How to handle Sony Michel injury in Week 4 fantasy football

Game day update: Sony Michel has been downgraded to OUT and will not play in Week 4 vs. the Chiefs. James White and Rex Burkhead will lead the backfield, although Damien Harris could get some decent work in his return from injured reserve if the team formally activates him after a week of practice.

Everything is up in the air this week for the New England Patriots after quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday. Their Sunday game against the Chiefs has been pushed back to Monday or Tuesday, and there’s no guarantee that it’ll happen then. If it does happen, running back Sony Michel is questionable to play with a groin issue.

Fantasy impact: Sony Michel injury

Everything about this situation comes with a big asterisk. With one player testing positive for the virus, there’s a very real chance that it could spread further.

Michel is coming off a huge game last week against the Raiders, rolling for 117 yards on just nine carries. But we don’t have a clear indication of how serious his questionable designation is this week. Even if the Patriots do play, it’s probably best to find other options beyond Michel. Lightening rarely strikes twice in back-to-back games for Patriots running backs; there are just too many other mouths to feed.