Fantasy Football’s Week 4 Injury List: Andre Johnson, Reggie Bush Lead
The laundry list of injuries in the NFL keeps growing and growing and this week there are quite a few impact players that have made this otherwise unpopular list.
As if that isn’t enough, this week begins the bye week with Dallas, Tampa bay, Minnesota, and Kansas City all not playing, so the mentionable players becomes even thinner than usual.
This week I’d like to highlight 15 players who are on the mend, and also take a quick look at some potential options you may or may not have when deciding how to deal with both the bye week, and the Band Aid Brigade.
This information is current at the close of the news feeds on Thursday September, 30th, 4 p.m. Yup, it’s freaking October in just one day kids!
Jahvid Best, RB, Detroit
1 of 15
Latest Injury News: Best did not practice once again as he continues to deal with that nagging turf toe, and his chances of starting are not good.
Fantasy Impact: Even if he did start he wouldn’t be worth much against the Packers “Psycho” package and because of that toe. Maurice Morris will get the bulk of the work for Detroit this Sunday if Best can’t go, which is expected.
Your Move Is… Sit Best and turn to your own bench. Morris is not worth the grab.
Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans
2 of 15
Latest Injury News: The news from New Orleans isn’t encouraging as Thomas continues to deal with an ankle injury that has prevented him from practicing all week.
Fantasy Impact: Even if he were to go, he wouldn’t be all that effective, but if you have some room I would pay close attention to this moving forward and keep an eye on backup Chris Ivory. The other thing is the Saints are probably going to go pass heavy against the Panthers, relegating their RBs to a poor play this week.
Your Move Is… If you don’t have another player, and roster room, try taking a chance on Packers RB John Kuhn who is likely to be available in most leagues.
Andre Johnson, WR, Houston
3 of 15
Latest Injury News: Johnson will almost for certain be a game time decision with that ankle injury he has been plagued with for two weeks now.
Fantasy Impact: While Johnson hasn’t shown too much slowing in the first couple of games, continuing to press the issue could wind up making a minor injury much more severe. Johnson will not have a good day anyway this week which I go into more detail here.
Your Move Is… With Owen Daniels on the mend as well, the Texans are probably going to give Oakland a healthy dose of Arian Foster. Sit Johnson this week.
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Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis
4 of 15
Latest Injury News: Jackson has been getting acupuncture on his groin and applying ice to the injured area but was still held out of practice on Thursday.
Fantasy Impact: Jackson and the Rams go up against the 5th ranked rushing defense in the NFL, so it is likely for anyone from St Louis to not have a good day.
Your Move Is… Sit Jackson.
Takeo Spikes, LB, San Francisco
5 of 15
Latest Injury News: Takeo Spikes may not be a starter for much longer in San Fran as he continues to struggle from a lingering knee injury.
Fantasy Impact: Spikes hasn’t done much for IDP leaguers lately and rookie NaVorro Bowman is playing with a much higher motor than the veteran. It’s not a question of will it happen but when will it happen.
Your Move Is… Drop Spikes and pickup Bowman, or Kevin Burnett from San Diego.
Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver
6 of 15
Latest Injury News: The hamstring continues to be a problem for Moreno and coach McDaniels—pulling his best Belichick—said he wouldn’t rule him out, but guess what? He’s out.
Fantasy Impact: Moreno wouldn’t do much against the Titans this week anyway as Tennessee is very good at shutting down the run. But Denver’s passing game could open the door for Laurence Maroney.
Your Move Is… Maroney is worth a consideration off the waivers if you’re hurting. Otherwise sit Moreno.
Steve Breaston, WR, Arizona
7 of 15
Latest Injury News: Breaston is definitely out this weekend period.
Fantasy Impact: Last week he surprised many even playing, but it also helped him wind up getting surgery on his torn Meniscus. The Cardinals have a bye in Week 6 and this type of surgery takes at least two weeks to heal, so Breaston will be a non-factor for at least a month.
Your Move Is… Stephen Williams should be grabbed off the waiver wire this week.
RB, Donald Brown, Indianapolis
8 of 15
Latest Injury News: Brown missed practice on Wednesday as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury.
Fantasy Impact: The Cots were working other backs in practice which suggests you should err to caution if you own Brown. The Colts have a nice matchup either way with Jacksonville.
Your Move Is… Sit brown and perhaps pickup Devin Moore.
Nate Burleson, WR, Detroit
9 of 15
Latest Injury News: There is a growing rumor that Nate Burleson could return this week against the Packers, but another missed practice today shattered that idea as Burleson continues to heal from an ankle injury.
Fantasy Impact: The real issue here is the effect it has on Calvin Johnson. With Burleson back, Johnson would stand to have a better day than if he sits, but either way, the Packers will have to deal with a lot of two tight end sets from Detroit which means Johnson will still have a nice day.
Your Move Is… Sit Burleson, Start Johnson.
Jamar Williams, LB, Carolina
10 of 15
Latest Injury News: The linebacker is out with a neck injury, but no other details have been provided at the time of this article.
Fantasy Impact: Carolina rolls a lot of work to their linebackers making them exceptionally valuable in IDP leagues. This week may not favor the Panthers linebackers though, as Indianapolis is going to go pass heavy.
Your Move Is… If you are looking for a similar replacement at LB, try your hand with Bart Scott.
Fred Taylor, RB, New England
11 of 15
Latest Injury News: Taylors injured toe continues to hold him out of practice and he will probably not play this Monday
Fantasy Impact: Miami is a tough matchup for runningbacks, but the Patriots should actually do better with BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Your Move Is… Sit Taylor, and grab Green-Ellis
Tracy Porter, CB, New Orleans
12 of 15
Latest Injury News: Tracy porter was initially listed as doubtful, but he may just play this week with a minor hamstring issue.
Fantasy Impact: The Saints would like to have Porter against Steve Smith, but he could be hampered in the speed department…assuming Jimmy Clausen can actually get him the ball this week.
Your Move Is… Consider picking up teammate Jabari Greer for insurance.
Eugene Wilson, CB, Houston
13 of 15
Latest Injury News: Wilson is out against the Raiders this week against the Raiders
Fantasy Impact: Tough blow for Wilson owners who were sure to get some work out of him, but there are other options like Antoine Cason from San Diego.
Your Move Is… Sit Wilson
Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit
14 of 15
Latest Injury News: Apparently Stafford has not had any setbacks with his shoulder injury , but everyone in Detroit is being tight lipped about him returning.
Fantasy Impact: Stafford may indeed return, but it won’t be a good matchup against Green Bay.
Your Move Is… Sit Stafford.
Terrence Wheatley, CB, New England
15 of 15
Latest Injury News: Wheatley is out for at least two weeks with a foot injury, meaning if you own him, you might want to replace him now.
Fantasy Impact: Wheatley isn’t on the map right now and you would be wise to lok for a replacement like Patrick Robinson from the Saints.
Your Move Is… Sit Wheatley.
I hope this injury piece helps, and if you enjoyed this, please check out my Week 4 WR Start Sit Column.
Also, if you are looking for some good Sleeper Options this week please check out my breakdown here.
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