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We're heading into the one-month mark of the NFL season, so as always, injuries are beginning to accumulate. Our fantasy football injuries report highlights several players with fantasy significance and their latest status heading into Week 4 as of Friday September 30th, 2022.
Guys like Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook, and Jonathan Taylor are high-profile names whose injury status is significant to fantasy lineups. There are also guys such as Zach Wilson, Dak Prescott, and Keenan Allen who have already missed multiple weeks. Could they return to the field in Week 4? As always, it's important to keep up with the latest injury news, as things can change in a hurry.
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 wide receivers and see whether they may play in Week 4.
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Christian McCaffrey Injury Update
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (thigh) is participating in the start of Friday's practice. He did not practice the last two days due to a thigh injury but will practice in some fashion on Friday. The 26-year-old is trending in the right direction towards suiting up for Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals.
He has rushed for 243 yards on 50 attempts and a touchdown while catching 10 passes for 57 yards over three games in 2022. CMC is expected to play and is a must-start against a Cardinals defense that ranks 30th in rush DVOA this season. That said, the Panthers have given McCaffrey to "questionable" tag for Week 4, so be sure to monitor his status up to kickoff.
Jameis Winston Injury Update
New Orleans quarterback Jameis Winston (back, ankle, hip) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. The 28-year-old was dealing with multiple injuries and did not practice this week. Andy Dalton is line to start Sunday's game against Minnesota and will be without top wideout Michael Thomas (foot), who was just ruled out.
On Sunday, Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave will be the red rifle's top targets. Dalton signed a one-year deal this offseason to back up Winston. The 34-year-old threw for 1,515 yards and an 8:9 TD: INT ratio over eight games with the Bears in 2021. Dalton can be used as a streamer against a Vikings defense that ranks 26th in pass DVOA.
Michael Thomas Injury Update
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (foot) has been ruled for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. He could not practice all week and was ultimately ruled out for Sunday's contest. The 29-year-old has been dealing with a foot injury and needs extra time to recover fully. His next chance to return will be Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Starting quarterback Jameis Winston is doubtful for Week 4; Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave will be backup Andy Dalton's top targets in Week 4. Both are considered flex options against a Vikings defense in the bottom 10 in DVOA against the team's top opposing wideouts.
Jonathan Taylor Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (toe) was back at practice on Thursday after missing the first practice of his career on Wednesday for precautionary reasons. Taylor suffered the minor toe injury during the team's Week 3 upset victory over the Chiefs, but this doesn't look like something that is going to have an impact on his production moving forward.
Taylor has got off to a bit of a slow start this season, but fantasy managers shouldn't be worried. The 23-year-old has averaged 20.3 carries and 4.3 targets per game, making him an elite RB1 option in Week 4 as the Colts face the divisional rival Titans at home.
Dalvin Cook Injury Update
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (shoulder) is off the injury report and will play in Week 4 against the Saints in London. Cook dislocated his shoulder in Week 3 and was ruled out for the remainder of the game, but it isn't surprising to see him active in Week 4 considering he's dealt with this injury before.
Last year, he missed one game with the same injury, but put on a harness the following week and ran for 205 yards and two touchdowns against the Steelers. Fantasy managers can feel confident in starting Cook as an RB1 option this week against a Saints defense that has given up 418 rushing yards through three games.
Dameon Pierce Injury Update
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hip) returned to full practice on Thursday. The 22-year-old was added to the injury report with a hip issue and was limited in Wednesday's session. He is coming off the best game of the season, logging 20 carries for 80 yards and a TD to go along with two catches for 21 yards in the Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Pierce will operate as the Texans' lead back, while teammate Rex Burkhead will provide a change of pace in Week 4 versus the Los Angeles Chargers. Fantasy managers can plug and play Pierce in their lineups as a borderline RB2 in Week 4.
David Montgomery Injury Update
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (ankle, knee) was unable to suit up for Thursday's practice. The organization is calling Montgomery day-to-day, but he's missed back-to-back practices. There seems to be a good chance of Khalil Herbert getting the start in Week 4. He rushed for 157 yards and two scores on 20 carries last week.
Herbert would be in the RB2 discussion if he starts against the New York Giants in Week 4. His ceiling is an RB1 Week, though. That said, Montgomery hasn't been ruled out just yet, so keep up to date as long as needed.
D'Andre Swift Injury Update
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (shoulder, ankle) will likely be ruled out of the Week 4 game against the Seattle Seahawks. This news comes as expected after head coach Dan Campbell alluded to the possibility of resting Swift until after the Week 6 bye.
Since Seattle has been a bottom-ten defense against fantasy running backs thus far, Jamaal Williams is a virtual must-start as the Lions' fill-in RB1. Craig Reynolds could also see some work but expect Williams to get all of the goalline carries, and perhaps a couple of receptions.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Injury Update
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) has been ruled out of the Week 4 contest against the Seattle Seahawks. This is a huge blow to St. Brown fantasy managers, as he's been the biggest breakout fantasy star through three weeks.
Josh Reynolds, D.J. Chark, and T.J. Hockenson all have uncertain statuses heading into Week 4, too, but each of them could benefit from St. Brown's status from a fantasy perspective. Ultimately, the Lions aren't shy about labeling players as "questionable", so be sure to keep up with the latest injury news regarding the Detroit offensive weapons as kickoff approaches.
Dak Prescott Injury Update
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (thumb) has missed the past two weeks with a thumb injury and did not practice on Wednesday. It has been reported that Prescott would like to play in Week 5, but his timeline suggests that a Week 6 return is more realistic.
According to Ian Rapoport, it will likely take two-to-three more weeks for Prescott to be ready, so next week may be too ambitious as his stitches were just removed this week. Assuming there are no setbacks, though, Prescott will be on track to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6.
Justin Herbert Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ribs) took part in a full practice on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday. Herbert was a game-time decision in the Week 3 blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he suited up and threw for under 300 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
It looks as though he's improving and shouldn't be a question mark entering the Week 4 contest against the Houston Texans, and he could have receiver Keenan Allen (hamstring) back for the first time since the season opener. The Texans defense has been pretty solid against opposing QBs so far this year, but Herbert will be a must-start QB1 for fantasy managers as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks.
Mac Jones Injury Update
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (ankle) is in the facility and has been participating in game-planning ahead of Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, according to sources. Jones has told multiple teammates not to count him out of this weekend's game and is still operating as if he has a chance to play despite suffering a severe high-ankle sprain in the Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
The 24-year-old second-year QB has missed both practices this week, though, so it's highly unlikely he'll suit up, and the expectation is that he'll miss multiple games. Veteran backup Brian Hoyer is expected to start under center against the Packers, so fantasy managers should downgrade all of the Pats' offensive skill players in fantasy.
Keenan Allen Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (hamstring) was limited for the second straight day in practice this week on Thursday. However, Allen reportedly left practice early with a trainer near the end of the period of practice open to the media. The 30-year-old hasn't played since tweaking his hamstring in the season opener, and he'll likely be listed as questionable for the Week 4 contest against the Houston Texans.
The good news is Allen has done more so far in practice this week, and the Bolts' game is on the early slate this Sunday, so fantasy managers will know right away if he's active. If Allen returns against Houston, he should once again be one of quarterback Justin Herbert's go-to options in the passing game.
Jakobi Meyers Injury Update
New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (knee) was listed as a limited participant in the team's practice on Wednesday. Meyers was sidelined in Week 3 with a knee injury but seems to have a chance to return to action in a Week 4 matchup with the Green Bay Packers. The fourth-year wideout was the favorite target of Mac Jones (ankle) through two games, with DeVante Parker shining in his absence last week.
Meyers remains the wide receiver to stash for fantasy purposes, but with Brian Hoyer expected to start Sunday's contest as Jones deals with a high ankle sprain, the Patriots' receiving options will not be recommended as anything more than a desperation flex play.
Russell Gage and Julio Jones Injury Update
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Russell Gage (hamstring) and Julio Jones (knee) were limited participants in Thursday's practice. For the second straight day, both Gage and Jones were limited. Tampa Bay's receiving core could be back at full strength this week as Mike Evans (suspension), Chris Godwin (hamstring), Gage, and Jones could return for Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Gage caught 12 of 13 targets for 87 yards and a touchdown in the Week 3 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Jones hasn't played since Week 1 due to a partially torn PCL in his knee. The veteran is on target to return to action in Week 4. Tom Brady could have all his weapons available for Sunday Night Football. Stay tuned.
Chris Godwin and Breshad Perriman Injury Update
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Breshad Perriman (knee, hamstring) didn't practice Thursday. Godwin received a veteran rest day Thursday after being limited on Wednesday. The 26-year-old has been sidelined since Week 1 with a hamstring issue.
His activity level on Friday will determine his chances of returning to action in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Perriman hasn't practiced this week due to knee and hamstring injuries. The 29-year-old will have one more chance to practice Friday before the Bucs release the final injury report for Sunday Night Football.
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