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Aidin Ebrahimi looks at key fantasy football injuries and injury updates to watch for Week 4 of the 2024 season Including Justin Herbert, Sam Darnold, Jaylen Warren, and more.
Week 3 continued the chaotic start to this NFL season, as we saw many upsets and unlikely outcomes. Offenses looked better compared to the previous two weeks, and things are really starting to heat up.
Unfortunately, as is the case in every week of NFL action, there were some injuries. Seeing which players are dealing with injuries and which ones aren't quite at 100% yet will go a long way if you're looking to win your fantasy leagues.
Without further ado, let's look at some injuries to watch and consider heading into Week 4. Don't forget to bookmark our fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts to stay notified.
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Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Jim Harbaugh finally experienced his first loss as Chargers head coach. The run game struggled, and Justin Herbert re-aggravated the ankle injury he suffered in Week 2 against Carolina.
Justin Herbert's ankle x-rays came back negative, per @Rapsheet
"He'll continue to be monitored this week" pic.twitter.com/19eW4Yv4R3
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 23, 2024
He returned and finished the game in Week 2, but couldn't do the same in Week 3 and was replaced by Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke failed to lead the Chargers to a win, and Herbert was seen in a walking boot after the game.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Herbert had X-rays that were negative after the game. It seems like he has avoided major injury, but could still miss some time. J.K. Dobbins will likely get an even bigger workload if Herbert misses time.
DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
During practice on September 13 star wideout A.J. Brown hurt his hamstring which forced him to miss the Eagles' Week 2 game against the Falcons. Brown told ESPN that he expected to miss "a couple of weeks" due to his injury, and he also sat out Philadelphia's Week 3 win over the Saints.
Philadelphia's bad luck continued in Week 3. DeVonta Smith was on-pace for a massive game, but took a devastating hit and left the game early with a concussion. Superstar offensive lineman Lane Johnson was concussed too, and they were both put in concussion protocol.
Smith will have to go through the protocol to get cleared for their next game against the Buccaneers, but history has shown players will take more than one week to get cleared after a concussion. Saquon Barkley will be the focal point of the Eagles' offense without their star WRs.
Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
After a solid sophomore season, Cardinals TE Trey McBride looked to become a Pro Bowl-level player in 2024. He put up 97 yards and scored a TD in his first two games, but got concussed in Week 3 after taking a big hit.
Much like Smith, McBride was put in concussion protocol and could miss the Cardinals' Week 4 matchup against the Commanders. Elijah Higgins has already scored a touchdown this year and could put up some numbers in McBride's absence.
Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold has shocked the world so far this season, and some might say he's the early favorite to win the 2024 NFL MVP award. But Vikings fans were scared when Darnold went down with a knee injury against the Texans.
#Vikings QB Sam Darnold’s MRI revealed a knee bruise and no structural damage, per source. pic.twitter.com/CdWuEuNlwR
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 23, 2024
He missed one play but returned and finished the game. After undergoing further evaluation on Monday, an MRI revealed he had no structural damage to his left knee and is expected to be fine when the Vikings take on the Packers in Week 4.
Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Warren had a nice 2023 season and challenged Najee Harris for the RB1 spot. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring injury during the preseason but was cleared to play in Week 1. However, it seems like he was never fully recovered in the first place.
After lacking explosiveness, Mike Tomlin pulled him from the game in Week 3, and he's set for an MRI. If he misses time, the veteran Cordarrelle Patterson could get some touches in his place.
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints
Last week, Taysom Hill was hospitalized after suffering a chest injury, but he was released shortly after. He returned to practice on Thursday but was ruled out for the Saints' Week 3 matchup against the Eagles.
Time to ask a real question…
Is Taysom Hill the most valuable player on this offense?— Loe (@not_ah_actor) September 23, 2024
NFL insider Jay Glazer later revealed Hill's injury was a bruised lung, and he still had some difficulty breathing. He then claimed the Saints wanted to "protect [Hill] from himself" due to Hill's many different roles on the field.
When asked about the situation, Saints HC Dennis Allen simply said "I’m hopeful that he’ll be ready to go next week."
Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers
Last year, Adam Thielen had his first 1,000-yard season since 2018 but has gotten off to a slow start this season. Thielen scored his first touchdown of the year against the Raiders in Week 3, but he got hurt as he made that touchdown grab.
Thielen underwent an MRI on Monday, but according to Panthers HC Dave Canales, he needs to take more tests to understand the severity of his injury. With Thielen likely to miss Week 4, look for Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, and Jonathan Mingo to get more targets.
Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
Sam LaPorta's 2024 campaign has gotten off to a very poor start. After an incredible rookie season, he suffered a hamstring injury in the preseason. As a result, the Lions lowered his workload, but LaPorta was determined to bounce back in Week 3.
Tests confirmed low ankle sprain for LaPorta, per source. Relative good news for the #Lions' star tight end. https://t.co/QhB5ptBMn9
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 23, 2024
Unfortunately, he sprained his ankle while blocking, and had to leave the game. He returned but left once again, only to return a final time to finish the game. He looked hurt every time he returned, but it seems like he has avoided a major injury.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, LaPorta suffered a low ankle sprain. A low ankle sprain takes half as long to heal as a high ankle sprain, which means there's a chance he can play in Week 4.
If he doesn't, Brock Wright could replace him. Wright had four catches for 34 yards in Week 3.
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