Is it Week 4 of the NFL regular season already? Where has the time gone?
Nevertheless, the action from the first four weeks of the year has been nothing short of sensational. Some teams have surprised fans and experts, while others have underperformed so far in 2021. Injuries have affected squads early in the campaign, and they will have to make some tough decisions regarding certain players that are injured on their rosters.
Some franchises have already decided how long some of their injured players will be out of game action.
The Carolina Panthers will be without running back Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) and cornerback Jaycee Horn (foot) for a few weeks after they both suffered injuries against the Houston Texans last Thursday. The quarterback drama for the Chicago Bears continues, as Andy Dalton (knee) and Justin Fields (hand) landed on the injury report this week. Finally, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost a speedy pass-catcher as Scotty Miller went on the injured reserve list with a turf toe injury.
Injuries are a part of the game, but teams could face an uphill battle without certain players. Our NFL reporters provide updates on some key players before Sunday's action begins.
Russell Gage, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Injury: Ankle
Gage would miss his second straight game - cutting off Atlanta's near-catching group by a starter. Last week, Olamide Zackius caught a touchdown after receiving more snaps in place of Gage. The combination of Zaccheaus and Tajae Sharpe will be packed into two-receiver packages and the option of having more than two running backs or two tight end looks remains as a possible part of the plan. Atlanta would also be without rotational defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (ankle).
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Injury: Back
Jackson returned to practice on Friday, but he didn't look like a quarterback who had missed the past two days with a pain. Officially listed as suspect, Jackson was a full participant in the exercise and did not favor his back. He threw on the run and went around the pocket. When asked what Jackson looked like in practice, wide receiver Marquis Brown called it "real good" and said he believed Jackson was as accurate at throwing the ball as he has been throughout the season.
Jordan Poyer, S, Buffalo Bills
Injury: Ankle
Poore was injured during the Bills' 43-21 win over the Washington football team last week. Security has not been introduced since the 2017 season. He had an interception in the win over Washington and has 12 tackles this year. Jacen Johnson came to Poore in the third week for him and could start in his place.
Injury: Concussion
Feliciano began the week with the disease on a limited basis. He was then downgraded for not practicing in Thursday's practice with an injury. Fourth-year guard Ike Boettger is likely to get a start instead of left guard. Boettger started seven games last year, while Feliciano recovered from a torn pectoral muscle.
Andy Dalton, QB, Chicago Bears
Injury: Left Knee
The Bears are waiting until game-time to reveal the identity of their starting quarterback for Sunday's game versus the Detroit Lions. Bears coach Matt Nagy has said Dalton remains the team's starter when he recovers, but Dalton was limited in practice throughout the week and is doubtful about facing the Lions. Dalton said Friday that his knee injury is improving, but rookie Justin Fields looks the healthier of the two, even though Fields suffered a right thumb injury in Cleveland last week.
Greg Newsome, CB, Cleveland Browns
Injury: Calf
The first-round pick out of Northwestern has been ruled out of Sunday's game in Minnesota with a calf injury. In his place, Greedy Williams will get the start. -- Jake Trotter
Randy Gregory, DE, Dallas Cowboys
Injury: Knee
Gregory missed Thursday's practice with a knee injury but said he looked forward to playing against Carolina on Sunday. Gregory had an MRI and it may be something that the team monitors to make sure he can reach game day.
With Gregory banging out and Dorrance Armstrong (ankle) and Bradley Anne (COVID), the Cowboys could have gone with more defensive linemen on the active roster. The plan is to use Micah Parsons in the pass rush, but he also saw work on the linebacker during practice week. --Todd Archer
Graham Glasgow, G, Denver Broncos
Injury: Knee
Glasgow injured his knee in this past week's game against the New York Jets. Unless he improves over the next few days, the guard could be out for Denver's Week 5 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. -- Jeff Legwold
Injury: Foot
Both Broncos guard spots have been hit with injuries as Reisner is battling a leg ailment. If Risner and Glasgow cannot play, Denver have Netten Muti on the right guard and rookie Quinn Meinerz on the left guard. Both players are powerful and more comfortable in run point at this stage of their careers, but the Broncos are so proficient in their two and three tight end sets in the passing game, they wouldn't feel too hesitant to throw the ball if they smashed into the pass safety. And wanted to get the Meerj as well.
Trey Flowers, LB, Detroit Lions
Injury: Shoulder/Knee
The Lions' defense will have to be sluggish to secure their first win on the road at Soldier Field. For the second week in a row, Trey Flowers has been out of action due to a shoulder/knee injury. The team is hopeful that he will make a comeback soon, but the young players are taking advantage of the opportunities.
“To be honest with you, we are in a very good place, just deep down and it is more – I feel like we are – it is also the right thing for Trey, which in turn is also true for us in the long run. Lions coach Dan Campbell said on Friday. “If we can get him back where he’s feeling really well, I think in the long run, it will be good for him and us. Will talk." --Eric Woodyard
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Green Bay Packers
Injury: Hamstring
Aaron Rodgers would be without his best deep-threat receiver. While Valdes-Scantling has started slowly this year, he showed signs of a Sunday victory over the San Francisco 49ers last year with a 12-yard touchdown catch, 47-yard deep ball reception and 24-yard pass interference penalty. Unfortunately, he pulled his hamstring in the fourth quarter and was ruled out against the Steelers on Sunday. — Robert Demovsky
Quenton Nelson, G, Indianapolis Colts
Injury: Ankle
Nelson is missing his first NFL game, after starting all 51 competitions of his career due to an ankle injury. According to ESPN Stats & Information, his 75.5% run-block win rate is the first among NFL guards since entering the league. Nelson's 95% pass-block win rate is third, so the Colts will feel Nelson's absence significantly. — Mike Wells
Frank Clark, DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Injury: Hamstring
Ahead of Sunday's match, the Chiefs will decide whether Clarke, who has a hamstring injury, can play against the Philadelphia Eagles. He has missed two out of three games this season, and the Chiefs could use his pass-rush ability. They only have four sacks, one of the reasons is that they are starting 1-2. — Adam Teacher
Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Injury: Ankle
Jacobs, who missed the Raiders' last two matches, returned to practice on Thursday but was restricted to two drills. Raiders coach John Gruden slowed down Jacobs' return on Thursday, as did quarterback Derek Carr. In fact, Gruden said he wouldn't hesitate to play Peyton Barber in a leading role at the Chargers on Monday night after his career-high 111-yard performance last week. --Paul Gutierrez
Darrell Henderson, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Injury: Ribs
Rams coach Sean McVay said Henderson will play in a division opener against the undefeated Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Henderson suffered a rib cartilage injury in a Week 2 win over the Indianapolis Colts and was inactive for a Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. — Lindsay Thirieu
Michael Deiter, C, Miami Dolphins
Injury: Foot/Quad
Usually reserved about injuries to his players, Dolphins coach Brian Flores announced that Dieter suffered an injury during practice on Wednesday and would miss not only Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts, but possibly injured reserve. will also be kept. Flores said it was too early to tell whether Dieter would return this season - although that's his typical reaction to the timing of players' injuries. Former Baltimore Ravens OL Greg Mainz will start for Miami in place of Deiter. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques
Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Injury: Ankle
There's good and bad news for the Vikings this week. Good News? Dalwyn Cook practiced every day this week and seemed optimistic about his condition after missing the third week with an ankle injury. "I have full confidence in what's going on in the training room and what they're doing to get me back on the field," Cook said. "I am extremely confident." -- Courtney Cronin
Injury: Elbow/Shoulder
bad news? Nose tackle Michael Pierce has been battling elbow and shoulder injuries and is a suspect for Week 4. To be without Pierce against Cleveland's leading running attack, who averaged 5.1 yards per run, would be challenging for the Vikings' defense.
Nick Folk, K, New England Patriots
Injury: Knee
Folk was limited in practice as preparations were underway this week, but the team proceeded as if with a strong chance of kicking off Sunday night. With Folk scoring 35 consecutive field goals—the longest streak in franchise history and tied for the seventh longest streak in league history (Adam Vinatieri, 44)—it's good news for the Patriots. — Mike Rees
Terron Armstead, T, New Orleans Saints
Injury: Elbow
The Saints will be without two standout offensive linemen after Armstead's injury last week and center Eric McCoy has been relegated since Week 1. Fortunately, the Saints have a seasoned backup substitute in James Hurst, who held Armstead's place well both in New England last week and for two games last season. But Armstead is one of the NFL's best left tacklers, so his absence will certainly be felt. — Mike Triplett
Sterling Shepard, WR, New York Giants
Injury: Hamstring
Shepard and Darius Slayton will miss Sunday's match in New Orleans due to hamstring injuries. He didn't practice at all this week. That's a big blow considering Shepard (18 catches, 223 yards and 1 touchdown) has been the Giants' best and most productive receiver in 2021. Slayton (7 receptions, 127 yards and a score) has had some big plays this year as well. His absence makes Kenny Gollade and Kadarius Tony a more deliciously fictional choice against a tough Saints defense. -- Jordan Queenie
Jamison Crowder, WR, New York Jets
Injury: Groin
Crowder is set to debut in 2021. "Feels good," said coach Robert Saleh. The 28-year-old receiver hasn't played since preseason, so it's hard to imagine he'd make every rep out of slot position. Look to share the time with Braxton Berrios, the team's lead receiver through three games. -- Amir Cimini
Rodney McLeod, S, Philadelphia Eagles
Injury: Knee
McLeod, who tore his ACL in December, is set to make his season debut. His return is timely, with K'Von Wallace being placed on injured reserve this week with a separated shoulder. One other significant piece of injury news: left tackle Jordan Mailata will miss his second straight game with an MCL strain. Andre Dillard will get the start. --Tim McManus
Chase Claypool, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Injury: Hamstring
Claypool first appeared in the injury report on Thursday as a limited participant with a hamstring injury. He did not practice on Friday and is listed as a suspect for Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Claypool's injury can take away one of the Steelers' best intermediate and deep threats, and he has been really valuable in catching some combat or calling pass interference. The silver lining is that Claypool is suspect, while WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (ribs) and Dionte Johnson (knees) were both full participants on Friday and do not have injury designations. — Brooke Prior
George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
Injury: Calf
Kittel did not take part in practice on Wednesday or Thursday and was limited on Friday in what coach Kyle Shanahan described as calf soreness from the move in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. Earlier in the week, Shanahan seemed optimistic that his star tight end would be available against the Seattle Seahawks, but Kittel's return looks slower than expected. He's officially listed as a suspect for Sunday, but Shanahan said he'll have a good idea of whether Kittel is ready on Saturday afternoon. If Kittel can't play, Ross Dweley will step in for him. — Nick Wagner
Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Lockett is listed as suspect with a hip injury, but Pete Carroll looks optimistic he will play against the 49ers on Sunday. The locket was limited on Wednesday, sat down on Thursday and listed as a full participant in Friday's light exercise.
"We gave him rest during the week and he's had a bunch of treatments and he's feeling well," Carroll said.
DK Metcalf is expected to play on Thursday following reports of a hamstring injury. Seattle's receiver core will probably be without rookie D'Escridge for the third straight game. The second-round pick cleared the concussion protocol this week, but is listed as doubtful. — Brady Henderson
Rob Gronkowski, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Injury: Ribs
Gronkowski was seen Friday during the part of the exercise that was open to the media, but he was officially listed as a "non-participant" on the injury report. Still, he has not been ruled out for Sunday. Unless he was downgraded on Saturday, he could still travel with the team to Foxborough and test the ribs on game day. It would be a huge loss for the Bucs, as he leads the team with four touchdowns - not to mention the importance of returning to New England to play.
Injury: Shoulder/Hand
Coach Bruce Arians said earlier this week that it was unlikely Pierre-Paul, one of the team's biggest leaders on defense, would play, but Pierre-Paul surprised everyone by practicing Friday for the first time since Sept 15. He's officially listed as questionable on the injury report, but he told Arians, "If I'm traveling, I'm playing." -- Jenna Laine
Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington
Injury: Shin
Gibson was out of practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday with a shin injury that occurred during last week's loss to Buffalo. He is listed as a suspect on the injury report. Washington coach Ron Rivera said the team is optimistic that Gibson will play in Atlanta. However, he said he would like to see how Gibson's shin reacts this weekend. — John Keemo