NFL Week 4: Latest Injury Updates for Every Marquee Player

Unfortunately, injuries are a part of football, and while we wish for the health of every player each week, it's nearly impossible for the participants of every contest to come away unscathed. These situations are only magnified when a team's marquee player is involved. After all, losing someone of great significance for any amount of time could have season-altering consequences.    

Some of the 2014 season's early weeks have yielded disastrous results, as several talented players have been lost—for varying amounts of time—due to injury. Week 4 continued that trend, as a few big names exited their respective contests.

As Sunday's contests continue, let's take a look at the most recent updates for every marquee player that suffered a significant injury.

Donnie Avery, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Ed Zurga/Associated Press

The Kansas City Chiefs will be happy to see the return of Dwayne Bowe to top form, as their wide receiver corps took a hit on Monday night against the New England Patriots.

According to the team's official Twitter account, Avery was ruled out for rest of the game after suffering the injury:

"INJURY UPDATE: #Chiefs WR Donnie Avery is ruled out. (Groin)"

Avery picked up two receptions for a total of 46 yards before exiting the contest. The Chiefs did just fine in his absence, beating the Patriots by a score of 41-14. Avery's been a dependable if unspectacular wide receiver so far this year, recording 12 catches on 21 targets in four appearances, per ESPN.com.

Quarterback Alex Smith will be remiss if the speedy wideout hits the sidelienes for an extended period of time, although the team still has plenty of options. Bowe racked up 81 yards on five receptions and tight end Travis Kelce continues to impress. 

Bruce Carter, LB, Dallas Cowboys

Brandon Wade/Associated Press

The Dallas Cowboys scored a major win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Night Football, but did not emerge unscathed on the defensive side of the ball.

One major loss was linebacker Bruce Carter, who suffered an apparent leg injury in the third quarter, per the team's official Twitter account:

"Bruce Carter is OUT for the game with a quad injury. #NOvsDAL"

One of the lone bright spots on an otherwise struggling unit, Carter's absence will be felt against the run and in terms of getting pressure on the quarterback.

Should he miss an extended period of time, the team will lean on Cameron Lawrence next to Rolando McClain in the middle of the defense.

Morris Claiborne, CB, Dallas Cowboys

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The comeback trail for Dallas Cowboys corner Morris Claiborne was cut short Sunday night due to a knee injury.

Update: Monday, September 29 at 12:50 p.m. ET

According to Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys fear Claiborne may have torn his ACL on Sunday.

Days after losing his starting gig, Claiborne left the field with help in the first quarter against New Orleans and did not return. Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram explained the situation:

"Claiborne being helped off the field by trainers.. its doesnt look good. walking very gingerly"

With the former first-round pick out of the picture, the Cowboys will lean more heavily on starters Orlando Scandrick and Brandon Carr in order to hold strong against the pass.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings rookie signal-caller Teddy Bridgewater left Sunday's contest against the Atlanta Falcons with an ankle injury. He would not return; however, according to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the diagnosis was a sprain, and he's expected to play in Week 5.

If Bridgewater returns quickly, that would be great news for the Vikings. The rookie completed 19 of his 30 passing attempts for 317 yards and a 98.9 rating, adding five rushes for 27 yards and a touchdown. He was instrumental in the team's second victory of the season.

The reins would be handed over to former first-round selection Christian Ponder should Bridgewater be forced to miss any time.

Cecil Shorts, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Cecil Shorts left Sunday's contest against the San Diego Chargers with an apparent hamstring injury, and according to Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union, it's the same one that's given the receiver problems earlier this year.

Shorts finished the game recording two receptions for 25 yards. Hamstring injuries can tend to linger, and we'll have to wait and see how much time the receiver will miss. Luckily for the Jaguars, the team has a nice young crop of receivers capable of stepping in. Expect to see more of Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee in the near future.

Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers

Ben Margot/Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis left his team's contest against the Philadelphia Eagles with an apparent back injury. According to ESPN's Adam Caplan, the tight end was hit in the back, walked off the field gingerly and went for an evaluation in the locker room. He wouldn't return.

Davis had a quiet game before exiting with an injury, catching just two passes for eight yards. Should he be forced to miss any time, expect to see more of Derek Carrier in the team's passing game.

Anthony Davis, OT, San Francisco 49ers

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Vernon wasn't the only Davis to exit the 49ers contest against the Eagles on Sunday. Right tackle Anthony Davis also left the game and wouldn't return due to a knee injury according to Around the NFL.

This is bad news for Davis, as he was making his season debut after missing the first three games with a hamstring injury. Jonathan Martin entered the game at right tackle in Davis' absence and struggled to fill the big shoes left behind by the Pro Bowler.

Joe Hawley, C, Atlanta Falcons

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The Atlanta Falcons continue to lose linemen at a seemingly record pace. Center Joe Hawley was the latest to go down with an injury, as Jay Adams of AtlantaFalcons.com reported Hawley was ruled out with a knee injury.

Peter Konz came in at center to replace the veteran for the remainder of the game. In fact, the line shuffled around in an even bigger way on Sunday. With Justin Blalock and Lamar Holmes also leaving the contest with injuries as well, the team was forced to use tight end Levine Toilolo at right tackle, according to Ross Tucker of NBCSN.

For quarterback Matt Ryan's sake, let's hope these players make swift recoveries.

DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers

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Unfortunately for the Carolina Panthers, running back DeAngelo Williams is no stranger to injury. After sitting out his team's Week 3 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he returned to action on Sunday, but only lasted into the second quarter.

Update: Monday, September 29 at 12:50 p.m. ET

According to Bryan Strickland of Panthers.com, Williams’ foot injury may keep him out of Week 5’s matchup against Chicago:

“Rivera says DeAngelo Williams will start week as doubtful. Foot is sore but doesn't appear to be any structural damage.”

The Baltimore Ravens' official twitter account announced that the running back would be out for the remainder of the game with an ankle injury.    

Before Williams left the game, he carried 11 times for 34 yards. His absence leaves the Panthers extremely thin at the running back position, with Darrin Reaves assuming all of the backfield responsibilities for the remainder of Sunday's contest due to injuries to both Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert.

Dashon Goldson, S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Dashon Goldson went down with an ankle injury early in the team's Week 4 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers after making his lone tackle of the day.

Goldson was originally deemed questionable, but he was later downgraded and ruled out, according to Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com.

The injury came as a major blow to a Buccaneers secondary that is currently in turmoil. While Goldson wasn't overly efficient in coverage this season, he's played very well in run support. His absence continues an unfortunate trend of unwanted rotations for a struggling Tampa Bay team.

Derek Carr, QB, Oakland Raiders

Lefteris Pitarakis/Associated Press

The Oakland Raiders received some bad news on Sunday, as rookie quarterback Derek Carr left the game with an ankle/knee injury.

Update: Monday, September 29 at 12:50 p.m. ET

According to Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com, Carr suffered a sprained MCL and high-ankle sprain in Sunday’s loss to Miami:

"

What the Raiders discovered was moderately good news. Carr suffered a high ankle sprain and a sprained MCL in his knee, injuries that will take time to heal but aren’t season-ending as currently diagnosed. X-rays on the ankle were negative. Even still, Carr will likely miss some time.

"

His return was deemed questionable by the team's official twitter account.

Carr has been the only rookie quarterback to start each of his team's contests in 2014. He's been going through some growing pains, but has begun to adjust nicely to the pace of the NFL. Before exiting Sunday's game, Carr completed 16 of his 25 passing attempts for 146 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a passer rating of 76.4.

Matt McGloin—the team's starting quarterback for a portion of the 2013 season—replaced the injured Carr. He threw one touchdown and two picks.

Calvin Pryor, S, New York Jets

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Calvin Pryor, the New York Jets' first-round selection in the 2014 NFL draft, left Sunday's contest against the Detroit Lions with an apparent thigh injury. The safety was ruled out of the remainder of the game, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.

The rookie has been up and down, and that was apparent on Sunday when he allowed Lions wide receiver Jeremy Ross to get behind the secondary for a 59-yard touchdown. Although, Pryor did record three tackles and half a sack before leaving the game.

Jaiquawn Jarrett entered the game as Pryor's replacement.

Joique Bell, RB, Detroit Lions

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell left Sunday's contest against the New York Jets with an apparent head injury, according to a tweet from Lions reporter Tim Twentyman.

Bell has been serving as Detroit's between-the-tackles running back as a complement to the shifty Reggie Bush. Even in a matchup against a stout Jets run defense, Bell maintained decent production despite a limited workload. Before leaving the game, he carried eight times for 32 yards.

We can expect a bigger role for Bush should Bell miss time.

Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Don Wright/Associated Press

The Buccaneers may have lost one of their biggest playmakers for multiple weeks, as rookie wide receiver Mike Evans left Sunday's contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a groin injury, according to Around The NFL.

Tampa Bay selected Evans in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft out of Texas A&M. The big-bodied receiver earned a starting job opposite Vincent Jackson immediately, recording 13 receptions for 138 yards through three weeks. On Sunday, he recorded his first NFL touchdown, totaling four receptions for 65 yards.

Louis Murphy should see more targets come his way in Evans' absence. The rookie will be sorely missed on an offense that has been decimated with injuries this season.

Kyle Williams, DT, Buffalo Bills

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams left Sunday's contest against the Houston Texans with an apparent knee injury, according to Around The NFL. An integral part of Buffalo's fierce front seven, Williams established himself as a solid pass-rusher in 2013, accumulating 10.5 sacks.

He has only reached the opposing quarterback once in 2014, but he's played a big role in the Bills solid run defense. Before exiting his Week 4 contest, Williams recorded one tackle and one pass defensed.

Stefan Charles entered the game for Williams and should be expected to contribute in a rotation along the defensive line.

Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans

Patric Schneider/Associated Press

Houston Texans star wide receiver Andre Johnson exited the team's Week 4 contest against the Buffalo Bills with an ankle injury, according to a tweet from Mike Rodak of ESPN.com.

Fortunately for Houston, Johnson was able to return to the game. He's been the team's most prolific wide receiver since entering the league in 2003, so it will be important to monitor his status in the days ahead. The wide receiver caught six passes for 71 yards from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

DeAndre Hopkins continues to impress and would likely see even more targets should Johnson miss time, but more will be known about Johnson during the week.