We are about to be in the thick of things in Week 4, as Sunday’s slate is almost here. That means it’s time to take a look at some injury updates for fantasy football, with Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, Mike Evans of the San Francisco 49ers and Zay Flowers of the Baltimore Ravens being among them.
Both Evans and Jefferson were forced from their Week 3 contests early, and while Flowers was able to suit up last week for the Ravens, he is still on the injury report this week.
Here’s what we know about all three of those players and a few other wide receivers ahead of the Week 4 games on Sunday.
MORE: Fantasy football wide receiver rankings for Week 4
Justin Jefferson injury update
After sustaining an ankle injury last week, Jefferson did not log a single practice this week before being ruled out for Sunday.
On the bright side, head coach Kevin O’Connell said Jefferson is feeling better, but he “just couldn’t get there” for this week.
Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings will be the primary beneficiaries of Jefferson’s absence, and tight end T.J. Hockenson should see more opportunities as well.
MORE: Fantasy football Week 4 tight end rankings
Mike Evans injury update
Evans suffered what was clearly a painful rib injury in Week 3, and it forced his early exit from the game.
After not practicing on Wednesday or Thursday, he did show a sign of progress on Friday with a limited session before he was slapped with the questionable tag.
The veteran wideout said the injury “felt like somebody stabbed me in the chest,” and regarding his Week 4 status, Evans said he will “do my best” to play.
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Take this for what it’s worth, but Evans has played through a rib injury before.
“It was brutal to play through, but it’s something that I can do,” he added.
That said, given how much pain he was in upon suffering his injury, there’s high risk of reaggravation and an early exit in Week 4 if he plays.
If Evans can’t go, Deebo Samuel becomes the No. 1 target in San Francisco.
Zay Flowers injury update
UPDATE: According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Flowers is indeed expected to play in Week 4.
“WR Zay Flowers, who was limited this week with a hamstring injury, is expected to play today, source said. He was questionable,” Rapoport said.
END OF UPDATE
Flowers looked to be cruising into the weekend after a full practice on Thursday, but a limited session on Friday and a questionable tag leaves his status up in the air as he continues to work through a hamstring issue.
When speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Flowers said he believes there won’t be any limitations as a result of his hamstring moving forward.
“I think we’ll be good. I think we’ll be alright,” Flowers said.
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There hasn’t been any indication Flowers suffered a setback, so we’d say he has a better chance to play than not after he suited up last week.
If Flowers can’t play, Rashod Bateman would serve as Baltimore’s top wideout.
Jalen Coker injury update
UPDATE: ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Coker is “unlikely to play” on Sunday.
“Panthers WR Jalen Coker, listed as questionable for Sunday night’s game vs. the Lions due to a quad injury, is unlikely to play,” Schefter wrote.
END OF UPDATE
UPDATE: According to The Athletic’s Joe Person, head coach Dave Canales said during the week that if the team elevated Ja’seem Reed from the practice squad, it would be because Coker wasn’t expected to play.
Well, the Panthers elevated Reed on Saturday.
END OF UPDATE
Jalen Coker suffered a quadriceps injury in Week 3 and did not return to the game.
The third-year wide receiver turned in two limited practices to close out the week and is carrying a questionable tag heading into Sunday.
Head coach Dave Canales told reporters that Coker will be evaluated during a workout on Saturday, so we could know more then.
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If Coker can’t go, Tetairoa McMillan should be absolutely peppered with targets, as Carolina doesn’t have any other reliable wide receivers. Tight end Darren Waller figures to be heavily involved as well.
Ladd McConkey injury update
Ladd McConkey was once again on the injury report this week, but it was for a different reason. The Chargers wideout is now listed with a foot issue.
McConkey turned in a limited practice on Wednesday, sat on Thursday and then returned to a limited session on Friday before drawing the questionable tag.
Per usual, head coach Jim Harbaugh offered no information on McConkey’s status for Week 4.
MORE: Fantasy football studs and duds for Week 4
“I don’t know. I just know his designation today,” Harbaugh said.
McConkey’s limited session on Friday gives hope he has a better chance than not to play.
If he doesn’t suit up, both Quentin Johnston and Tre’ Harris would be in line for more work. Tight end Oronde Gadsen should also benefit.
Terry McLaurin injury update
UPDATE: Commanders beat writer Ben Standig reported that McLaurin is not expected to play on Sunday morning.
ESPN’s Ben Keim adds that McLaurin is “very much in question for Sunday.”
END OF UPDATE
Terry McLaurin was a surprise addition to the injury report on Friday with a hamstring issue and is listed as questionable.
The Commanders receiver suffered the injury in practice and being a late-week addition to the report is a terrible sign for his chances of playing.
If he sits, Stefon Diggs will be the No. 1 wide receiver and rookie Antonio Williams should see more work.
DeVonta Smith injury update
DeVonta Smith has been battling a hamstring injury for a few weeks now, and while he was able to play through it last week, he won’t on Sunday. The Eagles wideout has officially been ruled out.
With Smith not having any practice participation this week, we wonder if he might miss multiple games.
Smith’s absence would make Dontayvion Wicks the No. 1 target in Philly. Rookie Makai Lemon and veteran Hollywood Brown should get more looks as well.
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