Week 4 Fantasy Football Rankings: Targets For This Week's Injured Stars
The injury report for Week 4 in the NFL features some heavy hitters at key skill positions, including running back, wide receiver and tight end.
Enough so that some fantasy managers will be scrambling to replace them in lineups, looking for a placeholder to score them just enough points to remain competitive and come away with a victory in their match-up.
Who are the stars on the injury list and which waiver wire targets should managers consider in their absence?
Find out with this preview of the week in fantasy.
Tyler Conklin, TE, New York Jets
Tyler Conklin impressed in Week 3 against New England, catching five of six balls for 93 yards, tallying 9.3 points, and finishing fourth among all tight ends in fantasy. It was a strong performance from a player for whom expectations have been relatively high but whose play has not yet lived up to them.
There is something to be said about the trust he likely forged with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, though, as a third target behind Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall.
With injuries keeping Trey McBride and Evan Engram out of action this week, fantasy managers are left scurrying to find a player to plug in that void.
The Denver Broncos are allowing 10 points to opposing tight ends on 15 catches for 110 yards. There will be opportunities for Rodgers to exploit that defense.
It remains to be seen if Conklin can replicate his performance from last week but of the potential waiver targets amid the high-profile injuries, he stands the greatest chance of having a solid-or-better performance.
Conklin is available in 71 percent of Yahoo and 66 percent of ESPN leagues.
Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Cooper Kupp, Tank Dell, DeVonta Smith, and Davante Adams are top wide receivers and fantasy performers missing Week 4 due to injury.
With Marvin Harrison Jr. limited in practice, Michael Wilson is an intriguing target for managers looking to add depth to their roster or replace a star wideout stricken by injury.
Wilson caught 8 passes in Arizona's Week 3 loss to Detroit for 64 yards.
His stats have yet to stun anyone but against a bad Washington secondary, there is potential for him to breakout.
Yes, he has struggled against a two-high scheme that Washington utilizes just under 63 percent of the time, but the Commanders are giving up 52.07 points to opposing wide receivers.
With burgeoning star tight end McBride missing Sunday's game, there will be plenty of targets for Wilson.
The 24-year-old is available in 87 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
Alexander Mattison, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Despite officially being the No. 2 running back on the Raiders roster, Alexander Mattison has scored three times in three games and finished as a top 20 running back in two out of three weeks.
This despite tallying just 27 yards on the ground.
The former Viking has, however, established himself a threat in the passing game, adding 80 yards through the air to his totals this year.
Zamir White has received the majority of the Raiders' carries to lackluster results, averaging just 3.2 yards per carry with no touchdowns and a fumble.
The more Mattison scores, the more the Raiders' coaching staff will look to give him more touches.
Against a Cleveland Browns team giving up 20.50 fantasy points to opposing running backs, Mattison is an intriguing target for fantasy managers facing injuries to more prolific stars like Austin Ekeler, Joe Mixon, and Jaylen Warren.
Mattison is available to managers in over 60 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
All stats via FantasyPros unless otherwise stated.