2026 NFL Week 4 injury report: Achane's season over, Mayfield out at least three weeks, Horn out indefinitely
Miami loses De'Von Achane for the season, Tampa Bay loses Baker Mayfield for at least three weeks, and Carolina loses Jaycee Horn indefinitely, in the Week 4 injury and lineup picture.
Week 4 runs from Thursday, Oct. 1 through Monday, Oct. 5. One of its sixteen games has official practice participation on the record this morning: Pittsburgh at Cleveland, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video. The other fifteen clubs file their first column Wednesday afternoon, which is why most of this week's Out, Doubtful and Questionable tags are still unwritten. 1
What this board can already settle is heavier. Miami is without its lead running back for the rest of the season, Tampa Bay is without its quarterback for at least three weeks, Carolina is without a starting cornerback indefinitely, and New Orleans is without its lead running back for an undetermined stretch.
Where this article gives a status word for one of the fifteen games with no filed report, that word is ESPN's own estimate of availability rather than a team designation. 2
The short version
- De'Von Achane is done for the season. The Miami running back tore an ACL in Sunday's loss to Kansas City and went on injured reserve Monday, which leaves Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright behind a 0-3 offense that has scored the fewest points in the league. 34
- Tampa Bay hands the offense to an undrafted rookie. Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb Sunday and will miss at least three weeks, with Week 7 the earliest return. Jalon Daniels starts Sunday against Green Bay, the first Buccaneers quarterback other than Mayfield to start a game since Tom Brady in 2022. 5
- Carolina loses Jaycee Horn indefinitely. The two-time Pro Bowl cornerback tore a quadriceps muscle in Sunday's loss to Cleveland, is headed to injured reserve and is seeking a second opinion. ESPN reports an expected absence of six to twelve weeks. 26
- New Orleans loses Travis Etienne. He aggravated a hamstring injury Sunday, and head coach Kellen Moore said there will be "time lost," with injured reserve still under discussion. Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller are the two backs left. 46
- Two more pass catchers reach injured reserve. Tampa Bay placed Jalen McMillan on injured reserve Monday with a PCL sprain and an expected absence of six to eight weeks, and Minnesota placed tight end Josh Oliver there Tuesday after he tore a biceps. 24
- Thursday night turns on a toe and a center. Pittsburgh's Rico Dowdle has not practiced either day with a toe injury, and Cleveland has had neither Elgton Jenkins (concussion) nor Tylan Wallace (knee) on the field. 78
Thursday night: Pittsburgh at Cleveland
Both clubs are 2-1, and both filed practice columns Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday's session adds the third column this afternoon, and the Out, Doubtful and Questionable designations arrive with Thursday's report.
| Player & team | Pos. | Injury | Monday | Tuesday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rico Dowdle, PIT | RB | Toe | DNP | DNP |
| Brandin Echols, PIT | CB | Concussion | LP | LP |
| Jalen Ramsey, PIT | CB | Wrist | LP | LP |
| Joey Porter Jr., PIT | CB | NIR/conditioning | FP | FP |
| Elgton Jenkins, CLE | C/G | Concussion | DNP | DNP |
| Tylan Wallace, CLE | WR | Knee | DNP | DNP |
| Teven Jenkins, CLE | G | Back | DNP | LP |
| Tyson Campbell, CLE | CB | Knee | LP | LP |
| Grant Delpit, CLE | S | Shoulder | LP | LP |
| Tytus Howard, CLE | T | Knee | LP | LP |
Rico Dowdle is the name that moves a fantasy lineup. He sat out Week 3 with the toe injury, and two more days without a practice make him a long shot for Thursday. Jaylen Warren carried the backfield in Dowdle's absence and is in line to do it again, which makes him a volume-backed starter for as long as Dowdle is out. 24
Pittsburgh's other three names belong to the secondary. Jalen Ramsey revealed Tuesday that he played Sunday's win over Cincinnati through a broken right wrist, which explains two limited days, and Brandin Echols remains limited in the concussion protocol. Joey Porter Jr. has been full both days. 2
Cleveland's list is the longer one, and its two interior line spots are the ones to watch. Elgton Jenkins has not practiced in the concussion protocol, and Teven Jenkins moved from no practice Monday to limited Tuesday with a back injury, so the Browns may open Thursday with a reshuffled middle. Tylan Wallace has not practiced either day, which thins the receiver room behind the starters. 8
Neither report lists Quinshon Judkins or Deshaun Watson, so Cleveland's starting running back and quarterback carry no designation into Thursday. 8
Confirmed losses: multiple weeks or injured reserve
| Player & team | Injury | What is official | Expected absence | Who takes the work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| De'Von Achane, MIA RB | Torn ACL | Confirmed by coach Jeff Hafley; placed on injured reserve Monday 3 | Rest of the season | Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright, with Wright day to day on a foot injury and a stinger 4 |
| Baker Mayfield, TB QB | Dislocated right thumb | No ligament or tendon damage; out at least three weeks, earliest return Week 7 5 | At least three weeks | Rookie Jalon Daniels starts; Easton Stick is on the practice squad 5 |
| Jaycee Horn, CAR CB | Torn quadriceps | Out indefinitely, headed to injured reserve, second opinion sought 6 | Six to twelve weeks per ESPN 2 | Depth corners move up; the pass defense carries the loss |
| Travis Etienne, NO RB | Hamstring | "Time lost," with injured reserve still under discussion 6 | Not announced | Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller split the backfield 4 |
| Josh Oliver, MIN TE | Torn biceps | Surgery, placed on injured reserve Tuesday 2 | Extended | Minnesota's targets stay with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson |
| Jalen McMillan, TB WR | PCL sprain | Placed on injured reserve Monday 2 | Six to eight weeks 4 | Rookie Ted Hurst keeps the starting job |
| Nick Bosa, SF DE | Calf | Hurt in practice; Shanahan said he will miss "a few weeks" and will not play Sunday 9 | A few weeks | Ogbo Okoronkwo and Keion White 9 |
| Jonah Coleman, DEN RB | Ankle | Rookie sent to injured reserve last Saturday 4 | Eligible to return in mid-October | J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey go back to sharing the backfield 4 |
| Jalen Thompson, DAL S | Hamstring | Team executive vice president Stephen Jones said four-plus weeks 2 | Four-plus weeks | Dallas has already placed P.J. Locke on injured reserve with a foot injury |
| Terrance Ferguson, LAR TE | Ankle sprain | Aggravated Sunday; coach Sean McVay said he is likely to miss Week 4 6 | Week 4, then re-evaluated | Tyler Higbee, who caught eight passes for 62 yards and a touchdown Sunday 4 |
| Jovaughn Gwyn, BAL C | Fractured fibula | Suffered in Sunday's win; surgery likely 10 | Two to three months 10 | Baltimore also lost center Ethan Pocic to a knee injury the coach calls long-term 6 |
| Brian Burns, NYG OLB | Torn ACL | Confirmed by coach John Harbaugh; placed on injured reserve Tuesday 11 | Rest of the season | New York's edge rotation absorbs the snaps |
Beyond the table, this week's injured-reserve moves were heavy on linemen and defensive depth. Dallas expects Jonathan Bullard to miss three to four weeks with a calf injury. The Rams expect cornerback Jaylen Watson to miss Week 4 with a dislocated shoulder and do not plan to put him on injured reserve. Tennessee placed guards Jackson Slater and Fernando Carmona on injured reserve Tuesday, New England put guard Greg Van Roten there the same day, Las Vegas sent receiver Jack Bech there, and Pittsburgh put guard Gennings Dunker there over the weekend. Carolina guard Damien Lewis has a torn elbow ligament and will miss a few weeks, and Washington lost linebacker Leo Chenal to neck surgery. 26
Two designations for Sunday are already on the record: Washington has ruled out guard Sam Cosmi (concussion) and safety Nick Cross (illness) for the London game against Indianapolis. 2
Still open, and when each case clears
| Player & team | Injury | Where it stands | When it clears |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Jefferson, MIN WR | Sprained left ankle | MRI Monday confirmed a sprain, and the team is hopeful he plays Sunday against Miami 2 | Friday designation |
| Breece Hall, NYJ RB | Thigh | Week to week; Monday's MRI showed nothing significant 6 | Wednesday through Friday, then Sunday inactives |
| Jayden Daniels, WAS QB | Dislocated left elbow | Limited in Wednesday's practice and traveling to London; the general manager says injured reserve and surgery are off the table 1012 | Wednesday through Friday |
| Caleb Williams, CHI QB | Grade 1 hamstring strain | Week to week; Case Keenum started and won Monday night, and the coach is non-committal about Week 4 4 | Wednesday through Friday, then Monday inactives |
| Puka Nacua, LAR WR | Hip and groin | Missed the past two games; the coach is "hopeful" for Sunday at Philadelphia 6 | Friday designation |
| Nico Collins, HOU WR | Hamstring | Two games missed; the coach is "hopeful" for Sunday against Dallas 2 | Wednesday through Friday |
| Mike Evans, SF WR | Rib strain | Day to day after leaving Sunday's win; the team has not ruled him out 6 | Wednesday through Friday |
| Trent Williams, SF OT | Neck and stinger | Being monitored through the week 6 | Wednesday through Friday |
| Jaylen Wright, MIA RB | Foot and stinger | Day to day; the team says he could return Sunday 2 | Friday designation |
| Jalen Coker, CAR WR | Minor quadriceps strain | Questionable for Sunday against Detroit 6 | Wednesday through Friday |
| Jaylen Waddle, DEN WR | Foot | Wearing a walking boot after Sunday's win, and the team believes the injury is minor 2 | Wednesday through Friday |
| Chig Okonkwo, WAS TE | Hamstring | Traveling to London after missing two games, with his status uncertain 6 | Wednesday through Friday |
| Josh Allen, BUF QB | Knee | Took a hit to the knee area Sunday, and the coach downplayed any concern 2 | Buffalo's Wednesday report |
| T.J. Sanders, BUF DT | Knee and illness | Listed by ESPN as doubtful for Sunday 2 | Buffalo's Wednesday report |
Also waiting on the week: Green Bay receiver Jayden Reed, whose neck injury still has no timeline from the team, and Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons, who has had no setback but will not be cleared to practice this week. Seattle safety Julian Love is day to day with a calf injury. 26
Lineup changes already decided
Tampa Bay starts Jalon Daniels. Mayfield's three-week absence opens the job for the undrafted rookie out of Kansas, who beat out Jake Browning for the backup role in camp and went 0 for 3 with a game-ending interception in relief Sunday. Expect a downgrade for Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Ted Hurst and Cade Otton. 45
The Giants stayed with Jameis Winston and added J.J. McCarthy. New York acquired McCarthy from Minnesota on Monday for a 2027 fifth-round pick and waived Jake Haener, and one report has McCarthy starting "in the near future" if Winston struggles. Winston keeps the job for now. 1314
Chicago has not named Sunday's quarterback. Keenum won Monday night against Philadelphia after Caleb Williams was ruled out, and head coach Ben Johnson said "we'll see how it plays out" when asked who starts against the Jets. 4
Pittsburgh rides Jaylen Warren again. With Dowdle off the practice field for a second straight day, Warren keeps the backfield work he took over in Week 3. 4
Washington turns to Marcus Mariota again. Daniels is on the trip to London and practicing in a limited capacity, and Mariota starts against the Colts with the elbow still unresolved. Schefter reported this week that Daniels will eventually need surgery and is playing through the season instead. 412 Washington also expects to sign running back Austin Ekeler. 15
New Orleans hands the backfield to Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller. Etienne's hamstring takes the lead role off the field, and the team's own report gives no date for his return. 4
Green Bay keeps rebuilding its line. The Packers are signing guard Kevin Zeitler to a one-year deal, adding Laken Tomlinson off Dallas's practice squad and Mekhi Becton to the practice squad, after placing lineman Zach Bako-Bewele on injured reserve Monday. 610
Cleared, and the clubs with no new injuries
Four names from last week's watch list resolved. Sam Darnold came off Seattle's report and started Sunday at Washington. 16 Kyler Murray cleared the concussion protocol and started for Minnesota. 17 Brock Bowers played for Las Vegas after his knee procedure, and the Raiders finished Week 3 with nothing fantasy-relevant on the report. 4 Jaxson Dart's knee resolved to season-ending surgery, and the Giants placed him on injured reserve. 18
Seven clubs came out of Week 3 with nothing fantasy-relevant on the report: Buffalo, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Arizona. 4
What to do before Thursday's kickoff
Act now:
- Replace De'Von Achane. Ollie Gordon II is the back most likely to lead Miami's carries, and Jaylen Wright is worth a stash if he is active. 34
- Move Baker Mayfield out of any lineup you hold him in, and lower the whole Tampa Bay passing game while Jalon Daniels starts. 45
- Start Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh's backfield. 4
- Treat Jaycee Horn's absence as a matchup note for Detroit's passing game in Carolina. 6
Check again after Wednesday's reports land:
- Justin Jefferson, Breece Hall, Puka Nacua, Nico Collins, Mike Evans, Jaylen Waddle, Chig Okonkwo and Jalen Coker all clear between Wednesday and Friday. 2
- Chicago's quarterback, with Keenum the incumbent and Caleb Williams still week to week. 4
- Buffalo's own report, which settles Josh Allen and T.J. Sanders rather than ESPN's board. 2
Leave alone:
- Quinshon Judkins and Deshaun Watson carry no designation into Thursday's game, so Cleveland's backfield and starting quarterback keep their roles. 8
- The seven clubs that finished Week 3 clean have nothing to act on until Wednesday afternoon. 4
Next checkpoints
Wednesday afternoon: the first practice reports for the other fifteen games, plus the third practice column and the start of the designation process for Pittsburgh at Cleveland.
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET: Pittsburgh at Cleveland kicks off on Prime Video, the week's first lineup lock.
Friday: Out, Doubtful and Questionable designations for the rest of the slate, with inactives announced 90 minutes before each kickoff.
References
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- 4Rotoworld: 2026 NFL Week 4 injury report
nbcsports.com
- 5
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- 7Steelers: Official injury report
steelers.com
- 8Cleveland Browns: Official injury report
clevelandbrowns.com
- 9NFL
nfl.com
- 10NFL
nfl.com
- 11NFL
nfl.com
- 12NFL
nfl.com
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