Week 4 was weird. The biggest injuries took place before the games. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck didn’t have much arm strength, so the team gave him some evaluations to determine he needed to miss time. Secondly, Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy hurt his hamstring in practice and now the Bills won’t be playing him for multiple weeks until he’s 100 percent.
Fantasy football waiver wire: Injuries heading into Week 5
Week 4 wasn’t too bad with the injuries and we finally saw quarterbacks stay somewhat healthy on Sunday. We break down the fantasy implications.
Besides those two, there really weren’t any big-name players suffering injuries. A couple teams, the San Diego Chargers and Houston Texans, had their receiver corps get beat up badly. Although, there really wasn’t a pickup to emerge from that mess, especially in Houston. Basically, DeAndre Hopkins and Keenan Allen just get stronger.
Let’s take a look at the other injuries with some older injuries from earlier this season:
Quarterback
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
What: Shoulder injury, missed Week 4
Analysis: He may have a partial shoulder separation, so he could miss time; it’s still very unclear, but his owners have to make other plans for now.
Running back
LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills
What: Aggravated hamstring injury in practice; could miss 3-4 more weeks
Analysis: The biggest injury news of the week happened before Sunday; Karlos Williams is as must-own as it gets.
Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders
What: Minor shoulder injury
Analysis: He was benched because of a fumble, so running back Roy Helu is still worth a look in deep leagues.
Lance Dunbar, Dallas Cowboys
What: Knee injury, out for season
Analysis: The Cowboys are likely going to throw Christine Michael into the fire, but he’s only worth a look in deep leagues.
Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
What: Hamstring, cost him most of Week 3 game, inactive Week 4
Analysis: Thomas Rawls is playing in his place. There is no word yet on his availability for Week 5
Wide receiver
Nate Washington, Houston Texans
What: Hamstring injury, likely to miss time
Analysis: It looked really bad and he could miss several games; The Texans offense is a lost cause.
Cecil Shorts III, Houston Texans
What: Dislocated shoulder
Analysis: He’s likely out for a long time; the Texans will likely kick the tires on Jaelen Strong now.
Michael Crabtree, Oakland Raiders
What: Suffered an ankle injury, doesn’t sound serious yet
Analysis: He’s had a number of ankle, foot and Achilles issues, so this isn’t good; receiver Amari Cooper is really the only reliable guy unless you want to roll the dice on Andre Holmes in very deep leagues. Although, he did return from the injury.
Stevie Johnson, San Diego Chargers
What: Hamstring strain
Analysis: He has a number of hamstring injuries in his career, so he’s likely going to miss time; you’d have to be in a very deep league to add receiver Dontrelle Inman.
Malcom Floyd, San Diego Chargers
What: Concussion
Analysis: It’s too soon to tell if he’ll miss time
Tight end
Jordan Reed, Washington
What: Suffered a concussion, could miss time; sprained MCL, could miss time; sprained his ankle, could miss time
Analysis: Man, this guy just can’t stay healthy. Derek Carrier is next up, but he’s not an option. Expect the receivers to get more work.
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Injuries before Week 4
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
What: Knee sprain, could miss the rest of October
Analysis: Michael Vick had some ups and downs, but he’s clearly not reliable. This also really hurts Antonio Brown, especially with Martavis Bryant coming back.
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
What: Broken collarbone, expected to miss about seven more weeks.
Analysis: Brandon Weeden won’t be an option and the entire passing game is in trouble.
Running back
Tevin Coleman, Atlanta Falcons
What: Suffered a rib injury and did not return; lost starting job
Analysis: Devonta Freeman: Destroyer of Worlds
Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals
What: Grade 1 PCL sprain, should be back next week
Analysis: This will be a timeshare upon his return. Chris Johnson can be a cut candidate if you’re eyeing a pickup.
Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
What: Hamstring strain, missed Week 4
Analysis: The Seahawks ruled him out on Sunday for Monday Night Football. Thomas Rawls seems like he has the backup role locked up and is worth owning in 12-team leagues.
Wide receiver
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
What: Broken fifth metatarsal in foot, out 10-12 weeks
Analysis: He might be out until the playoffs, so the Dallas passing attack is in trouble.
Charles Johnson, Minnesota Vikings
What: Rib injury, missed Week 4
Analysis: For the second year in a row, a buzzy Vikings receiver is stinking it up. Cordarrelle Patterson 2.0. The Vikings’ pass attack is non-existent, so no pickups here in most cases. Mike Wallace if you’re desperate, but the Vikes are on a bye.
Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
What: Ankle sprain, week-to-week
Analysis: James Jones and Randall Cobb are eating, but nobody really else is.
DeSean Jackson, Washington
What: Hamstring strain, could be back next week
Analysis: A number of receivers stepped up and that could continue with tight end Jordan Reed dealing with a concussion.
Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills
What: Calf injury cost him Week 4
Analysis: The Bills offense was not the same even against a bad New York Giants defense. There’s no pickup here.
Breshad Perriman, Baltimore Ravens
What: Suffered a setback in pregame warmups in Week 3
Analysis: The rookie receiver will likely be a rookie receiver next year, too. He is unlikely to play this year.
Victor Cruz, New York Giants
What: ACL tear from last year
Analysis: Said he’ll play in Week 4, but he’s still not worth owning.
Tight end
Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
What: Knee injury, missed Week 4
Analysis: The 49ers can’t score consistently.
