Week 4 Waiver Wire Top Targets For This Week's Injured Fantasy Football Stars

Week 4 opened with an exciting battle between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on Thursday night. It will resume with a Sunday morning matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders in London.

Don't forget to have those Sunday lineups set early, folks.

While managers are looking at a full 16-game schedule this week—the first byes will come in Week 5—they may need to find replacements for several injured stars. While the waiver wire has largely been picked over by the weekend, a few serviceable options should still be available.

Here, we'll dive into the Week 4 injury report , provide rankings for the top remaining plays, and highlight some of those aforementioned late-week targets. All rankings and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

The big question at quarterback this week involves the Chicago Bears. While Caleb Williams has been ruled out, the Bears haven't announced whether Case Keenum will start a second consecutive game or if primary backup Tyson Bagent will take over.

"We'll find out on Sunday," head coach Ben Johnson said, per ESPN's Courtney Cronin.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without quarterback Baker Mayfield as he's recovering from a dislocated thumb.

Though Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels did make some progress this week, he's been officially ruled out with a dislocated elbow. That means Marcus Mariota will get the start for Washington, and both he and Daniel Jones could shine in Sunday morning's matchup.

Mariota threw a trio of touchdown passes against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. Washington's defense, meanwhile, has surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Mariota and Jones are rostered in 13 percent and 24 percent of fantasy leagues, respectively.

Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith, and Michael Penix Jr. are other potential late-week adds at quarterback.

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

The Commanders have also ruled out running back Rachaad White, while the New York Jets have ruled out Breece Hall. Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears is listed as questionable.

The Miami Dolphins placed De'Von Achane on injured reserve with a torn ACL this past week. This makes Ollie Gordon II a prime waiver wire pickup, even though he has a tough matchup against the Vikings this week.

Gordon projects as Miami's new starter and is still available in roughly a third of fantasy leagues. Fellow Dolphins back Jaylen Wright is only rostered in 28 percent of leagues and could have real value if Miami utilizes a committee approach.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. has a lot of upside as a complement to Ashton Jeanty, and he's a top option for managers not willing to bank on Miami. He had five carries for 54 yards and a touchdown last week, and he's still only rostered in 40 percent of leagues.

The big news at receiver this week is the fact that the Minnesota Vikings have ruled out Justin Jefferson with an ankle injury. The Philadelphia Eagles have also ruled out DeVonta Smith and Marquise Brown.

Xavier Legette, Caleb Douglas, and Colbie Young are also out. The list of receivers listed as questionable includes Mike Evans, Zay Flowers, Ladd McConkey, Terry McLaurin, and Jalen Coker.

With Alec Pierce on injured reserve, Colts receiver Keenan Allen is a veritable must-add this week, even though he's questionable for Week 4. He's coming off a six-catch, 63-yard, one-touchdown performance and has a tremendous matchup against Washington on Sunday.

The Commanders have surrendered an average of 39 fantasy points to opposing receiver groups this season. If Allen can't go, he's worth stashing for the next couple of weeks, and Darius Slayton could have Week 4 value.

Slayton hasn't suited up for the Colts yet this year, and he's rostered in only one percent of fantasy leagues.

With Smith and Brown out, Eagles receivers Makai Lemon and Dontayvion Wicks are both sensible pickups, though their ceilings are probably limited. Rashod Bateman, Wan'Dale Robinson, and Mack Hollins are other WRs to consider adding off the wire this week.

49ers Owner Jed York Suspended 6 Games (AP)

The Eagles have ruled out tight end Dallas Goedert, while the Los Angeles Chargers have ruled out Charlie Kolar.

It's worth checking to see if Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq is still available, even though he's questionable this week, as he's rostered in 54 percent of leagues.

Sadiq is coming off a seven-catch, 105-yard, one-touchdown outing, and he'll have multiple opportunities against the Bears on Sunday. With Hall, Mitchell, and fellow tight end Mason Taylor out, Sadiq should be a big part of the offensive game plan.

Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller, who is rostered in 32 percent of leagues, is another premium pickup this week. He'll face a Detroit Lions defense that has surrendered more fantasy points to opposing tight ends than any other team.

T.J. Hockenson, Brenton Strange, and AJ Barner are other tight ends to consider on the wire this week.

*Fantasy scoring and roster information from FantasyPros .