Fantasy Football Injury Report Week 4: Xavier Worthy, Chris Godwin nearing returns, update on Jayden Daniels

Staying up to date on NFL injury news is of the utmost importance for fantasy football success. The article below tracks all fantasy-relevant players currently listed on their team’s injury report, and provides fantasy managers with actionable recommendations as new information rolls in.

Check back for updates from Tuesday through Saturday.

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**UPDATED AS OF WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 AT 8 PM ET**

🏈 AFC East

◆ Buffalo Bills

The Bills escaped their Week 3 win over the Dolphins without any fantasy-relevant injuries.

◆ Miami Dolphins

Darren Waller – TE (hip)

Head coach Mike McDaniel said he expects Waller to make his season debut in Week 4 against the Jets.

Fantasy Impact: The Dolphins’ struggles during the 2024 season have carried over into 2025, with the team largely incapable of sustaining drives behind offensive line struggles. Waller could give quarterback Tua Tagovailoa another viable short-area option, assuming health. Treat Waller as a middling TE2 until proven otherwise.

◆ New England Patriots

The Patriots emerged from their Week 3 loss to the Steelers absent any key injuries.

◆ New York Jets

Justin Fields – QB (concussion)

Fields suffered a concussion late in the team’s Week 2 loss to the Bills. He remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol as of Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact: Tyrod Taylor started and played well for the Jets, prompting questions from the media as to who the starter will be once Fields returns. Head coach Aaron Glenn was noncommittal in his response, something fantasy managers will want to monitor in the coming days. Fields is a fantasy QB1 if he regains the starting role.

🏈 AFC North

◆ Baltimore Ravens

Isaiah Likely – TE (foot)

Likely has missed the first three games of the season as he tends to a foot injury, and his Week 4 status remains uncertain. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said he hopes Likely plays on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: Likely is worth stashing on benches but continues to be overvalued in fantasy circles for as long as Mark Andrews is healthy. Andrews broke out in Week 3 to the tune of a 6-91-2 receiving line and remains the preferred tight end option for the Ravens.

◆ Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow – QB (toe)

Burrow suffered a Grade III turf toe injury in Week 1. He underwent successful surgery on Friday and is likely to miss the next three months.

Fantasy Impact: Burrow’s absence leaves the team in the hands of third-year quarterback Jake Browning, who started seven games for the Bengals in 2023. He threw for multiple touchdowns only three times and managed three scores just once in those seven starts, significantly denting the upside of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown. Chase falls to a low-end WR1, Higgins falls to a WR3, and Brown falls to a low-end RB2 for as long as Burrow remains sidelined.

Noah Fant – TE (concussion)

Fant suffered a concussion in the team’s Week 3 loss to the Vikings and is in the league’s protocol.

Fantasy Impact: Fant has been part of a three-man rotation at tight end for the Bengals and brings little value to the table, outside of sporadic touchdown production. He can safely be returned to the waiver wire.

Samaje Perine – RB (thumb)

Perine suffered a thumb injury in the team’s Week 3 loss to the Vikings.

Fantasy Impact: Although NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the team will not yet rule him out for Week 4, Perine has played no more than 29 percent of the offensive snaps in any game this season and is unworthy of fantasy consideration moving forward.

◆ Cleveland Browns

David Njoku – TE (knee)

Njoku evidently picked up a knee injury in Week 3. He was limited at Wednesday’s practice.

Fantasy Impact: Fantasy managers should expect Njoku to suit up for the Browns’ Week 4 game against the Lions, though rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr.‘s ascension has rendered the veteran tight end just a weekly TE2. If Njoku were to miss time, Fannin would vault to must-start TE1 status.

Cedric Tillman – WR (hand, hip)

Tillman exited Week 4 a bit banged up, but he was able to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Tillman is second on the team in target share (15.9 percent). He will likely suit up in Week 4 against the Lions, but if he were unable to play, plenty of targets would be up for grabs. Fannin and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy are the Browns’ two prominent, healthy pass catchers at the moment.

◆ Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers did not suffer any significant injuries in their Week 3 win over the Patriots.

🏈 AFC South

◆ Houston Texans

Nico Collins – WR (knee)

Collins was a limited participant at Wednesday’s practice.

Fantasy Impact: Given Collins’ early-week participation, we expect this to be a non-issue on game day. In the event that Collins were to miss time, veteran slot receiver Christian Kirk would likely handle a WR3-worthy workload. Kirk returned from a two-game absence last week and immediately earned the second-highest target total (eight) behind Collins.

Joe Mixon – RB (foot)

Mixon was placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 1 and will miss the first four weeks of the season, at minimum. He will reportedly be re-evaluated at that time.

Fantasy Impact: Texans rookie running back Woody Marks is making his move. In Week 2, veteran running backs Nick Chubb and Dare Ogunbowale logged 26 and 10 offensive snaps, respectively, while Marks handled 13. In Week 3, Ogunbowale was completely removed from the rotation, and Chubb out-snapped Marks just 33-30. Marks must be rostered in all formats.

Cade Stover – TE (foot)

The Texans placed Stove on injured reserve before Week 2.

Fantasy Impact: Stover will miss at least four games. His absence should add one or two targets to tight end Dalton Schultz’s weekly workload. The uptick is not enough to make Schultz a reliable TE1.

◆ Indianapolis Colts

Alec Pierce – WR (concussion)

Pierce enters the league’s concussion protocol after sustaining a head injury in the team’s Week 3 win over the Titans. He did not practice on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: We’re likely to see Adonai Mitchell enter the starting lineup on the perimeter should Pierce miss Week 4, considering Josh Downs’ hefty slot snap rate. Fantasy managers in a bind could do worse than grabbing Mitchell for a spot start against the Rams.

◆ Jacksonville Jaguars

Dyami Brown – WR (shoulder)

Brown exited Week 3 early after injuring his shoulder. He did not practice on Wednesday. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said the team “can’t tell” if it is going to be a long-term issue, though they should know more soon.

Fantasy Impact: Jaguars backup wide receiver Parker Washington functioned as Brown’s direct replacement. He earned a team-high 11 targets, operating in a full-time role. Washington could be started as a PPR FLEX option, if need be. He has long odds of leading the team in targets again, though.

◆ Tennessee Titans

Cam Ward – QB (ankle/calf)

Ward was a limited participant at Wednesday‘s practice after picking up two injuries in Week 3.

Fantasy Impact: Ward’s 15 sacks are an NFL-high, leading the position by three. Ward should play in Week 4, but if the injury impacts his back leg, his arm strength could be slightly compromised. The Texans D/ST should be in starting lineups.

Tyjae Spears – RB (ankle)

Spears remains on injured reserve as he tends to an ankle injury suffered in the team’s first preseason game.

Fantasy Impact: Backfield mate Tony Pollard has seen 19, 21, and 20 running back opportunities in the first three games of the season, keeping him in the back-end RB1 discussion due to heavy volume for as long as Spears remains sidelined.

🏈 AFC West

◆ Denver Broncos

Evan Engram – TE (back)

Engram missed the team’s Week 3 matchup against the Chargers.

Fantasy Impact: Engram has seen little involvement in the offense after being signed as a free agent this offseason. He can safely be returned to the waiver wire in managed leagues.

◆ Kansas City Chiefs

Xavier Worthy – WR (shoulder)

Worthy practiced in full on Wednesday for the first time since fully tearing his labrum by dislocating his shoulder in Week 1.

Fantasy Impact: Worthy is now on track to play in Week 4 against the Ravens. Yesterday, ESPN’s Nate Taylor reported that “the Chiefs are optimistic Worthy will be able to play a limited role for the offense while wearing a small harness” in Week 4. If active, he is a boom-bust FLEX option.

◆ Las Vegas Raiders

Michael Mayer – TE (concussion)

Mayer suffered a concussion in the team’s Week 3 loss to the Commanders.

Fantasy Impact: Brock Bowers could see his snap rate increase without Mayer after peaking at an 83 percent snap rate through three weeks. Any additional reps are a sizable boost to the fantasy value of the talented second-year tight end.

◆ Los Angeles Chargers

Najee Harris – RB (Achilles)

Harris ruptured the Achilles tendon in his left leg during the Chargers’ Week 3 win over the Broncos. His season is done.

Fantasy Impact: ESPN’s Kris Rhim posits that the Chargers could be forced to lean on rookie running back Omarion Hampton in a way they “didn’t anticipate” in 2025. It would certainly make sense after Hampton erupted for 135 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown against the Broncos. Hampton vaults into the low-end RB1 tier for the remainder of the season.

Will Dissly – TE (knee)

Dissly missed Week 3 due to a knee injury, allowing rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II to enter the lineup.

Fantasy Impact: Gadsden soundly outplayed veteran tight end Tyler Conklin, catching five passes for 46 yards in his first NFL game. On Wednesday, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said Gadsden is “going to be in there more,” because “he earned that.” He is worth stashing at this time.

🏈 NFC East

◆ Dallas Cowboys

CeeDee Lamb – WR (ankle)

Lamb suffered a high-ankle sprain in the team’s Week 3 blowout loss to the Bears.

Fantasy Impact: The Cowboys will be without the primary cog of the offense for an estimated 3-4 weeks, and are also missing two offensive linemen that could influence their ability to run the football effectively. Injuries to their defense keep their likeliest game environments as shootouts, which should benefit George Pickens and tight end Jake Ferguson in the immediate future. Treat Pickens as a WR2 and Ferguson as a TE1 in the coming weeks.

◆ New York Giants

Malik Nabers – WR (shoulder)

Nabers injured his shoulder by attempting to secure a jump ball in the end zone in Week 3. He did not practice on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Unless otherwise stated, Nabers can be expected to play through most injuries. The Giants smartly restrict his practice activity whenever he is ailing, before loading him up for fantasy-friendly workloads on Sunday. He’s a WR1 against the Chargers this week.

Tyrone Tracy – RB (shoulder)

Tracy suffered a dislocated shoulder in the team’s Week 3 loss to the Chiefs.

Fantasy Impact: Tracy is expected to be sidelined for 2-4 weeks. Rookie running back Cam Skattebo recorded 121 yards from scrimmage, six receptions and a touchdown against a stout Kansas City defensive front, hinting at significant upside for as long as Tracy remains sidelined. Skattebo suddenly finds himself as a fantasy RB2 with touchdown-driven RB1 upside. He has a chance to steal the starting role outright.

◆ Philadelphia Eagles

Will Shipley – RB (oblique)

Shipley returned to practice last Thursday in a limited capacity. He practiced in full on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: The news vaults Shipley back onto the high-end bench radar. Saquon Barkley‘s 68 offensive touches tie for the third-most among NFL running backs.

◆ Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels – QB (knee)

Daniels missed the team’s Week 3 win over the Raiders and is reportedly considered day-to-day. He was limited on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Marcus Mariota started in Daniels’ stead, leading the team to a convincing 41-24 win over the Raiders. His rushing upside was evident as he took one in on the ground, keeping him in the low-end QB1 range for as long as Daniels remains sidelined. Fantasy managers will want to monitor Daniels’ practice involvement throughout the week ahead of a meeting with the Falcons in Week 4.

Terry McLaurin – WR (quad)

McLaurin’s Week 4 availability is “very much in doubt.” He notably sought a second opinion on the injury from core muscle specialist, Dr. Williams Meyers.

Fantasy Impact: The decision to meet with a core muscle specialist is slightly concerning. The decision could simply have been made out of an abundance of caution, but it also could suggest that the issue is more complicated than the team is letting on. Deebo Samuel will assume No. 1 wide receiver duties with McLaurin sidelined. Wide receiver Luke McCaffrey notably caught 3-of-3 targets for 56 yards and one touchdown last week, and may warrant FLEX consideration.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt – RB (knee)

Croskey-Merritt did not practice on Wednesday. It is unknown when he suffered the injury. The injury’s severity has not yet been disclosed.

Fantasy Impact: Commanders running backs Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols should both be rostered. Rodriguez can be expected to lead the backfield in touches if Croskey-Merritt cannot play in Week 4 against the Falcons.

Noah Brown – WR (groin, knee)

Brown missed the team’s Week 3 over the Raiders.

Fantasy Impact: Jaylin Lane, Luke McCaffrey, and Chris Moore split the vacated role. None of the three are currently worthy of rostering in fantasy circles.

🏈 NFC North

◆ Chicago Bears

D’Andre Swift – RB (hip)

Swift appeared on Wednesday’s injury report as a limited participant.

Fantasy Impact: Swift’s early-week participation puts him on track to play, but the veteran running back is now up to two injuries in as many weeks. Backup running back Kyle Monangai should be rostered.

Colston Loveland – TE (hip)

Loveland suffered a hip injury that is not considered serious in the team’s Week 3 win over the Cowboys. He did not practice on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Loveland has yet to live up to the offseason hype while playing behind Cole Kmet and can safely be returned to the waiver wire.

Cole Kmet – TE (groin)

Kmet was limited with a groin injury on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Kmet has four catches in three games. He does not need to be rostered, even with Loveland injured.

◆ Detroit Lions

The Lions emerged from their Week 3 win over the Ravens absent any major injuries.

◆ Green Bay Packers

Josh Jacobs – RB (ankle)

Jacobs continues to manage an ankle issue. He practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Jacobs totaled 16 carries and nine targets last week, so the injury seemingly has no bearing on his weekly workloads. He is an RB1.

Jayden Reed – WR (collarbone/foot)

Reed fractured his collarbone in the Packers’ Week 2 game against the Commanders and was already playing through a Jones fracture in his foot. When news of the expected collarbone surgery broke, the Packers were reportedly hoping to get Reed back in November. Reed then revealed that he underwent surgery to correct his Jones fracture as well. It is unknown whether this will extend his recovery timeline.

Fantasy Impact: Reed can be stashed in injured reserve spots, but he does not need to be held in leagues without them. Rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden finished third on the team in routes run in Week 3, trailing only Romeo Doubs and Kraft. He is firmly on the FLEX radar now.

Tucker Kraft – TE (knee/elbow)

Kraft was limited on Wednesday despite picking up an elbow injury in Week 3.

Fantasy Impact: Treat Kraft as a top-tier TE1 whenever he’s on the field.

◆ Minnesota Vikings

J.J. McCarthy – QB (ankle)

McCarthy sustained a high-ankle sprain in the team’s Week 2 loss to the Falcons. He is expected to return in Week 7.

Fantasy Impact: Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday that McCarthy will not start until his ankle will no longer affects his mobility, opening the door for Carson Wentz to continue to start under center in the immediate future. Wentz attempted only 20 passes in the Week 3 dismantling of the Bengals but directed seven of those looks toward alpha wide receiver Justin Jefferson and six toward tight end T.J. Hockenson. Both remain elite fantasy options at their respective positions with Wentz under center.

Aaron Jones – RB (hamstring)

The Vikings placed Jones on injured reserve. He will be eligible to return after missing four games in Week 8. The Vikings are on bye in Week 6.

Fantasy Impact: Jordan Mason operated as the clear-cut lead back, rushing 16 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Zavier Scott operated as Mason’s backup, rushing eight times for 30 yards and adding one reception for 19 yards.

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🏈 NFC South

◆ Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons did not experience any injuries in their Week 3 loss to the Panthers.

◆ Carolina Panthers

Tetairoa McMillan – WR (calf)

McMillan picked up a calf injury in Week 3. He did not practice on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Panthers head coach Dave Canales said McMillan is considered “day-to-day” with the injury, indicating he has decent odds of suiting up in Week 4 against the Patriots. Veteran wide receiver Hunter Renfrow would be the de facto No. 1 wide receiver if McMillan cannot play, though he could only be started as a FLEX option.

Xavier Legette – WR (hamstring)

Legette missed the team’s Week 3 win with a hamstring injury sustained in practice.

Fantasy Impact: Legette does not need to be rostered in 12-team leagues, given his poor play quality. The hamstring injury only solidifies his status as being droppable.

Ja’Tavion Sanders – TE (ankle)

Sanders suffered a high-ankle sprain in the team’s Week 3 win over the Falcons.

Fantasy Impact: Sanders is reportedly set to miss multiple weeks, opening the door for Tommy Tremble to enter a featured role for the Panthers. Tremble is nothing more than a streamable TE2 in the absence of Sanders.

◆ New Orleans Saints

The Saints did not experience any fantasy-relevant injuries in their Week 3 loss to the Seahawks.

◆ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield – QB (right biceps)

Mayfield was limited on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Mayfield is currently on track to play in Week 4 against the Eagles, but a throwing-arm injury is obviously worth following closely.

Chris Godwin Jr. – WR (ankle)

Godwin practiced in full on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Godwin’s full participation puts him on track to make his 2025 debut. The veteran wide receiver theoretically could step into a full-time role, though it would be unsurprising to see him limited to some sort of snap count. He is a WR3/FLEX if active.

Jalen McMillan – WR (neck)

McMillan remains on injured reserve with a neck injury suffered in the preseason.

Fantasy Impact: McMillan’s absence paved the way for rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka to see featured usage in the offense right out of the gate. The talented rookie remains in the weekly WR2 discussion after scoring three touchdowns in his first two professional games.

Mike Evans – WR (hamstring)

Evans is expected to miss 3-4 weeks after injuring his hamstring in Week 3.

Fantasy Impact: Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka suddenly finds himself a WR2 with WR1 upside in his fourth professional contest.

🏈 NFC West

◆ Arizona Cardinals

James Conner – RB (ankle)

Conner suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 3.

Fantasy Impact: Trey Benson stands to benefit in the absence of Conner, immediately vaulting him into the RB2 discussion for the remainder of the season. Benson handled 14 opportunities to the three of Emari Demercado in Week 3 following Conner’s injury.

Zay Jones – WR (concussion)

Jones entered the concussion protocol after suffering a head injury on the final play from scrimmage in Week 3. He has been ruled out for Week 4.

Fantasy Impact: Jones is highly unlikely to clear protocol on a short week, which could clear up slot snaps for veteran receiver Greg Dortch. Dortch is not worth rostering in a difficult matchup.

◆ Los Angeles Rams

The Rams emerged from their Week 3 loss to the Eagles absent any fantasy-relevant injuries.

◆ San Francisco 49ers

George Kittle – TE (hamstring)

The 49ers placed Kittle on injured reserve Tuesday, meaning he will miss at least the next four games.

Fantasy impact: The 49ers are dealing with multiple key injuries. It is difficult to make up for Kittle’s lost production with any remaining 49ers tight end, meaning fantasy managers will want to look elsewhere until Kittle returns. Running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Jauan Jennings stand to benefit in what has become a decimated skill position group.

Brock Purdy – QB (shoulder, toe)

Purdy practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Backup quarterback Mac Jones started the previous two contests in his stead but suffered a PCL injury in Week 3 (more below). Purdy is reportedly set to return to practice this week with an aim at starting in Week 4.

Mac Jones – QB (knee)

Jones aggravated a PCL injury in the team’s Week 3 win over the Cardinals. He was limited at Wednesday’s practice.

Fantasy Impact: Purdy’s hopeful return to the lineup sends Jones back into fantasy oblivion, though Jones’ early-week participation suggests he will be available, if needed.

Jauan Jennings – WR (ankle/shoulder)

Jennings missed the team’s Week 3 win over the Cardinals with multiple ailments. He did not practice on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Jennings has suited up after just one limited session in the past, so Friday’s injury report is really all that matters here. He is a WR3/FLEX if active.

Ricky Pearsall – WR (knee)

Pearsall appeared on Wednesday’s injury report as a non-participant.

Fantasy Impact: If neither Jennings nor Pearsall can suit up in Week 4 against the Jaguars, veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne would serve as the No. 1 wide receiver and No. 2 pass catcher for the 49ers. He would be FLEX-viable in this scenario.

◆ Seattle Seahawks

Zach Charbonnet – RB (foot)

Charbonnet is questionable to play in Week 4 against the Cardinals. He practiced in full all week.

Fantasy Impact: Charbonnet’s game designation is puzzling, considering his full practice participation. If active, Charbonnet is an RB3/FLEX, though his ceiling may be lower than normal. The Seahawks have had two running backs log double-digit touches in all three games this season.

Elijah Arroyo – TE (groin)

Arroyo was removed from the injury report and will play in Week 4 against the Cardinals.

Fantasy Impact: Although he has yet to return meaningful counting stats, fantasy managers will want to continue stashing the talented rookie on their bench.