Title: Fantasy Football Week 4 Injury Updates and Analysis
Author: AJ Mass, ESPN Staff Writer
Date: October 1, 2023
As fantasy football managers prepare for Week 4, injury updates and analysis become crucial in setting their lineups. Here are the latest fantasy-relevant updates as NFL teams release their official inactives lists:
9:30 a.m. ET London game:
– Cordarrelle Patterson (RB, ATL) – Active: Patterson, who has yet to play in 2023, may see limited snaps in Week 4. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier are also capable of handling the workload.
– Zay Jones (WR, JAX) – Out: With Jones out, Christian Kirk and Calvin Ridley are expected to receive more targets.
– Jamal Agnew (WR, JAX) – Inactive: Agnew’s absence further boosts the fantasy value of Kirk and Ridley.
1 p.m. ET games:
– Justice Hill (RB, BAL) – Questionable: Hill is expected to play, but the distribution of touches between Hill, Gus Edwards, and Melvin Gordon III remains uncertain.
– Odell Beckham Jr. (WR, BAL) – Out: Nelson Agholor benefits the most from Beckham’s absence.
– Rashod Bateman (WR, BAL) – Out: Agholor, Zay Flowers, and Devin Duvernay will be the primary healthy wide receiver options for the Ravens.
– Jonathan Mingo (WR, CAR) – Questionable: Mingo is likely ready to leave the concussion protocol and play in Week 4.
– Miles Sanders (RB, CAR) – Questionable: Chuba Hubbard would see an increased workload if Sanders sits out, but the expectation is that Sanders will play.
– Chase Claypool (WR, CHI) – Expected to be inactive: Equanimeous St. Brown is set to see his first action of the season, as Claypool will be inactive due to earlier criticism of his usage.
– Irv Smith Jr. (TE, CIN) – Out: Tanner Hudson will step up in Smith’s absence as the tight end option for the Bengals.
– David Njoku (TE, CLE) – Questionable: Njoku may still play after an off-the-field accident. Harrison Bryant and Jordan Akins are ready to step up if Njoku is unable to play.
– Deshaun Watson (QB, CLE) – Questionable: Shoulder concerns make this a game-time decision. Dorian Thompson-Robinson could replace Watson, but the expectation is that Watson will start.
– Tyler Higbee (TE, LAR) – Questionable: Despite limited practice, signs point towards Higbee starting in Week 4.
– Salvon Ahmed (RB, MIA) – Questionable: De’Von Achane may have solidified his role as Miami’s backup running back, even if Ahmed returns quickly.
– Derek Carr (QB, NO) – Questionable: Carr’s availability will be a last-minute decision. Jameis Winston would start if Carr is unable to play, with some plays set up for Taysom Hill.
– Quez Watkins (WR, PHI) – Out: Olamide Zaccheaus will start in Watkins’ place, but is not likely to have much fantasy impact.
– Treylon Burks (WR, TEN) – Out: Expect increased fantasy value for Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Chigoziem Okonkwo in Burks’ absence.
4 p.m. ET games:
– Keaontay Ingram (RB, ARI) – Questionable: If Ingram sits, Emari Demercado will serve as the backup to James Conner.
– Marquise Brown (WR, ARI) – Questionable: Brown appears to be trending towards playing in Week 4.
– Austin Ekeler (RB, LAC) – Doubtful: Joshua Kelley is expected to take over as the Chargers’ primary back in Week 4, as Ekeler is likely to be rested ahead of the team’s Week 5 bye week.
– Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, LV) – Out: Garoppolo remains in the league’s concussion protocol, and rookie Aidan O’Connell will start at quarterback for the Raiders instead of veteran Brian Hoyer.
– Elijah Mitchell (RB, SF) – Questionable: If Mitchell is unable to play, Jordan Mason and/or Tyrion Davis-Price would receive more touches behind Christian McCaffrey.
– Deebo Samuel (WR, SF) – Questionable: While Brandon Aiyuk is healthy and ready to start, Samuel is also expected to be in the 49ers’ starting lineup for Week 4.
– Jauan Jennings (WR, SF) – Doubtful: Ronnie Bell will step into the wide receiver rotation for the 49ers.
Sunday night game:
– No major fantasy-relevant injuries currently listed.
Fantasy managers should stay updated on these injury developments as they make crucial lineup decisions for Week 4.