The biggest Week 4 absence for fantasy managers is Justin Jefferson. Minnesota ruled him out of Sunday's game against Miami with a left ankle sprain from the first drive of the Week 3 win over Tampa Bay. He didn't practice all week and will miss a game for the first time since 2023. The good news is that the Vikings don't see this as a long-term injury and hope he can play in Week 5 against New Orleans. Darnell Mooney is expected to pick up more of the work for now. Jefferson leads the team with 13 catches for 179 yards, so sit him this week but don't consider dropping him.
Two of the injured players are out for the rest of the season. De'Von Achane tore his ACL on an 11-yard run in the first quarter of Miami's 24-10 loss to Kansas City on Sept. 27, and the Dolphins put him on injured reserve the next day. He made his first Pro Bowl last season and signed a four-year, $64 million extension in the offseason. Miami is 0-3 and now has to rebuild its offense without its most explosive player. In redraft leagues, his roster spot is free to use.
Jayden Reed is also done for 2026. The Packers receiver hurt his neck in the Week 2 win over the Jets and was taken off the field on a stretcher. Green Bay placed him on injured reserve, and Matt LaFleur said Reed will need surgery. LaFleur also said the injury is not expected to end his career. In redraft leagues, you can drop him.
The Commanders are in London without their two best offensive players. Jayden Daniels dislocated his elbow against Dallas in Week 2, chose a brace instead of surgery and was limited in practice all week before Dan Quinn ruled him out against Indianapolis. Marcus Mariota is making his second start of the season. Terry McLaurin, who was questionable with a hamstring injury, was declared inactive, and running back Rachaad White (shoulder) is also out. Late reports say Mariota hurt his knee during the game, so check Washington's quarterback situation before you count on any Commanders player next week.
Philadelphia is missing three pass catchers against the Rams. DeVonta Smith, who leads the Eagles with 19 catches for 235 yards, is out with a hamstring injury. Dallas Goedert (knee) and Hollywood Brown (ankle) are also out. Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon are the receivers most likely to get extra targets. Smith was listed as questionable for Week 5, so his injury looks short-term. Goedert's timeline is less clear.
Chicago is also playing without its starting quarterback. Caleb Williams has a Grade 2 hamstring strain from the Week 2 loss to Minnesota, and Sunday's game against the Jets will be his second straight absence. Doctors projected a three-to-four-week recovery, and the Bears have called him week-to-week. Tyson Bagent took all the first-team practice reps and is expected to start, with Case Keenum as the backup. Williams is a stash on your bench, not a player to drop. Bears receivers should be valued lower until he's back.
The Jets are the opponent in that game, and they're missing their lead running back. Breece Hall hurt his quad late in the Week 3 game against Detroit, was ruled out for Chicago and is considered week-to-week. Braelon Allen took first-team reps and should get most of the carries, with Isaiah Davis also involved. Week-to-week means Allen could stay the lead back for more than one game. He's one of the better short-term pickups if he's still available in your league.
Baker Mayfield's injury will likely last the longest of anyone who isn't on season-ending injured reserve. He dislocated his right thumb in the loss to Minnesota. Todd Bowles said three weeks is the minimum, and the full estimate is three to six weeks, depending on when Mayfield can grip the ball. An MRI showed no damage beyond the dislocation, and surgery isn't expected. The Buccaneers haven't put him on injured reserve and don't expect to, even if he misses more than four weeks. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels starts in his place. That makes Tampa Bay's passing game hard to trust until Mayfield is back.
Sorted by how long they'll be out, the ten players fall into three groups. Jefferson and Smith may only miss this week. Hall, McLaurin, Goedert and Daniels are week-to-week. Williams and Mayfield will probably be out into mid-to-late October, and Achane and Reed won't play again this season. Keenan Allen of the Colts (groin) and Travis Etienne Jr. of the Saints (hamstring) are also out this week, so check your lineup before kickoff.