NFL Week 4 Injury Report: Who's Hurting the Most After Week 3?

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If it weren't for injuries, we would have all won our NFL fantasy football leagues last year, right?

Unfortunately, though, injuries happen, and they affect fantasy teams as much as real teams. Our fantasy teams are clearly more important than the actual NFL teams, though.

In order to properly handle an injury, you need to scour the waiver wire. And that's impossible to do if you don't know your players' statuses. 

So how are the NFL's injured stars looking for Week 4?

Reggie Bush, RB, Miami Dolphins

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After suffering a knee injury, Reggie Bush did not return to the field in Miami's contest against the Jets. Fortunately, the injury appears to be minor, but Bush's status is still unknown moving forward.

Because the injury isn't serious, Bush stands a chance at starting in Week 4. This could go either way, but there's no need to make a knee-jerk reaction.

Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets

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Darrelle Revis is out for the season with a torn ACL. This has an impact in IDP leagues, obviously, but it also affects the Jets' value on defense/special teams.

New York relies on Revis and likely won't be nearly as dominant without him. Expect teams to score more points and for the Jets to not produce as many turnovers moving forward. This is a huge blow.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions

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Matthew Stafford suffered a leg injury during Detroit's loss to the Titans. Stafford is said to be day-to-day, and his status is definitely in jeopardy for Week 4.

Even if Stafford does play, he likely won't be at full strength. This injury could linger, negatively impacting Stafford's fantasy value. Don't expect much, if anything, from him in Week 4.

C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills

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In Buffalo's victory over Cleveland, C.J. Spiller suffered a shoulder injury and is unlikely to play in Week 4. The injury likely won't sideline Spiller for long, though.

Spiller claims he could be ready for New England already, and he'll almost certainly be ready to go Week 5. So though Spiller will likely miss some action, he should be back at full strength soon.

Austin Collie, WR, Indianapolis Colts

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As soon as his season actually started, Austin Collie went down with a torn patellar tendon, ending his season. Clearly, there is no more value here.

In a redraft league, you should obviously drop Collie. In a dynasty league, it's worth considering as well, given Collie's inability to stay on the field. It's hard to imagine his career lasting much longer.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Oakland Raiders

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After suffering an apparently serious concussion, Darrius Heyward-Bey is unlikely to play in Week 4. DHB could be out for quite a while, if his injury is as serious as it looked.

Heyward-Bey has obvious fantasy upside, but he probably won't offer much for a while now. Owners should look for other options through trade or waivers. 

Jared Cook, TE, Tennessee Titans

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Despite missing part of his Week 3 game against the Lions, Jared Cook stands a good chance at playing in Week 4. Cook injured the AC joint in his shoulder.

There's no reason to overreact to Cook's injury, as he has at least a 50 percent chance of playing against the Texans. 

Beanie Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals

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It sounds like Beanie Wells may have turf toe. If he does, Wells could be out for a while, and owners should look for replacements.

At this point, Wells seems unlikely to play in Week 4 and could miss even more time. Even if he does play, Wells will likely split carries with Ryan Williams at an increased rate, further diminishing his value.

Willis McGahee, RB, Denver Broncos

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Willis McGahee suffered a rib injury against the Texans, which could mean a number of things. Depending on the severity of the vague injury, McGahee could be go for Week 4 or could miss a number of weeks.

However, McGahee will likely split carries more in Week 4 as a result of the injury. The Broncos won't want to take any chances, and McGahee's value will fall, at least temporarily.

Dexter McCluster, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

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After suffering what looked like a serious elbow injury, Dexter McCluster could be out for a while. This doesn't exactly have huge fantasy implications, but it's still relevant.

Any McCluster owners should definitely look for other options and may want to consider dropping McCluster. He isn't particularly valuable anyway and seems likely to miss quite a bit of time. 

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants

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Though Ahmad Bradshaw may play in Week 4, he probably isn't a great fantasy option. The Giants will likely work Bradshaw in with Andre Brown impressing, and he won't see too many touches.

Moving forward, Bradshaw is still a valuable piece, but he seems unlikely to add much value in the immediate future. Owners should continue to play other running backs.

Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants

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If the Giants hadn't played on Thursday, Hakeem Nicks may have managed to start in Week 3. Now entering Week 4, Nicks is almost certain to play.

New York's offense is certainly dynamic, but Philadelphia's defense has the ability to shut it down. However, Nicks is still an intelligent play, as he should be mostly healthy.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

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After missing Carolina's Week 3 contest, Jonathan Stewart will likely play in Week 4. The Panthers struggled to run in Stewart's absence, and he should see plenty of carries.

It's always hard to predict how carries will be spit in Carolina, but Stewart is clearly Carolina's top running back and will likely receive the majority of touches. He's a bit of a risky play, but there is upside.

Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots

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Julian Edelman appeared to suffer a hand injury against the Ravens, and though he was seen catching passes on the sideline, he did not return. There has been no word on the severity of the injury.

That Edelman was seen catching passes bodes well for him playing in Week 4. The Patriots were featuring Edelman in their offense, and he could put up a big performance.

Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

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Jeremy Maclin will likely return to the field in Week 4. Maclin nearly played in Week 3, and he should be fairly healthy by game day.

It is of course a risky start, but Maclin has the upside to justify the chance. Owners should look to play Maclin against the Giants, as he could put up a big game against the team's shaky cornerbacks.