As we approach Week 4 of the NFL season, fantasy football owners need to keep an eye on the key players who exited early because of injuries last Sunday. Dalvin Cook, David Montgomery, and D’Andre Swift were the most notable RBs to get hurt during game action, and their statuses for Week 4 are up in the air. Knowing the latest injury updates for these RBs is important as you ready your Week 4 RB rankings and waiver wire pickups.
Below, we’ll give you the latest news on these key RBs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 4 fantasy landscape. For news on more ailing players, including Michael Thomas, Dallas Goedert, and Mac Jones, click here.
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MORE WEEK 4: Top waiver pickups
Dalvin Cook injury update, Week 4 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Vikings’ coach Kevin O’Connell called Cook “day to day” heading into Week 4.
Cook (shoulder) was ruled out of the Vikings’ come-from-behind victory over the Lions in Week 3 after dislocating his shoulder in the third quarter. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, “Cook has an unrepaired labral tear and wasn’t wearing a harness.”
Cook has dealt with this same shoulder injury in the past, playing two games with a harness. By his own estimation, he’ll “be out there” next week when the Vikings travel to London to face the Saints, but obviously that won’t be his decision. If for some reason the Vikings take a more cautious approach and sit Cook, then fellow RB Alexander Mattison would be a top priority on the waiver wire. Mattison played every snap once Cook was ruled out and has RB1 upside when Cook fails to suit up. At the very least, let this serve as a reminder that Mattison is an extremely valuable handcuff and should be owned in most leagues.
WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
David Montgomery injury update, Week 4 fantasy outlook
Montgomery (ankle, knee) left Chicago’s Week 3 victory over Houston in the first quarter and failed to return to action. In Montgomery’s absence, Khalil Herbert shouldered a bigger workload and produced at a high level, logging 20 carries for 157 yards and two TDs.
Montgomery is currently “day-to-day,” per head coach Matt Eberflus, but if he’s unable to go next Sunday against the Giants, Herbert finds himself as a borderline RB1 in both standard and PPR formats. Herbert filled in admirably last season when Montgomery missed time with injury, scoring double-digit fantasy points whenever he saw extensive action. Herbert finds himself as the top waiver wire add of the week in the 54 percent of Yahoo leagues where he’s still available.
WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
D’Andre Swift injury update, Week 4 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday morning that Swift suffered a shoulder sprain, and while he won’t require surgery, he could “miss some time.”
UPDATE 2: Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell suggested Monday that Swift could be out through the Lions’ Week 6 bye week.
Swift (shoulder) entered Week 3 with an ankle injury but now has a shoulder issue to worry about, too. He played through the shoulder issue in Detroit’s Week 3 loss to Minnesota, but he was out-touched by fellow RB Jamaal Williams 22-to-10, logging seven carries for 31 yards and catching three passes for 18 yards.
Swift’s status for Detroit’s Week 4 tilt against Seattle is unknown, but even if he suits up, the presence of Williams cuts into his potential upside. Williams has carved out a role in Detroit’s offense as the goal-line back, and his ability to aid in pass protection warrants his fair share of snaps. Williams played 45 percent of snaps in Week 3 and would be elevated to a borderline RB1 if Swift ends up missing any game. Craig Reynolds would also likely see around 10 touches per game if Swift is out, making him a worthwhile deep-league flex in favorable matchups.