Welcome to Week 4 injury news for the Next Man Up series by senior writer Doc. Mitchell. This will be the final early-week Next Man Up article as we now have an Injury News Podcast every week. Look for the Sunday Edition of Next Man Up for last-minute changes around the league.
AFC East Injury News
Skylar Thompson taking a big hit to his ribs on 3rd and 1. pic.twitter.com/XAA1dBk0Td
— Will Manso (@WillManso) September 22, 2024
Skylar Thompson | QB | Miami Dolphins | Chest
As if things couldn’t get any worse after the concussion suffered by starter Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins lost backup quarterback Skylar Thompson to a chest injury. Specifics have been hard to come by, but it has been reported that Thompson suffered a painful rib injury. It has not yet been confirmed, but Thompson will likely miss some time.
The Dolphins will now look to the recent acquisition of Tyler Huntley to quarterback this offense. While this will likely be a downgrade for the skill players, Huntley could provide some nice QB2 appeal with his legs and the quality of weapons at his disposal. With Tua out for a few weeks at best, Huntley should be a priority add-on to your waiver wires, if available.
Rhamondre Stevenson | RB | New England Patriots | Finger
New England running back Rhamondre Stevenson suffered a finger injury during his team’s Week 3 loss. The Patriots’ top back struggled against the Jets before getting his finger caught in the facemask of a Jets defender. Stevenson will likely be fine moving forward. However, depending on the severity of the finger injury you could see some additional work going to Antonio Gibson.
AFC South Injury News
#Texans WR Tank Dell has no structural damage after taking a hit to the ribs in the loss to the Vikings. Dell is just dealing with some soreness today. Per @AaronWilson_NFL pic.twitter.com/AuXdJADH91
— Dylan Delgatto (@DDelgattoNFL) September 23, 2024
Tank Dell | WR | Houston Texans | Hand
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell injured his hand late in his team’s Week 3 loss. Early indications are that Dell will be fine moving forward. The talented second-year player is off to a slow start with CJ Stroud and the Texans. Be sure to monitor his practice throughout the week, if Dell does sit for any reason the Texans have former 2nd-round pick John Metchie to fill in. In reality, a Dell absence would mean a boost for Stefon Diggs alongside target-hog, Nico Collins. Diggs would be a nice WR2 play with Collins maintaining his WR1 status.
AFC North Injury News
Jaylen Warren expected to receive MRI results on his knee today.
— TOLAN (@thetolan87) September 23, 2024
Hopefully it’s nothing serious. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/5qcGc0SeSw
Jaylen Warren | RB | Pittsburgh Steelers | Unknown
Najee Harris | RB | Pittsburgh Steelers | Shoulder
The Pittsburgh Steelers saw both of their talented running backs sustain injuries in their Week 3 victory. Head coach Mike Tomlin pulled Warren after he said the RB didn’t seem to be running smoothly. We are awaiting news about the results of an MRI on his knee. To make matters worse for the undefeated Steelers, their starter Najee Harris was seen wearing a sling on his right arm after the game. There didn’t seem to be any specific injury during the game, and Harris managed to finish the contest.
Harris was seen wearing the sling in the locker room but wasn’t donning the protective apparatus later following the game. Pay close attention to news out of Pittsburgh about the availability of their top 2 RBs ahead of next week’s matchup with the Colts. If Harris can go, he is a rock-solid RB1 candidate. If both players were unable to go, Cordarrelle Patterson would get the start. He would be an interesting play on a squad that loves to run the ball.
AFC West Injury News
Joe Mixon last week.
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 22, 2024
Justin Herbert this week.
I don’t understand why teams let these guys try to play through high ankle sprains. Risk of making it worse.
Looks like Herbert aggravated his left high ankle and limped off.
pic.twitter.com/E71IsvlolR
Justin Herbert | QB | Los Angeles Chargers | Ankle
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert aggravated the ankle injury he suffered in Week 2 against Carolina during his squad’s Week 3 loss to the Steelers. Herbert seemed to be in a decent amount of pain after taking a sack. Subsequent X-rays came back negative so be sure to monitor the news out of Chargers’ practice this week as head coach Jim Harbaugh could play it safe with his franchise signal caller.
The team cleared up any questions we may have had about the backup position when they put in Taylor Heinicke over Easton Stick. The former Commanders and Falcons QB would be in line to start any game that Herbert misses. He would be a downgrade for the Chargers pass catchers but not a dealbreaker as he has been a competent starter in the past.
NFC East Injury News
Direct helmet to helmet late hit on DeVonta Smith which left him down on the field motionless. No flag on the play.
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) September 22, 2024
pic.twitter.com/dYtFf8RLXB
DeVonta Smith | WR | Philadelphia Eagles | Concussion
The Philadelphia Eagles lost their talented wide receiver DeVonta Smith to a scary-looking hit during their Week 3 contest. Smith was being held up by defenders when he was struck in the back of the head. The talented playmaker will need to progress through the league’s mandated concussion protocol before he can get back on the field.
This looked like a bad concussion so there is a very real possibility that he could miss at least a game. With fellow starter A.J. Brown already out, the Eagles will be desperately thin at the position. Jahan Dotson and Parris Campbell would likely be the top 2 targets with TE Dallas Goedert getting a really nice bump in the passing game. Saquon Barkley would also likely pick up some additional touches.
Britain Covey | WR | Philadelphia Eagles | Shoulder
Philadelphia reserve wide receiver Britain Covey was also forced from this game with a shoulder injury. Unfortunately, subsequent testing revealed a broken bone in his shoulder. Covey may have played a sizable role with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith likely out next week. However, the team will now look elsewhere. Refer to Smith above for who will look to catch the ball from Hurts and company.
Darius Slayton | WR | New York Giants | Thumb
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton missed some time during his team’s improbable Week 3 victory with a thumb injury. He was able to return to the game and appears to have avoided a serious injury. It could still be worth monitoring as the week progresses. If he did miss any time the Giants would turn to former Biletnikoff Award winner, Jalin Hyatt. He would not be a recommended play with Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson eating up all the targets in the passing game.
Austin Ekeler | RB | Washington Commanders | Concussion
Washington running back Austin Ekeler exited his team’s Monday Night victory with a head injury. Ekeler was enjoying a really nice night before the injury. In all likelihood, he suffered a degree of concussion. He will need to progress through the league’s concussion protocol. If Ekeler does miss time then Commanders’ starter Brian Robinson will take on the full workload and be a must-start RB.
NFC South Injury News
Adam Thielen scored a great point for the Panthers at the expense of injury 👏👏#PanthersVsRaiders pic.twitter.com/Fdoinv1M4i
— Jamie NFL News (@JNews32NFL) September 22, 2024
Adam Thielen | WR | Carolina Panthers | Hamstring
Carolina wide receiver Adam Thielen was forced from his team’s upset Week 3 victory with a hamstring injury. In a cruel twist of fate, Thielen will miss time just when it appears the Panthers’ offense is coming to life. Hamstring injuries have a tendency to linger especially with older players like Thielen. In his absence, the Panthers will look to youngsters Xavier Legette and Jonathan Mingo to hold down the fort alongside top WR Diontae Johnson. Look for Johnson to be a high-volume target-hog for as long as Andy Dalton continues to start for the Panthers.
NFC North Injury News
#SamLaPorta @Lions ankle
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) September 22, 2024
Hope for 2nd half returnhttps://t.co/T3XCziCQDi pic.twitter.com/NbZBZfxj41
Sam LaPorta | TE | Detroit Lions | Ankle
Lions tight end Sam LaPorta left his team’s Week 3 victory with a painful-looking ankle injury. It looked like the worst-case scenario when it happened. However, subsequent testing showed that LaPorta dodged a bullet and only suffered a low-ankle sprain. Head coach Dan Campbell said that his star TE was day-to-day.
Keep an eye out for news on LaPorta’s practice reps as they will indicate just how concerned we should be. If he does miss time Brock Wright would be the next man up for the Lions. He would not be a recommended fantasy play as Goff would likely look to redistribute those missing targets to Amon-Ra St. Brown and an emerging speedster Jameson Williams. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery could also pick up some additional looks.
Sam Darnold | QB | Minnesota Vikings | Bone Bruise
The Minnesota Vikings had to hold their collective breath as their starting quarterback Sam Darnold appeared to injure his knee during his team’s unexpected Week 3 victory. The early-season frontrunner for Comeback Player of the Year and former 1st-round pick has been on a scorching hot start out of the gates. Testing revealed that Darnold avoided major injury and should be ready to roll next week. However, with such an important player, we should still pay attention to his practice availability as the week continues. If he were to unexpectedly miss time, the Vikings would turn to Nick Mullins to steer the boat. He would be a sizable downgrade for the entire Vikings’ offense.
NFC West Injury News
Trey McBride #cardinals and Brian Branch #lions
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) September 22, 2024
Violent head collision. Both will be evaluated for concussions. Let’s hope they are okay pic.twitter.com/3TG0sxc3dV
Trey McBride | TE | Arizona Cardinals | Concussion
Arizona tight end Trey McBride was knocked out of his team’s Week 3 loss with a scary-looking head injury. You can see in the clip above that McBride took a nasty shot to the back of his head after the catch. The star TE does not have a history of concussions but will still need to pass through the league’s mandated protocol.
If McBride cannot gain clearance ahead of Week 4, the Cardinals would look to rookie 3rd-round pick Tip Reiman and veteran Elijah Higgins. Neither player would likely return fantasy value to your lineups. Kyler Murray will simply look to distribute the ball among his talented pass catchers.
