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We have hit the ground running from an injury perspective in 2023, as the season seems to be filled with an assortment of injuries to notable fantasy football players. As we head into Week 4 of the NFL season that begins with a Thursday night divisional clash between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, the amount of injury news has remained significant. These are the latest notable injury updates as of Thursday, September 28, 2023.
Fantasy football stalwarts such as Aaron Jones, Christian Watson, David Montgomery, and many more have been dealing with injuries ahead of Week 4. We have plenty of must-starts on this week's injury list, so 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 of fantasy football's most notable performers and see whether they may play in Week 4.
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Aaron Jones Injury Update
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday Night Football against the Detroit Lions. Jones suffered the injury on a long touchdown catch in Week 1, which forced him to the sideline for Weeks 2 and 3.
Aaron Jones is reportedly set to return to the lineup for the Packers on Thursday Night Football. 🧀 https://t.co/n42QG4cMhQ pic.twitter.com/tOAgr9OAzm
— theScore (@theScore) September 28, 2023
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Packers will be cautious with both Jones and wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) in their returns. If Jones plays as expected, the veteran ball carrier will likely be on a snap count. That, coupled with a matchup against a strong Detroit run defense, makes Jones a low-end RB2 for the week.
Christian Watson Injury Update
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) is expected to make his season debut on Thursday against the Detroit Lions. The second-year wideout suffered a hamstring injury before the start of the regular season and has not been able to suit up yet.
Take 2: #Lions RB David Montgomery will play tonight and be the lead back vs. the #Packers, though there’s plenty in the game plan for rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, too. Meanwhile, RB Aaron Jones and WR Christian Watson return for the banged-up #Packers. @gmfb @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/aAh5G0t2xF
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 28, 2023
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Packers will be cautious with both Watson and running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) in their returns. The 24-year-old is a big play waiting to happen. He scored nine times as a rookie in just 14 games. This week, Watson is better off on your fantasy football bench with the limited snaps he may receive.
David Montgomery Injury Update
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (thigh) is expected to return to game action against the Green Bay Packers, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
The veteran running back suffered the injury in Week 2 against the Seahawks and missed Week 3. Montgomery was listed as limited in practice all week. If he's ready for his normal workload, Montgomery will split touches with rookie Jahmyr Gibbs in the Detroit backfield. Consider him a low-end RB2 in Week 4.
The Return of David Montgomery pic.twitter.com/OxrxnK8sNI
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 28, 2023
Austin Ekeler Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) was seen stretching with the team on Thursday after he was limited in Wednesday's practice. Ekeler will likely be listed as limited in practice again on Thursday, giving him a chance to return this Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders after he missed Weeks 2 and 3 due to a high-ankle sprain.
#Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is stretching with the team. Was limited yesterday.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) September 28, 2023
The 28-year-old still isn't a lock to be active on Sunday, but things are certainly trending in the right direction. Ekeler is a must-start fantasy asset when he's on the field for the Bolts. Backup Joshua Kelley failed to deliver as the starting RB for LA the last two weeks with Ekeler sidelined, and he's being dropped in a lot of fantasy leagues with Ekeler trending towards returning against Vegas.
Bryce Young Injury Update
Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) said he's feeling "great" and is expected to play in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday. Young isn't concerned at all that his sprained right ankle will limit him after he sat out the Week 3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
He looked so good in Wednesday's practice that head coach Frank Reich said the No. 1 overall pick was trending toward starting against Minnesota, barring a setback. Young has impressed the team in practices, but he has yet to impress in his first two NFL games.
The 22-year-old will have a much easier matchup against a weak Vikings defense if he plays this weekend, but he'll still be nothing more than a low-end QB2 play in superflex leagues.
Panthers OC Thomas Brown said Wednesday’s practice was Bryce Young’s best this season. pic.twitter.com/EL8zyz10bI
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) September 28, 2023
Anthony Richardson Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson (concussion) is at practice again on Thursday. His last step to clear the league's concussion protocol will be clearance by an independent neurologist. Richardson was listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday, so it seems like only a matter of time before he gains full clearance to return for a Week 4 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.
The 21-year-old first-rounder suffered a concussion in Week 2 and was forced to sit out of last week's overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens. If Richardson is able to suit up this Sunday, he'll be an upside QB2 play, mainly for his elite rushing ability. Gardner Minshew would head back to the bench.
For the second straight day, the Colts listed QB Anthony Richardson as a full participant in practice, putting him on track to play Sunday vs. the Rams.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 28, 2023
Jaylen Waddle Injury Update
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (head) has cleared the league's concussion protocol. It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise after Waddle was listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday, and he should have the same designation on Thursday as he looks to return this Sunday in a big showdown against the division-rival Buffalo Bills.
Waddle took a shot to the head in Week 2 and didn't play in the Week 3 shellacking of the Denver Broncos due to his concussion. The 24-year-old has caught eight of his 11 targets for 164 yards in two games played so far in 2023. Despite the tough matchup on the road in Buffalo this weekend, Waddle should be returned to all starting lineups.
Miami Dolphins’ wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has cleared the concussion protocol, the team announced Thursday.https://t.co/orvSl9fBbT
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 28, 2023
Saquon Barkley Injury Update
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) will be on the practice field on Thursday to do individual work to see how he's moving. Barkley suffered a high-ankle sprain to his right ankle in Week 2 and didn't play last Thursday night on a short week.
The Giants aren't ruling him out for this Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks, but the most likely scenario is that he's held out again, making him an extremely risky fantasy option in Week 4. If the 26-year-old misses a second straight game, expect the Giants to once again mix and match in their backfield with Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell and rookie Eric Gray. It's a situation to avoid in most fantasy leagues.
From The Insiders on NFL+: #Giants RB Saquon Barkley will do individual drills today, which is good. But still a ways to go. pic.twitter.com/zbN7Psy1mW
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 28, 2023
Derek Carr Injury Update
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) is considered week-to-week with a sprained AC joint that he suffered in the Week 3 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He was unable to practice on Wednesday and said that he won't return until he's capable of performing at his expected level.
Derek Carr: I'm going to do everything I can to be out there with my guys. If I can play, I'll play. If I physically just cant play, then I can't play. But if I'm out there that means there is no fear of re-injury. There's no fear of being able to help the football team. pic.twitter.com/1OO7WcSwJo
— Sean FazendeFOX8 (@SeanFazendeFOX8) September 27, 2023
"If I physically just can't play, then I can't play. But if I'm out there, that means I'm, you know, there's no fear of re-injury, there's no fear of this, there's no fear of being able to help the football team. And so, I'm going to do everything I can to be out there but never hurt the team at the same time," Carr said.
Carr isn't expected to play in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with Jameis Winston fully expected to make his first start of the season after relieving Carr last Sunday.
Treylon Burks Injury Update
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks (knee) did not take part in practice on Thursday after being limited in Wednesday's session. Burks may have had a setback with his knee injury, but the Titans could also just be resting him before he returns to practice on Friday. Either way, the 23-year-old's status for the Week 4 game against the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend is up in the air.
The Titans offense hasn't been impressive at all through the first three weeks and will face a tough challenge against a Bengals defense that looked downright tough in their Monday night win over the Los Angeles Rams. Burks has taken a clear back seat to DeAndre Hopkins so far in the passing game this year and he has six catches for 99 yards on 13 targets heading into Week 4.
#Titans injury report
Treylon Burks (knee), Luke Gifford (hamstring), Elijah Molden (hamstring), Teair Tart (knee) DNP. pic.twitter.com/fnSgxd7QHh— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 28, 2023
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