The injury bug struck again in a big time way to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week when Ben Roethlisberger suffered an MCL injury which will cost him the next 4-6 weeks.
Big Ben isn't the only man with major injury concerns going into Week 4, though.
RUNNING BACKS BY COMMITTEE
Running backs seem to have more injury attrition than any other position in the NFL, and this week is no exception. Just go down the list of running backs who are listed as questionable or worse for Week 4…
-Andre Ellington (knee)
-Tevin Coleman (ribs)
-LeSean McCoy (hamstring)
-Mike Tolbert (groin)
-Arian Foster (groin)
-Chris Ivory (groin)
-DeMarco Murray (hamstring)
-Reggie Bush (calf)
-Marshawn Lynch (hamstring)
The most notable of those injuries of course, is the recent one to "Beast Mode." You don't think of Lynch as a man who ever gets hurt because he look indestructible on the field, but a balky hamstring kept him on the sidelines for most of last week's win over the Bears. Thomas Rawls is a name you'll be hearing a lot of from fantasy footballers this week, as he was the man who picked up the slack with Lynch on the sidelines, though it should be noted that this week, the potential future Hall of Famer has an extra day to prepare because this week's game will be on Monday Night Football.
AN UNLUCKY SITUATION
Andrew Luck turned up on the injury report for the first time on Wednesday with what was classified as a "mild shoulder problem" by Chuck Pagano. It's definitely worthwhile to watch this situation for sure for the Colts, knowing that they are very fortunate to be 1-2 instead of 0-3 after coming back against the Titans last week on the road. Yes, this should end up being a non-issue, but many looked at the shoulder issue to Drew Brees as a non-issue as well, and not only did he not play in Week 3, but he might not play in Week 4 for the winless Saints either.
CONCUSSION STILL AN ISSUE FOR KUECHLY
Luke Kuechly is the best defensive player who has injury concerns, and he hasn't played since Week 1 of the season after suffering a concussion. All of a sudden, he's expected to sit out again this week, which is prompting concerns over a real long-term absence for Carolina's best defensive player. The only good news is that A.J. Klein, who replaced Kuechly at middle linebacker, has played two fantastic games for the Panthers.
OTHER NOTABLE WEEK 4 INJURIES
-Mike Iupati is questionable for the Cardinals with a knee injury, which would be a huge blow to a great offensive line if he didn't play.
-Jacob Tamme suffered a concussion and didn't play last week for the Falcons, and it is unlikely that he is going to be on the field this week either.
-Both Breshad Perriman (knee) and Crockett Gillmore (calf) are out for the Ravens on Thursday against Pittsburgh.
-Sammy Watkins is doubtful to play this week after picking up a calf injury last weekend. He and LeSean McCoy not playing will really put a damper on a Buffalo offense which has been flying high through three weeks of the year.
-Jay Cutler remains doubtful to return for the Bears with a hamstring injury. Jimmy Clausen, who was only better than Colin Kaepernick in Week 3, will again start in his place.
-Ziggy Ansah and DeAndre Levy are likely going to end up not playing this week for the Lions with hip and groin injuries respectively. Keep an eye on these two, knowing that Detroit plays on Monday this week in Seattle.
-Davante Adams is amongst three important questionable Packers for Week 4. Morgan Burnett and David Bakhtiari also got hurt against the Chiefs on Monday, and the fact that they are on a short week this week won't help get them back on the field.
-Both Duane Brown and Xavier Su'a-Filo are expected to start for the Texans this Sunday, marking the first time Houston will have had its projected starting offensive line on the field in totality in 2015.
-DeSean Jackson could return from a hamstring injury a week early this week. The Redskins could really use him, knowing that Pierre Garcon is their only other legitimate receiving threat on the outside. The news isn't as good for DeAngelo Hall, who will sit out this week and the next three or four with a toe injury suffered last Thursday against the Giants.
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