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 comb through the official injury reports for each game and give updates and analysis for fantasy-relevant players. Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @mario_pilato on Twitter.
ARZ | ATL | BLT | BUF | CAR | CIN | CHI | CLE | DEN | DAL | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LVR | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF | SEA | TB | TEN | WFT
ARIZONA CARDINALS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Christian Kirk | WR | 54.7 | WR88 | Groin | Questionable |
| DeAndre Hopkins | WR | 89.4 | WR1 | Ankle | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Kirk has been dealing with tightness in his groin since his Week 2 game against Washington. He missed the game in Week 3 but was a limited participant in Wednesday's and Thursday's practice. I believe Kirk suffered a Grade 1 groin strain, which typically takes one to two weeks to recover. This will be the second week of his injury. Kirk is considered a game-time decision but I believe he has a good shot at playing.
Hopkins popped up on the injury report and did not practice Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday with an ankle injury. He is considered a game-time decision. I expect Hopkins plays.
ATLANTA FALCONS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Julio Jones | WR | 71.4 | WR79 | Hamstring | Questionable |
| Russell Gage | WR | 81.5 | WR32 | Head | Questionable |
| Calvin Ridley | WR | 86.3 | WR2 | Ankle | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Jones reinjured his hamstring during the game in Week 2 and consequently missed the game in Week 3. He was a limited participant in practice all week. The typical return-to-play timeline for a Grade 1 hamstring strain is two to three weeks. This will be the second week of his injury. Jones is known for playing through injuries; therefore, I am optimistic he can be ready for Week 4.
Gage suffered a concussion during the game in Week 3. He is in the concussion protocol. He was a limited participant in the Thursday's and Friday's practice but it is unclear what step of the concussion protocol he is in. Gage has until MNF to make it through the five-step concussion protocol.
Ridley popped up on the injury report on Thursday with an ankle injury and did not participate in practice. He did return to practice on Friday. Ridley's game is on MNF giving him an extra day to heal, so I believe he will play in Week 4.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
N/A
BUFFALO BILLS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| John Brown | WR | 66.0 | WR52 | Calf | Questionable |
| Zack Moss | RB | 63.4 | WR59 | Toe | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Moss injured his toe last week in practice and missed the game in Week 3. I believe he suffered a Grade 2 injury, which has a typical return-to-play timeline of one to two weeks. Moss was a limited participant at practice all week. He is trending up and has a shot at playing in Week 4 but he will be a game-time decision.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB | 76.6 | N/A | Ankle | IR |
Mario’s take: McCaffrey sustained a high ankle sprain during a TD run in the fourth quarter of his Week 2 game against the Buccaneers. He was placed on IR Wednesday and will miss at least three weeks. McCaffrey's return-to-play timetable is around four to six weeks.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Joe Mixon | RB | 60.0 | RB12 | Chest | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Mixon was added to the injury report Saturday morning. He has played in 31 straight games. Being downgraded this late in the week is never a good thing. Mixon needs to be monitored all the way up to kickoff but I expect him to play.
CHICAGO BEARS
N/A
CLEVELAND BROWNS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Kareem Hunt | RB | 71.1 | RB21 | Groin | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Hunt was held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday but returned as a limited participant on Friday. It is believed that his injury is minor; he is considered day-to-day. I expect Hunt to be ready for Week 4.
DALLAS COWBOYS
N/A
DENVER BRONCOS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Courtland Sutton | WR | 72.9 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Drew Lock | QB | 42.7 | N/A | Shoulder | Out |
| Phillip Lindsay | RB | 72.9 | RB77 | Toe | Out |
| Noah Fant | TE | 65.1 | TE14 | Ankle | Questionable |
| K.J. Hamler | WR | 53.7 | WR86 | Hamstring | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Sutton left the game in Week 2 due to a knee injury and cramping and was later diagnosed with an ACL tear. He will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Lock suffered a severe rotator cuff strain on a sack in the first quarter of Week 2. He will have a shot at returning in Week 5.
Lindsay exited the second quarter in Week 1 due to a turf toe injury and consequently missed Week 2 and Week 3. The typical return-to-play timeline for a Grade 2 injury is one to two weeks. Lindsay did not play in the TNF game.
Fant suffered a minor ankle injury in the third quarter of TNF.
Hamler re-injured his hamstring in the first half of TNF. He will miss two to four weeks.
DETROIT LIONS
N/A
GREEN BAY PACKERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Davante Adams | WR | 80.4 | WR60 | Hamstring | Questionable |
| Allen Lazard | WR | 67.7 | N/A | Core | Out |
Mario’s take: Adams injured his hamstring in Week 2 and missed Week 3. He was a limited participant in Thursday's and Friday's practice. Typically, a Grade 1 hamstring strain has a return-to-play timeline of two to three weeks. The fact he was a game-time decision last week and doesn’t play until MNF makes me optimistic about his chance of playing in Week 4.
Lazard underwent core-muscle surgery and is ruled out indefinitely. I expect him to miss six weeks and come back around Week 10.
HOUSTON TEXANS
N/A
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Michael Pittman Jr. | WR | 61.3 | N/A | Calf | Out |
| Parris Campbell | WR | 72.8 | N/A | Knee | IR |
Mario’s take: Pittman had surgery to repair compartment leg syndrome in his calf. The typical return-to-play timeline is six weeks. I expect him to return in Week 8.
Campbell was carted off the field in Week 2 after spraining his MCL and PCL. Campbell's multi-ligament injury has ruled him out indefinitely. I expect him to be back in four to six weeks.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
N/A
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
N/A
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Bryan Edwards | WR | 70.6 | N/A | Ankle | Doubtful |
| Henry Ruggs III | WR | 57.2 | WR81 | Hamstring | Doubtful |
Mario’s take: Edwards suffered a high ankle sprain in the third quarter but did return to the game. He was spotted in a walking boot on Monday and did not practice on Wednesday. He will not play in Week 4 and will be considered week-to-week.
Ruggs missed the game in Week 3 and did not practice on Wednesday, and I do not believe Ruggs will play in Week 4.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Mike Williams | WR | 62.6 | WR63 | Hamstring | Out |
| Tyrod Taylor | QB | 60.7 | N/A | Chest | Out |
Mario’s take: Williams sat out of practice all week. He has been ruled out for Week 4.
Taylor was shockingly pulled right before kickoff in Week 2 due to complications from a rib injury. He was given an intercostal nerve block by the team doctor pregame to help relieve pain, and the injection reportedly caused a complication known as pneumothorax — an air leak between the lung and chest wall. Essentially, a small hole can form if the needle goes too deep, thus causing an air leak. Pain is the most determining factor as to when the player can return to play. The general timeline for a small pneumothorax is a minimum of two weeks. Taylor did not practice all week and he has been ruled out for Week 4.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Cam Akers | RB | 59.2 | RB74 | Ribs | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Akers separated some rib cartilage in Week 2. He missed the game in Week 3. Akers did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. I do not believe Akers plays in Week 4 and Coach Sean McVay echoed that on Thursday.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
N/A
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
N/A
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Julian Edelman | WR | 76.5 | WR18 | Knee | Questionable |
| Sony Michel | RB | 72.3 | RB40 | Quad | Questionable |
| Cam Newton | QB | 73.2 | QB12 | COVID-19 | Out |
Mario’s take: Edelman and Michel were limited participants in Wednesday's and Thursday's practice, but I expect both will be good to go against Kansas City in Week 4.
Newton was reported to have tested positive for COVID-19 Saturday morning. He will miss Week 4.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Michael Thomas | WR | 57.4 | WR78 | Ankle | Out |
| Jared Cook | TE | 58.5 | TE13 | Groin | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Thomas suffered a high ankle sprain in the game in Week 1. He did not play in Week 2 or Week 3. The average return-to-play timeline for a Grade 2 high ankle sprain is 12.6 days. Thomas practiced all week in a limited fashion. He has been ruled out for Week 4 but I believe he will play in Week 5.
Cook pulled up in the third quarter in Week 3. He did not practice all week, and I don't expect him to play in Week 4.
NEW YORK GIANTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Saquon Barkley | RB | 60.2 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Sterling Shepard | WR | 68.5 | N/A | Toe | IR |
Mario’s take: Barkley sprained his MCL, tore his ACL and meniscus in the second quarter of Week 2. He will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Shepard has been put on IR for a toe injury. He will miss at least the next two games.
NEW YORK JETS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Breshad Perriman | WR | 56.3 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
| Jamison Crowder | WR | 69.8 | WR65 | Hamstring | Questionable |
| Chris Hogan | WR | 57.0 | WR82 | Ribs/Knee | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Perriman injured his ankle in Week 2. He did not play in Week 3 and is out for the TNF in Week 4.
Crowder injured his hamstring during a TD in Week 1 and missed the games in Week 2 and Week 3. He was a limited participant in practice on Tuesday, though, so I expect him to play on TNF.
Hogan was a limited participant in practice on Tuesday. I expect him to be ready for TNF.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Alshon Jeffery | WR | N/A | N/A | Foot | Questionable |
| Dallas Goedert | TE | 69.8 | N/A | Ankle | IR |
| DeSean Jackson | WR | 62.4 | WR59 | Hamstring | Questionable |
| Jalen Reagor | WR | 54.4 | N/A | Hand | Out |
| JJ Arcega-Whiteside | WR | 46.5 | N/A | Calf | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Goedert fractured his ankle in Week 3. Typically, bone takes six weeks to heal. Goedert will be out for the next six to eight weeks.
Jeffery is recovering from a Lisfranc injury and was a limited participant at practice on Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday. The Eagles are easing him back. Jeffery has a chance to play in Week 4, but I believe Week 5 is more realistic.
Jackson injured his hamstring in the second quarter of Week 3. He has a significant injury history at this point, and this is a concerning injury for a speedster WR. Jackson did not practice all week, and due to his history, I have my doubts about him playing in Week 4.
Reagor tore the UCL in his thumb during the game in Week 2. This is the same injury that caused Drew Brees to miss five games last year. Reagor has been put on IR and will miss at least three weeks. I would expect Reagor to miss three to five weeks in total.
Arcega-Whiteside suffered a calf injury during warm-ups in Week 3. He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but got a limited session in on Friday. He will be a game-time decision.
Sanders was a limited participant all week with a glute injury. I believe that it is a minor injury and that he will be ready for Week 4.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Diontae Johnson | WR | 74.0 | WR61 | Head | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Johnson suffered a concussion in the second quarter of Week 3. He was a limited participant in practice on Thursday. I believe he will be placed in the concussion protocol; he will have to pass the five-step process in order to play in Week 4.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | QB | 69.0 | QB33 | Ankle | Questionable |
| Jordan Reed | TE | 86.9 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Raheem Mostert | RB | 78.4 | N/A | Knee | Questionable |
| Tevin Coleman | RB | 65.8 | N/A | Knee | IR |
Mario’s take: Garoppolo suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2 and missed the game in Week 3. The return-to-play timeline is typically three days to three-plus weeks. Garoppolo did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but the team is optimistic he could play in Week 4. I ultimately believe he will rest another week.
Mostert suffered a mild MCL sprain in Week 2. He did not practice last week, and I believe he will be out for two to three weeks with a Grade 1 MCL sprain. Mostert did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday; I believe he will be out for Week 4.
Coleman suffered a knee sprain in Week 2. He did not play in Week 3. He was placed on IR and will missed at least three weeks.
Reed left the first quarter with an ankle injury but returned in the second quarter. Later in the game he was seen getting his knee checked out and shortly after he was ruled out. Reed was placed on IR and will miss the next six to eight weeks.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Chris Carson | RB | 70.8 | RB55 | Knee | Questionable |
| Carlos Hyde | RB | 59.9 | RB31 | Shoulder | Out |
| Phillip Dorsett II | WR | N/A | N/A | Foot | IR |
Mario’s take: Carson suffered a knee sprain in the fourth quarter when Trysten Hill delivered a gator roll. Carson has a Grade 1 knee sprain. He was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. I believe he will play.
Hyde was a limited participant in Wednesday's and Thursday's practice, but he will not play in Week 4.
Dorsett was put on IR on Monday and will miss at least the next three weeks with a foot injury.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Chris Godwin | WR | 70.5 | N/A | Hamstring | Out |
| Leonard Fournette | RB | 68.1 | RB29 | Ankle | Out |
| Scotty Miller | WR | 66.8 | WR49 | Hip/Groin | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Godwin did not practice all week. He has been ruled out for Week 4 and will likely miss the next two to four weeks.
Fournette did not practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 4.
Miller was a full participant in Friday's practice, and I expect him to play in Week 4.
TENNESSEE TITANS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| A.J. Brown | WR | 63.2 | N/A | Knee | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Brown suffered a bone bruise in Week 1. He did not play in Week 2 or Week 3. The typical return-to-play timeline is a couple of days to multiple weeks. Brown is expected to be ready to play in Week 5.
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Terry McLaurin | WR | 78.8 | WR20 | Thigh | Questionable |
| Steven Sims | WR | 62.9 | WR120 | Toe | Out |
Mario’s take: McLaurin was limited in practice on Thursday and a non-participant at Friday's practice. He will be a game-time decision. I expect him to play.
Sims did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. He reportedly has a toe issue, which is worrisome for a speedster WR. He has been ruled out for Week 4.
Mario Pilato has a master's degree in Kinesiology and a bachelor's degree in Exercise Sports Science, along with eight years of experience in the strength and conditioning industry, including at the collegiate and NFL level. His injury analysis articles will appear weekly.
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