Week 3 wasn't as brutal for fantasy football owners as the bloodbath that was Week 2, but there were still several big-name wide receivers that went down with injuries in Sunday's action. Chris Godwin, Diontae Johnson, Russell Gage, John Brown, and DeSean Jackson all have injury questions moving forward, and their respective timetables for return from injury will surely have an impact on Week 4 fantasy WR rankings and waiver wire pickups. Here are the latest updates on the banged-up players.
For all the latest fantasy injury news and updates, check back here and on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.
WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker
Chris Godwin injury update
UPDATE 2: One reports suggests Godwin will miss "multiple games."
UPDATE: Godwin will get an MRI on Monday.
Godwin exited Sunday's game against the Broncos early after pulling up with an apparent hamstring injury. He was quickly ruled out of the game and didn't return, marking the third time in three games that he missed at least part of a game due to an injury.
It's unclear how long Godwin might be out with the hamstring malady. He could have been pulled from the game because it was well in hand at the time of the injury, but it's important to remember that soft-tissue injuries tend to linger. The Bucs could be cautious with their No. 2 receiver across from Mike Evans and opt to sit him until he's 100 percent or close to it depending on the severity of the injury.
If Godwin misses time, Scotty Miller will be the No. 2 receiver on the Bucs and will be worth starting against a Chargers defense that just had trouble containing the Panthers offense. Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard could be in line for expanded roles, as well. Gronkowski totaled seven targets, six catches, and 48 yards against the Broncos, so it looks like Tom Brady made a concerted effort to get him the ball after he received only four targets in the first two games. If he's been dropped in your league, he's worth potentially grabbing.
WEEK 4 WAIVER WIRE: Top pickups
Diontae Johnson injury news
Johnson made only one catch against the Texans in Week 4 before suffering a concussion and being ruled out for the rest of the game. Johnson now will enter the NFL's concussion protocol, and while he announced on Twitter that he is "fine", he may have to miss time depending on how quickly he progresses through that protocol. Either way, it looks like Johnson's Week 4 status is in doubt.
If Johnson can't clear concussion protocol ahead of Week 4, James Washington will be in line for a bigger role with the Steelers after tying for the team lead in targets with seven and logging five catches for 36 yards. Washington would probably be a WR3 in a matchup against a weak Titans secondary while Chase Claypool, who's averaging 25.2 yards per catch, could be a boom-or-bust flex play.
Eric Ebron would also see more targets if Johnson misses time. He tied Washington for the team lead with seven targets on Sunday and caught five for 52 yards and a TD.
WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker
Will Russell Gage play in Week 4?
Gage was a hot waiver-wire pickup ahead of Week 3 and ended up starting in a lot of fantasy lineups because of the absence of Julio Jones (hamstrings). However, he suffered a concussion early against the Bears and was ruled out for the game.
Much like Johnson, Gage's Week 4 status is up in the air, and he could miss time if he doesn't progress quickly through the NFL's concussion protocol. If Gage does miss time, Calvin Ridley will continue to soak up most of the Falcons' targets and Jones, if healthy, could earn a larger target share as well.
Without Gage, a third receiver will be viable in Atlanta's high-powered passing attack especially since they'll likely be playing catch-up against the Packers on Monday Night Football. Olamide Zaccheaus saw the second-most targets on the Falcons against the Bears (six), so perhaps he could be the guy. He's one to watch on the waiver wire for sure given the high-powered nature of this offense.
John Brown injury update
Brown suffered a calf injury in the Bills' win over the Rams and he was held out for the entirety of the second half. It's unclear just how serious the injury might be, but it's worth noting that Brown has been dealing with a toe injury this season and has battled hamstring and quad injuries in the past. So, his status moving forward will have to be monitored.
Without Brown in the game, rookie Gabriel Davis saw far more action on offense and caught four passes for 81 yards. Meanwhile, Cole Beasley logged a 100-yard game and should be picked up in all formats given his high floor in standard and high ceiling in PPR formats. If Brown misses time, both of these players will garner flex consideration in a Week 4 matchup against a Raiders defense that is allowing 30 points per game to offenses.
DeSean Jackson injury news
UPDATE: Jackson's hamstring injury reportedly isn't considered "serious."
After catching just two passes for 11 yards in the first half, Jackson missed all of the second half and overtime of the Eagles' tie against the Bengals with a hamstring injury. In his place, Greg Ward served as the Eagles' top receiver, while John Hightower and Deontay Burnett saw extended action.
Jackson has dealt with a plethora of injuries over the years, and it might take the 33-year-old receiver some time to bounce back for this soft-tissue injury. Ward should pick up slack for the veteran in the lineup and could end up getting flex consideration despite the Eagles' struggles this season. Zach Ertz will likely see more targets, as well (especially with Dallas Goedert getting hurt), and they are probably the two main beneficiaries of Jackson's potential absence.
