Postseason Shootout | RealTime Fantasy Sports

Injury Status: Week 4

Thu Sep 26 9:02am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Wow. This injury list is sure grew in a hurry. We have a ton of players on the list this week, which is not good for fantasy owners. There are a lot of top players banged up and likely to miss Week 4. And to make matters worse, you have byes starting next week. Things could get really tricky in the coming weeks if the injuries continue to pile up.

Here is the latest. . . . .

David Njoku, TE, Browns. Njoku remains out of practice because of an ankle sprain. He is not expected to make his return this week, barring a huge turnaround before the week is out. Look for Jordan Akins to get another start for the Browns in Week 4.

Joe Mixon, RB, Texans. Mixon remains slowed by his ankle injury. The Texans are still calling him week-to-week because of the injury. Mixon still has not practiced to start the week, which is not a good sign for his return in Week 4. We expect Mixon to be sidelined once again.

Dameon Pierce, RB, Texans. Pierce has been out with a hamstring injury. He is back practicing this week, though, and looks set to return Week 4. Pierce is likely to be the starter for the Texans with Mixon still out. He has some fantasy value in a starting role in this offense.

Keenan Allen, WR, Bears. Allen is back practicing some this week. His heel injury is making progress. Allen is trending towards a return this week as long as he doesn’t have a setback. He will be a bit of a risk to use in his first game back, though. You just don’t know how much he’ll play.

Trey McBride, TE, Cardinals. McBride suffered a concussion last week and is in the league’s concussion protocol. His status is up in the air for the week. He will need to be cleared before the week is out, so keep an eye on the player notes for the latest. At this point, we would get other options ready for the Week 4 game.

Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings. Addison is back practicing this week on his ankle injury. He is looking good to make his return to the starting lineup for the Vikings. He will be a bit of an iffy fantasy play in his first game back but certainly has potential in what could be a high-scoring game.

A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles. Brown remains out of practice because of his hamstring injury. It is not looking too good for him to make his return this week. He will need to get in some work before the week is out. Don’t rule him out yet but get other options ready.

DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles. Smith took a huge hit last week and left the game with a likely concussion. He is out of practice to begin the week. We would be surprised if he is cleared to play before the week is out. The good news is we should at least know his status in the next few days. The bad news is Smith is likely to miss the game.

Austin Ekeler, RB, Commanders. Ekeler has already been ruled out for the Week 4 game because of the concussion he suffered last week. Brian Robinson might get a little bigger workload in the game with Ekeler out.

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints. Kamara is dealing with hip and rib injuries, missing practice Wednesday. We think this was more of a rest day than anything for the veteran running back. He should be able to play this week and get in some practice before the week is out. Just keep an eye on the practice reports for the latest, but we aren’t too worried right now about his status.

Tank Dell, WR, Texans. Dell is dealing with some sore ribs and is being called day-to-day. He was held out of practice Wednesday, which is not a great start to his week. He might be able to play but could be limited in the game even if active. He will be a tough play for fantasy owners.

Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers. Herbert continues to battle an ankle injury. He played last week but had to leave the game early after aggravating the injury. Herbert is iffy to play this week but you can expect the Chargers to do all they can to play him against the Chiefs in Week 4. We think Herbert plays but will be limited in the game. If he can’t play, Taylor Heinicke likely starts for the Chargers.

Evan Engram, TE, Jaguars. Engram remains out of practice because of a hamstring injury. He has missed the last few weeks and is expected to miss Week 4. Brenton Strange should get another start for the Jaguars this week at tight end.

Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers. Samuel missed the game last week because of a calf injury and was unable to practice Wednesday. He is not being ruled out but will need to get better in a hurry if he has a chance to play this week. We don’t think it is looking very good right now for Samuel to return to action. Samuel could be out another week or two, giving Jauan Jennings a larger role in the passing game.

George Kittle, TE, 49ers. Kittle was out Week 3 because of a hamstring injury. He is practicing on a limited basis to start the week. Kittle is making progress and seems to have a decent shot to return to action. As long as he keeps practicing the rest of the week, we like Kittle to play Week 4.

Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams. Kupp remains sidelined because of his ankle injury. He has already been ruled out for this week’s game. Kupp was not placed on Injured Reserve because of the injury but is likely out several more weeks.

Jordan Love, QB, Packers. Love was close to playing last week but was held out once again because of his knee injury. A return this week seems a lot more likely. He might not be 100 percent but seems close. And since the Packers have such a big division game on the schedule, Green Bay will do all they can to get Love back on the field. We expect him to start, which should be a big upgrade for the entire Packers passing game.

Adam Thielen, WR, Panthers. Thielen suffered a pretty significant hamstring injury and has already been placed on Injured Reserve, meaning he will miss at least the next four games. Rookie Xavier Legette should see more playing time while Thielen is out.

Jaylen Warren, RB, Steelers. Warren is battling a knee injury and is out of practice to start the week. It is not looking great for Warren to be able to play Week 4. He will need to get in some work before the week is out if he hopes to have any chance to play. Look for Najee Harris to handle most of the work at running back with Cordarrelle Patterson serving as the backup.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Injury Status: Week 4

The Paur Report