There is a lot of uncertainty with some major players heading into Week 4.  That sounds like a broken record, but it couldn’t be truer right now.  Fantasy owners will face some critical decisions come Sunday which will require doing a risk-reward analysis because the status of some elite players may not be known until the very last minute.  So without further adieu, here is the next edition of the gridiron walking wounded.

Andrew Luck (QB-IND)

In what could be potentially catastrophic news for Week 4, Andrew Luck is questionable for the Colts game against Jacksonville.  He is dealing with a shoulder injury which caused him to be shut down during practice on Thursday.  There is no sugarcoating how scary it is that he is having trouble throwing.  You need to monitor this situation very closely and do not even consider Matt Hasselbeck if Luck is unable to play.

Julio Jones (WR-ATL)

Jones did not practice on Wednesday but due to nagging toe and hamstring injuries, but he did return on Thursday.  There is nothing to worry about here as Jones will play against Houston this week and is absolutely the best fantasy receiver in this league right now.  He is a must-start in any league format and is well worth whatever his salary is in DFS.

Marshawn Lynch (RB-SEA)

Lynch was limited to just five carries last week before being removed from the game.  The decision wasn’t difficult for the Seahawks who dominated the Bears anyway.  However, he is still hampered by a hamstring injury which has made his status for Monday night uncertain at best.   This is problematic for fantasy owners who need to make a decision on him before Seattle likely will.  Monitor his status over the weekend and hope we know more before lineups lock on Sunday.

Arian Foster (RB-HOU)

We are inching closer to the return of Arian Foster and it very well could be this week against Atlanta.  However, Foster was still limited in practice and Houston still has not committed either way whether he will play.  The signs are pointing towards a return this week but you will need to check on his status right up to game time.  Foster will be a great RB2 option because he was likely drafted as such due to his preseason injury. 

LeSean McCoy (RB-BUF)

Despite finding the end zone in Week 3, McCoy’s status for this week does not look good according to Rex Ryan.  McCoy has been dealing with a hamstring injury for weeks and has been limited in practice.  He is a risky option either way and his absence makes Karlos Williams a must-start against the Giants.

Drew Brees (QB-NO)

While Brees claims his shoulder is feeling better, it is still not certain whether he will play this Sunday night against Dallas.  He was limited in practice this week and we probably won’t know until sometime over the weekend if he will be active.  This is too risky for fantasy owners so consider other options to be safe.  If we find out that Brees is playing, then roll with him against a Dallas defense that got lit up by Atlanta last week.

Sammy Watkins (WR-BUF)

Watkins is dealing with a calf injury which has put his status for this week’s game against the Giants in jeopardy.  Rex Ryan intimated that Watkins likely won’t play so chances are you will need to find a replacement.  Percy Harvin could be in for a big game against a defense that tends to give up big plays.

Jay Cutler (QB-CHI)

Cutler is considered day-to-day with a hamstring injury that sidelined him last week against Seattle.  It does not appear that he will play this week against Oakland which is unfortunate because it could have been a great matchup for him.  Cutler has seen his fantasy relevance diminish severely and at this point he is not worth rostering with his ineffectiveness and injury,

Victor Cruz (WR-NYG)

We will have to wait at least another week for Victor Cruz to make his 2015 debut.  He had to shut it down during practice this week as his calf injury flared up again.  Cruz was coming back from major knee surgery last year but has been hampered by the calf injury since the preseason.  It is quickly getting to the point where fantasy owners should consider letting him go because he has been wasting a roster spot for four weeks with no end in sight.

Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and is also the co-host of the Fantasy Alarm podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment),