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While we've become accustomed to the running back position dealing with injuries, so far this season, it's been the receivers who have been hit hard. In Week 3, fantasy managers had to deal with star second-year receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown leaving the contest multiple times to deal with a sprained ankle and his status for Week 4 now seems to be in question. Michael Thomas is once again injured, but there are many other receivers fantasy managers will need to pay attention to throughout the week.
Maybe the biggest one fantasy managers will need to follow is Jaylen Waddle who popped up on the injury report today with a groin injury. The Dolphins play Thursday night, so with the short turnaround, it could be something that affects his availability or at the very least, his playing time.
Injuries are unfortunately part of fantasy football, but getting ahead of them and gathering as much information as possible can give you a step ahead of your competition so let's get to the players we should be tracking heading into Week 4.
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Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
Amon-Ra St. Brown suffered an ankle injury in their Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He was able to play through the injury, although he did have to leave the game a second time to have his ankle re-taped.
The injury didn’t seem to affect him too much. He still finished with nine targets, six receptions, and 73 yards. However, his 24% target share was the lowest he’s had with the Lions since Week 12 of the 2021 season. He has undergone tests on his ankle following the game and those reports thus far have been positive.
#Lions budding star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown underwent tests Monday on the ankle injury he suffered at Minnesota, and the results were encouraging overall, per sources. They’ll be cautious, but if St. Brown misses time, it shouldn’t be anything long-term.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 27, 2022
While the injury is not considered long-term, it doesn’t sound like St. Brown is guaranteed to be active in Week 4 either. His practice status throughout the week will give us more information and a lot will depend on how his ankle responds throughout the week.
Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect St. Brown to practice on Wednesday or Thursday. The initial report indicates the Lions are going to be cautious, so it might not be until much later in the week until we get some clarification on his status for this weekend’s game.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins haven’t had a real practice yet this week with a Thursday evening game, so instead, we’re working off of their estimated practice status. Still, it’s noteworthy that Jaylen Waddle was listed as a DNP with a groin injury.
The Dolphins first practice report for the short week: pic.twitter.com/lz0s0NHrqH
— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) September 26, 2022
There weren’t any reports of an injury during their win over Buffalo, so there’s a possibility this is more maintenance based than anything else. However, it should be noted that Waddle dealt with a mysterious lower body injury throughout the preseason that kept him out for several weeks.
Soft tissue injuries are always concerning because of their susceptibility to re-injury. Waddle is such an important piece of their offense, so fantasy managers should expect Miami to be extra cautious with him leading up to their Thursday game.
The short turnaround, however, does leave Waddle’s availability up in the air. Fantasy managers will need to pay attention to their practice reports and specifically beat writers for the Dolphins to get a better idea of where Waddle is at.
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Keenan Allen suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1 and subsequently missed the next two weeks. However, there is finally some good injury news for the Chargers. They’ve been absolutely hammered this week, but it sounds like Allen will be back on the practice field this week and this offense desperately needs him.
Some good injury news for the Chargers: WR Keenan Allen is expected to return to practice this week.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 27, 2022
When the injury was first reported, it was not considered a long-term or significant injury. After having three weeks to rest, fantasy managers should be optimistic about Allen’s availability this weekend. The Chargers will be looking to right the ship this week and having Allen will be a big boost. If he’s healthy, fantasy managers should be locking him into their lineups.
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
Michael Thomas is experiencing a resurgent season after missing most of 2020 and all of 2021. He has 171 yards and three touchdowns and seemed to be picking up steam. Unfortunately, a toe injury suffered partly through their Week 3 contest against Carolina may have derailed the comeback tour.
Both will have tests today, but based on the initial diagnoses , it doesn't appear that injuries to #Saints WRs Michael Thomas (toe) and Jarvis Landry (foot) are serious. Landry is dealing with soreness, while for Thomas, it's not the same foot as his previous ankle injury.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 26, 2022
Fortunately, the injury appears to be minor and at the surface, there seems to be optimism that Thomas can suit up this weekend. It should also be noted that the toe injury is to the opposite foot of his ankle injury that he's dealt with for the past two years.
Still, as optimistic as we may want to be or as optimistic as it seems we can be, this is still Michael Thomas we’re talking about and nothing about his health can be taken for granted anymore. Fantasy managers should breathe a sigh of relief that it’s not serious, but as far as his availability for this week, we still have a way to go before that’s confirmed. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect Thomas to practice early this week.
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin has missed the past two weeks as he recovers from a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 1. At the time of the injury, reports indicated that the injury wasn’t as serious as they initially believed, which on the surface sounds like good news, and for the most part it is, but it does indicate that there was a significant concern for a period of time. It always seemed inevitable that Godwin was going to miss multiple weeks.
As we approach Week 4, Godwin has not returned to the practice field in any capacity and at this time, fantasy managers need to assume he’s likely on the wrong side of questionable again. Considering what Godwin is attempting to overcome – a torn ACL and a fairly significant hamstring injury – fantasy managers should expect Tampa Bay to be extra cautious with him.
He could practice in a limited fashion this week and still be ruled out as they attempt to see how his hamstring and his knee respond to more strenuous physical activity. We’re definitely in the wait-and-see approach with Godwin, but it would be best to plan like he’ll be unavailable again this week.
Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots
Jakobi Meyers injured his knee during the preseason and seems to have been struggling with it ever since. He was able to play in Weeks 1 and 2 and looking at his box score, it didn’t seem to affect him all that much. However, following their Week 2 game, Meyers was a DNP on Wednesday and Thursday.
He did get in a limited practice on Friday and MRI results during the week indicated nothing significant. The test results and the return to practice on Friday bode well for his availability this upcoming weekend. However, it should be noted the Patriots will not have Mac Jones under center, which could create issues in the passing game. Even if Meyers is active, it might be best to take a wait-and-see approach, not only with his injury but with the quarterback change, as well.
Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders
Hunter Renfrow suffered a concussion after a hard hit in their Week 2 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Typically, we’d expect the player to be back after a one-week absence, but there’s no guarantee. Head injuries are different for every player and their recovery time is difficult to estimate.
We know Renfrow will need to pass through the NFL’s concussion protocol and gain clearance from both, the team doctor and an independent one. There are stages a player must pass before they can begin practice in any capacity and Renfrow did not practice at all last week.
That indicates he still has a way to go before being cleared to play. Fantasy managers should be considering Renfrow 50/50 again this week. His practice availability throughout the week will give us a better idea of what his status will be for this weekend.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
It’s been a rough start to his rookie season for Christian Watson. He had minor knee surgery during the preseason, which limited his practice time. We all remember the drop against the Vikings and now he’s dealing with a hamstring injury.
Even more concerning was his practice schedule last week. He was a limited participant on Wednesday before beginning downgraded to a DNP on Thursday and Friday. He was ruled out before Sunday, which indicates he wasn’t all that close to playing either. However, the Packers are typically one of the more cautious organizations in the league as it pertains to their player’s injuries.
LaFleur was fairly optimistic about WR Christian Watson's hamstring injury not being serious and that he was hopeful to get him back soon. He said Watson's injury had different origins than Watkins'.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) September 26, 2022
It appears Watson may have a chance of suiting up this weekend, but there’s really nothing here to get excited about for fantasy managers. At least not yet. Romeo Doubs played terrific in his absence and Allen Lazard is still going to be plenty involved. Watson should be on fantasy benches right now, but at least it looks like he’ll have the chance to earn more playing time this week.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
It looked like Michael Gallup would return to the field on Monday night against the Giants, especially since he had practiced in full all week, but the Cowboys decided to play it safe. Hey Tampa, are you paying attention?
Anyways, the Cowboys elected to not put Gallup on the PUP list, indicating they thought he’d play before Week 5. Now entering Week 4 and after a full week of practice with no reported setbacks leading up to their Week 3 contest, fantasy managers should be fully counting on Gallup returning to the field this week for Dallas.
With Dalton Schultz injured and Noah Brown as the only pass-catcher opposite CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys are desperate for some more firepower. Considering how safe and patient the Cowboys have been with Gallup, it’s possible he returns in Week 4 without a snap count.
Julio Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Julio Jones has missed the last two games for Tampa Bay as it deals with a knee injury. He was described as a game-time decision prior to Week 2 and despite the extra week of relief, he was once again given the game-time decision designation. Once again, he was ruled out. Unfortunately, this has become the Julio Jones story.
Injuries have become part of the norm and they’ve sapped him of the explosiveness we once marveled at. He’s reportedly dealing with a partially torn PCL, which is a similar injury that negatively affected Ezekiel Elliott last year.
#Bucs WR Julio Jones is dealing with a partially torn PCL in his knee, per @JayGlazer, but it's not an injury that requires surgery. He's a true game-time decision for today's game vs. Green Bay.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 25, 2022
This is an injury that while it may not require surgery, is going to affect him all year. There will be flare-ups throughout the year and it’ll require constant maintenance. He’s always at a risk of getting hit hard and missing the remainder of the contest.
At this stage of his career and with the injury news, it’s going to be incredibly difficult to trust Julio in any capacity. He’s been a game-time decision the past two weeks, so it’s hard to anticipate what his availability might be this weekend.
Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
Rondale Moore has not played a game for the Cardinals this season yet. He injured his hamstring on the Thursday before Week 1 and has not returned to practice in any capacity since then. The Cardinals elected to not put him on the IR list, indicating they thought he’d be back on the field within the first four weeks of the season. Well, we’re officially entering Week 4.
Kliff Kingsbury is hoping Rondale Moore will be back within the next two weeks.
If Moore's not back next week against Carolina, Kingsbury said he guarantees Moore will play against the Eagles.
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) September 23, 2022
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said he’s hopeful Moore will be back in the next two weeks. That could mean this week or that could mean next week. At this point, we don’t really know. A lot will depend on his practice status throughout the week and how his hamstring responds to that. He hasn’t practiced since Week 1 and considering his injury history even dating back to college, fantasy managers should be expecting Arizona to be very cautious.
Kyler Murray desperately needs more weapons in the passing game and Moore could provide that. Hopefully, he’ll be able to return to practice this week, but it’s still too early to tell if he’ll be an option for fantasy managers this weekend.
Jarvis Landry, New Orleans Saints
From the tweet above regarding Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry’s foot injury is also considered minor. That’s the least of Landry’s concerns, however. The bigger problem for him is Chris Olave’s ascension and Michael Thomas’s resurgence. Even if Landry is active this weekend, fantasy managers cannot be confident about putting him into their lineups.
Landry’s status is still up in the air right now, but it’s a positive that the injury is considered minor. That provides optimism he might be available this weekend. Fantasy managers will need to pay attention to the Saints’ practice report throughout the week to get a better idea of Landry’s status.
Kadarius Toney & Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants
Kadarius Toney missed Week 3’s contest due to a hamstring injury he suffered in practice and Wan’Dale Robinson missed Weeks 2 and 3 due to a knee injury he suffered in Week 1. Robinson didn’t practice all of last week leading up to the Cowboys game. Toney was a limited participant on Thursday but was downgraded to a DNP on Friday.
Brian Daboll: Kadarius Toney and Wan'Dale Robinson are "getting closer," but sounds like more progress is needed to be ready for Sunday vs. Bears.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) September 27, 2022
It appears Toney and Robinson still have a little way to go before returning to action. Based on this initial report, they both seem to be on the wrong side of questionable going into Week 4. Sterling Shepard suffered a torn ACL and Kenny Golladay is officially done, so both players will have ample opportunity if they can get healthy. It just doesn’t sound like that will be this week.
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