NFL Week 4 Takes a Heavy Toll as Stars Go Down Across the League
Week 4 delivered another full Sunday of NFL football, but by the end of the afternoon, some of the biggest conversations around the league had little to do with the final scores.
Lamar Jackson, Saquon Barkley and Ja’Marr Chase were among a long list of notable players forced from games with injuries, leaving several contenders waiting for medical evaluations that could carry implications well beyond one weekend.
In Baltimore, perhaps the most significant scare came when Lamar Jackson suffered a left ankle injury during the Ravens’ 24-18 victory over Tennessee. Jackson appeared to turn the ankle while trying to escape a sack and did not return for the second half.
The early outlook provided some relief for Baltimore. Jackson is believed to be day-to-day after avoiding what appears to be a major injury, though he left the stadium wearing a protective boot. Before exiting, the two-time MVP had completed 15 of 20 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. (Reuters)
Jackson was hardly Baltimore’s only casualty. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey left with a calf injury, guard Andrew Vorhees suffered a foot injury and tight end Durham Smythe exited with an Achilles injury. (Reuters)
The injuries were just as concerning in Philadelphia.
Saquon Barkley lasted only two carries in the Eagles’ 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams before a hamstring injury ended his afternoon. Barkley began limping after a six-yard run in the opening quarter before heading to the medical tent.
Philadelphia did not immediately provide a timetable for Barkley, although he was reportedly walking normally while leaving the stadium. His status becomes particularly important for an Eagles offense that entered Sunday already without DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. (Reuters)
Cincinnati suffered its own damaging pair of injuries.
Ja’Marr Chase entered concussion protocol after his head struck the turf during the Bengals’ 22-17 loss to Jacksonville. Chase finished with three catches for 27 yards before being ruled out.
Then came another problem.
Tee Higgins, who had put together a huge afternoon with 11 receptions for 157 yards, suffered an adductor injury late in the game. Higgins briefly attempted to return before being unable to continue. Cincinnati now faces the possibility of entering its next game without one or both of its top receivers. (Reuters)
Kansas City wasn’t spared either.
Rashee Rice left the Chiefs’ 30-27 victory over Las Vegas with a hamstring injury, while Tyquan Thornton suffered the more serious injury of the two. Thornton injured his left ankle after hauling in a 55-yard reception and was unable to stand afterward.
Thornton was later reported to have suffered a dislocated ankle and is expected to be out indefinitely. (Reuters)
The situation was particularly rough in Washington, where the Commanders were already playing without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Backup Marcus Mariota suffered a right knee injury during Washington’s 30-13 loss to Indianapolis in London, forcing seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis into his NFL debut. Washington has now been forced to use three quarterbacks through only four games. (The Washington Post)
Wide receiver and return specialist Jaylin Lane was also carted from the field with a significant-looking lower-leg injury, adding another concern to an already depleted Commanders roster. (Reuters)
Green Bay may have suffered one of Sunday’s most serious injuries.
Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is believed to have suffered a torn Achilles during the Packers’ 17-14 victory over Tampa Bay. Cooper went down without contact and was carted from the field. Packers coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged afterward that the injury was likely season-ending. (National Football Post)
The damage stretched even further around the league.
Buffalo wide receiver DJ Moore aggravated a shoulder injury against New England, while defensive tackle Ed Oliver injured his knee. Denver lost both starting cornerbacks, Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss, during its loss to San Francisco. The Chargers watched four starters — Ladd McConkey, Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt and Donte Jackson — leave their loss to Seattle with injuries. (NFL)
Arizona offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. also suffered a biceps injury, while San Francisco fullback Kyle Juszczyk is believed to have suffered a knee sprain. (NFL)
Injuries are an unavoidable part of an NFL season, but Week 4 packed an unusually large number of consequential ones into a single Sunday.
Some teams appear to have avoided the worst-case scenario. Others may not be so fortunate.
With Jackson, Barkley, Chase, Higgins, Rice and several other starters now facing additional testing or recovery time, the fallout from Week 4 could extend far beyond Sunday’s final whistle. For teams with postseason expectations, the next round of injury reports may prove nearly as important as the standings themselves.
