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Is it Week 4 of the NFL common season already? The place has the time gone?
Nonetheless, the motion from the primary 4 weeks of the yr has been nothing wanting sensational. Some groups have stunned followers and specialists, whereas others have underperformed thus far in 2021. Accidents have affected squads early within the marketing campaign, they usually must make some robust selections relating to sure gamers which might be injured on their rosters.
Some franchises have already determined how lengthy a few of their injured gamers shall be out of sport motion.
The Carolina Panthers shall be with out working again Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) and cornerback Jaycee Horn (foot) for just a few weeks after they each suffered accidents in opposition to the Houston Texans final Thursday. The quarterback drama for the Chicago Bears continues, as Andy Dalton (knee) and Justin Fields (hand) landed on the harm report this week. Lastly, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers misplaced a speedy pass-catcher as Scotty Miller went on the injured reserve listing with a turf toe harm.
Accidents are part of the sport, however groups might face an uphill battle with out sure gamers. Our NFL reporters present updates on some key gamers earlier than Sunday’s motion begins.
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Damage: Ankle
Gage will miss his second straight sport — reducing down Atlanta’s pass-catching group by a starter. Final week, Olamide Zaccheaus caught a landing after getting extra snaps in Gage’s place. Determine a mix of Zaccheaus and Tajae Sharpe will fill in two-receiver packages and the choice of extra two working again or two tight finish seems to be stays as doubtlessly a part of the plan. Atlanta may also be with out rotational defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (ankle). — Michael Rothstein
Damage: Again
Jackson returned to apply Friday, however he did not seem like a quarterback who had missed the previous two days with a sore again. Formally listed as questionable, Jackson was a full participant in apply and did not favor his again. He threw on the run and moved throughout the pocket. Requested about how Jackson appeared in apply, large receiver Marquise Brown stated “actual good” and added that he believes Jackson was as exact throwing the ball as he is been all season. — Jamison Hensley
Damage: Ankle
Poyer was injured throughout the Payments’ 43-21 win over the Washington Soccer Workforce final week. The protection has not missed a begin for the reason that 2017 season. He had an interception within the win over Washington and has 12 tackles this yr. Jaquan Johnson got here in for him Poyer in Week 3 and will begin in his place. — Alaina Getzenburg
Damage: Concussion
Feliciano began the week on a restricted foundation with an sickness. He was then downgraded to not training in Thursday’s apply with a concussion. Fourth-year guard Ike Boettger is more likely to get the beginning as a substitute at left guard. Boettger began seven video games final yr whereas Feliciano recovered from a torn pectoral muscle.
Damage: Left Knee
The Bears are ready till game-time to disclose the identification of their beginning quarterback for Sunday’s sport versus the Detroit Lions. Bears coach Matt Nagy has stated that Dalton stays the workforce’s starter when wholesome, however Dalton was restricted in apply all week and is questionable to face the Lions. Dalton stated on Friday that his knee harm is bettering, however rookie Justin Fields seems the more healthy of the 2, although Fields did endure a proper thumb harm final week in Cleveland. — Jeff Dickerson
Damage: Calf
The primary-round select of Northwestern has been dominated out of Sunday’s sport in Minnesota with a calf harm. In his place, Grasping Williams will get the beginning. — Jake Trotter
Damage: Knee
Gregory didn’t apply Thursday due to a knee harm however he stated he absolutely expects to play Sunday in opposition to Carolina. Gregory had an MRI and this could possibly be one thing the workforce displays to ensure he can get to sport day.
With Gregory banged up and Dorance Armstrong (ankle) and Bradlee Anae (COVID) out, the Cowboys might go together with extra defensive linemen on the lively roster. The plan is to make use of Micah Parsons at move rusher some however he additionally noticed work at linebacker throughout the apply week. –Todd Archer
Damage: Knee
Glasgow injured his knee on this previous week’s sport in opposition to the New York Jets. Until he improves over the subsequent few days, the guard could possibly be out for Denver’s Week 5 matchup in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens. — Jeff Legwold
Damage: Foot
The Broncos have accidents points at each guard spots as Risner is coping with a foot ailment. Denver has Netane Muti at proper guard and rookie Quinn Meinerz at left guard if Risner and Glasgow cannot play. Each gamers are highly effective and extra comfy within the run level at this stage of their careers, however the Broncos have been so proficient of their two and three tight finish units within the passing sport, they would not really feel a lot hesitation about throwing the ball if in addition they needed to get Muti and Meinerz in move safety.
Damage: Shoulder/Knee
The Lions’ protection must choose up the slack as they appear to get their first victory on the highway at Soldier Area. For the second straight week, Trey Flowers has been dominated out of motion with a shoulder/knee harm. The workforce is hopeful that he’ll return quickly, however the youthful guys are benefiting from the alternatives.
“To be sincere with you, we’re in a fairly good place simply depth-wise and it is extra — I simply really feel like if we’re — that is the fitting factor for Trey, too, which in flip can also be the fitting factor for us long-term,” Lions coach Dan Campbell stated on Friday. “If we are able to get him again to the place he is feeling actually good, I feel in the long term, that is going to be a superb factor for him and for us.” –Eric Woodyard
Damage: Hamstring
Aaron Rodgers shall be with out his finest deep-threat receiver. Whereas Valdes-Scantling has began slowly this yr, he flashed indicators of final yr in Sunday’s win over the San Francisco 49ers with a 12-yard landing catch, a 47-yard deep ball reception and a 24-yard move interference penalty. Sadly, he pulled his hamstring within the fourth quarter and was dominated out for Sunday in opposition to the Steelers. — Robert Demovsky
Injury: Ankle
Nelson is lacking his first NFL sport, after beginning all 51 contests of his profession, due to an ankle harm. His 75.5% run-block win fee is first amongst NFL guards since getting into the league, in line with ESPN Stats & Data. Nelson’s 95% pass-block win fee is third, so the Colts will really feel Nelson’s absence considerably. — Mike Wells
Damage: Hamstring
The Chiefs will determine earlier than Sunday’s sport whether or not Clark, who has a hamstring harm, can play in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles. He has missed two of the three video games this season, and the Chiefs might use his pass-rush skill. They’ve simply 4 sacks, one of many causes they’re off to a 1-2 begin. — Adam Teicher
Damage: Ankle
Jacobs, who missed the Raiders’ earlier two video games, returned to apply on Thursday however has been restricted in two practices. Raiders coach Jon Gruden slow-played Jacobs’ return on Thursday, as did quarterback Derek Carr. Actually, Gruden stated he wouldn’t hesitate to play Peyton Barber in a premier position Monday evening on the Chargers after his career-high 111 yard efficiency final week. –Paul Gutierrez
Damage: Ribs
Rams coach Sean McVay stated Henderson will play Sunday in a division opener in opposition to the undefeated Arizona Cardinals. Henderson suffered a rib cartilage harm in a Week 2 win over the Indianapolis Colts and was inactive for a Week 3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. — Lindsey Thiry
Damage: Foot/Quad
Usually reserved about his gamers’ accidents, Dolphins coach Brian Flores introduced that Deiter was damage at apply Wednesday and won’t solely miss Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts however may also is probably going be positioned on injured reserve. Flores stated it is too early to inform whether or not Deiter will return this season — though that is his typical response to the timeline of gamers’ accidents. In Deiter’s place, former Baltimore Ravens OL Greg Mancz will begin for Miami. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Damage: Ankle
There’s excellent news and dangerous information for the Vikings this week. The excellent news? Dalvin Cook dinner practiced each day this week and appeared optimistic about his standing after lacking Week 3 with an ankle harm. “I am extraordinarily assured in what we have occurring within the coaching room and what they’re doing to get me again on the sector,” Cook dinner stated. “I am extraordinarily assured.” — Courtney Cronin
Damage: Elbow/Shoulder
The dangerous information? Nostril deal with Michael Pierce is coping with elbow and shoulder accidents and is questionable for Week 4. Being with out Pierce in opposition to Cleveland’s dominant speeding assault, which averages 5.1 yards per run, could be difficult for the Vikings’ protection.
Damage: Knee
People was restricted in apply as preparations acquired underway this week, however the workforce was continuing as if there was a powerful probability he shall be kicking Sunday evening. Contemplating People has made 35 consecutive area objectives — which is the longest streak in franchise historical past and tied for the seventh-longest streak in league historical past (Adam Vinatieri, 44) — that is excellent news for the Patriots. — Mike Reiss
Damage: Elbow
The Saints must get by with out two standout offensive linemen after Armstead acquired damage final week and middle Erik McCoy has been sidelined since Week 1. Fortuitously, the Saints have a veteran backup possibility in James Hurst, who held up properly when he changed Armstead each final week at New England and for 2 video games final season. However Armstead is likely one of the NFL’s finest left tackles, so his absence will certainly be felt. — Mike Triplett
Damage: Hamstring
Shepard and Darius Slayton are going to overlook Sunday’s sport in New Orleans with hamstring accidents. They didn’t apply in any respect this week. It is a large blow contemplating Shepard (18 catches, 223 yards and 1 landing) has been the Giants’ finest and most efficient receiver in 2021. Slayton (7 receptions, 127 yards and a rating) has additionally made some huge performs this yr. Their absence does make Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney extra palatable fantasy choices in opposition to a troublesome Saints protection. — Jordan Raanan
Damage: Groin
Crowder is poised to make his 2021 debut. “Wanting good,” coach Robert Saleh stated. The 28-year-old receiver hasn’t performed for the reason that preseason, so it is exhausting to think about him getting each rep out of the slot place. Search for a time-share with Braxton Berrios, the workforce’s main receiver by way of three video games. — Wealthy Cimini
Damage: Knee
McLeod, who tore his ACL in December, is ready to make his season debut. His return is well timed, with Ok’Von Wallace being positioned on injured reserve this week with a separated shoulder. One different important piece of harm information: left deal with Jordan Mailata will miss his second straight sport with an MCL pressure. Andre Dillard will get the beginning. –Tim McManus
Damage: Hamstring
Claypool first popped up on the harm report Thursday as a restricted participant with a hamstring harm. He did not apply Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Claypool’s harm might take away one of many Steelers’ finest intermediate and deep threats, and he is been actually beneficial in making some fight catches or drawing move interference calls. The silver lining is that whereas Claypool is questionable, each WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster (ribs) and Diontae Johnson (knee) have been full individuals Friday and haven’t got harm designations. — Brooke Pryor
Damage: Calf
Kittle didn’t take part in apply on Wednesday or Thursday and was restricted on Friday with what coach Kyle Shanahan has described as calf soreness stemming from getting stepped on in Week 1 in opposition to the Detroit Lions. Earlier within the week, Shanahan appeared optimistic that his star tight finish could be obtainable in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks, however Kittle’s return has gave the impression to be slower than anticipated. He is formally listed as questionable for Sunday, however Shanahan stated he could have a good suggestion whether or not Kittle is prepared on Saturday afternoon. If Kittle cannot play, Ross Dwelley will step in for him. — Nick Wagoner
Lockett is listed as questionable with a hip harm, however Pete Carroll sounds optimistic that he’ll play Sunday in opposition to the 49ers. Lockett was restricted Wednesday, sat Thursday and was listed as a full participant in Friday’s mild apply.
“We rested him throughout the week and he had a bunch of remedy and he feels good,” Carroll stated.
DK Metcalf is anticipated to play after displaying up on the harm report Thursday with a sore foot. Seattle’s receiver corps will most likely be with out rookie Dee Eskridge for a 3rd straight sport. The second-round choose cleared concussion protocol this week however is listed as uncertain. — Brady Henderson
Damage: Ribs
Gronkowski was noticed Friday throughout the portion of apply that was open to the media, however he was formally listed as a “non-participant” on the harm report. Nonetheless, he hasn’t been dominated out for Sunday. Until he is downgraded Saturday, he might nonetheless journey to Foxborough with the workforce and check out the ribs on sport day. It could be an enormous loss for the Bucs contemplating he is main the workforce with 4 touchdowns — to not point out the importance of returning to New England to play.
Damage: Shoulder/Hand
Coach Bruce Arians stated earlier this week that it was unlikely Pierre-Paul, one of many workforce’s largest leaders on protection, would play, however Pierre-Paul stunned everybody by training Friday for the primary time since Sept 15. He is formally listed as questionable on the harm report, however he informed Arians, “If I am touring, I am taking part in.” — Jenna Laine
Damage: Shin
Gibson sat out apply Thursday and was restricted Friday with a shin harm that occurred throughout the loss final week to Buffalo. He is listed as questionable on the harm report. Washington coach Ron Rivera stated the workforce is optimistic that Gibson will play at Atlanta. Nevertheless, he stated he needs to see how Gibson’s shin responds this weekend. — John Keim