Early in Week 4, the QB and TE injury report had some concerning names for fantasy football managers. However, as the week went on, subsequent NFL injury updates made things a little clearer. Let’s examine the final Week 4 QB and TE injury reports and the fantasy impact of the news.
QB injury report heading into Week 4
Justin Herbert, LAC | Ribs (Cleared)
This is great news out of Los Angeles that Herbert is fully healthy. The concerns over his ribs made him a tough player to start last week. This matchup with the Texans appears tough, as Houston has allowed an average of just 10.43 fantasy points to opposing QBs this season, making them the fifth-toughest matchup in the league.
However, through three weeks, they haven’t faced a test like Herbert and the Chargers’ offense. Therefore, fantasy managers should feel comfortable rolling with Herbert as they normally would in Week 4.
Mac Jones, NE | Ankle (Out)
Mac Jones was a fringe fantasy option, so this news has limited impact on that front. Brian Hoyer is a downgrade, but we’re talking about a drop from the 28th to 30th-ranked QB on a weekly basis to 32nd, so nothing major. Hoyer is someone you can only consider starting in 16-team Superflex leagues, where virtually every QB is started.
The bigger impact of Jones’ absence is on his pass catchers. DeVante Parker had a 150-plus receiving yard game last week, while Jakobi Meyers had a good performance in Week 2. Both of these options would have 12 or 14-team Flex potential this week if Jones were healthy. However, against a solid Green Bay defense, with a journeyman veteran throwing the ball, their fantasy potential is limited to 16-team leagues and deeper.
Jameis Winston, NO | Back (Out)
Jameis Winston was ruled out Saturday, and Andy Dalton will start for the New Orleans Saints in Week 4. Dalton is a fringe starting option in 14-team Superflex formats if he plays.
The bigger impact is on the ceiling of the other Saints’ fantasy assets. The likes of Alvin Kamara and Jarvis Landry could see a PPR boost if Dalton runs a shorter-passing game than we’re used to seeing from Winston. Chris Olave’s ceiling is dented, with it being unlikely his average depth of target this week matches his season number of 18.5 yards. Dalton is capable of letting it fly at times, but he’s unlikely to do so as often as Winston.
Olave is still a starting option for 12-team leagues this week, as he ranks as the WR22 in Tommy Garrett’s Week 4 PPR fantasy rankings. Meanwhile, Landry and Tre’Quan Smith sit as the WR50 and 66, respectively. Landry’s questionable tag limits his ceiling. Kamara would appear to be the safest Saints’ fantasy option, sitting 12th in our Week 4 RB fantasy rankings.
TE injury report heading into Week 4
Dawson Knox, BUF | Back/Hip (Questionable)
There doesn’t seem to be a huge amount of concern about Knox missing the game this week. The Bills play in the 1 p.m. ET window, so fantasy managers will have clarity early enough to make decisions. On Saturday night, Adam Schefter reported that Dawson Knox is expected to be active in Week 4. However, Knox is not a high-enough ranked starting option when healthy to be a must-play this week. Therefore, given we don’t know how limited he will be with the injury, it would be best to look elsewhere in Week 4.
Dalton Schultz, DAL | Knee (Questionable)
The positive news for Dalton Schultz is that he managed to be a limited participant in practice all week. However, he was still listed as questionable on the Cowboys’ final injury report. Now, we are left waiting over the weekend to find out more about whether or not Schultz will play after he missed last week’s game.
The positive news for fantasy managers is that this is also a 1 p.m. ET kickoff, so we’ll know early enough. It is still very much up in the air as to whether Schultz will play, and to what capacity, if he does.
This might be a week that you look to sit Schultz, regardless of his status. He’s a risky start, but if fantasy managers don’t have a viable alternative, Schultz is likely the best option if he’s active.
T.J. Hockenson, DET | Foot (Cleared)
With Amon-Ra St. Brown out this week, we could see a very high target game for T.J. Hockenson in Week 4. There was never any real expectation he might miss Week 4, but seeing him cleared heading into the weekend is an extremely promising sign.
Taysom Hill, NO | Ribs (Cleared)
Hill is somewhat intriguing this week as the Saints deal with injuries. He’s never a player you start with confidence, but the presence of Dalton at QB could open more opportunities for Hill both passing and running the ball.
Hill is the 41st-ranked player in our Week 4 TE fantasy rankings, showing the risk. However, if you want to roll the dice in deeper leagues on the Saints’ utility player, then it’s at least intriguing.
