Injuries are an unfortunate reality of every NFL season. For worried fantasy managers or opportunistic DFS players, they can make or break your entire lineup. What could have been a relaxing weekend can suddenly turn into hours of scrolling social media for any breaking news.
Luckily, DraftKings Network has you covered. Tune in to Meghan Townsley (@mtownsleyy) and Steve Buchanan (@SBuchanan24) on Injury Report Live, streaming every Friday at 3 p.m. ET on DKN X and YouTube!
The pair will react to the latest injury updates, analyze the juiciest matchups of the week, and discuss their favorite DFS and season-long fantasy plays before Sunday’s NFL action kicks off.
If you missed Friday’s full show, no worries! Here’s what you need to know before setting your lineups:
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers – 1:00 PM EST
GB QB Jordan Love ($6,000)
Green Bay’s star signal caller could be returning soon. After suffering an MCL sprain in Week 1 against the Eagles, Love received a surprising “questionable” tag entering last weekend’s matchup with the Titans. Although the Packers have held out their young QB thus far, he appears likely to start in a pivotal clash with the Vikings on Sunday.
- The Packers pass game could have some success in the slot. Expect a big game from Jayden Reed ($6,000) against Brian Flores’ defense:
- However, Meghan expects a heavy focus on the run game from Green Bay. She’s staying away from a less-mobile Love.
- Tucker Kraft ($3,000) is a dirt-cheap DFS option that has taken over the TE1 role from Luke Musgrave ($2,800). He could have a nice day with Love back.
SEPTEMBER 28: Love is ACTIVE for Sunday’s game
See their full analysis here:
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans – 1:00 PM EST
HOU WRs Nico Collins ($7,200) and Tank Dell (OUT)
While the Texans will be without one of their best receivers this weekend in Dell, they won’t be too shorthanded. Target monster Collins ($7,200) is expected to play against the Jaguars in Week 4, boosting Houston’s chances as six-point favorites. Going into a favorable matchup, Meghan and Steve went in-depth on what fantasy managers can expect from C.J. Stroud ($7,000) and company this Sunday.
- Collins is Meghan’s expensive pick of the week. Despite a hefty price, Jacksonville’s secondary has allowed the 30th most passing yards in football.
- Steve thinks the injury-prone wide receiver landscape across the NFL makes Collins and teammate Stefon Diggs ($6,600) even more valuable than normal. The pair have over half of Houston’s total receiving yards and all of its receiving touchdowns.
- Meghan is all-in on Collins receiving yards (over 84.5 at -115), while Steve likes the over on longest reception (28.5 yards at -115).
See their full analysis here:
Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1:00 PM EST
PHI WRs A.J. Brown ($7,800) and DeVonta Smith (OUT)
The Eagles may be 2-1, but their offense is in disarray. After missing Brown (hamstring) for the past two weeks, Philly was dealt a brutal blow when Smith left last week’s game in New Orleans with a concussion.
As it stands, Smith has already been ruled out for Week 4’s matchup with the Buccaneers. However, Brown is currently questionable.
- Steve would be surprised if Brown takes the field. However, he’s fading presumptive WR1 Jahan Dotson ($5,000), who simply hasn’t produced enough to trust him in your lineups.
- At just $100 more than Dotson, Dallas Goedert ($5,100) is easily the best value on the Eagles this week. The veteran tight end had a monster Week 4 against the Saints (10 catches, 170 yards) and could be a good anytime TD value at +175.
- Despite their reputation as an elite offense, Jalen Hurts’ ($7,200) rough start is enough to scare Meghan away from most Philly pass-catchers.
SEPTEMBER 28: Brown has been ruled OUT of Sunday’s game.
See their full analysis here:
TB WRs Chris Godwin ($6,800) and Mike Evans ($7,000)
Tampa Bay’s veteran wide receiver duo both popped up on the Buccaneers’ injury report this week. While both have been cleared to play in this weekend’s game with the Eagles, Meghan and Steve might not start one of the two pass-catchers in their DFS and season-long fantasy lineups.
- Godwin has solidified himself as an elite option at wide receiver this season (253 yards and three touchdowns), so Meghan has no hesitation penciling him into her lineup.
- The decision to start isn’t so clear for Evans. Baker Mayfield’s ($6,400) inconsistency makes him a very touchdown-dependent play. After last week’s poor showing vs. the Broncos (six total points), the Bucs offense might not be able to support two fantasy WR1s.
- Mayfield’s lack of downfield passes (only four attempts of 20+ yards this season) benefits Godwin, a slot-specialist, at the cost of Evans, a deep threat.
See their full analysis here:
Washington Commanders @ Arizona Cardinals – 4:05 PM EST
WSH RB Austin Ekeler (OUT)
Right after scoring his first touchdown of the season, Ekeler left Monday’s game against the Bengals with concussion-like symptoms. With Washington’s offseason addition officially ruled out, Meghan and Steve discussed how Jayden Daniels ($6,500) and the Commanders‘ offense might look against the Cardinals this weekend.
- With Ekeler out, Brian Robinson Jr. ($6,100) becomes a top running back for Sunday’s slate. He’s one of Meghan’s favorite DFS play for Week 4.
- Steve’s only concern for Robinson Jr. is that a game against Arizona’s dynamic passing attack might get out of hand. The Cardinals are 3.5-point favorites.
- Third-string back Jeremy McNichols ($4,000) could see an uptick in passing work, especially if the Commanders are trailing by multiple scores.
See their full analysis here:
ARI WR Marvin Harrison Jr. ($7.500)
Despite some injury-related concerns this week, Harrison Jr. (quad) should be ready to go this week against a vulnerable Commanders defense.
MHJ has been as-advertised so far, hauling in 198 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Assuming he plays Sunday, Meghan and Steve are all-in on the rookie.
- Steve is calling this week’s matchup with Washington’s abysmal secondary “a dream spot” for Harrison Jr.
- The Commanders have allowed an average of 54 DraftKings fantasy points per game to wide receivers, easily the worst in the league.
- With target monster Trey McBride (concussion) out, Kyler Murray ($6,800) should look Harrison Jr.’s way frequently.
See their full analysis here:
New England Patriots @ San Francisco 49ers – 4:05 PM EST
SF TE George Kittle ($5,500)
The 49ers offense is injury-ravaged, but they should be getting a key piece of the offense back this week. Kittle, along with QB Brock Purdy ($6,100), is off the injury report for this Sunday’s game against the Patriots. So, what can we expect from San Francisco’s offense in Week 4?
- Fresh off a monster performance against the Rams, Meghan still likes Jauan Jennings ($5,600) this week. Brandon Aiyuk’s ($6,400) early-season struggles should have Purdy keeping other receivers involved.
- Steve thinks recency bias could trick people into over-rostering Jennings. However, Aiyuk will have a softer matchup against Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who hasn’t looked the same this year.
- When playing in Cover 2, New England’s secondary has given up plenty of completions downfield.
See their full analysis here:
Cleveland Browns @ Las Vegas Raiders 49ers – 4:25 PM EST
LV WR Davante Adams (OUT)
The Raiders will be without Adams (hamstring), one of the better wide receivers in the league, this Sunday against the Browns. With Las Vegas’ Pro Bowler out, Meghan and Steve aren’t sure if any wide receiver on the team is worth playing in your DFS and season-long fantasy lineups.
- The news of Adams’ injury isn’t that devastating from a fantasy perspective. Given his decline in Las Vegas’ offense, and Cleveland’s terrific defense, this was never going to be an easy matchup.
- Steve: “Nobody feels safe for me on the Raiders going up against the Browns.” That includes Jakobi Meyers ($5,500), who should get more attention this week:
- Brock Bowers ($5,600) is the early favorite to lead Las Vegas in receiving on Sunday. He’s the second-highest targeted tight end in football, but a high price and mediocre QB play makes this a tough sell.
See their full analysis here:
Kansas City Chiefs @ Los Angeles Chargers – 4:25 PM EST
LAC QB Justin Herbert ($5,500)
The Chargers quarterback left last week’s game against the Steelers in a walking boot. However, he currently has a shot at playing the Chiefs on Sunday and was officially listed as questionable.
Still, Meghan and Steve expressed some serious concern about starting Herbert in DFS and season-long fantasy formats.
- Steve says “there is no way” he is putting Herbert in any of his lineups. An injury-ravaged offensive line trying to block Chris Jones is a recipe for disaster.
- When Herbert was under heavy pressure last year, he struggled (six of seven INTs under pressure in 2023).
- Other options to start at QB over Herbert include: Justin Fields ($5,500), Caleb Williams ($5,600), or even Andy Dalton ($5,300).
- Even if he was fully healthy, Herbert wouldn’t be throwing the ball much in Jim Harbaugh’s run-first offense.
See their full analysis here:
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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