Fantasy Football Injury Updates: T.Y. Hilton, Julian Edelman, Vance McDonald shake up Week 4 rankings

Billy Heyen

Fantasy Football Injury Updates: T.Y. Hilton, Julian Edelman, Vance McDonald shake up Week 4 rankings image

The Patriots looked to have the best receiver depth in the league a week ago. Now, Antonio Brown is released and Julian Edelman is dealing with a ribs injury. Thankfully for New England, Josh Gordon exited twice with minor issues Sunday but returned both times. Fantasy football owners also should be concerned about T.Y. Hilton, who exited Sunday's game after aggravating the quad injury he entered the day with. And a starting fantasy TE, Vance McDonald, has a history of shoulder injuries and sustained another one on Sunday. Get the latest on these players so you can be prepared for the waiver wire and Week 4 start 'em, sit 'em decisions.

We also have the latest news on Saquon Barkley and LeSean McCoy's injuries here. For more of the latest news and fantasy updates, follow us on Twitter (@SN_Fantasy). 

WEEK 4 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Will T.Y. Hilton miss Week 4?

After entering Sunday with a quad injury, Hilton balled out in the first half with eight catches but then left the game after aggravating his quad injury. He didn't look like a candidate to return, as he was on the sideline without his helmet or gloves. Hilton told reporters afterward that he was held out because "they didn't want me to tear (the quad)."

That doesn't sound good. At best, we'd expect Hilton to be a game-time decision in Week 4 against the Raiders. There's always a chance he made the injury worse than it was entering Sunday and he'll be forced to miss extended action. Zach Pascal and Deon Cain are the two most likely Colts wideouts to step into Hilton's shoes if he misses time, although this could also accelerate the development of rookie Parris Campbell.

WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiverTight end

Julian Edelman injury update

Edelman went to the locker room early ahead of halftime Sunday and was later ruled out for the game because of a chest injury. The Patriots were blowing out the Jets, so there wasn't any impetus to get Edelman back in. Edelman's X-rays on his ribs were negative, per reports.

(Update: NFL Network reported of Edelman: "He'll be good.")

If Edelman were to miss time, Phillip Dorsett would be an even more attractive waiver wire add, and Josh Gordon, who is owned in nearly every league, would be an every-week starter. When the Patriots went three wide after Edelman was out Sunday, Jakobi Meyers joined those two. He could be a deep-league pickup after he generated tons of preseason hype.

WEEK 4: Waiver pickups | FAAB planner | Trade valuesSnap counts

Vance McDonald injury update

McDonald left Sunday's game because of a shoulder injury and didn't return after making just one catch in the early going from Mason Rudolph. Mike Tomlin didn't speak further on McDonald's injury afterward, and he wasn't available to the media in the locker room. McDonald had two shoulder surgeries during college and has missed NFL games in both 2016 and '17 due to unspecified shoulder injuries, according to Sports Injury Predictor.

MORE: Top Week 4 waiver pickups

The history of shoulder injuries with McDonald creates an increased worry. His value already took a hit due to Rudolph's move into the starting QB position. McDonald hasn't exceeded 40 yards in a game yet this season after being a preseason sleeper, although he did catch two short TDs from Rudolph in Week 2. Xavier Grimble would likely take over at TE if McDonald misses time.

Billy Heyen