Week 4 can be a turning point in the fantasy football season. Make sure you stay informed of all the injuries that will affect Week 4.
Week 3 saw plenty of new injuries, but Week 4 also marks the first week that players who started the season on IR are eligible to return. See which players have a chance to return, which players are still iffy, and which ones are out below.
Be sure to check back for updates as more information comes in.
For a quick reference tool, check out the new injury tracker that I will be updating up until kickoff.
NFL Week 4 Injury Report for Offensive Players
DeAndre Hopkins, WR - Questionable
After a disappointing performance in Week 3, it's possible that the rib injury Hopkins has been nursing played a factor.
Russell Gage, WR - Questionable Out
Gage was inactive last week with an ankle injury. Keep an eye out for updates on his status throughout the week.
Rashod Bateman, WR (groin), and Miles Boykin, WR (hamstring)
Still on injured reserve with previously reported injuries. Both of these players will be eligible to return to the field in Week 4 and are expected to practice this week. Watch for updates later this week to see if they are trending toward being available.
No new injuries were reported.
Christian McCaffrey, RB - Out (a few weeks)
McCaffrey suffered a hamstring injury on Thursday night. The team does not plan on placing McCaffrey on IR, so it's clear they are hopeful for a return in the next three weeks. Rookie running back Chuba Hubbard will look to capitalize on the opportunity.
Tarik Cohen, RB (knee - ACL)
Andy Dalton, QB – Questionable Out
Dalton's status for Week 4 will remain up in the air likely until late in the week. Currently, if I had to guess I don't think he will be able to play this week.
Justin Fields, QB - Questionable
Fields received an x-ray on his throwing hand after a disappointing first career start. The x-rays were reportedly negative, so there is a chance he will be able to play through it but the team is refusing to name a starter early in the week and has indicated that Nick Foles is even in play.
Update: Fields is expected to start again in Week 4 while Dalton is expected to be out once again.
Tee Higgins, WR - Questionable Out
Higgins missed the Bengals' Week 4 win with a shoulder injury. Keep an eye on his practice participation, especially later in the week to see if he will be active on game-day.
Update: Higgins has been ruled out of Thursday night's game.
Jarvis Landry, WR - Injured Reserve
Remains on injured reserve, eligible to return in Week 6.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR
Beckham saw nine targets in his 2021 debut. Don't be surprised if he has some extra rest or limited practices this week. That said, I expect him to be a full go for Week 4.
Michael Gallup, WR - IR
Gallup is on injured reserve with a previously reported injury. Eligible to return Week 5.
Update:
Tony Pollard, RB - Questionable
Pollard was officially listed as did not participate in Thursday's practice. It appears to be for personal reasons so hopefully it's nothing serious and he can get back on the field Friday.
Update:
Melvin Gordon, RB - Questionable
Gordon is listed as questionable with rib and leg injuries for Week 4.
Jerry Jeudy, WR – IR (out 6-8 weeks)
Jeudy is currently on injured reserve with a previously reported injury.
KJ Hamler, WR - IR (season-ending)
Hamler suffered a torn ACL and is out for the remainder of the season.
Tyrell Williams, WR - IR
Currently on injured reserve with a previously reported concussion. Eligible to return Week 6.
Davante Adams, WR
Adams took a big hit on Sunday night and looked like he might have to enter concussion protocol. He was able to come back into the game, but it remains to be seen if there are any lasting issues during practice this week.
Update:
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR IR
Valdes-Scantling was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He is expected back at some point this season but will miss a minimum of three weeks making his earliest return will be Week 7.
Tyrod Taylor, QB - IR
Taylor is on injured reserve with a previously reported hamstring injury. He will be eligible to return in Week 6.
Nico Collins, WR - IR
Collins is on injured reserve with a previously reported shoulder injury. He will be eligible to return in Week 6, but his initial timeline suggested that it could be later.
Carson Wentz, QB
Wentz was able to play in Week 3, so as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks, he should be good for Week 4.
T.Y. Hilton, WR (neck) - IR
Still on IR with a previously reported injury. He is eligible to return this week, but it doesn't appear that he will be healthy just yet.
No new injuries were reported.
Andy Reid, HC
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was taken to the hospital following the team's Week 3 loss. Reports suggest that he is doing fine, so hopefully he'll be on the sideline next week.
Josh Jacobs, RB - Questionable
Jacobs has missed two straight weeks after being downgraded to doubtful late in both weeks. Watch his practice status, but don't put much stock in the reports from the team or head coach Jon Gruden as they have been vague and at times misleading.
Justin Herbert, QB
Herbert had his hand wrapped and iced after the Chargers' Week 3 game. He didn't miss any time during the game and should be fine for next week, but watch him just in case.
Darrell Henderson, RB - Questionable
Henderson suffered an injury to his rib cartilage in Week 2 and missed Week 3 as a result. Hopefully, he can make his return, but don't expect a firm answer until later in the week.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB - IR
Tagovailoa is on injured reserve with a previously reported rib injury. He will be eligible to return in Week 6.
Update:
Will Fuller, WR - Questionable
Fuller was limited in practice on Thursday with a chest and elbow injury but is expected to be able to play in Week 4.
Dalvin Cook, RB - Questionable
Cook missed last week with an ankle injury and his availability will likely remain uncertain until late in the week or on game-day.
Update: Cook was able to get a limited practice in on Thursday, but his status for Sunday is still to be determined.
James White, RB - Out IR
White suffered a subluxation of the hip, similar to the injury that sidelined Ryan Fitzpatrick earlier this season. Like Fitzpatrick, I expect White to end up on injured reserve, but time will tell.
Update: Reports are suggesting White will miss the remainder of the 2021 season but the official move hasn't been made yet.
After further medical examinations this week, Patriots’ RB James White’s hip injury is expected to end his 2021 season, per @FieldYates and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 29, 2021
No new injuries were reported.
Evan Engram, TE - Questionable
Engram made his 2021 debut in Week 3 and should be active in Week 4 as well.
Sterling Shepard, WR - Questionable Out
Shepard suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday and left the game. He may be able to play in Week 4 but I would avoid playing him if at all possible with the risk of reaggravation high.
Darius Slayton, WR - Questionable Out
Slayton also Sunday's game early with a hamstring injury. I would treat him the same as Shepard; high risk with relatively low upside.
Update: Neither Slayton nor Shepard practiced Thursday and are likely to miss Week 4.
Jamison Crowder, WR - Questionable
Crowder has yet to play this year due to a groin injury.
Update: Crowder is expected to make his 2021 debut this week, but watch for game-day updates on the injury tracker just in case.
Tevin Coleman, RB - Questionable
Coleman missed Week 3 with a non-COVID illness, but I would expect him to be active this week. Keep an eye on practice reports in the event that the illness is longer lasting than expected.
Elijah Moore, WR - Questionable Out
Moore suffered a concussion in Week 3 and will have to clear concussion protocol before Sunday.
Update: Moore has been ruled out for Week 4.
No new injuries were reported.
Diontae Johnson, WR - Questionable
Johnson suffered a knee injury in Week 2 that kept him sidelined this past week. His practice participation this week should give us an idea of his chances to play in Week 4.
Update: Johnson was a full participant in practice Thursday and appears to be on track to play this week.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR - Questionable
Smith-Schuster left in Week 3 due to a rib injury. Initial x-rays were negative, so he has a chance to play in Week 4.
Update: Smith-Schuster was a limited participant Thursday. I'm not expecting a final call on him until this weekend.
Update:
Chase Claypool, WR - Out
Claypool has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Rashaad Penny, RB - Questionable/Doubtful IR
Penny was inactive in Week 3 and is currently listed as questionable with a calf injury. Despite the optimism that he may be able to return this week, I'm assuming he will be out until I see some significant practice time.
Update: Penny was placed on injured reserve Saturday. He'll now miss at least three more weeks making his earliest return Week 7.
Jamycal Hasty, RB - IR
Hasty was placed on injured reserve this past weekend with a high ankle sprain and will be eligible to return in Week 6.
Elijah Mitchell, RB - Questionable
Mitchell is questionable with a shoulder injury that kept him out of Week 3. Watch for updates on his practice participation this week to gauge his availability in Week 4.
Update: Mitchell was limited in practice on Thursday. Reports appear to be pessimistic that he will be able to play Sunday.
George Kittle, TE - Questionable
Kittle had some calf soreness but should be good to go by next Sunday. Watch his practice participation this week just to be safe.
Update: Kittle did not participate in practice Thursday. The calf soreness that Kittle is dealing with may be more serious than initial reports indicated. Be prepared for him to be a game-time decision this week.
Antonio Brown, WR - COVID
Antonio Brown missed Week 3 on the COVID list and remains on the list at this time. The hope would be that he can clear the protocol in time for Week 4.
Update: Brown was activated from the COVID list and is expected to play.
Rob Gronkowski, TE - Questionable Out
Gronkowski picked up a rib injury last week but is on track to play against New England this Sunday. I imagine it would take a lot to keep him from suiting up against his former team.
Update: Adam Schefter tweeted that Gronk will not be making the trip to NE, and will not play this week.
Second update: Gronkowski I said to have suffered multiple rib fractures and is expected to be out multiple weeks.
Bucs’ TE Rob Gronkowski suffered multiple fractured ribs last Sunday that threaten to sideline him for multiple weeks, sources tell ESPN.
Initial X-rays were clean but follow up MRIs were not. “We held out hope all week he’d be ready,” said one source. “He’s a different breed.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 2, 2021
A.J. Brown, WR - Questionable Out
Brown left Sunday's game with a hamstring injury and is highly questionable for Week 4. He is being considered week-to-week and I would plan on a two to four-week absence.
Update: A.J. Brown did not practice Thursday, putting his Week 4 status in serious doubt.
Second Update: A.J. Brown has been ruled out for Week 4.
Update
Julio Jones, WR - Questionable Out
Jones missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with a hamstring issue. Missing practice and playing through injury is the norm for Jones, but this is still concerning for a team who may already be without A.J. Brown this week.
Second update: Julio Jones has been ruled out for Week 4.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB – IR
Fitzpatrick is on injured reserve with a previously reported injury.
Curtis Samuel, WR - IR
Samuel is eligible to return in Week 4 after starting the season on injured reserve due to a groin injury. I'm not convinced this will be the week, but keep an eye out for practice report updates.
Update:
Antonio Gibson, RB
Gibson missed practice Thursday with an apparent shin injury. Watch for Friday's practice report to see if he is able to return to practice.
Antonio Gibson has a shin injury and that's why he was a DNP today, team says.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) September 30, 2021
For the NFL Week 4 IDP Injury report, click here
Thanks for reading the NFL Week 4 Injury Report for offensive players! If you want to read more of my work, you can do so on my IDP Guys Author Page! If you are ever looking for some fantasy feedback, hit me up on Twitter at @DynastyDVM and follow @IDPGuys for more great content.
