Inside the Tent - Week 4 NFL Injury Insight

Thankfully, Week 3 didn't have a great number of fantasy-relevant injuries. It did have some awesome twists and turns though with the Browns getting their first win since Christmas Eve 2016, the Bills defeating the Vikings out of nowhere, and the Patriots losing their second game in a row. We got some updates about some of the guys I've been keeping up with this year though so you'll have to read below to get that information. Here's to another great week of NFL action!

At RotoBaller, we can't stress enough the importance of keeping up with injuries and playing your best lineup week after week. Players are going to get injured, that's an unavoidable fact. What's avoidable though is making the wrong roster decisions based on the injuries surrounding your fantasy squad. If you want to dominate your leagues and win some dough in daily contests, you have to be proactive with injury research.

That's where I come in to serve you guys, the readers! I'm Aaron Burger, a third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student, graduating in May. About a year ago, I decided to combine my love, fantasy football, with what I've been learning for three years now, injuries and the human body. Each week, I'll be checking in on fantasy's biggest injuries to keep you informed. Be sure you also have RotoBaller bookmarked and follow us on social media to catch all the latest breaking NFL news updates.

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Updates from Last Week

Joe Mixon, RB - Cincinnati Bengals

Mixon wasn't able to practice with the team Wednesday or Thursday but got work in on the side. On Thursday, he resumed running and cutting which is a great sign following his knee arthroscopic surgery and minor meniscus tear. He has a good chance of coming back next week against the Dolphins in Week 5. Giovani Bernard rushed 12 times for 61 yards and a TD while catching five passes for 25 yards in Mixon's absence and can be trusted again this week in what figures to be a high-scoring game. The Falcons also give up a TON of receptions and receiving yards to opposing running backs so Bernard is practically must-start in PPR formats.

Melvin Gordon, RB - Los Angeles Chargers

Gordon is good to go! He rushed 15 times for 80 yards and one TD while catching two passes for four yards. Gordon is locked in as an RB1 this season as long as he can stay healthy.

LeSean McCoy, RB - Buffalo Bills

McCoy was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday. He still has been sporting a non-contact jersey at practice so that is definitely not a good sign. He injured the cartilage in his ribs when one of his offensive linemen fell on top of him in Week 2. Ribs and their cartilage can be very delicate considering how they must expand during inhalation. McCoy's status will be worth monitoring throughout the weekend, especially Sunday morning.

Devonta Freeman, RB - Atlanta Falcons

Freeman will once again be out against the Bengals. He has a history of PCL and MCL injuries last year and this could be what is keeping him out in 2018. Tevin Coleman owners rejoice as you get another week of uncontested touches and targets. Freeman could be back for Week 5.

Jay Ajayi, RB - Philadelphia Eagles

It has been reported by Zach Berman that Ajayi has been dealing with a "small fracture" in his back. Even with the fracture, he got a full practice in on Thursday. With this new development, things are looking up for Ajayi to play in Week 4. Ajayi is likely dealing with a spinous process fracture which is the part of the back that can be felt when bending forward.

Doug Baldwin, WR - Seattle Seahawks

Head Coach Pete Carroll told media members that Doug Baldwin will play this Sunday against the Cardinals. Carroll told reporters that Baldwin looked explosive and he's looking forward to seeing him on the field on Sunday. I'm sure Russell Wilson and the entire Seahawks offense feels the same way. He's a risky play considering he might draw some attention from Patrick Peterson. Hopefully, Baldwins Grade II MCL sprain is a thing of the past.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR - Arizona Cardinals

Fitzgerald didn't practice Wednesday but turned in a limited practice Thursday. He is dealing with a hamstring strain but had two receptions for nine yards, disappointing his fantasy owners in Week 3. Fitzgerald hasn't missed a game in four years so play him and hope the offense will turn around with Josh Rosen under center.

Alshon Jeffery, WR - Philadelphia Eagles

Jeffery was cleared for contact on Wednesday which is a great step forward! Unfortunately though, his status for Week 4 is still up in the air. Jeffery hasn't been able to suit up on Sundays this year as he has been recovering from rotator cuff surgery he underwent after the Super Bowl. He missed practice Thursday with an illness so his status will be worth monitoring throughout the weekend and up to the Eagles' 1 PM EST kickoff against the Titans.

Josh Gordon, WR - New England Patriots

Gordon's hamstring strain wasn't cleared up by the time the Patriots took the field against the Lions on Monday Night Football. The Patriots' offense didn't look as explosive as we're accustomed to seeing. The Patriots sure could use a downfield threat in the form of Josh Gordon this week as they look to bounce back after a loss on national TV. Gordon has been limited in practice all week and is questionable to play. If he has the playbook (or the majority of it) down, he should be out there against the division-leading Dolphins.

Jack Doyle, TE - Indianapolis Colts

According to Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star, Doyle could be out until October 14th with a hip injury. The exact injury is unknown at the time but considering the timeline, it could be a joint issue like the labrum. The labrum helps to make the joint more stable and adds surface area to an otherwise shallow joint.

Week 4 Injury Updates

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB - San Francisco 49ers

• Injury: Garoppolo suffered a complete ACL tear Week 3 against the Chiefs. He planted on his left foot trying to juke a defender and his knee collapsed inward. The ACL is a ligament that attaches the femur to the tibia and provides stability to the knee.
• News: The ACL tear was confirmed Monday via MRI. Garoppolo joins Jerick McKinnon who tore his ACL prior to the season. The 49ers will be looking forward to having two integral pieces of their offense back in 2019.
• Outlook: C.J. Beathard is obviously quite the downgrade from Jimmy Garoppolo. Beathard has had trouble stretching the field and is more likely to check down to tight ends and running backs. George Kittle should remain a solid tight end and Matt Breida should see even more targets in the 49ers offense with Beathard under center.

Tyrod Taylor, QB - Cleveland Browns

• Injury: Taylor left Week 3’s matchup with a concussion, paving the way for Baker Mayfield to make his NFL regular season debut. Concussions are obviously a result of a blow to the head or neck, causing headaches, sensitivity to light, nausea, as well as many other symptoms.
• News: He was limited in practice all week and remains in the concussion protocol. Head Coach Hue Jackson expects him to be cleared and available to back up Mayfield.
• Outlook: If you had Taylor and expected some good things to come from the Browns offense, then hopefully you got Mayfield off the waiver wire. It was only a matter of time before the #1 pick found his way onto the field and unless he is a major disappointment, this is likely his team now.

Rex Burkhead, RB - New England Patriots

• Injury: Burkhead’s injury is being called a neck injury. It very well could be related to his recent concussion that had his Week 2 status questioned. When an athlete suffers a concussion, the risk for another concussion increases. This is especially true if the athlete returns before the body is ready. Burkhead could also be suffering from a fracture or ligament sprain although placing him on IR leads us to believe it is more involved than that.
• News: Burkhead was placed on the IR as of Wednesday. With this being said, he will be out until Week 10.
• Outlook: With Burkhead out, Sony Michel is poised to see the majority of early-down work for the Patriots as they try to right the ship and figure out their offense. The Patriots have not looked as electric as we are accustomed to seeing but they’re still the Patriots and make adjustments better than anyone in the league. Burkhead is droppable at this point considering he is on the IR for the foreseeable future.

A.J Green, WR - Cincinnati Bengals

• Injury: It was first reported that Green was dealing with a groin injury but more recent reports described it as a pelvic injury. He jumped for a pass and landed on his bottom so this is likely the source of his pelvic pain. Green was likely dealing with a bruise or contusion so this injury was not considered serious.
• News: He was limited in practice Wednesday but practiced in full Thursday and Friday. He will be able to play this weekend in what could be a high scoring game against the Falcons.
• Outlook: You’re playing A.J. Green, especially with the potential of a high scoring game Sunday. The emergence of Tyler Boyd does not devalue Green but rather gives the Bengals another option to move the ball and create scoring opportunities.

Anthony Miller, WR - Chicago Bears

• Injury: The rookie from Memphis suffered a dislocated shoulder in Week 3. It’s being reported that he will not require surgery which is great news. With surgery not in his future plans, we can conclude that there was likely no serious damage to the ligaments or rotator cuff musculature. The ligaments and rotator cuff help to make the shoulder joint more stable although it is one of the more mobile joints in the body, leaving it prone to injuries.
• News: Miller is considered week to week at this point. He was not able to practice all week so he is OUT for Week 4 against the Buccaneers.
• Outlook: Miller has not been as involved with the Bears offense as fantasy owners (myself included) had hoped but he is still a great young talent. He was able to snag a touchdown pass in Week 2 so they clearly have plans for the rookie to continue to be involved but I’m just not quite sure if he is fantasy relevant. He is much more valuable in dynasty leagues at this point.

Evan Engram, TE - New York Giants

• Injury: Engram sustained a MCL sprain in Week 3’s victory against the Texans. It is likely a Grade II sprain considering it’s being estimated he will be out 2-4 weeks. The MCL is a ligament on the inside of the knee and helps to add stability. If it is rehabbed correctly, there shouldn’t be more issues this season.
• News: He was ruled out during the game Sunday and wasn’t able to practice all week. An MRI that was taken Monday confirmed their diagnosis of a MCL sprain while assuring the medical staff other ligaments were not involved.
• Outlook: With Engram out, Rhett Ellison caught three passes for 39 yards and a TD but he is not considered a long term fantasy option for tight end. Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard figure to handle more targets with the athletic tight end missing some time.

 
Give me a follow on Twitter at @FFAchesAilments - Check back next week and all season for insight regarding fantasy's biggest injuries!