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We're not even a full month into the 2024 fantasy football season, yet managers are already navigating injuries to key players. Our injury updates and reports for Week 4 as of Thursday, September 26, 2024, will give you the latest updates on key guys.
Some players on this list are at greater risk of missing Week 4 than others, but you never know who could be a surprising scratch on game day. Ja'Marr Chase, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Cooper Kupp, Tank Dell, Nick Chubb, Puka Nacua, Marvin Harrison Jr., George Kittle, and more are banged up heading into Week 4. Fantasy managers should be ready to pivot should things go south.
To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. Let's look at the updates for some top fantasy assets at all positions and see whether they may play in Week 4.
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Ja'Marr Chase Injury Update
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (shoulder) is dealing with a shoulder issue, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. Baby further reported that the star wideout would have been deemed a limited participant if the team held a full practice on Wednesday instead of just a walkthrough.
Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Chase's status throughout the week, but seeing that he would only have been labeled as a limited participant suggests that this injury is not too severe.
Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase is dealing with a shoulder issue, according to the team's estimated injury report.
He would have been limited had the team held a full practice today. Bengals scheduled to hold a walkthrough today.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) September 25, 2024
After averaging just 48.5 yards through the first two weeks of the season, the former LSU Tiger had a nice breakout game on Monday evening, as he caught six passes for 118 yards and two scores. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable locking in Chase as a high-end WR1 if he is a full-go on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Injury Update
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Mike Evans (knee) and Chris Godwin (neck) are both on the Week 4 injury report after being limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Although it's a good sign that both players actually practiced, this is a situation to watch in Tampa with both of their top receivers on the injury report heading into a Week 4 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
In what could be a high-scoring contest on Sunday in Tampa, both Evans and Godwin should be in starting fantasy lineups as long as they're active. But if one or both of Evans and Godwin are out or limited on Sunday, it will raise the ceiling for rookie pass-catcher Jalen McMillan and tight end Cade Otton. Fantasy managers should check back the next two days to see if Evans and Godwin can get back to full practice to get cleared for Week 4. (Buccaneers.com)
Cooper Kupp Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) is out of his cast and was working with the strength and conditioning/training staff during Wednesday's walkthrough practice. Kupp injured his ankle in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Arizona Cardinals and missed the Week 3 win over the division-rival San Francisco 49ers.
Cooper Kupp is out of the cast and Puka Nacua has a compression sleeve on his right leg but both are working with strength and conditioning/training staff to the side of today’s walkthrough.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) September 25, 2024
He has already been ruled out for Week 4 versus the Chicago Bears this Sunday, but it appears he's making progress. With their bye coming in Week 6, there's a chance that fantasy managers won't have Kupp available for their starting lineups until Week 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Fellow wideout Puka Nacua (knee) remains on Injured Reserve, so wideouts Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Tutu Atwell, and Jordan Whittington will continue sharing targets from quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Puka Nacua Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) had a compression sleeve on his right leg and was working with the strength and conditioning/training staff off to the side during Wednesday's walkthrough practice. Nacua suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee in the season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions and was placed on Injured Reserve.
Cooper Kupp is out of the cast and Puka Nacua has a compression sleeve on his right leg but both are working with strength and conditioning/training staff to the side of today’s walkthrough.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) September 25, 2024
The earliest that he can return to action will be in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders after the team's bye in Week 7. Until then, fantasy managers need to keep the 23-year-old second-year pass-catcher in an IR spot.
Cooper Kupp (ankle) is set to miss his second straight game in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears, leaving wideouts Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Tutu Atwell, and Jordan Whittington to battle for targets from quarterback Matthew Stafford. So far, tight end Colby Parkinson has been a disappointment with Kupp and Nacua sidelined.
Tank Dell Injury Update
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (ribs, hand, wrist) is not expected to be available for the team's Week 4 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The second-year wideout suffered two injuries late in Houston's 34-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and did not return to the lopsided affair. Dell missed practice Wednesday and is listed as having a chest injury.
It's worth noting that while he's been dubbed as unlikely to play, head coach DeMeco Ryans regards him as day-to-day and said, "We'll see how he continues to progress." It's a tough development for the 24-year-old as he's coming off his most productive game of the season, where he caught 5-of-6 targets for 62 yards.
#Texans’ Joe Mixon ‘week to week,’ Tank Dell ‘day to day’ not practicing Wednesday; Dameon Pierce close to returning. Dell is dealing with painful bruised ribs, and is regarded as unlikely to play in #Jaguars game, per sources @KPRC2 https://t.co/C6x1WCsCNd
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 25, 2024
Fantasy managers will want to monitor his status closely ahead of the Week 4 home tilt. Expect wide receivers Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs to be in line for more work, with Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson, Steven Sims, and John Metchie III to mix in for supplemental snaps.
Marvin Harrison Jr. Injury Update
Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (quadricep) participated in practice on Wednesday on a limited basis due to a quadricep issue. His inclusion on the Cardinals' first practice report for Week 4 suggests that the team might manage his reps to ensure he's ready for Sunday's game against the Commanders. Fortunately, it is a minor concern, and he will likely play in Week 4.
Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. practiced in a limited fashion today due to a quadricep issue. pic.twitter.com/jl01jUTd1o
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 25, 2024
After a slow start to his NFL career, Harrison has found his rhythm over the past two games, totaling nine receptions on 19 targets for 194 yards and three touchdowns. The situation is evolving with the Commanders already in town and practicing at Arizona State following their Monday night game.
However, how Harrison is listed on Thursday and Friday' will be crucial for assessing his availability. If the injury is minor, he should be considered a must-start fantasy option against a struggling Commanders' pass defense.
Nick Chubb Injury Update
When asked if Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) will be designated to return to practice from Injured Reserve next week, head coach Kevin Stefanski said, "We'll see when we get to next week. He's doing well." Chubb opened the year on IR after needing two surgeries to fix a torn ACL and MCL in his knee after a gruesome injury early in 2023.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski is asked if RB Nick Chubb will be designated to return to practice from IR next week.
A: “We’ll see when we get to next week. He’s doing well.”
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) September 25, 2024
It's anyone's guess as to when the 28-year-old will be able to return this year. It would be nice to see Chubb back at practice next week, but it wouldn't guarantee his return in Week 5 versus the Washington Commanders.
When Chubb is finally ready to make his 2024 debut, it's likely that the Browns will ease him in alongside Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman. Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowler heading into last year, has a career 5.3 yard-per-carry average and deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues.
George Kittle Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that tight end George Kittle (hamstring) was limited in practice on Wednesday. Kittle injured his hamstring in practice last week and ultimately did not play in the Week 3 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. His status for this Sunday's contest against the visiting New England Patriots is up in the air, but it's a great sign that he is participating in the first practice of the week.
Kyle Shanahan: #49ers QB Brock Purdy has no injury designation.
TE George Kittle (hamstring) will be limited in today's practice.
WR Deebo Samuel (calf) won't practice.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) September 25, 2024
If the 30-year-old can increase his practice level on either Thursday or Friday, he'll give himself a shot to be active in Week 4. Backup TE Eric Saubert caught both of his targets for 41 yards and is a weak TE2 streamer in fantasy if Kittle misses another game. Receiver Jauan Jennings reaped all the benefits with Kittle and Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) out in Week 3, going for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Kittle is a must-start TE1 whenever he's active.
Jordan Love Injury Update
When asked if he's less limited in practice this week, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) said, "We're building it up for sure. Every day is a little bit better." Love said he's "definitely" moving better and was "pretty close" to playing in the Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans.
Love was officially limited in Wednesday's practice and has a real chance to play in Week 4 against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings for the first time since suffering a knee sprain in the season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil.
Jordan Love asked if he’s less limited in practice: “We’re building it up for sure. Every day is a little bit better.”
Says he’s “definitely” moving better.
On playing against the Titans: “I was pretty close.”
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) September 25, 2024
The 25-year-old will be more of a shaky QB1 for fantasy managers if he returns this weekend, especially against a Vikings defense that has impressed so far in 2024. Fantasy managers that have any of the team's talented receivers have to be happy that Love's return appears to be right around the corner.
Justin Herbert Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) informed reporters there has been discussion about potentially resting him until the bye week, but he believes that's different from the direction they're heading. Herbert mentioned he feels "less pain" and could participate in 7-on-7 drills today, indicating that his recent setback hasn't significantly hindered his recovery.
The Chargers officially listed him as a limited participant in practice. After an MRI on Monday, head coach Jim Harbaugh noted that Herbert's ankle injury is "progressing." The 26-year-old was labeled as questionable heading into last week's game after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers.
#Chargers QB Justin Herbert told reporters there has been talk about resting him until the bye, but he "doesn’t think that’s the way we’re heading."
Herbert said he feels "less pain" and was able to do some 7-on-7 work today. A sign his setback didn't set him back much.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2024
He exited during the third quarter of the Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers after taking a sack that seemed to aggravate the injury, leading to visible limping. He required treatment in the medical tent and did not return, leaving backup Taylor Heinicke to take over the offense. The Chargers are set to face the Chiefs on Sunday, and the team and Herbert hope for his return.
Jayden Reed Injury Update
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (calf, quadriceps) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday with calf and quadriceps injuries. Reed has been playing through a calf injury since Week 2, but the quad injury is new this week. Unless Reed suffers a setback later this week with one of his two injuries, he should be able to suit up and play this Sunday in a big divisional matchup against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field.
Jordan Love was limited and making progress, LaFleur says.
Alexander, Clark, Jenkins, Kraft, Love, Musgrave, Myers, Reed, Tom, Valentine were limited. Jordan Morgan the only DNP.— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) September 25, 2024
None of Green Bay's pass-catchers have been all that attractive in starting fantasy lineups the last two games with quarterback Jordan Love (knee) sidelined and backup Malik Willis running the offense. In two games with Willis at QB, Reed has six receptions for 59 yards and four carries for 56 yards. In the season opener with Love active, Reed scored both on the ground and through the air.
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