Week 3 is in the books and teams are starting to show their true colors as far as strengths, weaknesses and general tendencies. The more we know about teams, the more predictable different outcomes become from a fantasy perspective. With this knowledge being spread, it’s important for us, in both DFS and season-long, to look for advantages and opportunities to gain an edge over our opponents and that is where the importance of injury news and notes comes into play. With each new injury and return from injury, usage and playing time for players shifts around and knowing which “next-man-up” is stepping into a new role becomes vital. Week 4 proves to have no shortage of information to dissect so let’s jump in.
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New Orleans at Miami (Sunday, 9:30 am ET – Played in London)
New Orleans: According to New Orleans’ official depth chart, there is a chance that they will be without both starting tackles once again as LT Terron Armstead (shoulder) and RT Zach Strief (knee) are listed as questionable (although Strief was a full participant in Friday’s practice). Additionally, we may have to wait even longer to see Willie Snead hit the field, this season, as the recently reinstated WR is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury and was limited in practice this week.
Miami: The Dolphins see quite a few of their starters currently on the injury report for Week 4. In the middle on defense, DT Jordan Phillips (ankle) has been listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game, while LB Kiko Alonso (shoulder) is listed as questionable. On the offensive side of the ball, Jay Ajayi (knee) and Kenny Stills (hand) are both listed as questionable for another week. Adam Gase has gone out of his way, however, to say that Ajayi has “worked hard this week and had a good day the one day that he went,” so it should be safe to assume he will be ready to go in his homecoming game in London.
Buffalo at Atlanta (Sunday, 1:00 pm ET)
Buffalo: According to the Bills’ official injury report LT Cordy Glenn (foot/ankle) has been ruled out yet again, in Week 4 making it two weeks in a row that he will miss action. On the other line, DE Shaq Lawson (groin) is listed as questionable after missing practice on Friday and practicing in a limited fashion on Thursday.
Atlanta: The Falcons have already announced that they will be without their starting RT, Ryan Schraeder (concussion), as they have for the past two weeks. On the other side of the ball, they will also be without Vic Beasley Jr. (hamstring) and Courtney Upshaw (ankle/knee), so they will look to rookie Takkarist McKinley to bring pressure once again in Week 4. In better news, Julio Jones (back) no longer has an injury designation on the injury report this week.
Pittsburgh at Baltimore (Sunday, 1:00 pm ET)
Pittsburgh: The Steelers are getting back two defensive starters in DE Stephon Tuitt (biceps) and LB T.J. Watt (hamstring) who both missed time over the past two weeks. S Sean Davis (ankle), S Mike Mitchell (hamstring), and LB James Harrison (illness) are all listed as questionable on the defensive side of the ball. While T Marcus Gilbert (hamstring) and G Ramon Foster (thumb) are also listed as questionable for the game against the Ravens in Week 4. Despite being a bit banged up, look for these questionable designations to lean towards playing this week as Foster pointed out when asked to play, “it’s Baltimore week.”
Baltimore: The Ravens aren’t quite as banged up heading into Week 4 as their inter-division rivals. However, TE will be a position to watch as it has been all season. TE Benjamin Watson (calf) is listed as questionable on the official injury report and his backup Maxx Williams (ankle) has already been ruled out. If Watson is a no-go on Sunday, Nick Boyle may be the only TE to dress (unless they activate converted WR and former Dallas Cowboy, Vince Mayle).
Cincinnati at Cleveland (Sunday, 1:00 pm ET)
Cincinnati: The Bengals offense will be without two of their offensive weapons, according to their official injury report for Week 4. TE Tyler Eifert (back) and WR John Ross (knee) will both be held out of their game against the Browns. RB Giovani Bernard (thigh) and WR Brandon LaFell (knee) were both limited in practice through the week, however neither is listed on the final injury report after practicing in full on Friday.
Cleveland: The Browns will be without LB Jamie Collins (concussion) for another week and could potentially be without DT Danny Shelton (calf) and DE Myles Garrett as they are listed as questionable on the weekly injury report (http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/injury-report.html).
Los Angeles Rams at Dallas (Sunday, 1:00 pm ET)
Los Angeles Rams: There is no fantasy relevant injury information to report.
Dallas: The Cowboys are relatively healthy on offense, with G Chaz Green (hip), the only offensive player on the injury report, listed as questionable. On the other side of the ball, LBs Sean Lee (hamstring) and Anthony Hitchens (knee) are listed as questionable along with CBs Nolan Carroll (concussion) and Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring).
Tennessee at Houston (Sunday, 1:00 pm ET)
Tennessee: The Titans’ official injury report lists S Jonathan Cyprien and WR Corey Davis both out this week with hamstring injuries. DT Jurrell Casey (groin) is listed as questionable after limited participation in Friday’s practice.
Houston: The Texans will be without starting CB Kevin Johnson (knee) for another week.
Detroit at Minnesota (Sunday, 1:00 pm ET)
Detroit: The big question mark to watch on Sunday will be if WR Kenny Golladay (hamstring) will be active. He is currently listed as questionable on the Week 4 Injury Report. On the defensive side of the ball, DE Ziggy Ansah (knee) and LB Jarrad Davis (concussion/neck) are the both listed as questionable as well.
Minnesota: QB Sam Bradford (knee) will miss his third game in a row, as he has been ruled out on the official injury report. Case Keenum will continue to start in his place.
Carolina at New England (Sunday, 1:00 pm ET)
Carolina: The Panthers will be without starting C Ryan Kalil (neck) and WR Curtis Samuel (back). Both of whom have been ruled out on the team’s official injury report.
New England: Week 4 shows far fewer Patriots on the official injury report, however RB Rex Burkhead (ribs) is doubtful and expected to miss this week. Other Patriots to note include Dont’a Hightower (knee), CB Eric Rowe (groin) and WR Matthew Slater (hamstring) all listed as questionable for action against the Panthers.
Jacksonville at New York Jets (Sunday, 1:00 pm ET)
Jacksonville: WR Jaelen Strong (hamstring) has been ruled out for a second straight week, however Jacksonville fans should be relieved to see Jalen Ramsey absent from the final injury report.
New York Jets: RB Matt Forte (knee/toe) is the biggest injury to report on for the Jets as he has officially been ruled out for Week 4. Bilal Powell should see an aggressive uptick in action along with 3rd stringer Elijah McGuire.
San Francisco at Arizona (Sunday, 4:05 pm ET)
San Francisco: The 49ers list RB Carlos Hyde (hip) as questionable, on the injury report this week. He was limited in practice all week, though he was present for each session.
Arizona: The Cardinals receiving corp has been riddled with injuries for most of the season, thus far. Week 4 is more of the same as John Brown (quad) and J.J. Nelson (hamstring) are both listed as questionable after practicing in a limited fashion all week. The injury report lists both WRs as questionable.
Philadelphia at Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:05 pm ET)
Philadelphia: Week 4 looks to pose a challenge to the Eagles defense as the official injury report has already ruled DT Fletcher Cox (calf), CB Ronald Darby (ankle), and S Corey Graham (hamstring) out. The Eagles are hoping S Rodney McLeod (hamstring) is good to go after his full participation in practice this week, however he is listed as questionable at the moment.
Los Angeles Chargers: After missing practice on Wednesday and getting limited participation on Thursday, RB Melvin Gordon (knee) saw full participation in practice on Friday. He is currently listed as questionable on the Chargers’ official injury report but is expected to play.
New York Giants at Tampa Bay (Sunday, 4:05 pm ET)
New York Giants: The Giants could be without DE Olivier Vernon (ankle), who is listed as questionable on the official injury report.
Tampa Bay: Defensively, Tampa Bay could be shorthanded, going into Week 4. LB Kwon Alexander (hamstring) has already been ruled out and LB Lavonte David (ankle) is doubtful after not participating in practice all week. Two other big names to watch are CB Brent Grimes (shoulder) and DT Gerald McCoy (ankle) who are both listed as questionable.
Oakland at Denver (Sunday, 4:25 pm ET)
Oakland: WR Michael Crabtree (chest) was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, before being held out of practice on Friday. He is currently a game-time decision and listed as questionable on the Week 4 injury report, alongside CB Gareon Conley (shin).
Denver: There is no fantasy relevant injury information to report.
Indianapolis at Seattle (Sunday, 8:30 pm ET)
Indianapolis: CB Vontae Davis (groin) was a full participant in practice this week and looks to make his return to the field as he no longer has an injury designation. Starting C Ryan Kelly (foot) and QB Andrew Luck (right shoulder) are still being held out — neither has seen the field, yet, this season.
Seattle: Pete Carroll has announced that WR Doug Baldwin (groin) will officially be a game-time decision on Sunday night, while RB C.J. Prosise (ankle) is listed as doubtful. On the other side of the ball, FS Earl Thomas is expected to play. Carroll said, “he just had a sore knee that he wanted to rest… he’s fine”.
Washington at Kansas City (Monday, 8:30 pm ET)
Washington: Kirk Cousins missed practice on Friday, as his wife had gone into labor, however, he is fully expected to play on Monday night. TE Jordan Reed (rib/sternum), RB Rob Kelley (rib), and WR Jamison Crowder (hamstring) were all limited in Friday’s practice and their status should be watched going into Sunday, before lock.
Kansas City: Starting C Mitch Morse (foot) missed practice Thursday and Friday this week. His status is currently up in the air for Monday night’s game.
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Ethan Sauers is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Ethan, check out his archive and follow him @ethansauers.
