Key Fantasy Football Injuries Heading into Week 4: Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, Sam LaPorta and More

Quarterbacks

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (Knee)

It was never realistic to believe that Love was going to play last week no matter how tricky the Packers' coaches were trying to be. However, he did appear to be getting much closer to an eventual return by warming up during the pregame. He started off this week with a limited practice, which is a good sign that he has a shot to return in Week 4, or should at least be able to go by Week 5. His return will be a massive boost for all the Packers' pass-catchers. 

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (Ankle)

Herbert tried to play through a high-ankle sprain in Week 3 and it went just about exactly as you'd expect. He went out there and was ineffective before leaving with a re-aggravated ankle injury. Once again, Herbert is saying that he is feeling better this week and is going to try to play through the injury. Surely that scenario won't play out the same exact way as it did last week should he give it a go again. Neither Herbert nor any of his pass-catching options should be a fantasy option this week. 

Running Backs

Joe Mixon, Houston Texans (Ankle)

Mixon isn't practicing to start the week and is in danger of missing another game. Dameon Pierce also looks like he could miss Week 4 again, which would leave Cam Akers alone in the backfield for a second straight week. This is a situation with a lot of moving pieces that will have to be monitored throughout the week. 

Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders (Concussion)

Ekeler suffered a concussion on Monday Night Football and has already been ruled out for Week 4. That means we will see increased volume for Brian Robinson Jr. 

Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (Arm)

Harris was spotted in a sling in the locker following Sunday's game. However, it is now being reported that he is expected to be fine and ready to go for Week 4. Jaylen Warren, on the other hand, is not practicing to start the week and is in danger of missing this week's game. That should lead to an increased workload for Harris assuming he is at 100%. Cordarrelle Patterson could be a guy to watch leading into Week 4.  

Wide Receivers

Deebo Samuel Sr., San Francisco 49ers (Calf)

Samuel was always expected to miss multiple weeks and is not expected back for Week 4. This means Jauan Jennings is in line for another start after exploding in Week 3. He will once again be an option for a spot start.  

A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (Hamstring)

Brown is not practicing to start the week, which is a bad sign for his availability for Week 4. With DeVonta Smith also dealing with concussion issues of his own, the Eagles could be very shorthanded as far as weapons go this week. If both top wideouts miss the game on Sunday, Dallas Goedert is probably in for another high-volume game with Jahan Dotson and Parris Campbell leading the way on the outside. 

Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears (Heel)

Allen did return to practice on Wednesday, albeit in a limited fashion. Still, it was the first time he had practiced since suffering the injury in Week 1, so it's a step in the right direction. However, he's far from out of the woods and is not a lock to play in Week 4. We should learn more over the next couple of days. 

Tight Ends

Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (Concussion)

McBride suffered a concussion in Week 3 and did not practice on Wednesday. Generally, a concussion costs a player at least one week. That's not always the case, but he should be considered a long shot for Week 4. 

Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (Ankle)

LaPorta left Week 3 with an ankle sprain before returning in the second half. The sprain is not considered to be overly serious and LaPorta is being viewed as day-to-day. He's not a lock to play, but there is a good chance that he's out there this week. 

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (Hamstring)

Kittle returned to a limited practice on Wednesday, which is a good sign for his availability for Week 4. There is still a good chance he sits one more game due to the nature of his soft tissue injury. This is an injury that needs to be monitored throughout the week. 

David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (Ankle)

Njoku is yet to return from injury and is in danger of missing another week with his high-ankle sprain. 

Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (Hamstring)

Engram has not been able to practice yet this week and is looking like he could miss another game due to his hamstring injury.