Fantasy Football Week 4 Injury Report: Check on your Nabers
The 2025 NFL week 4 brought us a few injuries that will impact our fantasy teams. I will continue to update the injury tracker and post any updates as team reports come out. For now, let's dive into what injuries occurred.
Lamar Jackson, QB Baltimore
Injury: Hamstring
Projected Timetable: Week 6 or most likely Week 8
Initial Thoughts:
Return time will vary depending on the severity of his strain. By video, it looked mild, but as we have seen with cases such as George Kittle's, just because it looks mild does not mean that it is mild. As of right now, I would say there is a risk that he misses 2-3 weeks, especially since Baltimore has a week 7 bye. If there is any risk, I would expect them to hold Lamar out until week 8. Monitor for severity news and hope that he did not play in the 4th quarter simply due to mild soreness and the score.
Bucky Irving, RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Injury: Left Foot
Projected Timetable: Week 7-8
Initial Thoughts:
By video, I do have concern on a possible midfoot sprain for Irving based on the mechanism and impact from a defender through his heel which his toes planted. This would also explain why he was able to perform well rest of game, as the swelling and pain would likely set in over several hours due to lower blood supply in the midfoot compared to an immediately response from a lateral ankle sprain. He was spotted in a CAM boot and crutches and has received multiple consults, but has not been placed on IR and will not be getting surgery. I am planning as if Irving will miss at least 2 weeks and then be re-evaluated prior to week 7.
Chuba Hubbard, RB Carolina Panthers
Injury: Calf Strain
Projected Timetable: 2-3 Weeks
Initial Thoughts:
Hubbard entered week 4 with a mild calf strain and was able to suit up, but he left the game with an aggravation. He will miss week 5, but it would make sense for the team to shut him down for 2-3 weeks to ensure no worsening of the injury. As of right now, the team does not plan on placing him on IR, but stash Rico Dowdle and Trevor Etienne for now. Of good note, this is not the same calf that he injured at the end of last season that cost him 2 games.
Miles Sanders, RB Dallas Cowboys
Injury: Ankle
Projected Timetable: TBD
Initial Thoughts:
I have not seen a video of the injury, so I am not sure if it appears to be low versus high ankle. Monitoring for more news from the team on severity.
Braelon Allen, RB New York Jets
Injury: Left MCL Sprain
Projected Timetable: Suspecting IR stint
Initial Thoughts:
Allen took a lot of valgus stress applied to his left knee with his foot planted, with direct contact from a defender bending his knee inwards. He was limping pretty badly into the locker room, though that is not always a great indication of severity. By video, I am assuming this is a Grade 2 to Grade 3 MCL sprain and that he will miss at least 4 games. He will likely be an IR stint candidate.
UPDATE: Allen has been placed on IR and will miss at least 4 weeks, but possibly closer to the 6-8 week range. Significant MCL injury and the team is still considering surgical options.
Trey Benson, RB Arizona Cardinals
Injury: Meniscus Surgery
Projected Timetable: 4-6 Weeks
Initial Thoughts:
There is not much information on this one yet, but I want to be ahead of the crowd a little bit in case there is an injury. He missed the extra practice session and install and HC Gannon said he is Day to Day but did not give any other specifics. By video, Benson may have had his right ankle landed on by his offensive lineman, looked a little gimpy in his route on the next snap, and then missed the rest of the game with over 6 minutes left to play. I hope this is nothing because he has a very nice matchup upcoming against the Titans. It sounds like if Benson misses time, the team would lean on Michael Carter on the primary back with Emari Demarcado operating in his same LDD role. Deep waivers beware.
UPDATE: Benson will undergo surgery for a meniscus tear. The good news is that it will be a simple clean-up so he should be able to return in 4-6 weeks and likely retains his starting role once he returns.
Calvin Ridley, WR Tennessee Titans
Injury: Knee/Elbow
Projected Timetable: Week 5-6
Initial Thoughts:
Ridley has been banged up since camp with various injuries, but now he is listed as a DNPx2 so far with knee and elbow injuries. He is a veteran so there is a chance that the team is giving him extra rest with hopes that he returns to practice Friday to suit up for week 5, but I do think there is a good chance he misses this week. If out, it would provide a bump to Elic Ayomanor and possibly Tyler Lockett. I would exercise caution on bumping up Chig Okonkwo, as the team plans on increasing Gunnar Helm's usage but that could lead to Okonkwo in a big slot role.
Malik Nabers, WR New York Giants
Injury: Right ACL
Projected Timetable: Season-Ending
Initial Thoughts:
By video, it appeared that Nabers right knee buckled inwards upon planting just before jumping, leading to primary concern towards an ACL tear and possibly meniscus involvement. It has already been reported that this is the team's primary concern, as well. I am expecting bad news confirmed via MRI on Monday. The timeframe should allow him to be ready for week 1 of the 2026 season, so if you are a rebuilder or have good assets to spend in dynasty, try to acquire him.
UPDATE: ACL with a small lateral meniscus tear. This should not significantly extend his timeline and I expect him to be ready for week 1 of the 2026 season. Acquire in dynasty.
Tyreek Hill, WR Miami Dolphins
Injury: Left Knee ACL, LCL, Meniscus, possible drop foot
Projected Timetable: Season-Ending
Initial Thoughts:
It has already been reported that Hill dislocated his knee and tore his ACL, but by video there is a very real possibility that he tore his LCL, meniscus and possibly PCL as well. The good news is that he did not have emergency surgery, which likely rules out arterial involvement. We will not know for a while if he suffered any nerve injury or bone fracture from the knee dislocation, both possibilities when dealing with a high level trauma like this. From a surgery perspective, he will likely get two (if not more) surgeries. First, they will likely perform surgery on the LCL and meniscus. Second, four to six weeks from now they will likely reconstruct his ACL and possibly PCL if that needs to be addressed. I will be shocked if he is ready to play at the start of the 2026 season.
UPDATE: Hill already had surgery to address the torn ligaments in his knee. He posted a video of him walking with walker assistance after surgery and it does look like his toes drag through his gait cycle, which is likely indicative of nerve damage to the peroneal nerve that innervates the muscles that lift his foot. This was a primary concern considering the direction and level of trauma that his knee dislocated. It is impossible to know the level of nerve involvement so hopefully it is minor, but it can certainly create complications through the recovery process. I am not overly optimistic on his 2026 status.
Darnell Mooney, WR Atlanta Falcons
Injury: Hamstring
Projected Timetable: 2-3 Weeks
Initial Thoughts:
On average, hamstring strains for wide receivers cost close to 2-3 weeks, with the timeframe varying based on severity. It is unfortunate for Mooney, but it adds another player to the list of those who missed a chunk of time in camp and preseason due to contract issues or prior injuries and then wound up suffering a soft tissue injury. Plan on him missing time.
Calvin Austin III, WR Pittsburgh Steelers
Injury: Right Shoulder/Chest
Projected Timetable: TBD
Initial Thoughts:
It is hard to speculate on a timeframe for Austin until we have more details. By video, I do think there is concern that he suffered a SC joint sprain, which would explain why he was placed in an ambulance and taken to the hospital for evaluation. Oftentimes, they will assess and monitor as the hospital to ensure that the clavicle has not shifted posteriorly and pierced the aorta and other key vessels. If mild, though without other involvement, he could only miss a few weeks. Monitoring for more information to gain a clearer picture of the timetable for return.
Cedric Tillman, WR Cleveland Browns
Injury: Hamstring
Projected Timetable: 2-3 Weeks
Initial Thoughts:
Similar note as Mooney's above, on average, wide receivers miss 2-3 weeks with a hamstring strain. Monitoring for more information from the team regarding severity. A key variable will also be whether the Browns continue to play Joe Flacco or move to Dillon Gabriel at quarterback.
Deebo Samuel, WR Washington Commanders
Injury: Heel
Projected Timetable: Week 5-6
Initial Thoughts:
Samuel is a DNPx2 so far this week with a heel injury but these are often viewed as bruises or contusions that require rest, so the two days off from practice could simply be the teams way of giving him more rest. If he practices Friday, he likely has a good shot to play week 5. Be cautious though, as multiple wide receivers over the years have attempted to play through heel injuries with very low production results the following week. Not every heel injury is the same, though.
Jauan Jennings, WR San Francisco 49ers
Injury: Ribs
Projected Timetable: Week 6-7
Initial Thoughts:
Thankfully, he did not suffer fractured ribs and was able to return to the game. He also told the media that he plans on playing on a short week for Thursday night against the Rams. However, these rib injuries can often swell and tighten significantly post-game and make it difficult to play one week later, let alone four days. It would not surprise me if Jennings does not practice at all this week but is still listed as questionable for the game.
Ricky Pearsall, WR San Francisco 49ers
Injury: Right Knee, PCL Suspected
Projected Timetable: Week 6-7
Initial Thoughts:
I have more concern regarding Pearsall's knee than I do about Jennings' ribs leading into week 5. Pearsall told the media that he attempted to return to the game, played one snap, but felt pain and instability, so he decided to hold himself out. I have concerns about a right PCL sprain after he landed hard directly onto his knee attempting to catch a pass down the sideline. If he felt instability, it could be indicative of a moderate grade and could cost him several weeks. He will likely be evaluated more tomorrow, but I do have concerns that he will not be able to suit up for week 5 on Thursday night, so have a backup plan arranged.
Terry McLaurin, WR Washington Commanders
Injury: Quad Strain
Projected Timetable: Week 6
Initial Thoughts:
It sounds like it is at least a moderate grade strain, but the team did not place him on IR, and it was deemed that he would not require surgery after meeting with multiple surgeons and specialists. As of right now, I think it is more likely that he could return week 6 rather than week 5, but monitor the practice status as the week goes on. We will likely be getting Jayden Daniels back for week 5.
Colston Loveland, TE Chicago Bears
Injury: Hip
Projected Timetable: Week 6
Initial Thoughts:
Loveland was able to get a limited participation in last week but was ultimately ruled out after being deemed questionable. It sounds like he will have a very good chance to return after Chicago's bye week for week 6.
Brock Bowers, TE Las Vegas Raiders
Injury: Left Knee
Projected Timetable: TBD
Initial Thoughts:
Notably started the week as a LP and then downgraded on Thursday to DNP. I am unsure if this was planned rest or if he had a setback on Wednesday. The team and Pete Carroll have remained very quiet, so Friday's practice status will be a key indicator. Outside of that, I do not want to speculate but it is always good to have a backup plan ready.
| Player | Position | Team | Injury | Concern | Projected Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MarShawn Lloyd | RB | GB | Groin Strain | Moderate | Week 5-6 |
| Joe Mixon | RB | HOU | Foot Reinjury | High | NFI - TBD |
| Austin Ekeler | RB | WAS | Achilles | Surgery | Season-Ending |
| Najee Harris | RB | LAC | Achilles | Surgery | Season-Ending |
| James Conner | RB | ARI | Right Ankle | High | Season-Ending |
| Malik Nabers | WR | NYG | Right ACL | Surgery | Season-Ending |
| Tyreek Hill | WR | MIA | Left Knee ACL, LCL, Meniscus+ | High, Surgery | Season-Ending |
| Trey Benson | RB | ARI | Meniscus Surgery | Surgery 10/1 | 4-6 Weeks |
| Jayden Reed | WR | GB | Clavicle, Jones Fx | Surgery | Week 12-14 |
| Tyjae Spears | RB | TEN | High Ankle Sprain | Moderate | Week 5-6 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | WR | SF | ACLR, MCL | Moderate | Week 10-12 |
| George Kittle | TE | SF | Hamstring | Moderate | Week 6 |
| Joe Burrow | QB | CIN | Left Turf Toe | Grade 3, Surgery | 3+ Months |
| Jayden Daniels | QB | WAS | Knee Sprain | Mild | Week 5 |
| Aaron Jones | RB | MIN | Hamstring Strain | IR | Week 8 |
| J.J. McCarthy | QB | MIN | High Ankle Sprain | Moderate | Week 7 |
| Jauan Jennings | WR | SF | Right Ribs | TBD | Week 6 |
| Tyrone Tracy | RB | NYG | Right Shoulder | Moderate-High | Week 6-8 |
| CeeDee Lamb | WR | DAL | Left High Ankle Sprain | Moderate | Week 6-7 |
| Mike Evans | WR | TB | Hamstring | Moderate | Week 7-8 |
| Terry McLaurin | WR | WAS | Quad | Mild-Moderate | Week 6 |
| Xavier Legette | WR | CAR | Hamstring | Moderate | Week 5 |
| Colston Loveland | TE | CHI | Hip | Mild | Week 6 |
| Ja'Tavion Sanders | TE | CAR | Right Ankle/Foot | Mild-Moderate | Week 6-7 |
| Alec Pierce | WR | IND | Concussion | Mild | Week 5 |
| Michael Mayer | TE | LVR | Concussion | Mild | Week 5 |
| Miles Sanders | RB | DAL | Ankle | Mild-Moderate | Week 5-7 |
| Darnell Mooney | WR | ATL | Hamstring | TBD | Week 6-8 |
| Cedric Tillman | WR | CLE | Hamstring | IR | Week 9-11 |
| Ricky Pearsall | WR | SF | Right PCL | Mild-Moderate | Week 6 |
| Lamar Jackson | QB | BAL | Hamstring | Mild-Moderate | Week 7 |
| Calvin Austin III | WR | PIT | Right SC Sprain | TBD | Week 6-9 |
| Bucky Irving | RB | TB | Left Foot | Moderate | Week 7-8 |
| Braelon Allen | RB | NYJ | Left MCL | Moderate-High | Week 9-12 |
| Calvin Ridley | WR | TEN | Knee, Elbow | TBD | Week 5-6 |
