Justin Herbert, DeVonta Smith, NFL Injury Statuses and Fantasy Impact for Week 4

Posted by Admin September 27, 2024 NFL

Brandon Sloter/Getty Images

Justin Herbert is making every effort to be on the field for the Los Angeles Chargers’ Week 4 clash with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Herbert, who is dealing with an ankle injury, was seen at the start of Chargers practice on Friday afternoon, a sign that he is at least making progress.

The Philadelphia Eagles are not in as fortunate of a situation with their wide receivers. DeVonta Smith was ruled out on Friday with the concussion he suffered in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints.

The Eagles could be without their top two wide receivers for their clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since A.J. Brown is still working back from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the last two games.

Below is the growing list of significant injuries that will affect fantasy football matchups in Week 4.

Justin Herbert, QB, LAC: Questionable (ankle), per team injury report.
DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI: Out (concussion), per team injury report.
A.J. Brown, WR, PHI: Questionable (hamstring), per team injury report.
Jordan Love, QB, GB: Questionable (knee), per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Joe Mixon, RB, HOU: Questionable (ankle), per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Tank Dell, WR, HOU: Out (chest), per Pelissero.
Nico Collins, WR, HOU: “Good to go” (hamstring), per Pelissero.
Evan Engram, TE, JAX: Out (hamstring), per Pelissero.
Jaylen Warren, RB, PIT: Out (knee), per Pelissero.
Russell Wilson, QB, PIT: Questionable (calf), per Pelissero.
Davante Adams, WR, LV: Out (hamstring), per ESPN.com’s Paul Gutierrez.
Keenan Allen, WR, CHI: Questionable (heel), per team injury report.
Diontae Johnson, WR, CAR: Questionable (groin), per team injury report.
Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR: Out (ankle), per Los Angeles Times’ Gary Klein.
Chris Olave, WR, NO: Day-to-day (hamstring), per Schefter.
Jordan Addison, WR, MIN: Off injury report (ankle), per Pelissero.
Sam LaPorta, TE, DET: Full participant in Friday practice (ankle), per ESPN’s Field Yates.
David Njoku, TE, CLE: Out (ankle), per ESPN.com’s Daniel Oyefusi.
Trey McBride, TE, ARI: Out (concussion), per ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss.
Alvin Kamara, RB, NO: Questionable (ribs/hip), per Schefter.
Deebo Samuel, WR, SF: Participant at practice Friday, per ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner.
George Kittle, TE, SF: Set to play Sunday (hamstring), per Pelissero.

Justin Herbert On Field To Start Friday Practice

Justin Herbert began Chargers practice on the field on Friday.

Daniel Popper @danielrpopper

Justin Herbert is on the field to start today’s #Chargers practice.

it appears that Herbert is making every attempt to play on Sunday in a vital AFC West clash with the Chiefs.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter outlined Herbert’s toughness during a Friday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

Pat McAfee @PatMcAfeeShow

“Justin Herbert has played through a lot and if he feels like he’s healthy enough he’s gonna find a way to be out there..
He’s as tough as they come and if there’s a chance to play he’s gonna do it” @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/NkNeQ88MmB

Even if Herbert plays, he may not put up amazing numbers against the Chiefs defense.

Chargers first-round pick Joe Alt is dealing with a knee injury and was not seen at practice at Friday. The lack of Alt on the offensive line would be a massive blow to defending the Chiefs’ pass rush.

Herbert threw for 259 yards and was picked off twice in his lone meeting with the Chiefs last season. He has not had more than 150 passing yards in a game so far in the Jim Harbaugh era.

Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield are among the top replacements for Herbert in fantasy football for Week 4. Smith goes head-to-head with the Detroit Lions secondary, while Mayfield faces an Eagles defensive backfield susceptible to large concessions through the air.

DeVonta Smith Ruled Out With Concussion

The Eagles could be severely shorthanded for the road clash with the Buccaneers.

Smith has already been ruled out with his concussion and Brown’s hamstring is still on the mend.

As we saw in Week 3, the Eagles will likely turn to Dallas Goedert and Saquon Barkley at a high volume. Jalen Hurts could be more valuable on the ground as well if other players are not worked into the passing game.

Jahan Dotson is next up on the depth chart. He has not made a major contribution in the first three weeks despite Brown being out and injuries to Smith and slot receiver Britain Covey.

Any fantasy football replacements for Smith will come from outside the Eagles roster.

Arizona’s Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch are worth looks off the waiver wire. The Cardinals play Washington’s fourth-worst passing defense and will not have tight end Trey McBride available.

Buffalo’s Khalil Shakir, Green Bay’s collection of young wide outs and Atlanta’s Ray Ray McCloud are worth waiver-wire looks as well in matchups against bottom 10 pass defenses.