2013 Fantasy FootballFantasy Football

The Fix’s Fantasy Football Injury Report: Week Four

bilal.powell
Photo Credit: Aaron Steele

Welcome to the fourth entry of The Fix’s Fantasy Football Injury Report.  Each week I (@Rich_Migs) will cover several key fantasy football related injuries.  The idea is not to cover every football injury, but instead cover the notable ones that have direct fantasy implications.  As the season continues, the report will address the most recent injuries and their fantasy football related consequences.

I will try to avoid repeating names too often from week to week unless there is news to report.  If you would like to see the injury list for Week Three, please click here.   You can see all my injury reports (and my other work) by following my archive here. 

We had some scares in Week 3, but it looks like we avoided any real disasters (thus far).  But there are a few key fantasy developments (notice the man photoed above).  Let’s get to it, shall we?

 

Week Four:

Player

Injury

Expected Return/Update

Stock Risers/Fallers

Chris Ivory (RB)

Hamstring

Doubtful for Week 4:

Ivory is all, but out for Week 4.  The Jets believe this could be a multi-week injury.  It was the same hamstring he hurt during training camp.

Bilal Powell (RB). Powell had an excellent day vs. the Bills.  He is a better RB than most realize and he is a decent receiver as well.  He is going to be at least a useful flex option and should be a low-end RB2 in most matchups.

Ray Rice (RB)

Left Hip-Flexor

Questionable for Week 4:

Rice missed Week 3 and is in danger of missing this week as well.

Bernard Pierce (RB).  Pierce will once again benefit if Rice is out, and even if Rice does return, Pierce will have some value in deeper leagues as a flex play. 

Roddy White (WR)

Ankle (sprain)

Probable, but limited for Week 4:

It may be this way until the Falcons have their bye week (Week 6). He belongs on the bench until he is healthy.

Julio Jones (WR). Julio Jones has become a monster with White limited, and there is no reason for that to change.

Brandon Weeden (QB)

Thumb

Questionable for Week 4:

Not sure what to make of this situation, since even if healthy, Weeden may ride the bench in favor of Brian Hoyer.

Josh Gordon (WR).  Jordan Cameron (TE).  My, my, my, how quickly things change in a week.  QB fill-in Brian Hoyer is showing he is at least capable of getting the ball to his weapons, so owners needing production from this group shouldn’t be in for too much of a let-down.

Steven Jackson (RB)

Thigh

Doubtful for Week 4:

The latest update is giving us a possible Week 7 return.

Jacquizz Rodgers (RB).  Jason Snelling (RB).  Both really showed well in Week 3 and should be viewed as flex plays in deeper leagues.

Daryl Richardson (RB)

Foot

Questionable for Week 4:

Richardson claims he will play in Week 4, but he reinjured himself Sunday, so we shouldn’t go too much by his words.  It would make sense for Richardson to have a limited workload even if he plays in Week 4.

Isaiah Pead (RB).  Pead has a chance to grab ahold of the RB job, or at least get most of the snaps going forward.  He needs to be added in all but the shallowest of leagues.

Terrelle Pryor (QB)

Concussion

Questionable for Week 4:

It seems likely Pryor will miss a juicy matchup vs. Washington. 

Matt Flynn (QB).  If there weren’t bye weeks and a nice matchup vs. Washington, this Pryor injury would be a tidbit for the notes below.  However, the fact is Flynn has a chance to help owners needing a bye week fill-in, especially in 2-QB leagues.

Nate Burleson (RB)

Broken arm

Out for Week 4:

Burleson was involved in a car accident Tuesday morning (no other cars seemed to be involved) and broke his arm.  Assuming no alcohol or drugs are involved, it should be several weeks before Burleson comes back.

Ryan Broyles (WR). Broyles is coming off an ACL tear, and has had some issues already with the knee, so this suggestion is based on upside and talent.  He can be note-worthy in PPR leagues, but his knee issues may limit him to WR3 status at best.

 

Other Injury Related News:

  • C.J. Spiller (RB) dodged a bullet.  Many worried he hurt his knee, but it turns out to be just a quad and he is even likely to start in Week 4.  Fred Jackson needs to be owned in all leagues.
  • Le’Veon Bell (RB) is expected to play in Week 4 and needs to be picked up in all leagues.  He should be able to provide flex value right away and could eventually land in the RB2 range with better health and increased snaps.
  • Vincent Jackson (WR) also avoided a big injury as x-rays came back negative on his ribs.  It seems like it is just a bruise and he should be ready to go for Week 4.
  • Jermichael Finley (TE) suffered a concussion, but has the bye week to recover.  He should be set to go for Week 5.
  • Miles Austin (WR) is again dealing with a hammy issue.  Dez Bryant and Jason Witten will see some extra targets.
  • Rob Gronkowski (TE) is again on the notes and there is a real chance he can finally be back for Week 4.
  • Danny Amendola (WR) is still out, but there are some whispers he could come back for Week 4.  I wouldn’t get my hopes up as an owner, but it is now noted.

 

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