We learned quite a bit in Week 3. It is starting to feel like players are who they are at this point. Naturally, there were plenty of injuries last week and our Fantasy Football Injury Rundown breaks down the fantasy impact.
Before you finalize your waiver wire claims for Week 4, it’s crucial to know the latest injury info and how it will impact Week 4 and beyond.
Here is the Fantasy Football Injury Rundown for Week 4 and how fantasy managers should approach it for this week and moving forward. This list will be updated as injury news rolls in all week.
Mac Jones (QB) New England Patriots – Bill Belichick isn’t known for being forthright about injuries. For now, Jones is not going on IR but he should be expected to miss multiple weeks with a “severe” high-ankle sprain. The injury occurred on the final play of the game. Jones had his ankle rolled on and had to be immediately helped off the field. This is normally a 4-6 week injury, so be prepared to pick up Brian Hoyer if you’re in a bad way in a Superflex league. The loss of Jones is a pretty significant blow to all New England fantasy options.
David Montgomery (RB) Chicago Bears – Khalil Herbert was the RB1 in Week 3 but that was supposed to be Montgomery’s breakout game. Unfortunately, Montgomery had his knee rolled up on and was quickly ruled out. There is still no definitive word on his diagnosis but upon initial view, it looked like a potential MCL injury. If that, or a PCL is the culprit, Montgomery could miss 4-6 weeks. We’ll have updates when they drop but expect a multiple-game absence.
Dalvin Cook (RB) Minnesota Vikings – Another prominent RB1 was injured last week. Cook hurt his oft-injured shoulder running into his own lineman and was unable to return to action. X-rays were negative and Cook is listed as day-to-day. With Alexander Mattison fully capable of stepping in, it might be wise for the Vikings to let Cook rest for a week. For now, all we can do is monitor Cook’s practice status all week. He’s truly questionable to face the Saints.
D’Andre Swift (RB) Detroit Lions – Swift is expected to be out until Week 7 with a shoulder injury. Dan Campbell said Swift would likely be held out two games and into Detroit’s Week 6 bye. Swift flashed top-5 upside in the first two games of the season so his absence will hurt. The good news is he should be fully healthy in time for the stretch drive. Jamaal Williams can now be penciled in as a strong RB2 for at least two games.
Tua Tagovailoa (QB) Miami Dolphins – Anyone who watched Sunday has a hard time believing that Miami’s star quarterback wasn’t concussed. Tagovaila was wobbly after a hit but returned to the game. His productivity dropped off in the second half and the league is so concerned with how the injury was handled that they’re addressing how in-game concussions are handled. For Week 4, Tagovailoa is listed as questionable with a back injury. With Miami slated to play on Thursday, this is more concerning. We’ll have updates in the FullTime Discord.
Keenan Allen (WR) Los Angeles Chargers – Allen sat out Week 3 with a hamstring injury but is tentatively expected to practice this week. If Allen is able to practice in full, he should return to a Chargers’ lineup that desperately needs him.
Justin Herbert (QB) Los Angeles Chargers – Kudos to Herbert for playing through his rib injury last week but the results weren’t good. LA got pounded at home by the Jaguars. Even with the game out of hand, Herbert remained in, taking shots. He should continue to get healthier each day and a revenge game in Houston offers a wonderful opportunity to rebound in Week 4.
Michael Thomas (WR) New Orleans Saints – Thomas hurt his toe in Week 3 but the injury isn’t considered serious. Thankfully, the injury was not on the same ankle that caused Thomas to miss the entire 2021 campaign. He might miss a practice or two but should be able to suit up versus the Vikings.
Sterling Shepard (WR) New York Giants – In a freak accident on the final play, Shepard crumpled to the turf with a non-contact right knee injury. He was quickly loaded onto a cart and surrounded by players from both teams. An MRI Tuesday confirmed that Shepard tore his ACL and will miss the remainder of the 2022 season.
Zach Wilson (QB) New York Jets – Out since the preseason, Wilson is projected to return as early as this week from a meniscus injury. As much as Joe Flacco has been slinging it, Wilson’s return is probably a downgrade for all Jets’ pass-catchers. Especially Tyler Conklin, who is tied for third among all tight ends with 24 targets. Elijah Moore and Wilson flashed chemistry down the stretch, so hoping that carries over. If Wilson suits up in Week 4, he’ll be welcomed by the Steelers.
Kadarius Toney (WR) New York Giants – Toney is still dealing with an injured hamstring that kept him sidelined last week. Brian Daboll indicated Toney could return this week, just in time for Shepard’s time-leading target share to open up. Rookie Wan’Dale Robinson is also improving. Robinson hurt his knee in Week 1 and has missed two games. Consider both questionable to play against the Bears this week.
Julio Jones (WR) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jones missed two games with a knee injury but is expected to return against Kansas City this week. Due to Hurricane Ian, it is possible that the Buccaneers will be forced to play their “home” game elsewhere. If he’s in the lineup, Jones should be a good bet for a healthy target load. But, there’s a lot to account for here, so proceed with caution.
Dalton Schultz (TE) Dallas Cowboys – Schultz tried to suit up on Monday but was ultimately ruled out with a knee injury. The fact that he was close to playing bodes well for Schultz’s Week 4 status.
Michael Gallup (WR) Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys were also close to getting Gallup back but ultimately erred on the side of caution. Gallup is getting close to returning from a torn ACL and makes a great proactive waiver wire add this week.
A.J. Green (WR) Arizona Cardinals – Green bruised his knee in the second quarter and is expected to miss at least one week.
Byron Pringle (WR) Chicago Bears – The Bears placed Pringle on IR, so he’ll miss at least four weeks with a calf injury. Pringle only had three targets in three weeks so there’s not much fantasy impact.
Jaylen Guyton (WR) Los Angeles Chargers – Guyton tore his ACL against Jacksonville and will miss the rest of the season. DeAndre Carter will now act as the Chargers’ No. 4 wideout.
Joey Bosa (EDGE) Los Angeles Chargers – For the IDP crowd, Bosa suffered a significant groin injury and is listed as week-to-week. Be prepared to see Bosa in street clothes for multiple weeks. This is a major blow to a defense that has underperformed through three weeks.
