The NFL schedule is into Week 4 and some notable players are dealing with injuries coming into the weekend like Andre Ellington, DeSean Jackson, DeMarco Murray, Victor Cruz, Tevin Coleman, Drew Brees, Marshawn Lynch, Julius Thomas, Davante Adams and Charles Johnson. Fantasy football owners should keep an eye on those players when injury reports come out to see if they will start this week.
Victor Cruz has announced that he is returning for Week 4 and fantasy football owners should look at starting the wideout for the Giants. Cruz may be a bit slow in his first game in nearly a year, but after being out for so long, fantasy owners likely are just as excited as Giants fans to see the WR back on the field. UPDATE: Cruz reportedly re-aggravated his calf injury in practice, his status will be updated later in the week. Drew Brees said to the media that he is hopeful that he can play in Week 4 after missing last week for the Saints. Luke McCown started in place of Brees for New Orleans. Adams had to leave the game for the Packers Monday and could miss time with an injury.
Andre Ellington has been dealing with a knee injury and he is expected to come back this week, according to head coach Bruce Arians. Fantasy owners should be careful with Ellington this week, as Arians also added that Chris Johnson will continue to get carries after stepping in to start. Johnson had his best game in a long stretch in Week 3 and Arians may want to start with the hot hand, especially if Ellington is not quite 100 percent yet. Ellington has only played in one game this season and has dealt with injury issues the past couple years.
DeSean Jackson has only appeared for one game this season for the Redskins and he has yet to register a catch this year. According to Jay Gruden, Jackson "could" return for Week 4 against the Eagles after missing the past two games. Jackson would be a huge boost for the offense, as the team has been starting Kirk Cousins and they could use another WR to help take the pressure off of Pierre Garcon. Getting Jackson back also could help open things up for Matt Jones and Alfred Morris.
Brees is parting this week and that is a good sign for him possibly starting in Week 4. Brees said last week after missing the game that he hoped that it would be a one week issue and that could be playing out now. Brees is dealing with a shoulder issue and he threw on Tuesday and now will get the chance to practice. McCown wasn't terrible for the Saints last week, but the team obviously wants Brees under center.
Murray missed the Jets game for the Eagles last week with a hamstring injury and all signs point to him starting in Week 4 of the season. Murray practiced on Tuesday and he will be looking to bounce back after a terrible start. Murray has just 11 yards on 21 carries after leading the league in rushing last season. Coleman missed last week for the Falcons with a rib injury and he likely will be out this week for the team, which would give Devonta Freeman another chance to start. Coleman could be back soon, but for now he is not a reliable fantasy option.
Check here for more injury updates and more on fantasy football options to pick up and start for Week 4.