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Four weeks into the season and the injuries keep coming. Several players were dinged up, and we had what appears to be our first major season-ending injury. The 2024 fantasy football season is shaping up to be a war of attrition.
Injury woes are not fun, but we are still just four weeks into the year. Now is not the time to give up. There’s fallout from each injury, and it allows others the chance to shine. We also have several other stars poised to return from injury in the coming weeks, so if you’re still in the mix, keep grinding it out. That aside, let’s get to work and discuss who went down.
Make sure you follow RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football needs. Let’s dive into all the major injuries from Week 4.
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Rashee Rice - WR, Kansas City Chiefs
We will start with the biggest injury of the day. The Chiefs’ sophomore receiver was enjoying a breakout campaign when disaster struck in yesterday’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Rashee Rice #chiefs
Better angle here. You can see his knee hyperextends quite a bit.
This can put the ACL and other structures at risk. I don’t see much tibial rotation, the entire leg rotates laterally so I think the outward motion at the leg is at the hip and not the shin… pic.twitter.com/ZygXy287C5
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) September 29, 2024
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is feared to have suffered a torn ACL during Sunday’s game vs the Chargers, per sources. There will be additional testing to confirm the initial diagnosis. pic.twitter.com/lx5FKFpCVj
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 29, 2024
It looks like Rice suffered a major knee injury. He is set to undergo an MRI later today. Kansas City fears for the worst and fantasy managers should do the same.
This a brutal break as Rice was a PPR cheat code through the first three games and looked like a league-winning pick. There’s no way around it, managers will have a hard time replacing Rice’s production.
We will likely see Travis Kelce’s role increase with Rice going down. Rookie Xavier Worthy could see a bigger role going forward. Justin Watson and JuJu Smith-Schuster could see an increase in playing time as well and could warrant consideration on waivers.
Anthony Richardson - QB, Indianapolis Colts
Richardson suffered a hip injury in yesterday’s victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
#Colts QB Anthony Richardson has gone to the locker room. This was the injury: pic.twitter.com/uZEtZgv9dY
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 29, 2024
He re-entered the game for one play, took an awkward hit, shook his head afterward, and left the field for good. There is some good news as the sophomore quarterback seemingly avoided a major injury.
Sounds like Anthony Richardson could’ve come back if necessary. A good sign. https://t.co/8qDCaVPLG0
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 29, 2024
We will have to monitor Richardson’s practice status throughout the week to know if he will miss Week 5. Joe Flacco would start in Richardson’s place if he misses time and would be an option in two-quarterback and superflex leagues.
While it’s good to see Richardson is okay, this should serve as a reminder of his injury risk. Owners in superflex leagues would be wise to stash Flacco even if Richardson plays in Week 5 just in case he suffers another injury down the road.
Malik Nabers - WR, New York Giants
The main injury from Thursday’s contest between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants was rookie Malik Nabers. He suffered a concussion in the closing minutes of the game.
Giants WR Malik Nabers in concussion protocol, per coach Brian Dabollhttps://t.co/GG96yVM6Tn pic.twitter.com/PJlnwh2AWU
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 27, 2024
With the Giants playing this past Thursday, Nabers gets a few extra days to clear the concussion protocol. It’s unknown if he will be able to suit up in Week 5, so gamers should closely monitor the RotoBaller newsfeed for updates on his practice status.
Managers should plan on the rookie sensation missing a game. Wan'Dale Robinson had a strong performance this past week and is a must-add off waivers. He would be a strong starting option should Nabers miss time.
Darius Slayton would also warrant consideration as a waiver addition, but Robinson is the real target, especially in PPR leagues.
Christian Watson - WR, Green Bay Packers
Watson has struggled with injuries during his brief NFL career. Unfortunately, he suffered another injury in yesterday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Christian Watson -
Concern for Left MCL sprain. Hopefully it looks worse than it actually was. Had his foot pinned underneath while getting bent backwards though.
One pro: all of his prior injuries since 2018 were to his right knee..
pic.twitter.com/bRQjKpJ1pH— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 29, 2024
The third-year receiver had to be carted to the locker room. The initial fear is that Watson suffered a high-ankle sprain.
Sources: The early belief is #Packers WR Christian Watson suffered a high-ankle sprain during today’s game vs the #Vikings.
Watson will have more tests on Monday to get more clarity on the injury, which resulted in him getting carted off today. pic.twitter.com/hg3ftB0m0a
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 30, 2024
We’ll have to wait for more updates on Watson’s status to know exactly how to proceed. For now, gamers should plan as though Watson will miss time. Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks will be hot adds off waivers this week if Watson is out for an extended period. Wicks in particular is a strong add especially if you lost Rashee Rice.
Cordarrelle Patterson - RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Patterson left Pittsburgh’s game yesterday with an ankle injury and did not return. He was having a nice day working in tandem with Najee Harris. Before his injury, Patterson had accrued 62 scrimmage yards on eight touches.
Sadly, his day was cut short when he suffered an ankle injury and did not return. Fellow running back Jaylen Warren also missed this game with a knee injury. If Patterson is forced out of action that would leave Harris as the defacto bellcow back. He would be the biggest winner and would be in line for more touches.
Patterson was really only on the fantasy radar in deeper leagues, but gamers will still want to monitor his status as it could mean good things for Harris’ fantasy value.
Travis Etienne Jr. - RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Etienne did not touch the ball to begin Sunday’s game and it was apparently due to a shoulder injury.
RB Travis Etienne has a shoulder injury and his return is questionable.
— JaguarsPR (@JaguarsPR) September 29, 2024
Jacksonville’s RB1 did eventually enter the game and fight through the injury but was outproduced by backfield mate Tank Bigsby. It doesn’t look like this shoulder injury is too serious, but we should keep an eye on it throughout the week.
Pick up Bigsby in your league if anyone dropped him. He is playing well and seems to be carving out a role in the offense. Bigsby offers standalone value and would be in line for a big workload if Etienne’s shoulder becomes an issue.
George Kittle - TE, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers All-Pro tight end returned to action in Week 4 after missing last week due to a hamstring injury. However, he exited yesterday’s game after picking up an injury to his ribs.
#49ers TE George Kittle has a rib injury. His return is questionable.
LB Fred Warner has an ankle injury his return is questionable.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 29, 2024
Luckily for the 49ers and fantasy gamers, Kittle would return to the game. Even still, managers will want to follow Kittle’s status throughout the week as injuries can sometimes worsen once the adrenaline of playing in a game wears off.
It’s good news he returned to the game, but don't be surprised if we see a few limited practice designations. He may even be held out of practice altogether. No action is required yet, but gamers should keep it in the back of their minds and have several tight end streamers lined up just in case Kittle misses Week 5.
Taysom Hill - TE, New Orleans Saints
Hill returned to action after missing Week 4 due to a chest/rib injury. He scored two rushing touchdowns yesterday in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Taysom Hill lines up at RB. Touchdown.
📺: #NOvsATL on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/axWAVyBIVl— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
He was having a great day before being forced to leave the game with a rib injury. Hill was not able to return. Saints coach Dennis Allen indicated that Hill’s injury is a new one and that he has now injured the ribs on the other side of his body. The eighth-year pro has been banged up quite a bit this year, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him miss another game.
Should that happen, Hill would obviously be off the tight end streaming radar. Juwan Johnson would offer some streaming appeal in deeper leagues if Hill is forced out of action.
Jonathan Taylor - RB, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor was enjoying a solid game yesterday before being forced to leave the contest with an ankle injury.
Jonathan Taylor -
Late game right ankle sprain.
Fits a potential high ankle mechanism, he had it taped up but didn’t return (remained standing on the sideline).
Main concern: past history of right ankle injury.
We’ll see if he practices on Wednesday.
pic.twitter.com/YHoCE1hNMY— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 29, 2024
He has been diagnosed with high-ankle sprain.
#Colts star RB Jonathan Taylor was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain, sources say, thought it’s believed to be a pretty mild version. Indy will get a full report tomorrow, but in the words of one source, “He’s ok.”
Taylor gained 108 yards from scrimmage and a TD today. pic.twitter.com/k55kk2hqYq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 30, 2024
His status for Week 5 and beyond is currently unknown. We will need to monitor any updates on Taylor's injury as well as his practice status throughout the week. Trey Sermon is next in line for touches. He is currently rostered in only 1% of leagues and is widely available.
Sermon will be a popular waiver add for running back needy managers if Taylor is forced out of action. At this point, it’s wise for Taylor’s owners to expect him to miss at least Week 5, and they should make moves accordingly.
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