NFL Injury Report 2024 - Fantasy Football Week 4: Justin Herbert & More
All fantasy football injuries are serious, and we should never take them lightly, but Week 3 of the NFL season has been on the lighter side when it comes to significant players on the NFL injury report for Week 4.
At least, that’s when you compare it to the first two weeks and how many fantasy football injuries we suffered through.
NFL Injury Report For Week 4: Fantasy Football Injuries
The initial NFL injury report for Week 4 will have names added to it for sure, but for now, here is what we know about players injured in their Week 3 games.
Let’s not overlook the fact that we have two games taking place on Monday night as well.
NFL Week 4 Injury Report: Quarterbacks
Justin Herbert Injury Update - Ankle
Justin Herbert entered the Chargers’ Week 3 game with a high-ankle sprain and aggravated it during the game and was forced to leave. Per Ian Rapoport, X-rays came back negative, and he'll be monitored throughout the week. Seems like a bullet was dodged here.
Sam Darnold Injury Update - Knee
It’s an injury that didn’t force Darnold out of the game permanently, but he was forced for the game for a play. Despite that fact, the Vikings got an MRI for Darnold’s knee and per Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, nothing was structurally impacted. Everything is pointing to Darnold being available against the Packers in Week 4.
Skylar Thompson Injury Update - Chest/Ribs
The Dolphins backup, now starting quarterback, Skylar Thompson was knocked out of their Week 3 game against Seattle with a chest injury after he took an absolute beating in and out of the pocket in Week 3.
Head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters after the game that it’s actually an injury to the ribs and that he was trying to re-enter the game. We’ll see about his Week 4 status but let’s not forget, the Dolphins have Tyler Huntley on their practice squad waiting in the wings.
NFL Week 4 Injury Report: Running Backs
Najee Harris Injury Update - Arm
After the Steelers Week 3 victory against the Chargers, starting running back Najee Harris was seen with a sling on his arm. There’s no word on what injury he’s nursing, but this is a massive injury we’re going to have to monitor.
Jaylen Warren Injury Update - Knee
Head coach Mike Tomlin noted something didn’t look right with Jaylen Warren in their Week 3 win, so he pulled him from the game. We now know it has to do with his knee and he is getting an MRI on it. We’ll have to monitor this situation because it’s both Steelers running backs that are banged up.
NFL Week 4 Injury Report: Wide Receivers
DeVonta Smith Injury Update - Concussion
In the Eagles’ Week 3 victory against the Saints, DeVonta Smith was absolutely crushed with a hit that likely should’ve been deemed illegal but wasn’t called. He left the game and didn’t return, and it looked very, very bad. An injury that could linger for weeks.
Amari Cooper Injury Update - Undisclosed
With about two minutes left in their Week 3 loss against the New York Giants, Amari Cooper went up to make a play and landed awkwardly and despite getting up under his power, he went to the sidelines. We’ll have to hear from head coach Kevin Stefanski to know what exactly the injury is and how serious it’s considered.
Adam Thielen Injury Update - Hamstring
Adam Thielen pulled his hamstring bad enough to be removed from the game and was unable to return. Thielen himself told reporters after the game that he’d be getting an MRI on Monday to get more details on the severity.
Jordan Addison Injury Update - Ankle
Speaking with reporters on Monday, head coach Kevin O’Connell said Jordan Addison is day-to-day and is hopeful that he’ll play in Week 4. He has missed the last two games due to a sprained ankle sustained in Week 1.
NFL Week 4 Injury Report: Tight Ends
Sam LaPorta Injury Update - Ankle
The official diagnosis of LaPorta’s ankle injury after the MRI is that it’s a low-ankle sprain, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. He returned to action in the second half of the Lions Week 3 game. There’s definite hope he’ll be available next week.
Trey McBride Injury Update - Concussion
It was a vicious hit delivered by Lions safety Brian Branch that knocked McBride out of their game and he’s being tested for a concussion. He took multiple seconds to get up off the ground and this will likely impact his status for Week 4.
David Njoku Injury Update - Ankle
David Njoku missed the Browns' Week 3 matchup against the Giants with a high-ankle sprain and when asked about his Week 4 status, head coach Kevin Stefanski said, “we’ll see” and they’ll know more on Wednesday.
Player News
49ers signed No. 11 pick EDGE Mykel Williams to a four-year contract.
The deal is worth $24.9 million and is fully guaranteed. As is the case with all first-round picks, his contract includes a fifth-year option. The 49ers shed hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts this offseason and the bulk of those savings came on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive end was an obvious position of need and Williams was widely regarded as the best pass-rusher on the board when 49ers GM John Lynch was on the clock. Williams totaled five sacks in 2024 and left Georgia with 14 sacks across three seasons as a starter.
Vikings signed No. 24 pick OG Donovan Jackson to a four-year contract.
It’s a fully guaranteed deal worth $17.2 million with a fifth-year team option. Minnesota taking Jackson with the 24th-overall pick came as a bit of a surprise on draft night, but the Vikings needed offensive line help and Jackson was considered worthy of a first-round pick by some draftniks. He was primarily a left guard at Ohio State but successfully kicked out to tackle for the bulk of his senior season. Jackson is likely fated for guard duties in Minnesota, but the positional versatility remains a plus.
Titans claimed Anfernee Orji off waivers from the Saints.
Orji played primarily on special teams in New Orleans but was credited with two starts across 16 appearances. He totaled 30 combined tackles and a pair of TFLs. Orji will need to continue seeing work on special teams to make the Titans’ roster.
Patriots signed RB Trayveon Williams, formerly of the Bengals.
Henderson was passed on the Cincinnati depth chart by Chase Brown last year and the team even traded for Khalil Herbert midseason. Despite having no role on offense, Williams was active for all 17 games as a special teamer. He will likely hold a similar role in New England if he cracks the team’s 53-man roster.
Free agent RB Jordan Mims worked out for the Patriots.
The Pats also worked out former Bengals running back Trayveon Williams. Mims ran 20 times for 70 yards in 2024 while adding 12 catches for 71 yards through the air. He also got some run on special teams. The Patriots are looking for some extra depth at running back, but there isn’t room for another fantasy-relevant option behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
Jaguars signed TE Quintin Morris, formerly of the Bills, to a one-year contract.
Morris is purely a blocking tight end. He caught just 15 passes during his three years with the Bills, though he did manage to find the end zone three times. Morris will back up Brenton Strange in Jacksonville.