NFL DFS Injury Report: Week 4
Joshua Slatky, PA-C, ATC is a physician assistant at Northwest Georgia Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and avid DFS player. In his work as a physician assistant and athletic trainer, he has worked with sports teams from high school to various college levels, to the NFL.
Week 3 is over and while it was not the minefield of Week 2, there are still a number of injuries worth monitoring. More dominant this week is residual effects of previous week’s injuries, especially to running backs. There were also a number of injuries to key defenders. JJ Watt is out for the year and the Washington Redskins took a couple of hits in their defensive backfield. The Bears are still trying to piece their defense back together.
As always, I will give as much insight as I can with this early week report. Follow me on twitter @slakdogg for more updates. I will make a formal update to this article on Friday after the NFL injury reports are posted. Also, I appreciate any feedback. Feel free to leave a comment below or hit me up on twitter.
After this weekend, the NFL season will be a quarter over. Seize the opportunity this week. It will be over before we know it. Good luck this weekend!!
Last Updated: Friday PM
Color Coding
GREEN: Nearly certain to play. Unlikely to have an on-field limitations.
YELLOW: Likely to play. May have some snap count or mild on-field limitations.
ORANGE: Questionable to play. If able to play, likely to be significantly limited in snap count and/or on-field performance.
RED: Unlikely to play or already ruled out.
Arizona Cardinals
1.Michael Floyd (WR) — YELLOW – Floyd is in the concussion protocol. He is doing some non-contact work Wednesday. If there are no setbacks he should progress to partial practice Thursday and Friday. He seems on track to play Sunday but there is always some caution with head injuries.
2.Drew Butler (P) — RED – Obviously no one has a punter on their fantasy team, but this has the potential to be a big injury with regards to field position and directional punting. This will have a negative impact on the Cardinals defense, though maybe not a huge one.
UPDATE: Michael Floyd has cleared concussion protocol and will play Sunday.
Atlanta Falcons
1. Mohamed Sanu (WR) — YELLOW – Sanu missed the 2nd half of Monday Night Football with a shoulder injury. The Falcons have already reported to the media that they expect Sanu to be limited all week in practice with a plan to play Sunday.
2.Matt Ryan (QB) — GREEN – Ryan suffered a thumb contusion on his non-throwing hand Monday night. He played the remainder of the game and should not be limited Sunday against Carolina.
3.Tevin Coleman (RB) — GREEN – Coleman temporarily left Monday night’s game but returned. There were no significant ill-effects as he had a good game. He was limited Wednesday but is expected to go Sunday.
4.Julio Jones (WR) – YELLOW – Surprise, surprise… Jones was limited Wednesday in practice. I considered leaving him out since he is likely to be listed with some injury all season. However, I still think that he looks limited on the field. I even heard someone say that he looked the decoy on offense Monday night. He only had one catch for 16 yards. I think he is destined for a big game, but it may be tough sledding against Carolina this week.
Buffalo Bills
1.Sammy Watkins (WR) – ORANGE / YELLOW – Watkins was inactive Week 3 and still appears hampered by his surgically repaired foot. There is no evidence of structural damage to the foot, but that doesn’t mean there is no pain. He will not practice Wednesday, but the Bills plan to have him test the foot in some light drills later in the practice week. Practice progression will be key to determining if he is expected to play Sunday; however, he has clearly been limited in the early season. My early week prediction is that he plays, but I still expect him to be slowed due to the pain.
UPDATE: Watkins was place on IR Friday. The Bills have said he will not need surgery, but he will see Dr. Robert Anderson next week.
UPDATE #2: Greg Salas (WR) has also been ruled OUT for Sunday’s game against the Patriots. The Bills’ receiving core will be razor thin in week 4.
Carolina Panthers
1. Jonathan Stewart (RB) – RED – Stewart will continue to sit as he recovers from a hamstring strain.
Chicago Bears
1. Jay Cutler (QB) — ORANGE – Cutler continues to recover from a thumb sprain on his throwing hand. Reports indicated Cutler was pushing to play last week. Head coach John Fox has said that his starting position is not guaranteed when he returns. This is a muddy situation especially considering the pending match up with a Lions defense that can give it up through the air. Cutler did some light work Wednesday in practice. At this point, I don’t think he will play, but I will be watching for updates through the week.
2.Jeremy Langford (RB) – RED – Langford has a severe high ankle sprain and is expect to miss up to six weeks.
3.KaDeem Carey (RB) – RED – Carey was inactive Week 3 with a hamstring strain and is expected to miss Week 4 as well.
4.Alshon Jeffery (WR) — GREEN – Jeffery rested his knee Wednesday but is expected to play fully on Sunday.
UPDATE: Jay Cutler is listed as doubtful on the NFL game injury report making it all the more likely that he will no play Sunday. Expect Brian Hoyer to start.
Cincinnati Bengals
1.Tyler Eifert (TE) — RED – Eifert continues to practice but will not play Thursday against Miami. All signs point to a Week 5 return.
Cleveland Browns
1. Isaiah Crowell (RB) — GREEN – Crowell was limited Wednesday with a knee contusion. He is expected to play and you not be limited.
Dallas Cowboys
1.Dez Bryant (WR) — RED / ORANGE – What an interesting series of events for Dez. There was obvious delay in getting reports about his MRI. Today, reports came out that he has been fined for missing both team meeting as well as an initial MRI appointment. Announcement did not come out until later Wednesday that he has a hairline fracture in his proximal fibula. The fibula is the long, thin bone on the outside of the leg from the lower aspect of the knee extending all the way down to the ankle. The proximal (top) part of the bone really does not bear any weight. However, it is still a fracture and is still painful. I seriously doubt he plays this weekend.
UPDATE: Dez is listed as questionable on the official game injury report. The initial report I saw had him OUT, and I think that will end up being the final outcome.
Denver Broncos
1. Virgil Green (TE) — RED / ORANGE – Green was inactive Week 3 with a calf strain and was not fit enough to return to practice Wednesday. This is a poor sign for this weekend. I would not expect him to play.
UPDATE: Virgil Green has been ruled OUT for Week 4.
Detroit Lions
1. Eric Ebron (TE) — GREEN – Ebron sat out Wednesday practice again with a sore ankle. As with last week, I expect him play without trouble.
UPDATE: Marvin Jones (WR) popped up on the injury report Thursday but practiced fullly Friday and is expected to play without limitation on Sunday.
Houston Texans
1.J.J. Watt (DL) – RED – Watt was placed on IR Wednesday with a bad back. Watt had off-season back surgery. He was expected to miss time early this year, but impressively played Week 1. Perhaps he returned too soon as his season has ended early.
2.Brian Cushing (LB) – RED – Cushing returned to limited practice Wednesday. I still expect him to miss this week, but a return sooner than expected is possible.
Indianapolis Colts
1. T.Y. Hilton (WR) – GREEN – Hilton missed practice Wednesday to rest his sore knee, but is expected to play full on Sunday.
2.Darius Butler (CB) — RED / ORANGE – Butler continues to rehab from a hamstring strain. The team is presenting him as week-to-week. This is usually an indicator that he not on the cusp of returning.
UPDATE: Butler has been ruled OUT for Week 4.
UPDATE #2: Phillip Dorsett (WR) YELLOW / ORANGE appeared on the injury report Friday. He has traveled with the team and will warm up with team. Decision on play status will be made at that time. If you are playing a slate that includes the London game, pay attention to inactive lists early in the morning. They should be released by 8:30 am eastern time Sunday morning.
Jacksonville Jaguars
1. Julius Thomas (TE) — YELLOW – Thomas missed Wednesday’s practice with an elbow injury. This is a new injury, but Thomas played his normal snap allotment Sunday. He is oft injured, so this is probably just standard rest, but does warrant monitoring through the week.
UPDATE: Thomas practiced with a brace on his injured elbow but was very limited in Friday’s practice. I would downgrade him to ORANGE / YELLOW for Sunday’s game. I think he will play, but fear he will be quite limited. Ultimately, from the tight end, we are looking for a touchdown. Thomas could still use his big frame to create space in the red zone, and could still come away with a touchdown.
2.Chris Ivory (RB) — GREEN / YELLOW – Ivory was limited Wednesday. I am not putting too much into this with his recent illness/hospitalization. Look for him to play this weekend.
3.Prince Amukamara (CB) — ORANGE / RED — Amukamara was back at practice Wednesday for some limited work. It is too early to tell if he will be back, but I would need to see some advanced progress through practice before thinking he can get back on the field.
UPDATE: Amukamara was a full practice participant in Friday’s practice and is expected to start. There could always be a setback, but this is a big lift for the suspect Jaguar secondary.
Kansas City Chiefs
1.Jamaal Charles (RB) — RED — Charles was again inactive Week 4. The report from the Chiefs is the same as it has been all along. They say he is making progress but there is still no clear time table for return. The Chief have a bye Week 5, so I think he continues to sit this week and aims for a week 6 return.
2.Charchandrick West (RB) — YELLOW / ORANGE — West missed Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury. This injury could have one of the bigger impacts on Week 4. West was already badly out-snapped by Spencer Ware 45-15 in Week 3, but if Charles and West were to miss, Ware would carry even more of the offensive load.
3.Eric Berry (S) — GREEN – Berry had some mild knee swelling after Sunday’s game. He was held out of practice Wednesday but indications are that he will be ready for Week 3.
UPDATE: Charcandrick West has been ruled OUT for Sunday Night Football with an ankle sprain. In a surprise to me (and basically every report I read early in the week), Jamaal Charles is expected to make his return Sunday. I still expect him to be him to be on a very limited snap count and Spencer Ware should carry the load for the Chiefs.
Los Angeles Rams
1. Tavon Austin (RB) — GREEN – Austin was limited Wednesday with a shoulder injury. Austin has shown no indication of previous shoulder injury. Austin should be ready for Week 4.
Miami Dolphins
1. Arian Foster (RB) — RED – The short week is no benefit to Foster, who is recovering from a groin injury. He will not play Thursday against the Texans.
2.Jarvis Landry (WR) — GREEN / YELLOW – Landry missed practice Tuesday with a shoulder injury. It appears they are simply managing his practice time with the short practice week. I expect him to play with little or no limitation Thursday night.
3.Jordan Cameron (TE) – RED – Cameron has a long concussion history and suffered another head injury Sunday. He has already been ruled out for Thursday’s game. I would expect him to miss several more weeks going forward.
4.DeVante Parker (WR) – GREEN – Parker is listed as questionable on the NFL game injury report with a hamstring injury. He practiced full all week, so it would be very surprising if he didn’t play Thursday night.
New England Patriots
1.Jimmy Garoppolo (QB) — ORANGE / RED – Garoppolo continues to recover from an AC separation in his throwing shoulder. The Patriots’ staff expressed optimism toward him playing Sunday but reports Wednesday indicated that Garoppolo did not have full mobility or strength in the shoulder. There was video released of him at practice Wednesday throwing about 25 yards. If it were his non-throwing shoulder I think he could play, but an injury like this would make it very difficult to drive the ball down field. I doubt he plays Sunday.
2.Jacoby Brissett (QB) — YELLOW – Is Tom Brady’s suspension over yet? For Patriots fans Week 5 can’t come soon enough. Brissett sprained his thumb last Thursday night. He told the media Tuesday that he would be ready to play Sunday. He did limited drills on Wednesday. It always tough to read the Patriots, but signs indicate he will be ready to play Sunday.
3.Rob Gronkowski (TE) — YELLOW – Gronkowski was limited Wednesday with a sore hamstring. This appears to still be lingering from earlier in the season. This is just precautionary and will likely be a recurring theme throughout the season. He only played 23% of the team’s total offensive stats in Week 3. Considering his high price, I am taking a wait and see approach until he has more volume.
UPDATE: In classic Patriots fashion, the update here is that there is no update. Both players practiced some through the week. There has been no clear report to show if one of the QBs is a clear front runner. In fact, there have been reports of Julian Edelman to do is best Terrelle Pryor impersonation and take snaps at QB. If you have read this article over the past couple of weeks, I have stood strong that I would be surprised if Garoppolo were able to play. If he is on the field, I fully expect that the Patriots to focus on the run and short passing game. At the end of the day, expect Brissett to take the helm.
New Orleans Saints
1. Willie Snead (WR) — ORANGE / YELLOW – Snead missed Week 3 with a sprained toe. This is a tough injury for a received as it makes it very hard to drive off the ball and make breaks out of routes.
UPDATE: Snead practiced limited on Friday. He is listed as questionable on the game injury report. I am going to leave his status as ORANGE / YELLOW. I think he will play but will have limitations on the field.
2.Josh Hill (TE) — RED – Hill is close to returning after an ankle injury, but still did not practice Wednesday. He is probably still a week or two away.
New York Giants
1.Shane Vereen (RB) — RED – Vereen has a torn triceps and will miss the remainder of the season.
2. Rashad Jennings (RB) — ORANGE / YELLOW – Jennings sat Week 3 with his injured thumb. Based on reports, it looks like he could have played with a protective club, but he was held out due to concern regarding his ability to catch passes. With the Vereen injury, the Giants are pushing harder to get him back on the field. If he plays, he will have severe limitations. He will essentially be no threat to catch passes out of the backfield and will only be able to carry the ball with one hand.
UPDATE: Jennings was very limited in practice Friday. Based on what I have read, I suspect he will be active but very limited. Orleans Darkwa was originally expect to get the big bump but reports have surfaced indicating that Bobby Rainey and Paul Perkins may also have big bumps and the Giants running game may revert back to the three or four headed monster seen in past years.
3.Eli Apple (CB) — RED — Apple injured his hamstring Sunday and looks unlikely to be ready for Week 4.
New York Jets
1. Eric Decker (WR) — ORANGE / RED – Decker aggravated his previously injured shoulder in Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs. He did not practice Wednesday and is scheduled for an MRI. Look for updates on twitter @slakdogg or on the Friday update for the latest.
UPDATE: Decker’s MRI revealed a partial thickness rotator cuff tear. In a young person (generally 40 years old for this injury is a good guideline), partial thickness tears are treated with injections and rehab. He has been ruled OUT for Week 4 and I would expect him to miss a couple of weeks.
2.Jalin Marshall (WR) — RED – Marshall has a torn labrum and is expected to miss four weeks. This further depletes the Jets’ receiving game but does open the possibility of more opportunities for Quincy Enunwa.
Pittsburgh Steelers
1. Eli Rogers (WR) — RED / ORANGE – Rogers is battling turf toe, a sprain of the big toe at the joint where it joins the foot. This is typically a multi-week injury and has put skill position players out for the year in the past. He was in a walking boot Wednesday and did not practice. It is very unlikely he plays this week.
UPDATE: Rogers has been ruled OUT for Week 4.
UPDATE #2: Ryan Shazier (LB) has been ruled OUT for Sunday Night Football. This is a big blow for Pittsburgh’s interior defense. This may open more opportunities for Travis Kelce.
San Diego Chargers
1. Antonio Gates (TE) – RED / ORANGE – Gates is hampered by bilateral hamstring strains. He was not even close to playing in Week 3 which makes it unlikely that he would rebound sufficiently to play this week. He did not practice Wednesday, all the more evidence that he is a longshot to play.
2.Manti Te’o (LB) – RED – Te’o tore his Achilles tendon, landing another Charger on IR.
San Francisco 49ers
1.Vance McDonald (TE) — RED / ORANGE – McDonald was forced out of Sunday’s game with a hip injury. All indications are that he is doubtful to play this weekend.
UPDATE: McDonald returned to limited practice. He is listed as questionable. This will come down to pregame warm ups. I expect he will play, but will be limited. I will upgrade him slightly to YELLOW / ORANGE.
UPDATE #2: Jimmie Ward (CB) has been ruled OUT. Ward typically covers the slot which may open more opportunity for Cole Beasley who QB Dak Prescott has look for frequently in the passing game.
Seattle Seahawks
1. Russell Wilson (QB) — ORANGE / YELLOW — Wilson suffered an MCL sprain Sunday and was unable to return. He has repeatedly said that he wants to play Sunday, but head coach Pete Carroll has admitted he would be surprised if Wilson were able to play. MCL sprains are typically at least a two-week injury, even if mild. Further, a player like Wilson that relies on his mobility is almost certain to be slowed by a knee sprain. I will be watching for updates through the week.
UPDATE: Impressively, Wilson practiced fullly on Friday and is not listed on the game injury report. I have no choice but to now expect him to play, so I would flip him to YELLOW / ORANGE. Wilson’s mobility is key and I fully expect that his movement limitations will be easy to see Sunday.
2.Thomas Rawls (RB) — RED – Rawls has a fracture in his surgically repaired ankle and will be sidelined for an extended period of time.
3.C.J. Prosise (RB) — ORANGE – Prosise is in a similar situation to Rashad Jennings. His hand fracture will require casting if he is able to play which will severely limit his pass catching ability. As this is his primary role in the offense, his value takes a big blow.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1. Doug Martin (RB) — RED – Martin continues to recover from a hamstring strain and will miss Week 4.
Tennessee Titans
1. Tajae Sharpe (WR) — YELLOW — Sharpe was limited Wednesday in practice with a hamstring injury. Sharpe played a full game Sunday and should be ready Sunday. I am taking a conservative stance since this is a new soft tissue injury.
2.Delanie Walker (TE) — GREEN / YELLOW – Unlike Antonio Gates, Walker was close to playing this past Sunday but was held out after warm ups. He did not practice Wednesday but head coach Mike Mularkey told the media he expects Walker to play Sunday.
Washington Redskins
1.DeSean Jackson (WR) — GREEN – Jackson sat out Wednesday with knee and ankle pain. This is the same story as last week. He played full this past Sunday and I would expect the same in Week 4.
2.Josh Doctson (WR) — RED / ORANGE — Docton appeared primed for a return in Week 3 from his Achilles injury, but instead faced a setback during the practice week. Jay Gruden indicated that Doctson took a big step back. The Redskins seem content to protect the rookie and ensure he is healed when he returns.
UPDATE: Doctson has been ruled OUT for Sunday’s game against the Browns.
3.DeAngelo Hall (S) — RED – Hall suffered and ACL tear in Week 3 and will miss the remainder of the season.
4.Bashaud Breeland (CB) — RED – Breeland was initially reported to have a high ankle sprain. That now appears to be a tendon strain in the ankle. Either way, this would a be a difficult injury to play through. Expect him to miss some period of time.