This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play, as of 9 AM ET on Sunday. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.
Week 3 brought a season-ending injury to a key Fantasy piece in Jimmy Garoppolo, as well as an assortment of other bumps and bruises around the league. Week 4 sees the return from suspension of a prominent Fantasy asset in Jameis Winston – although he won't immediately regain his starting job – and a number of other big names across various positions sporting some type of injury designation. With the usual assortment of medical scenarios to sort through, let's jump right into the latest news as of early Sunday morning:
QUARTERBACKS
The Buccaneers' Jameis Winston makes his return from a three-game suspension Sunday, yet he won't immediately slide back into the top job. Coach Dirk Koetter hasn't officially named a starting quarterback publicly for the Week 4 tilt against the Bears, but the fact Ryan Fitzpatrick will helm the Bucs offense to open the game appears to have been confirmed by multiple sources. Whether Fitzpatrick will be on a short leash is another matter altogether, but for now, Winston's Fantasy owners appear set to wait until after team's Week 5 bye at a minimum to deploy the 2015 first overall pick.
The Packers' Aaron Rodgers (knee) is carrying the same questionable tag in Week 4 that he's likely to sport the rest of the
This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play, as of 9 AM ET on Sunday. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.
Week 3 brought a season-ending injury to a key Fantasy piece in Jimmy Garoppolo, as well as an assortment of other bumps and bruises around the league. Week 4 sees the return from suspension of a prominent Fantasy asset in Jameis Winston – although he won't immediately regain his starting job – and a number of other big names across various positions sporting some type of injury designation. With the usual assortment of medical scenarios to sort through, let's jump right into the latest news as of early Sunday morning:
QUARTERBACKS
The Buccaneers' Jameis Winston makes his return from a three-game suspension Sunday, yet he won't immediately slide back into the top job. Coach Dirk Koetter hasn't officially named a starting quarterback publicly for the Week 4 tilt against the Bears, but the fact Ryan Fitzpatrick will helm the Bucs offense to open the game appears to have been confirmed by multiple sources. Whether Fitzpatrick will be on a short leash is another matter altogether, but for now, Winston's Fantasy owners appear set to wait until after team's Week 5 bye at a minimum to deploy the 2015 first overall pick.
The Packers' Aaron Rodgers (knee) is carrying the same questionable tag in Week 4 that he's likely to sport the rest of the season, but he actually showed improvement in his practice regimen this week. Rodgers managed a pair of limited sessions Thursday and Friday, with head coach Mike McCarthy complementing the way his ailing quarterback moved around.
The 49ers Jimmy Garoppolo (knee) is out for the season after tearing his ACL against the Chiefs last Sunday, leaving second-year quarterback C.J. Beathard to lead the San Francisco offense for the time being. Beathard threw for 1,430 yards and ran for another 136 over seven games last season while compiling seven total touchdowns (four passing, three rushing), so he seemingly has some upside for desperate Garoppolo owners. He'll get his first opportunity to show what he can do against the Chargers in Week 4.
The Browns' Tyrod Taylor (concussion, back) is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders, but as expected, Baker Mayfield was named the starter for the contest after a stellar showing in Taylor's stead during a Week 3 win against the Jets. Early Sunday morning reports indicate that Drew Stanton and not Taylor will back up Mayfield in Week 4, as even though Taylor's cleared the concussion protocol, his back injury remains a problem.
The Titans' Blaine Gabbert (concussion) is questionable for Week 4 against the Eagles, but Marcus Mariota, who's been dealing with an elbow issue but practiced in full throughout the week, is back as the starter anyhow.
RUNNING BACKS
The Steelers' Le'Veon Bell's holdout extends to a fourth game Sunday night, with no end in sight. James Connor will continue to handle the vast majority of running back touches for Pittsburgh in their divisional clash against the Ravens.
The Jaguars' Leonard Fournette (hamstring) is once again questionable heading into a Week 4 matchup against the Jets. However, he was able to finish off the week with a full practice and early Sunday morning reports indicate he's expected to play.
The 49ers' Matt Breida (knee) is questionable to face the Chargers on Sunday after sandwiching a pair of limited practices around a full Thursday session. Notably, backfield mate Alfred Morris (knee) carries the same designation after only putting in two limited practices this past week. As per early Sunday reports, both players are expected to be active Sunday, although Breida is considered to be further along physically.
The Bengals' Joe Mixon (knee) remains out in Week 4 against the Falcons, leaving Giovani Bernard in an enticing matchup against an Atlanta squad that's given up the most receptions to running backs so far this season.
The Bills' LeSean McCoy (ribs) is officially questionable to face the Packers in Week 4 after missing last week's monumental road upset of the Vikings. He turned in a trio of limited practices during the week, and late Saturday night reports indicate he's expected to play.
The Falcons' Devonta Freeman (knee) is out for at least one more week in Week 4, although he was able to progress to limited practices both Thursday and Friday this past week.
The Seahawks' Chris Carson (hip) is questionable to face the Cardinals in Week 4, while backfield mate C.J. Prosise (abdomen) is listed as doubtful to face the Cardinals on Sunday. A Carson absence would presumably give first-round pick Rashaad Penny his first true opportunity as a full-time lead back in the NFL.
The Eagles' Corey Clement (quadriceps) is questionable to face the Titans in Week 4's interconference battle after practicing in only a limited fashion for the last two days of the week. Meanwhile, teammate Darren Sproles (hamstring) is out once again after failing to practice all week. However, the Eagles do welcome back Jay Ajayi (back) against the Titans, as he was left off the final injury report after missing the Week 3 contest against the Colts.
The Colts' Marlon Mack (hamstring) is questionable to face the Texans on Sunday after putting in limited practices each day this week. As per early Sunday morning reports, however, he's not expected to play, a notion further supported by the fact that Indianapolis called up Jeremy McNichols from their practice squad.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The Patriots' Josh Gordon (hamstring) turned in another three limited practices this week, which officially renders him a 50/50 proposition to make his New England debut against the Dolphins on Sunday. According to early Sunday reports, Gordon has a good chance to play if he looks right in pregame warmups.
The Eagles' Alshon Jeffery (shoulder, illness) carries a questionable tag head into Sunday's contest against the Titans. Early Sunday morning reports indicate that his surgically repaired rotator cuff is no longer an issue, but that the illness that Jeffery has come down with over the past three days has him in jeopardy of missing a fourth straight game to open the season. Fantasy owners will likely need to wait all the way until inactives are announced for definitive word, but it's worth noting the Eagles promoted receiver DeAndre Carter from their practice squad Saturday.
The Chargers' Keenan Allen (knee, dental) is questionable for Sunday's battle with the 49ers, while Travis Benjamin (foot) remains questionable after three limited practices this week. Late Saturday night reports were that both players are expected to take the field.
The Dolphins' DeVante Parker (quadriceps) is questionable for Sunday's big divisional clash against the Patriots.
The Packers' Randall Cobb (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's battle against the Bills, and early Sunday morning reports indicate he could be a game-time decision.
The Seahawks' Doug Baldwin (knee) is officially questionable to face the Cardinals on Sunday, but after turning in a full practice Friday, head coach Pete Carroll declared him ready to go for Week 4.
The Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring) is questionable for a Week 4 battle against the Seahawks after a pair of limited practices to finish the week. According to early Sunday morning reports, he'll suit up and give it a go, although he's labeled as being far from 100 percent according to a source.
On the other side, the Lions' Golden Tate (hip) is questionable to face Dallas after only managing to turn in a limited Friday practice this week.
The Cowboys' Cole Beasley (ankle) carries the questionable tag after three limited practices in advance of a Week 4 matchup against the Lions. Beasley sported the same designation last week before suiting up against the Seahawks and playing 43 snaps, and early Sunday morning reports indicate he'll also give it a go in Week 4.
The Texans' DeAndre Hopkins is officially questionable to face the Colts on Sunday due to a thumb injury, but he's also reportedly dealing with ankle and hamstring ailments. However, early Sunday reports are that he'll battle through them and take the field versus Indianapolis.
The Giants' Cody Latimer (knee) is out to face the Saints after missing practice all week.
The Bears' Anthony Miller (shoulder) is out in Week 4 against the Buccaneers after having missed practice all week.
TIGHT ENDS
The Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (ankle) is questionable to face the Dolphins after three limited practices this week, but as of early Sunday morning, there hadn't been any indications that he's in serious danger of missing the contest.
The Giants' Evan Engram (knee-MCL) is out against the Saints in Week 4.
The Colts' Jack Doyle (hip) remains out in Week 4 against the Texans.
The Lions' Michael Roberts (knee) is out against the Cowboys in Week 4 after missing practice all week.
The Broncos' Jake Butt (knee) is out for the season after hurting his knee in Thursday's practice.
The Ravens' Hayden Hurst (foot) is questionable to return in Week 4 against the Steelers on Sunday night after three limited practices this week.
The Bills' Charles Clay (shoulder) is questionable to face the Packers after only practicing in limited fashion twice this week.
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
Cornerbacks
The 49ers' Richard Sherman (calf) will be out for the next 2-to-3 weeks.
The Packers' Kevin King (groin) is questionable to tangle with the Bills in Week 4 after having wrapped up the week with a pair of limited practices.
The Jets' Buster Skrine (knee) is questionable to face the Jaguars in Week 4 after finishing the week with a pair of limited practices.
The Bears' Prince Amukamara (hamstring) is out against the Buccaneers in Week 4 after missing practice all week.
The Ravens' Brandon Carr (knee) is questionable to face the Steelers on Sunday night, but he finished the week with two full practices.
The Giants' Eli Apple (groin) will miss his second consecutive game in Week 4.
The Patriots' Eric Rowe (groin) is questionable to face the Dolphins on Sunday.
Safeties
The Chiefs' Eric Berry (heel) is once again listed as doubtful in Week 4 for a Monday night divisional battle against the Broncos.
The Dolphins' Reshad Jones (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots but finished the week with two full practices.
The Colts' Clayton Geathers (knee) is questionable to take on the Texans in Week 4 after sandwiching a couple of DNPs around a full Thursday practice.
The Patriots' Patrick Chung (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's divisional clash against the Dolphins after three limited practices this week.
The Browns' Damarious Randall (heel) is questionable to face the Raiders after turning in only one limited Friday practice this week.
The 49ers' Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder) is doubtful for Sunday's matchup against the Chargers after missing practice all week.
Defensive Linemen
The Lions' Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder) is out against the Cowboys in Week 4.
The Cowboys' Maliek Collins (knee) will miss Sunday's contest against the Lions.
The Chargers' Joey Bosa (foot) remains out against the 49ers in Week 4.
The Buccaneers' Vita Vea (calf) is questionable to make his season debut against the Bears on Sunday, but he did manage to work up to a full practice on Friday and early Sunday morning reports indicate he'll play. Teammate Beau Allen (foot) is also out after missing practice all week.
The Giants' Olivier Vernon (ankle) remains out in Week 4 against the Saints, although he did manage two limited practices this past week.
The Dolphins' Cameron Wake (knee) is questionable to take on the Patriots on Sunday, but he finished the week with two full practices.
The Falcons' Derrick Shelby (groin) is out against the Bengals in Week 4.
The Seahawks' Dion Jordan (hip) is questionable to take on the Cardinals on Sunday after having only turned in one limited Friday practice this week.
The Patriots' Trey Flowers (concussion) is questionable to take on the Dolphins on Sunday.
Linebackers
The Ravens' C.J. Mosley (knee) is questionable for a Sunday night divisional showdown against the Steelers. Meanwhile, teammate Terrell Suggs (knee) is questionable as well after only practicing in limited fashion Friday.
The Cowboys' Sean Lee (hamstring) is out against the Lions in Week 4, upping the prospects of the Detroit offense as a whole.
The Packers' Nick Perry (concussion) is questionable after only turning in one limited practice this week.
The Seahawks' K.J. Wright (knee) is out against the Cardinals on Sunday after failing to practice all week.
The Lions' Jarrad Davis (knee) is questionable to face the Cowboys after only having practiced once in limited fashion this week.
The Broncos' Brandon Marshall (knee) is questionable to face the Chiefs on Monday night.
The Saints' Manti Te'o (knee) is out for Sunday's interconference battle against the Giants.
The Colts' Anthony Walker (groin) is questionable for Sunday's divisional clash against the Texans.
