Fantasy Football Injuries: Jackson, Barkley, Chase and More Banged Up in Week 4

Week 4 was another tough one for fantasy football owners, as several big-name NFL players went down with injuries.

Let's discuss some of the bigger injuries and what it means for fantasy football purposes.

Fantasy football injury news can be found all season on FantasySP. Use the start/sit tool to help with your fantasy lineup decisions all season! 

Jackson Week-to-Week

Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered an ankle injury in the first half of the team's win over Tennessee. He got injured on the last offensive snap before halftime, and never returned.

Baltimore head coach Jesse Minter said there was talk of Jackson returning to the game, so hopefully that bodes well for the quarterback's status moving forward. He is considered day-to-day right now.

If Jackson misses any time, it would likely be Tyler Huntley who replaces him. Huntley was 8-of-9 passing, but for just 63 yards, in relief of Jackson on Sunday. Huntley added 16 rushing yards on four attempts, and he didn't throw a touchdown or interception.

Huntley starting would lower the fantasy outlooks for most Baltimore offensive playmakers, aside from running back Derrick Henry. Guys like Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews would have lower outlooks. Secondary guys like Rashod Bateman, Ja'Kobi Lane and Justice Hill would only be deep-league options.

We'll track the Jackson injury, but hopefully this is something he can not miss any additional action over.

Barkley Suffers Hamstring Injury

Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley has a hamstring injury that he suffered in the first half of the team's loss to the LA Rams on Sunday.

We will need to wait to see the severity of the injury, but it's not a good sign regardless if he misses time or not.

Tank Bigsby led the backfield after Barkley left, gaining 55 yards on 14 carries, while failing to haul in his lone target. He left the game late, so his status could be up in the air too.

Will Shipley had 23 rushing yards on six carries, and failed to catch his lone target. He could be the top back for Philly if Barkley and Bigsby are out.

The status of Barkley and Bigsby will be worth watching early in the week. Bigsby is worth adding in a bunch of leagues, especially if he's cleared from his injury and Barkely is out. If both are out, then Shipley's fantasy own percentage should skyrocket.

Wideout Injuries

There are a number of wide receivers who got banged up on Sunday, so they get their own section here.

Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase is the biggest name of the bunch. He left with a concussion, so his status for Week 5 is now in question.

If Chase misses next week, expect Higgins to be started in all leagues. He's already a really good option, and would be a WR1 if Chase is out. Chase Brown would be another must-start guy, with tight end Mike Gesicki getting a bump in value. Quarterback Joe Burrow might be started in fewer leagues as well without his top-end wideout available.

Kansas City's Rashee Rice suffered a hamstring injury, but coach Andy Reid called it a tweak, so hopefully it's not a long-term concern. Tyquan Thornton is out indefinitely after suffering an ankle injury.

Without one or maybe both of those guys, pass catchers like Xavier Worthy, Travis Kelce and Noah Gray could be more involved. Kenneth Walker will be the workhorse back regardless, and maybe Emmett Johnson could be used a bit more. It's a slight downgrade for QB Patrick Mahomes if Rice and/or Thornton are out as well.

LA Chargers' Ladd McConkey left with a foot injury. He's been banged up most of the season, so another injury concern just adds to the worry with him.

Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris are a couple wideouts who could be called upon if McConkey misses any time going forward. Tight ends Oronde Gadsden and David Njoku could become more involved too.

Omarion Hampton could become a safer starting option, with Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal maybe becoming better fantasy options too. Having McConkey out would lessen the fantasy value/outlook of QB Justin Herbert as well - the QB has already underwhelmed most of the season too.

Buffalo's D.J. Moore left with a shoulder injury. It's an aggravation of a previous injury, but isn't considered to be a long-term issue.

His status will still be worth watching. Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer are other wideouts who could step up if Moore ends up missing any time. Dalton Kincaid would become a safer fantasy starting option. RB James Cook and QB Josh Allen are must-start guys regardless, but could be big-time assets with Moore out.

Mariota Suffers Knee Injury

Washington backup quarterback Marcus Mariota left Sunday's loss to Indianapolis with a knee injury. He was starting in the place of Jayden Daniels, who is out with an elbow injury. 

There's hope that Daniels returns in Week 5, so that would be a big boost for Washington's offense. If Daniels cannot go again, and Mariota is out, that would leave Athan Kaliakmanis to start.

Kaliakmanis was 15-of-33 passing for 186 yards, a touchdown and an interception on Sunday. He rushed three times for 16 yards, and was sacked once.

The Commanders' playmakers have had lower fantasy outlooks without Daniels around, so hopefully the young QB can return next week. If not, it will be tougher to trust guys like Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Chig Okonkwo, Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs.