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Injury Status: Week 4

Thu Sep 29 9:11am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Well, that escalated quickly. The injury list is very long this week. Lots of guys got banged up last week, including some big-time running backs. You just hate to see it. Hopefully, all of these guys aren’t out too long, though. None of them have season-ending injuries, which is a good thing. The bad thing is you might be without them a few weeks. Here is the latest. . . . .

Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys. There was some hope that Prescott might return this week after getting the stitches removed from his surgically repaired right thumb. He still isn’t throwing the football, though, and is a long shot to return this week. He could be back in another week or two, though, making a quick recovery from this injury.

Zach Wilson, QB, Jets. Wilson has been cleared to return from his knee injury. He has already been named the starter for Week 4. As long as he doesn’t have any setbacks, Wilson will be back in the starting lineup for the Jets.

Michael Thomas, WR, Saints. Thomas is banged up with a toe injury and is out of practice to start the week. He is considered questionable for the Week 4 game and likely a game-time decision. The good news is we will have his status bright and early Sunday with the Saints playing in London.

Mac Jones, QB, Patriots. The Patriots aren’t ruling out Jones yet for this week, but he seems like a long shot to play. He suffered a high-ankle sprain, which is normally an injury that can linger. We would expect him miss at least this week, giving Brian Hoyer the start.

Jarvis Landry, WR, Saints. Landry is dealing with a foot injury and is out of practice to start the week. He is not being ruled out, though, and could practice before the week is out. If that happens, Landry should be good to go. Keep an eye on the practice notes for the latest.

Harrison Butker, K, Chiefs. The Chiefs already released kicker Matt Ammendola, which is a pretty good sign Butker will be ready to return to the lineup this week. Butker did some work in practice Wednesday. As long as he keeps progressing, look for Butker to return to the starting lineup in Week 4 for the Chiefs.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions. St. Brown sprained his ankle last week but was able to return to the game. He is out of practice to start the week, but seems to have a decent chance to play as long as he gets some work in before the week is out. We would not rule him out for the week. Consider him on the right side of questionable for Week 4.

D'Andre Swift, RB, Lions. Swift injured his shoulder and is not practicing to start the week. It is not looking good for Swift to play this week. He is likely to sit this one out and might be out a few more weeks. Jamaal Williams will serve as the starter for the Lions while Swift is out of action.

Rondale Moore, WR, Cardinals. Moore is back practicing this week. His hamstring injury is finally progressing, giving him a good shot to make his season debut in Week 4. We would expect him back in the lineup, barring some late-week setback with the hamstring.

Michael Gallup, WR, Cowboys. Gallup was close to playing last week and is practicing in full to start this week. Things are looking good for him to make his season debut this week. He is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season and seems about fully recovered. He might be eased into action but should see his playing time increase as the weeks progress.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers. We have our first real McCaffrey injury to be worried about. He has a thigh injury, which kept him out of practice to start the week. He is looking questionable to play and might be a game-time decision for Week 4. Get other options ready. We should have a better idea about the injury before the week is out, though.

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins. Tagovailoa is dealing with ankle and back injuries. He has been out of practice and considered questionable for the Thursday night game. He seems likely to play, though. The Dolphins were likely playing it cautious with their starting quarterback. Expect him to be ready for Week 4.

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts. Taylor was held out of practice Wednesday but it was apparently being overcautious with their star back. He is dealing with a toe injury, but should be able to play this week. Keep an eye on the practice notes for the latest on Taylor, but he should be good to go for Week 4.

Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings. Cook suffered a dislocated shoulder last week, but believes he can play through the injury, wearing a harness like he did last season. He is out of practice to start the week, though, so consider him questionable to play. The Vikings might play it cautious with him and hold him out a week or two. Nothing is certain right now. If Cook misses, Alexander Mattison serves as the starter for the Vikings.

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins. Waddle is dealing with a groin injury and practicing on a limited basis. He is practicing some, which is a good sign. He will test it out in warmups Thursday before the game, but expect him to be ready to go for Week 4.

David Montgomery, RB, Bears. Montgomery was forced from the game last week and is out of practice to start the week because of ankle and knee injuries. He is being called day-to-day. We would consider him very questionable to play this week unless he gets in some practice at some point. Right now, expect Khalil Herbert to start and get most of the work at running back.

Dalton Schultz, TE, Cowboys. Schultz missed the game last week with a knee injury. He tested the injury in pregame warmups but was held out. He is practicing on a limited basis this week and seems to be trending towards being ready to play.

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Patriots. Meyers did not play last week because of a knee injury. He is practicing on a limited basis to start the week, which is a positive step for Meyers. If he can ramp up his work in practice before the week is out, Meyers is trending towards being ready for the Week 4 game.

Melvin Gordon, RB, Broncos. Gordon was limited in practice Wednesday because of a neck injury. This is a new injury. It doesn’t seem too serious, but it might limit him a little in the game, opening the door for Javonte Williams to get more carries.

Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers. Allen is practicing this week. His hamstring injury is progressing, doing more and more in practice each day. He sees to have a pretty good chance to return this week. Consider him questionable, but things are looking up for an Allen return in Week 4.

Chris Godwin, WR, Bucs. Godwin is back practicing some this week on his sore hamstring. This is a positive step for Godwin as he eyes a return. He has a chance to play this week. We would consider him a game-time decision, though, so proceed with caution.

Hunter Renfrow, WR, Raiders. Renfrow continues to be sidelined by a concussion. He missed last week and remains out of practice. He is looking very iffy to play again this week unless he has a big turnaround before the week is out. We would just plan on other options for now. Mack Hollins will take his role in the offense if Renfrow sits out once again.

Kadarius Toney, WR, Giants. Toney still isn’t practicing on his hamstring injury, but the Giants claim he is getting close. We would not expect him back this week, but hopefully he can return in Week 5. The Giants need Toney in the lineup to help shore up their receiving corps.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Injury Status: Week 4

The Paur Report