Fantasy Football Injury Report: Week 4
Published: Oct 01, 2021
As we head into Week 4 of the NFL season there are some big names popping up on the injury list including a pair of star receivers and a polarizing tight end that may be missing the ultimate revenge game matchup against his former team! Let's take a look at the injuries you need to know about heading into Sunday!
A.J. Brown, WR TEN (Hamstring) - Titans have ruled Brown out for Sunday against the Jets with a hamstring injury. Tennessee goes into this game without both top receivers as Julio Jones is also out due to injury. Look for Chester Rogers and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to see increased role.
Julio Jones, WR TEN (Hamstring) - Jones was ruled out today with a hamstring injury and will miss the Titans Week 4 matchup against the Jets. For now, Jones should be considered week-to-week but he does not have a good history of late with soft tissue injuries as Jones missed time last season and all preseason. A heavy dose of Derrick Henry.
Rob Gronkowski, TE TB (Ribs) - It’s looking like Gronk will miss his return to New England as a rib injury suffered in Week 3 now has him listed as doubtful for Sunday night. If Gronk is not able to suit up fantasy managers should look for Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard to step into a greater role.
James White, RB NE (Hip) - The Patriots placed James White on IR after he suffered a hip injury in Week 3 against the Saints. The Patriots will likely turn to J.J. Taylor to take over the third down role but rookie Rhamondre Stevenson could also see increased snaps.
Sterling Shepard, WR NYG (Hamstring) - Shepard was having a great start to his season but injury issues have once again forced him to miss time much like they have over the course of his career. A hamstring injury forced him out of the Giants Week 3 matchup and will now cost him their Week 4 game against the Saints. Darius Slayton has also been ruled out here for the Giants so look for Kenny Golladay and Evan Engram to see an increased target share with rookie Kadarius Toney and offseason signing Colin Johnson also getting in the mix.
Darius Slayton, WR NYG (Hamstring) - A popular target of Daniel Jones through the first few weeks, Slayton left Week 3 with an injury that will force him to miss Week 4 as well. Kenny Golladay should see a ton of volume in Week 4 against the Saints.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR GB (Hamstring) - Not a major impact for the fantasy world, but MVS is going to land on the IR and miss the rest of the season for the Packers. The Green Bay offense is highly concentrated with Davante Adams and Aaron Jones seeing the majority of the touches.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR PIT (Ribs) - JuJu was taken off the team injury report on Friday which means he will be good to go for the Steelers matchup against the Packers in Week 4.
Diontae Johnson, WR PIT (Knee) - Like JuJu, Johnson was removed from the team injury report ahead of Week 4 which is big for the Steelers offense as they go up against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4.
Chase Claypool, WR PIT ( Hamstring) - Claypool was is coming off a solid Week 3 after getting a high target share with JuJu and Dionte out. He now finds himself questionable and with both of the aforementioned receivers back for Pittsburgh we could see Claypool ruled out here.
Christian McCaffrey, RB CAR (Hamstring) - As expected CMC will be ruled out for the Panthers Week 4 matchup against the Cowboys. Chuba Hubbard will see an increased workload with CMC out of the lineup.
Tyler Lockett, WR SEA (Hip) - Lockett is questionable heading into Week 4 against the 49ers with a hip injury. Of course, the NFL did away with the probable injury status a few years back so who knows if this is more probable than questionable? We will get a better idea on his status on Sunday. SHOULD Lockett be ruled out we should look for Freddie Swain to get a bump in usage with rookie D’Wanye Eskridge listed as doubtful.
Elijah Mitchell, RB SF (Shoulder) - Mitchell missed Week 3 due to a shoulder injury which has him now questionable for Week 4. If Mitchell is unable to go then Trey Sermon will again be the featured back for the 49ers as they face the Seahawks.
George Kittle, TE SF (Calf) - Kittle is day-to-day with a calf injury that has hampered him all week. He is a true questionable going into Week 4 against the Seahawks. If he ends up being ruled out look for both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Ayiuk to see a big jump in target share to fill the void left from Kittle.
Melvin Gordon, RB DEN (Ribs, Leg) - Gordon is listed as questionable heading into Denver's Week 4 matchup against the Ravens. If Gordon is unable to go the fantasy world will finally get to see second round pick Javonte Williams take on a full workload against a Ravens defense that hasn’t been as good as many expected to begin the season.
Darrell Henderson, RB LAR (Ribs) - After missing Week 3 due to a rib injury, Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters he expects Henderson to play in Week 4 against the Cardinals. Week 3 saw Sony Michel take on a large workload so it will be interesting to see how the backfield rotation is deployed once Henderson moves into the mix.
Antonio Gibson, RB WFT (Shin) - Gibson is listed as questionable due to a shin injury heading into Week 4 against the Falcons but most are expecting him to suit up and take on a big workload against an inferior team. Monitor this situation as we get closer to roster lock. If Gibson is unable to go, J.D. McKissic should be a big benefactor..
Curtis Samuel, WR WFT (Groin) - After landing on IR to begin the season, Samuel has been activated and is expected to play in Week 4 against the Falcons. It is more than likely that Samuel sees a reduced snap share during his debut but his presence is not going to benefit the likes of Adam Humphries or even McKissic given Samuel’s ability to fill a similar role for his former and now current head coach in Ron Rivera.