NFL Injury Report: Week 4

1. Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers) – MCL Sprain

Ravens at Steelers (Thursday, 8:25 PM ET)

There weren't as many injuries this past Sunday as previous ones this year, but Roethlisberger going down with a knee injury is a huge blow to the Steelers' season. The initial reports were he would be out 3-to-4 weeks with an MCL sprain, but now there is fear it could keep him out closer to six weeks as there is also a deep bone bruise. Michael Vick came in to replace Big Ben, and he looked decent, but he's a shell of his former video-game self. The biggest benefactor should be Le'Veon Bell, whose floor for touches this week has to be around 20, with a potential for 30-plus. Antonio Brown, and the rest of the Steeler passing game, should see a decline in production, but that makes Brown a good contrarian play this week as many may shy away from him. The Ravens secondary has been absolutely shredded so far this season and are ranked near the bottom of the league in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus (PFF). This would have been a dream matchup if Ben was healthy, as the Steelers aerial attack is number-one at PFF. I don't mind Vick, Brown or Heath Miller in a GPP, but will opt for safer options in cash games.

2. Drew Brees (Saints) – Shoulder Injury

Cowboys at Saints (Sunday, 8:25 PM ET)

This will be an interesting situation to monitor leading up to Sunday, as Brees was initially expected to miss another week, but is now saying he expects to play against the Cowboys on Sunday Night. The Cowboys secondary hung with Atlanta for one half this week, but they got gashed by Matt Ryan and Julio Jones in the second half. I think this is more of an anomaly for the Cowboys defense that looked good throughout the first two weeks, but if Brees is able to go Sunday, he makes for an interesting play in GPPs. If he isn't able to go, I would avoid the Saints passing attack and focus on Mark Ingram, who had 99 yards on 19 touches and was utilized in the passing game with five catches on five targets for 49 yards. Brandin Cooks had a good game with seven catches for 79 yards on eight targets against the Panthers, and if Brees is able to go, he could be in line for a big game.

3. Lesean McCoy (Bills) - Hamstring

Giants at Bills (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)

The situation with McCoy doesn't seem to be any clearer heading into next week with mixed signals left and right. McCoy was quoted as saying he's basically playing on “one and half legs," and head coach Rex Ryan went from being totally against resting McCoy, to being open to the option in Monday's press conference. If McCoy does get held out against the Giants, Karlos Williams will be a staple of my DFS and season-long lineups. Even with McCoy in the lineup, Williams has found the end zone in all three games and has looked very explosive and surprisingly elusive for such a big man. Tyrod Taylor will be another popular option this week for the Bills, as he will get to face the second to last ranked pass coverage of the Giants, according to PFF.

4. Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks) – Hamstring Injury

Lions at Seahawks (Sunday, 4.25 PM ET)

There we question marks surrounding Lunch going into this past Sunday's game against the Bears, and he ended up starting, but not finishing the game. This was very annoying for anyone who started Lynch against the lowly Bears. I think this was more precautionary on the part of the Seahawks, who knew the Bears were going to have a tough time putting up any points against them. I would expect Lynch to play this Sunday, but if he doesn't, Russell Wilson will be forced to throw, and probably run more, making him a fantastic option against the Lions defense. In place of Lynch, back-up running back Thomas Rawls gashed the Bears front-seven to the tune of 104 yards on only 16 carries. If Lynch is unable to go, Rawls will make a great play as a cheap option who should see plenty of touches.

5. Alshon Jeffery(Bears) – Hamstring Injury

Raiders at Bears (Sunday, 10:00 AM ET)

Jeffery was held out, smartly I think, against the Seahawks this past Sunday as he is still rehabbing a tweaked hamstring. He looks to return this Sunday against the Raiders in a game where there could be a lot of points scored, and Jeffery will return to being a focal point of the Bears offense. Jimmy Clausen did not look good under center against the Seahawks, but a home matchup against the Raiders isn't one to scare me off of Jeffery, regardless of quarterback. The Raiders are ranked 27 ^th in pass coverage by PFF, and they don't have any corners capable of covering a receiver with Jeffery's profile. Monitor his progress in practice throughout the week, as he is expected to fully participate. Like Lynch, I think he probably could have played on Sunday, but the Bears were just being cautious, as he's already re-aggravated the injury once.