A player's injury status can have a significant effect on both real life and fantasy football. So, each week, PFF injury analyst Mario Pilato will comb through the official injury reports for each NFL game and give updates and analysis for fantasy-relevant players.
Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @PFF_Mario on Twitter.
KEY
DNP: Did not participate in practice
LP: Limited participation in practice
FP: Full participation
(-): Not listed
OUT: Player will not play
D: Player is unlikely to play
Q: Player is not certain to play
NIR – Rest: Not injury-related or resting veteran
JAX @ CIN | CAR @ DAL | CLE @ MIN | HOU @ BUF | NYG @ NO |
TEN @ NYJ | IND @ MIA | KC @ PHI | WFT @ ATL | DET @ CHI |
ARZ @ LAR | SEA @ SF | BAL @ DEN | PIT @ GB |
TB @ NE | LV @ LAC
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Tee Higgins | WR | CIN | Shoulder | WR106 | 0.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| Josh Lambo | K | JAX | NIR – Rest | K33 | 0.0 | 0 | DNP | DNP | OUT |
The Over/Under for this game is currently 46. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Carolina Panthers @ Dallas Cowboys (-4.5)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Tony Pollard | RB | DAL | NIR – Rest | RB32 | 10.0 | (-) | DNP | FP | (-) |
| Terrace Marshall Jr. | WR | CAR | Thumb | WR57 | 9.5 | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB | CAR | Hamstring | 0.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT | |
| Shi Smith | WR | CAR | NIR – Rest | 0.0 | (-) | (-) | DNP | (-) |
Mario's Take: Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey is out for Week 4 as expected. I believe he will miss the following two weeks as well.
Andrew's Take: Boost Terrace Marshall Jr. and Robby Anderson in the fantasy rankings. Both should see expanded roles in the passing game without CMC and are interesting DFS pivots off a chalky D.J. Moore. Also start Chuba Hubbard as he projects to see the majority of backfield touches.
The Over/Under for this game is currently 51.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Cleveland Browns @ Minnesota Vikings (+2)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | WR | CLV | Shoulder | WR22 | 15.4 | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
| Dalvin Cook | RB | MIN | Ankle | RB4 | 19.9 | LP | LP | LP | Q |
| Adam Thielen | WR | MIN | NIR – Rest | WR19 | 15.0 | DNP | (-) | (-) | (-) |
| Greg Joseph | K | MIN | Right Hip | K9 | 9.5 | FP | LP | FP | (-) |
| Tyler Conklin | TE | MIN | Glute/Elbow | TE12 | 8.6 | DNP | LP | FP | (-) |
| Ben Ellefson | TE | MIN | Neck | 0.6 | (-) | DNP | FP | (-) | |
| Ihmir Smith-Marsette | WR | MIN | Toe | WR115 | 0.4 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
Mario's Take: Vikings RB Dalvin Cook missed Week 3 with an ankle sprain. I believe he will return to play today, and I do not expect his volume to be affected.
Andrew's Take: Cook is active. Start him.
The Over/Under for this game is currently 51.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Houston Texans @ Buffalo Bills (-17)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Stefon Diggs | WR | BUF | NIR – Rest | WR4 | 18.8 | (-) | (-) | DNP | (-) |
| Cole Beasley | WR | BUF | NIR – Rest | WR31 | 13.3 | DNP | (-) | (-) | (-) |
| Emmanuel Sanders | WR | BUF | NIR – Rest | WR40 | 11.2 | (-) | DNP | (-) | (-) |
| Taiwan Jones | RB | BUF | NIR – Rest | 0.0 | DNP | (-) | (-) | (-) | |
| Scottie Phillips | RB | HST | Illness | 0.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT | |
| Danny Amendola | WR | HST | Thigh | 0.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT | |
| Deshaun Watson | QB | HST | NIR | 0.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
The Over/Under for this game is currently 47. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
New York Giants @ New Orleans Saints (-7)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Jameis Winston | QB | NO | Knee | QB24 | 18.6 | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
| Saquon Barkley | RB | NYG | Knee | RB10 | 14.3 | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
| Kenny Golladay | WR | NYG | Hip | WR34 | 13.1 | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
| Kaden Smith | TE | NYG | Knee | 1.4 | LP | LP | LP | Q | |
| Cullen Gillaspia | RB | NYG | Ankle | 0.0 | LP | LP | LP | (-) | |
| Sterling Shepard | WR | NYG | Hamstring | WR106 | 0.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| Darius Slayton | WR | NYG | Hamstring | WR108 | 0.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
Mario's Take: Giants WRs Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton both strained their hamstrings during Week 3. They have been ruled out for Week 4, and I believe they will miss multiple weeks.
Andrew's Take: Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney will see the lion's share of targets with tight end Evan Engram also getting more looks in the passing game. Engram is a solid punt play on DraftKings at $3K.
The Over/Under for this game is currently 42. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Tennessee Titans @ New York Jets (+6)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Jamison Crowder | WR | NYJ | Groin | WR72 | 11.4 | LP | LP | FP | Q |
| Tyler Kroft | TE | NYJ | Rib | TE41 | 4.8 | LP | LP | FP | Q |
| Jeff Smith | WR | NYJ | Concussion | 0.5 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT | |
| La'Mical Perine | RB | NYJ | Illness (non-COVID) | 0.0 | (-) | DNP | FP | Q | |
| Elijah Moore | WR | NYJ | Concussion | WR107 | 0.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| Derrick Henry | RB | TEN | NIR – Rest | RB1 | 19.1 | (-) | DNP | FP | (-) |
| Anthony Firkser | TE | TEN | Knee | TE35 | 7.4 | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
| Jeremy McNichols | RB | TEN | Hamstring | RB61 | 3.5 | (-) | (-) | LP | (-) |
| Julio Jones | WR | TEN | Hamstring | WR105 | 0.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| A.J. Brown | WR | TEN | Hamstring | 0.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
Mario's Take: Jets WR Jamison Crowder and TE Tyler Kroft have been questionable all week, but I believe they will play in Week 4.
Titans WRs Julio Jones and A.J. Brown injured their hamstrings during their Week 3 game. They have been ruled out for Week 4 and are at risk of missing multiple weeks.
Andrew's Take: Start Corey Davis. He commanded 10 targets versus Denver — good for a 28% target share. He also finished ninth on the week in team air yards share (42%). His massive increase in targets and air yards were no doubt related to his massive jump in routes run per dropback.
With Moore sidelined due to a concussion, Davis’ routes run per drop back rate was boosted by 25 percentage points to 93%. Davis is back in the alpha chair, so he should see plenty of targets to produce WR2 fantasy numbers.
Don't fade Derrick Henry in DFS. With the Titans two top wideouts sidelined with injuries, the Titans revved up their run rate on early downs, jumping from 46% to 62%.
Henry’s newfound role in the passing game — 11% target share, four targets per game — ensures that if the game script goes haywire, the bruising back will still provide fantasy value.
The Over/Under for this game is currently 44.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Indianapolis Colts @ Miami Dolphins (-2)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Carson Wentz | QB | IND | Ankles | QB30 | 16.0 | LP | LP | LP | Q |
| Jonathan Taylor | RB | IND | Knee | RB11 | 14.2 | LP | LP | LP | Q |
| Jack Doyle | TE | IND | Back | TE21 | 7.6 | DNP | DNP | LP | Q |
| DeVante Parker | WR | MIA | Shoulder | WR47 | 11.5 | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
Mario's Take: Colts QB Carson Wentz sprained both of his ankles, including a high-ankle sprain. His mobility was sapped last week, and I expect much of the same this week. RB Jonathan Taylor has been dealing with a knee issue and has been a limited participant all week. I expect him to play in Week 4.
The Over/Under for this game is currently 42.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Philadelphia Eagles (+7)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Tyreek Hill | WR | KC | Rib | WR3 | 18.9 | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
| Mecole Hardman | WR | KC | Hip | WR56 | 10.2 | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
| Demarcus Robinson | WR | KC | Knee | WR85 | 6.3 | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
The Over/Under for this game is currently 54.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Washington Football Team @ Atlanta Falcons (+1.5)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Antonio Gibson | RB | WAS | Shin | RB14 | 14.5 | (-) | DNP | LP | Q |
| Russell Gage | WR | ATL | Ankle | WR92 | 8.2 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| Frank Darby | WR | ATL | Calf | 0.2 | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
Mario's Take: Washington Football Team RB Antonio Gibson suffered a shin injury during their game in Week 3. He was kicked, so it is a bruise, not shin splints. I expect him to play in Week 4. WR Curtis Samuel was activated off of IR, and I expect him to play his first game of the season.
Andrew's Take: Be greedy when others are fearful. Samuel is the stone minimum at just $3K on DraftKings and has a projected rostership of just 1.9%. Lock button him because no player at that cheap of price can give you the upside Samuel offers.
The Over/Under for this game is currently 47.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears (-3)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| D'Andre Swift | RB | DET | Groin | RB9 | 15.1 | LP | LP | LP | Q |
| Darnell Mooney | WR | CHI | Groin | WR42 | 12.7 | LP | LP | LP | Q |
| Justin Fields | QB | CHI | Right thumb | QB32 | 12.0 | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
| Andy Dalton | QB | CHI | Knee | QB33 | 5.1 | LP | LP | LP | Q |
| Jimmy Graham | TE | CHI | NIR – Rest | TE45 | 2.8 | DNP | FP | FP | (-) |
| Jesse James | TE | CHI | Personal | 0.3 | DNP | DNP | FP | (-) |
Mario's Take: Lions RB D'Andre Swift is still dealing with his groin injury, but he will again suit up for Week 4.
Bears WR Darnell Mooney has been limited all week with a groin injury, and I expect him to play in Week 4. QB Andy Dalton has been dealing with a bone bruise. Coach Nagy said the starting QB will be a game-time decision, but I still don't believe Dalton will be ready this week.
Andrew's Take: Justin Fields will start. Dabble in him along with other low-owned Bears players like Darnell Mooney and Allen Robinson in GPP tournaments.
The Over/Under for this game is currently 41.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams (-4)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| DeAndre Hopkins | WR | ARZ | Ribs | WR16 | 12.6 | DNP | FP | FP | (-) |
| A.J. Green | WR | ARZ | NIR – Rest | WR54 | 10.1 | LP | (-) | (-) | (-) |
| Eno Benjamin | RB | ARZ | Hamstring | 0.1 | (-) | LP | DNP | OUT | |
| DeSean Jackson | WR | LA | NIR – Rest | WR67 | 6.1 | (-) | (-) | DNP | (-) |
| Tutu Atwell | WR | LA | Illness | WR124 | 0.2 | DNP | DNP | FP | Q |
The Over/Under for this game is currently 54.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (-3)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Chris Carson | RB | SEA | NIR – Rest | RB16 | 13.2 | LP | FP | (-) | (-) |
| Freddie Swain | WR | SEA | Back | WR96 | 5.3 | DNP | LP | FP | (-) |
| Rashaad Penny | RB | SEA | Calf | 0.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT | |
| Elijah Mitchell | RB | SF | Shoulder | RB25 | 12.5 | DNP | DNP | LP | D |
| Trey Sermon | RB | SF | Concussion | RB40 | 5.6 | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
| JaMycal Hasty | RB | SF | Ankle | 0.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT | |
| George Kittle | TE | SF | Calf | TE3 | 14.3 | DNP | DNP | LP | Q |
Mario's Take: Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny is still out dealing with a calf injury, but I expect him back in the next week or two. WR Tyler Lockett suffered a hip injury in Week 3. He was limited Wednesday, DNP Thursday and a full participant Friday. I expect Lockett to play in Week 4.
49ers RB Elijah Mitchell and JaMycal Hasty are dealing with a shoulder injury and high-ankle sprain, respectively. I do not believe Mitchell will be ready to go, and Hasty has been ruled out and will miss multiple weeks. TE George Kittle is dealing with a calf injury. He practiced in a limited capacity on Friday. I am pessimistic Kittle plays. Returning to play after a Grade 1 strain takes 1-3 weeks. Research shows the average is 17 days. If he does give it a go, I am concerned about his effectiveness and the potential for reinjury.
Andrew's Take:
Find an alternative off the waiver wire: Kittle is expected to play, but fantasy managers should find contingency plans from the waiver wire just in case. These options include Dawson Knox, Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin and Dalton Schultz.
Stock up for Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk: Samuel owns a 31% target share this season and will continue to be peppered with targets without Kittle. Aiyuk ran a route on 90% of his team’s dropbacks Sunday night versus the Green Bay Packers, a sign he has emerged from the Kyle Shanahan doghouse. He will be a fringe fantasy WR2 without Kittle.
Stream tight ends Will Dissly and Ross Dwelley: Dwelley is the direct backup to Kittle and is the desperation play for those who wait on Kittle into the late-afternoon window. Dissly should see an expanded role with Gerald Everett potentially out due to COVID-19. The Seattle TE is the superior option for those waiting on a Kittle decision near the 4:05 p.m. Eastern kickoff.
Pound DK Metcalf in DFS: Lockett has never been one to perform at a high level when playing at less than 100%. Usually only one of Lockett/Metcalf goes off in any given week, so lean towards Metcalf and his sub-10% rostership. Lockett will play, so Metcalf's rostership will stay suppressed.
Sell Trey Sermon: Sermon was out-paced by a FB in Week 3. So even though Elijah Mitchell will not go for Sunday, Sermon's high-end projection/season-long outlook is not great. Sell high while he has the lead back role for another week. Because all indications are that when Mitchell returns, he will lead the backfield.
Click here to find PFF's 2021 fantasy projections.
The Over/Under for this game is currently 52. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Baltimore Ravens @ Denver Broncos (+1)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Lamar Jackson | QB | BLT | Back | QB4 | 24.9 | DNP | DNP | FP | Q |
| Sammy Watkins | WR | BLT | NIR – Rest | WR53 | 10.5 | DNP | (-) | (-) | (-) |
| Melvin Gordon III | RB | DEN | Ribs/lower leg | RB29 | 9.3 | LP | LP | LP | Q |
Mario's Take: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has been a hot topic all week with a back issue. There has been a lot of overreaction, and he was never in jeopardy of missing this week. Jackson will be fine in Week 4. WRs Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin both returned from IR this week. They have a great shot of playing in Week 4.
The Over/Under for this game is currently 44.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Green Bay Packers (-6.5)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Aaron Jones | RB | GB | Ankle | RB6 | 17.6 | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | WR | GB | Hamstring | WR89 | 0.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| Chase Claypool | WR | PIT | Hamstring | WR78 | 8.1 | (-) | LP | DNP | OUT |
Mario's Take: Packers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling injured his hamstring in Week 3 and has been ruled out for Week 4. I expect him to miss multiple weeks.
Steeler’s WR Chase Claypool has been ruled out with a hamstring. I expect him to not only miss this week but possibly next week as well.
Andrew's Take: When ancillary pieces are ruled out, the alphas eat. Davante Adams, Diontae Johnson and Najee Harris will all be peppered with targets/touches. Adams is worth paying up for DFS at $7,900.
The Over/Under for this game is currently 45.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New England Patriots (+7)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Nick Folk | K | NE | Left Knee | K22 | 8.1 | LP | LP | LP | Q |
| James White | RB | NE | Hip | 0.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT | |
| Chris Godwin | WR | TB | Thumb | WR17 | 14.7 | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
| Rob Gronkowski | TE | TB | Ribs | TE24 | 11.4 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| Giovani Bernard | RB | TB | Knee | RB68 | 6.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| Jaydon Mickens | WR | TB | Abdomen | 0.0 | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
Mario's Take: Patriots RB James White suffered a hip subluxation in Week 3. He will miss the rest of the season with the potentially career-threatening injury.
Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski has been dealing with a rib injury. He has not practiced all week, and I do not expect him to play in his return to New England (he has been ruled out). RB Giovani Bernard suffered a sprained MCL in Week 3 and has been ruled out for Week 4. He will not be out for an extensive amount of time.
Andrew's Take: Cameron Brate is a 1-for-1 replacement for Gronk from a snaps/routes run perspective. Deeper leagues can look for him as a streamer off the waiver wire.
Stock up for Leonard Fournette. With Bernard out due to an MCL injury, Fournette will take advantage by capturing all third-down snaps.
Also the Patriots are emerging as a run-funnel defense. They rank 31st in pass attempts and sixth in rush attempts faced. Head coach Bill Belichick will undoubtedly extend all efforts to force the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of their extremely pass-heavy nature — The No. 1 pass rate in the NFL — which will boost Fournette’s fantasy outlook.
The Buccaneers secondary is banged up, so have confidence in Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor. They play on Sunday Night Football, so neither will be on the DFS main slate. However, keep an eye out for him in Showdown formats because of the four deep targets he saw in Week 3. Mac Jones consistently uncorked shots to the ex-Eagle in comeback mode, but the two failed to connect.
With the Patriots likely to trail against Tom Brady in Week 4, leverage Agholor is the single-game DFS contest. Same goes for Meyers, who also saw a whopping 173 air yards in his own right – third among receivers.
The Over/Under for this game is currently 49.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers (-3)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Wed. Status | Thurs. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
| Keenan Allen | WR | LAC | Ankle | WR8 | 16.9 | LP | LP | (-) | (-) |
| Josh Jacobs | RB | LV | Ankle | RB57 | 10.3 | LP | LP | (-) | (-) |
Andrew's Take: Josh Jacobs is very questionable, and the way Derek Carr talked about earlier in the week makes me less confident is ready for prime time Monday night. Fire up Peyton Barber who rushed for over 100 yards last week as a low-end RB2 versus a Chargers' defense that loves to give up rushing yards.
The Over/Under for this game is currently 51.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
© 2024 PFF - all rights reserved.