches last week. With Dowdle sidelined, he’s unlikely to get much of one.
Travis Etienne Injury Update
Travis Etienne is expected to miss multiple weeks with a strained hamstring. Alvin Kamara will start and form an uninspiring committee with Kendre Miller in his absence.
The New Orleans Saints are going to throw a lot, so Etienne’s absence doesn’t suddenly make this an exciting backfield for fantasy.
Breece Hall Injury Update
Breece Hall did not practice Wednesday due to a quad injury and is considered week-to-week. He isn’t going to play Sunday in Week 4.
Braelon Allen will start in his absence, but fantasy managers should expect Isaiah Davis to be involved as well.
Bucky Irving Injury Update
Bucky Irving was limited at Wednesday’s practice with a glute injury. Getting in some work to open the week suggests it’s minor, and he should be good to go Sunday in Week 4.
Of course, Todd Bowles said after last week’s game that Irving wasn’t injured. As I noted in the injury recap, trusting Bowles on injuries rarely ends well. Sure enough, Irving is on the injury report. He should be fine, but he is clearly dealing with something.
Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears Injury Update
Tony Pollard missed Wednesday’s practice with a foot injury, while Tyjae Spears sat out with an ankle injury. The Tennessee Titans frequently held banged-up players out to open the week last season.
Both played through their injuries last week, and I expect them to do so again in Week 4. For now, there’s no reason to be concerned about their availability.
Rachaad White Injury Update
Rachaad White hurt his shoulder last week but returned to finish the game and played well. However, he was spotted with a large ice pack on his shoulder afterward, and the Washington Commanders subsequently signed Austin Ekeler.
White traveled with the team but did not practice Wednesday. It’s too early to rule him out for Week 4, but this isn’t a great start. Given Ekeler’s familiarity with the team, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s active this week if White can’t go.
Jaylen Wright Injury Update
Jaylen Wright returned to a limited practice Wednesday after missing last week’s game with a foot injury. That’s a positive sign for his chances of playing in Week 4.
Ollie Gordon led the backfield after De’Von Achane left last week’s game, but Wright wasn’t active. With Achane done for the season, this is likely to be a split backfield once Wright returns.
Wide Receiver Injury Updates
Jalen Coker Injury Update
Jalen Coker officially did not practice Wednesday due to his quad injury, but he worked off to the side with trainers. It’s encouraging that he was able to do something, even if it didn’t count as practice participation.
Coker probably isn’t playing in Week 4, but his presence offers hope that this won’t be a long-term absence.
Nico Collins Injury Update
Nico Collins returned to practice Wednesday after missing two games with a hamstring strain. Week 4 was the initial target for his return, and getting back on the field is a great sign that he’ll meet it.
The 0-3 Houston Texans certainly need him. At this point, fantasy managers should expect Collins to play Sunday.
Mike Evans Injury Update
Mike Evans did not practice Wednesday due to a rib strain. At 33 years old, he doesn’t need much practice and has played without practicing before. The San Francisco 49ers will give him every opportunity to rest up and be ready for the game.
It’s too soon to draw any conclusions about Evans’ Week 4 availability. For a veteran with his experience, a Wednesday absence alone isn’t enough to sound the alarm.
Zay Flowers Injury Update
Zay Flowers was limited Wednesday with his lingering hamstring strain. That’s a significant improvement from the past two weeks, when he didn’t practice until Friday.
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Flowers played limited snaps last week but still looked explosive. With a better start to this week, expect him to be closer to full go Sunday in Week 4.
Chris Godwin Injury Update
Chris Godwin did not practice Wednesday due to a new ankle injury. It’s unclear when it occurred, and we’ll see whether he can return for a limited session Thursday.
Regardless, Godwin is nowhere near the fantasy radar, especially with Jalon Daniels starting at quarterback. It looks like his days as an effective NFL receiver may be over. Even if he plays in Week 4, he isn’t a consideration for fantasy lineups.
Justin Jefferson Injury Update
Justin Jefferson did not practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, which was expected. A limited session Thursday would put him on track to play Sunday, but I wouldn’t count on it.
This isn’t considered a long-term injury, but fantasy managers should expect Jefferson to miss at least one game. Jordan Addison is a must-start whenever Jefferson is out.
Jakobi Meyers Injury Update
Jakobi Meyers was limited Wednesday with his lingering thumb issue, following the same pattern as every week this season. He has consistently avoided a final injury designation and played a full complement of snaps. Expect the same in Week 4.
Adonai Mitchell Injury Update
Adonai Mitchell injured his finger at practice last week and wound up missing the game. He remained sidelined Wednesday and is considered week-to-week.
That description rarely points toward an imminent return. Fantasy managers should expect Mitchell to miss another game in Week 4.
DJ Moore Injury Update
DJ Moore was limited at Wednesday’s practice with his shoulder injury, but he played through it last week and looked fine. This is simply injury management. Expect him to play on Sunday.
Puka Nacua Injury Update
Puka Nacua returned to a limited practice Wednesday, his first since suffering the groin injury. Even better, Sean McVay told reporters he expects his WR1 to play Sunday. Fantasy managers should plan on having Nacua back in their lineups for Week 4.
Tight End Injury Updates
Terrance Ferguson Injury Update
Terrance Ferguson aggravated his ankle sprain last week and did not practice Wednesday. He isn’t expected to play in Week 4, so fantasy managers should plan to use another tight end.
Chig Okonkwo Injury Update
Chig Okonkwo returned to a limited practice Wednesday after being sidelined since Week 1 with a hamstring strain. That’s a positive step toward returning Sunday in London.
Kenyon Sadiq Injury Update
Kenyon Sadiq was limited at Wednesday’s practice. Coming off a breakout game, he should be fine for Week 4. I’m not concerned about his availability at this point.
