As the NFL heads into Week 4, several teams deal with significant injury questions after the season’s physically challenging first three weeks. For NFL fans and fantasy managers, the injury list is critical for understanding who might be out or limited in the upcoming games. Here is a breakdown of the notable injuries and what you need to know about them.
Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans
Joe Mixon has been sidelined with a foot injury and was put on the Reserved/Non-Football Injury list before the 2025 NFL season started. That meant Mixon would have to miss the season’s first four games.
At this time, Mixon isn’t due to be back until Week 5.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
The Commanders could use Terry McLaurin in their offense to give backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, who is starting in place of the injured Jayden Daniels, another target downfield.
McLaurin, though, had to leave the team’s Week 3 game in the third quarter with a quadriceps injury. He didn’t practice on Wednesday with the team.
#Commanders Terry McLaurin – Originally listed with a quad injury, but sought a second opinion with a core muscle specialist. Possible sports hernia, which could sideline him around three months. Makes him very high risk to miss Week 4 pic.twitter.com/Ax4IN2PzO2
— GameBlazers (@GameBlazersFF) September 25, 2025
Update 9/26: On Friday, McLaurin was ruled out of Sunday’s game and head coach Dan Quinn said that McLaurin was a “week-to-week” case. McLaurin did not practice with the Commanders on Thursday. He also reportedly sought out a second opinion from a core muscle specialist.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
The venerable Cowboys receiver had one play with the ball, a carry, against the Chicago Bears last week. However, he suffered a high-ankle sprain on the play and immediately headed to the Cowboys’ sidelines.
Can the Dallas Cowboys beat the Packers without CeeDee Lamb?!
(via https://t.co/LWGE8mhnqP) pic.twitter.com/Aj88caOs1K
— DLLS Cowboys (@DLLS_Cowboys) September 25, 2025
He came back into the game and tried to play through the injury, but Lamb immediately took himself out and didn’t return. At this time, Dallas is looking at a long-term recovery period for Lamb, meaning weeks, before he can return to play.
Update 9/26: On Friday, Cowboys reporter Jon Machota posted on X that it doesn’t sound like Lamb will go on Injured Reserve at this time.
Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets
Justin Fields has been dealing with a concussion that kept him out of the Jets’ Week 3 game. It’s not clear whether Fields will be ready to go in Week 4 or not. Fantasy players will keep their eyes on Fields’ availability. If he cannot go, then look for Tyrod Taylor to get another start for the Jets.
Jets HC Aaron Glenn said QB Justin Fields will practice today but remains in concussion protocol. pic.twitter.com/TGNiZFkvhL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 25, 2025
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said that Fields will practice on Thursday with the team but remains in concussion protocol, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Update 9/27: On Saturday, Glenn said “Justin is playing” when addressing reporters. On Friday, Fields was practicing with his Jets teammates, so it looks like he might be a full “go” on Sunday. Fields was a full participant in Thursday’s practice.
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Vikings fans will not see J.J. McCarthy on the field in Dublin, Ireland, when Minnesota plays the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Week 4 game. McCarthy is out with a high ankle sprain, meaning that Carson Wentz will get the call in the overseas contest.
Update 9/26: On Friday, McCarthy was ruled out of Sunday’s game.
Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Good news, 49ers fans. It looks like Brock Purdy is getting the start in Week 4 after dealing with shoulder and toe injuries over the past two weeks. If, for some reason, Purdy cannot go, then 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will ask Mac Jones to step up once again.
Update 9/26: On Friday, Shanahan said Purdy will start on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Purdy was back at 49ers practice on Thursday.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
It’s not looking good for Brandon Aiyuk right now.
#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk is “not close” to returning, per GM John Lynch on @KNBR. There hasn’t been a setback, but Aiyuk’s ACL tear was not clean and included other damage — leading to a longer timeline for his return. pic.twitter.com/o0dOSkenkE
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 25, 2025
Aiyuk has been dealing with an ACL tear, and 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Thursday that the star receiver is “not close” to returning to the team. The timeline for his return has been extended.
Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels went through a limited practice on Wednesday with his Commanders teammates. A knee sprain kept Daniels out of Washington’s Week 3 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Update 9/26: On Friday, the Commanders ruled Daniels out for Sunday’s game, meaning Marcus Mariota will start. Daniels practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday.
Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, WRs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Will this week be the one where Chris Godwin gets back into the receiving rotation for quarterback Baker Mayfield? The star receiver hasn’t seen the field in the Bucs’ first three games because of an ankle injury he suffered last season.
But Godwin has been working out with his Tampa Bay teammates, and it’s possible he will return on Sunday against the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
As for Mike Evans, he’s probably out for a few weeks while recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered last week against the New York Jets.
Update 9/26: On Friday, Godwin was listed as questionable, but Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Godwin was trending in the right direction. Godwin and Evans did not practice with team on Thursday.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield is dealing with a right biceps injury, but Mayfield did take part in the Buccaneers’ practice on Wednesday. He was hit on the arm when Tampa Bay played the New York Jets. But it appears that Mayfield will be ready to go in the Week 4 contest.
On Thursday, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard said that Mayfield was taking mental reps and preparing to play, according to Buccaneers beat writer Rick Stroud.
Update 9/26: On Friday, Mayfield was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. But Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that Mayfield was trending in the right direction.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders
A knee injury has hampered Jacory Croskey-Merritt a bit. Croskey-Merritt didn’t practice with the Commanders on Wednesday. The team should release new information about his status before their Week 4 game.
Update 9/26: On Friday, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that Croskey-Merritt had a good practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. Croskey-Merritt did not practice with Commanders on Thursday.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants
Tyrone Tracy Jr. suffered a dislocated shoulder in the Giants’ Week 3 game. It looks like Tracy will be out of action for between two and four weeks.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Xavier Worthy has been working his way back into game shape after suffering a dislocated shoulder when he collided with teammate Travis Kelce in a Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Worthy was a full participant in the Chiefs’ practice on Wednesday, and is expected to play in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Update 9/26: On Friday, Worthy was on the practice field with his teammates and is good to go on Sunday. Worthy was a full participant in the Chiefs’ practice on Thursday.
Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, WRs, San Francisco 49ers
Jauan Jennings didn’t play against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3 due to shoulder and ankle injuries. But it looks like Jennings will be back for the 49ers’ Week 4 contest.
Ricky Pearsall was kept on the sidelines from Wednesday’s practice with knee soreness. It appears that he will return to practice on Thursday and be ready to go on Sunday.
Update 9/26: On Friday, Jennings was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jennings did not take part in the 49ers practice on Thursday. Pearsall did return to practice for the 49ers on Thursday.
Malik Nabers, WR, and Graham Gano, K, New York Giants
A back injury sidelined Malik Nabers from the Giants’ practice on Wednesday. Back, shoulder, and toe injuries have been nagging at Nabers in the young season. However, he’s still expected to be on the field for Big Blue on Sunday.
Update 9/26: On Friday, Nabers was given the go-ahead for Sunday’s game. Nabers practiced in a limited role for the Giants on Thursday. Also on Friday, kicker Graham Gano was ruled out of Sunday’s game due to a groin injury. Younghoe Koo, who was signed to the Giants’ practice squad earlier this week, will make his Giants kicking debut on Sunday.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
Update 9/26: On Friday, Nico Collins, who has been dealing with a knee injury, was taken off the Injury Report and will be good to go on. Collins was a full participant in Thursday’s Texans practice.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
A calf injury sidelined Tetairoa McMillan from practicing with the Panthers on Wednesday. But it looks like he’s good to go for the team’s Week 4 game at this time.
Update 9/26: On Friday, McMillan was listed as questionable for this Sunday’s game after being limited in Friday’s work. McMillan was a limited participant at Thursday’s Panthers practice.
Davante Adams, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Davante Adams is dealing with a hamstring injury and didn’t practice with the Rams on Wednesday. But Rams head coach Sean McVay believes that Adams will either get back on the practice field or be good to go in Week 4.
Update 9/26: On Friday, the Rams listed Adams as questionable for the Rams’ game against the Indianapolis Colts. Adams was not seen at Thursday’s Rams practice.
Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Isaiah Likely suffered a broken foot during the Ravens’ training camp. He’s been working to get back into game shape after missing the team’s first three games, and was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.
Update 9/26: On Friday, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that Likely looks good to him but there’s been no decision on whether or not he will play this weekend. Likely was a full participant in Friday’s practice and listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Likely was a limited participant at Thursday’s Ravens practice.
Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers
Update 9/26: Josh Jacobs, who has been dealing with an ankle injury, was taken off the Injury Report and will be good to go on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
Micah Parsons, DE, Green Bay Packers
Update 9/26: On Friday, Micah Parsons, who has been dealing with a back injury, has been given the go-ahead for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
D’Andre Swift, RB, and Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears
Update 9/26: On Friday, D’Andre Swift, who has been dealing with a hip injury, was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Loveland, who has been dealing with a hip injury, too, also was listed as questionable.
Evan Engram, TE, Denver Broncos
Evan Engram didn’t play last week against the Los Angeles Chargers while dealing with a back injury. It’s not clear yet whether Engram will be ready for the team’s Week 4 contest or not.
Update 9/26: On Friday, Engram said he will be ready to go on “Monday Night Football” against the Cincinnati Bengals. Engram returned to Broncos practice on Thursday.
Out for the Year
- James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals (Foot)
- Trishton Jackson, WR, Arizona Cardinals (Thumb)
- Emory Jones, QB, Atlanta Falcons (Concussion)
- Dayton Wade, WR, Baltimore Ravens (Rib)
- Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers (Knee)
- Deion Hankins, RB, Chicago Bears (Shoulder)
- Cade McDonald, WR, Cleveland Browns (Undisclosed)
- Kye Robichaux, RB, Detroit Lions (Undisclosed)
- Irv Smith, TE, Houston Texans (Ankle)
- Brevin Jordan, TE, Houston Texans (Knee)
- D.J. Montgomery, WR, Indianapolis Colts (Undisclosed)
- Joshua Cephus, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (Undisclosed)
- Keaontay Ingram, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (Undisclosed)
- Najee Harris, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (Achilles)
- Alexander Mattison, RB, Miami Dolphins (Neck)
- Jalin Conyers, TE, Miami Dolphins (Leg)
- Rondale Moore, WR, Minnesota Vikings (Knee)
- Lan Larison, RB, New England Patriots (Foot)
- Deneric Prince, RB, New England Patriots (Undisclosed)
- Bub Means, WR, New Orleans Saints (Leg)
- Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR, New York Giants (Achilles)
- Johnny Wilson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (Knee)
- Donald Parham Jr, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (Achilles)
- Trent Taylor, WR, San Francisco 49ers (Undisclosed)
- Kenny McIntosh, RB, Seattle Seahawks (Knee)
- Jaden Smith, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Undisclosed)
- Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans (Shoulder)
- Austin Ekeler, RB, Washington Commanders (Achilles)
- Tyree Jackson, TE, Washington Commanders (Undisclosed)
