A player's injury status can have a significant effect on fantasy football — it can alter draft strategy, roster construction and, most importantly, it can determine start-or-sit decisions for your fantasy team.
Each week, I will review the positional players’ injuries from Thursday's and Sunday’s games. Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @mario_pilato on Twitter.
Thursday, Oct. 1
Denver Broncos @ New York Jets
Denver Broncos:
K.J. Hamler, PFF Week 4 Consensus Rank: WR86 — Hamstring injury
Hamler reinjured his hamstring in the first half of Thursday Night Football. I expect him to miss the next two to four weeks.
Noah Fant, PFF Week 4 Consensus Rank: TE14 — Ankle injury
Fant suffered a minor ankle injury in the third quarter of Thursday Night Football. His injury is minor, but I expect him to miss Week 5. Fant will be considered week-to-week.
New York Jets:
Sam Darnold, PFF Week 4 Consensus Rank: QB26 — Shoulder injury
Darnold injured his shoulder after getting slammed to the turf in the first quarter. He went into the locker room and came back out to play. Most likely, his X-rays came back negative and he received an injection in his shoulder. I believe he has a Grade 1 A/C sprain. Return to play can take up to three weeks. He has a shot at playing this week, but my guess is the Jets sit him for Week 5.
Sunday, Oct. 4
New Orleans Saints @ Detroit Lions
New Orleans Saints: N/A
Detroit Lions: N/A
Los Angeles Chargers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Los Angeles Chargers:
Austin Ekeler, PFF Week 4 Consensus Rank: RB9 — Hamstring injury
Ekeler was carted off due to injury late in the first quarter. He hyperextended his knee at an awkward angle. He immediately grabbed his hamstring and could not put any pressure on his left foot. I am hoping his MRI comes back clean tomorrow and he does not have a hamstring avulsion. A hamstring avulsion is considered a Grade 3 tear, and it requires surgery and three months of recovery. If Ekeler escapes with a Grade 2 hamstring tear, he will miss three to six weeks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
O.J. Howard, PFF Week 4 Consensus Rank: TE21 — Achilles injury
Howard was carted off in the fourth quarter. I believe he ruptured his Achilles, which would cause him to undergo surgery and miss the rest of the season.
Kenjon Barner, PFF Week 4 Consensus Rank: N/A — Head injury
Barner took a scary helmet-to-helmet hit in the second quarter. He will enter the five-step concussion protocol. I don’t believe he will be ready for Week 5.
LeSean McCoy, PFF Week 4 Consensus Rank: RB57 — Ankle injury
McCoy suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return. The severity of the injury is unclear, and he will be further evaluated.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cincinnati Bengals
Jacksonville Jaguars:
Tyler Eifert, PFF Week 4 Consensus Rank: TE25 — Head injury
Eifert potentially suffered a concussion early in the fourth quarter. He will be further evaluated to see if he will be placed in the concussion protocol.
Cincinnati Bengals: N/A
Minnesota Vikings @ Houston Texans
Minnesota Vikings: N/A
Houston Texans:
Jordan Akins, PFF Week 4 Consensus Rank: TE18 — Head injury
Akins suffered a concussion after a scary helmet-to-helmet hit in the third quarter. He will enter the five-step concussion protocol. I do not believe he will be ready for Week 5.
Seattle Seahawks @ Miami Dolphins
Seattle Seahawks: N/A
Miami Dolphins: N/A
Cleveland Browns @ Dallas Cowboys
Cleveland Browns:
Nick Chubb, PFF Week 4 Consensus Rank: RB13 — Knee injury
Chubb was rolled up on by two linemen in the first quarter. Reports are saying he will get an MRI on his knee Monday. I believe results will show a sprained MCL. The severity of the sprain will determine the timeline. Grade 1 means one to two weeks, Grade 2 means two to three weeks and Grade 3 means six-plus weeks.
Dallas Cowboys: N/A
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers
Arizona Cardinals:
Kenyan Drake, PFF Week 4 Consensus Rank: RB14 — Chest injury
Drake suffered a chest injury in the fourth quarter and did not return. The extent of the injury is unclear, and he will undergo further evaluation.
Carolina Panthers: N/A
Baltimore Ravens @ Washington Football Team
Baltimore Ravens: N/A
Washington Football Team: N/A
New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams
New York Giants: N/A
Los Angeles Rams: N/A
Buffalo Bills @ Las Vegas Raiders
Buffalo Bills:
Cole Beasley, PFF Week 4 Consensus Rank: WR43 — Foot injury
Beasley suffered a foot injury in the second quarter. It is unclear the severity of the injury and he will undergo further evaluation.
Las Vegas Raiders: N/A
Indianapolis Colts @ Chicago Bears
Indianapolis Colts: N/A
Chicago Bears: N/A
Philadelphia Eagles @ San Francisco 49ers
Philadelphia Eagles: N/A
San Francisco 49ers: N/A
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