Here’s a Week 4 Thursday Night Football injury preview and the first look at the rest of the slate from an injury perspective.
Thursday Night Football
Aaron Jones - Hamstring
Jones, on the other hand, is returning, and you may need to start him. Here’s what you need to know: The reinjury rate in RBs slightly lower than WRs at 25%. Usually, RBs see a dip in receiving work and a median dip in production about 82% of the average. Still, similar to Watson, Jones needs one big play or touchdown to pay off.
David Montgomery - Thigh Bruise
This doesn’t sound like a serious injury but make no mistake, they are painful. It’s possible Montgomery doesn’t see his full workload, either. In addition to the possibility of re-aggravating the issue, it's hard to trust Monty this week as anything other than a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex. And yet I get it. Times are tough.
Christian Watson - Hamstring
The Packers have all but stated Watson will be active. Here’s what to know: Watson is not a must-start for teams who are 2-1 or 3-0 and have replacement-level players. Guys like Zay Flowers and even Nico Collins fit the bill. If you aren’t so lucky to have guys like that, and your record shows it, you take on the 30% recurrence and the 62% median production in hopes Watson hits 1-2 big plays. He’s an upside play.
Guys to monitor throughout the week
Deshaun Watson (shoulder)
Jimmy Garoppolo (concussion)
Derek Carr (shoulder)
Justice Hill (foot)
Kareem Hunt (ribs, groin)
Tyler Higbee (Achilles)
Odell Beckham Jr (Ankle)
Rashod Bateman (Hamstring)
Zay Jones (Knee)
Allen Robinson
Deebo Samuel (Ribs, Knee)
Treylon Burks (Knee)
Jonathan Mingo (Concussion)
Miles Sanders (Groin)
Salvon Ahmed (Groin)
Jerry Jeudy (Knee)
Quarterbacks
Jimmy Garoppolo - Concussion
Garoppolo is in the concussion protocol for the first time in his career. The sample of fantasy-relevant QBs to sustain concussions since 2018 is small, but 50% don’t miss any time at all. Watch his practice status closely this week. If he can’t return by Sunday, you may want to downgrade Raiders skill players.
Derek Carr - AC Joint Sprain (Shoulder)
On average, QBs miss 17 days (essentially 2.5 weeks) with this injury — plan to be without Carr for at least that long for now. Jameis Winston is worth a look for SF and 2-QB leagues.
Running Backs
Austin Ekeler - High Ankle
Ekeler returned to practice Wednesday and Thursday. This seems optimistic for his Week 4 availability, but it is not a slam dunk. Others, such as Saquon Barkley and Alvin Kamara, have practiced after a high ankle sprain as well and waited another week to play. In theory, the Chargers give their star another week to prepare, but given the state of that run game, I can see Ekeler making his return.
Saquon Barkley - High Ankle
Copy/paste the Ekeler breakdown, but doubly so for Saquon, who is an entire week behind him. Stay locked in for more on both of these guys.
Wide Receivers
Deebo Samuel - Ribs
Samuel “avoided fractured ribs” and is just sore. As of today, he hasn't returned to practice, so this is clearly not nothing. Make plans to be without Deebo but stay locked in for updates. Only 33% of players go on to miss time with this injury, but Samuel is definitely not trending in the right direction.
