The return of regular-season NFL action, unfortunately, also brings the return of injuries. Plenty of players got banged up in Week 4, while others suffered injuries that could knock them out for several weeks or more.
Let’s round up the most notable injury updates from this past week.
NFL Injury Updates for Week 4
Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
After missing most of his 2023 rookie campaign with injuries, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson hoped to make it through his second NFL season without a health-related pause.
While Richardson was sidelined for nearly all of Indy’s Week 4 win after suffering a hip pointer, he’s not expected to miss much (if any) time moving forward. The Colts rolled with backup QB Joe Flacco in their victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but that may have been the team playing it safe.
After the game, Richardson said he would undergo an MRI but expected to hear good news.
“I’m feeling a little sore but feeling good, and we got the W,” Richardson said. “I think I’m going to be good.”
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Although Richardson may not sit out any games due to his injury, the same can’t be said for Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, who suffered a high ankle sprain on Sunday.
#JonathanTaylor @Colts
Headed for missed time on same right anklehttps://t.co/RUlUTofVgA pic.twitter.com/rG3IV59nGi— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc)
Reports have suggested that Taylor’s injury is mild, but high ankle sprains are generally considered 4-6 week injuries. Even if Taylor beats that timeframe, he’ll likely be sidelined for at least a couple of games.
Ankle injuries are especially concerning for Taylor, who followed his 2021 All-Pro campaign by missing most of the 2022 season with a sprained ankle.
Trey Sermon is the Colts’ RB2 and will be in line for a significant workload, assuming Taylor can’t play in Week 5. Indy will face the 0-4 Jacksonville Jaguars, who rank ninth worst in expected points added (EPA) per play against the run.
Third-stringer Tyler Goodson is also available as a potential receiving option.
Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Etienne Jr. returned to Sunday’s game after suffering a shoulder injury, a positive sign that the Jaguars’ running back will be available moving forward. Still, Etienne’s practice status will be worth watching this week after he split carries with fellow RB Tank Bigsby in Week 4.
Etienne finished with 11 attempts for 50 yards, while Bigsby took seven rushes for 90 yards. Etienne has been held under a 60% rushing share twice this season after finishing below that mark only two times in all of 2023, according to JJ Zachariason.
Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
With Jaylen Warren (knee) sidelined in Week 4, Cordarrelle Patterson worked as Najee Harris’ backup. But the veteran Steelers running back couldn’t finish the club’s loss to the Colts on Sunday, exiting after suffering a second-quarter ankle injury.
Patterson never returned, so we’ll need to monitor his practice participation throughout the week. Aaron Shampklin, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Harvard, is next on Pittsburgh’s RB depth chart. He took one carry for five yards against Indy.
Tyler Badie, RB, Denver Broncos
Broncos RB Tyler Badie suffered a scary injury on Sunday. After taking what initially seemed like an innocuous hit after making a second-quarter catch, Badie dropped to his hands and knees along the sideline. He was eventually put onto a stretcher and taken off the field.
Fortunately, Badie returned to Denver on a commercial flight with the rest of his teammates on Sunday evening.
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are expecting the worst after watching wide receiver Rashee Rice go down with a significant knee injury in their Week 4 win against the Los Angeles Chargers. While Kansas City is still awaiting an official diagnosis, Rice is feared to have torn his ACL on Sunday.
Patrick Mahomes already lost running back Isiah Pacheco and wideout Hollywood Brown to injuries, but Rice’s absence will be even more difficult for the Chiefs’ offense to overcome.
Rashee Rice gets injured trying to make a tackle after this Patrick Mahomes INT pic.twitter.com/wgn05fsvt8
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365)
Rice is at the center of Kansas City’s offense. His 33.3% target share ranks second only to New York Giants rookie wideout Malik Nabers.
The Chiefs’ underneath passing strategy has benefited Rice, who entered Week 4 leading the league with 23 receptions and 3.39 yards per route run. While he’d only averaged 5.21 air yards per route, Rice had made up for his lack of depth by averaging 7.8 yards after the catch, fourth-best among wideouts.
K.C. still has future Hall of Fame TE Travis Kelce and first-round rookie WR Xavier Worthy, but general manager Brett Veach might have to consider trading for another pass catcher.
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers
Christian Watson spent the offseason trying to correct his longstanding hamstring issues, only to suffer an ankle injury on a freak play in Week 4. Watson’s left leg was stuck underneath a Minnesota Vikings defender on a late-first-quarter interception of Jordan Love.
The fourth-year WR might’ve been lucky to escape with only a high ankle sprain. Still, Watson is expected to miss time, probably somewhere in the 4-6 week range. He’s a candidate for injured reserve.
Fellow Green Bay receiver Dontayvion Wicks is in line for more snaps with Watson sidelined. Wicks, a 2023 fifth-round pick, brought in five catches and two touchdowns on a whopping 13 targets on Sunday.
The Packers have deployed 11 personnel (three WRs) on 75.2% of their offensive plays through the first four weeks of the season, the NFL’s sixth-highest rate. Wicks will be on the field.
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints
Taysom Hill scored two rushing touchdowns on six touches in the Saints’ Week 4 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but the versatile weapon was injured on his second score. While Hill missed Week 3 with a chest injury, head coach Dennis Allen said the 34-year-old is now dealing with a new rib issue.
