Fantasy Football Week 4 Injury Report: Top 5 Players Too Risky To Start

Half-injured players limping their way through games are a fantasy owner's kryptonite, which is why you should sit these five banged-up skill players.

They will play on Sunday, but they likely won't be effective. Their real teams might not have better options, but you sure as hell do. Start someone else if you own any of these guys.

Michael Vick

Michael Vick has been tossed around like a little kid the past couple of weeks, getting knocked out of the game in consecutive weeks.

In Week 2, he suffered a concussion, and in Week 3 he "broke" his non-throwing hand. This Sunday, he will have the displeasure of being chased around by Patrick Willis, the absolutely terrifying San Francisco 49ers linebacker.

Despite Vick's insistence on playing, I think the Eagles would be wise to rest him for a week. The 49ers aren't exactly a powerhouse, and Philly could conceivably win without him. He's clearly nowhere near 100 percent, and all these hits are starting to add up. Defenses are gunning for him—as they should be—and with his roaming style, it's pretty easy to land a solid shot on him.

Philadelphia will start Vick because he's a competitor and a leader and he gives them the best chance to win. Your fantasy team, however, is better off with him on the bench, at least until he's somewhat healthy.

Arian Foster

The usually explosive Arian Foster has been severely limited by a nagging hamstring injury that has limited him to just 10 carries and 33 yards on the season.

Foster will return to the field this Sunday, and Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said that they are "going to put him back to work full time and see how he holds up."

However, this decision does not mean Foster should return to your fantasy lineup. He will break out at some point this season, simply because he's too good not to. But until he proves that he's healthy by posting some solid numbers, I wouldn't start him.

Dez Bryant

Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant has enormous potential, but a quadriceps injury has hampered him this season. He's listed as questionable for Sunday's home game against Detroit.

After sitting out in Week 2, Bryant returned to face Washington on Monday night. However, he wasn't overly effective. He caught just four passes for 63 yards and no touchdowns.

Bryant is pretty much in the same position as Foster. You will start him at some point this season, and he'll help you win some games, but until he proves he's ready to be healthy and productive, I'd leave him on your bench.

Frank Gore

Frank Gore has been killing my fantasy team this year. Every week I start him, and every week he runs for less than 60 yards.

His 2.5 yards per carry is legitimately awful, and he has apparently become allergic to the end zone—he has just one touchdown through three games.

Now, Gore is listed as questionable for his Week 4 matchup with Philadelphia. You'd be wise to leave him on the shelf this week.

Steven Jackson

I am a big Steven Jackson fan, but starting him in Week 4 just isn't a good idea. He's listed as probable with a quadriceps injury.

Jackson has only touched the ball six times in the two games that he's played, and while he's been effective, I just don't trust his health at this point.

He said his workload will increase this Sunday against Washington, but you should wait until he plays a full game before inserting him into your lineup.