Depth Chart Watch: Fallout From Week 4

Another week, another raft of injuries, another Depth Chart Watch! Remember when this was the week Josh Gordon was going to come back from suspension? Ah, the good old days. Let's jump right in.

QUARTERBACK

Arizona Cardinals

Carson Palmer got himself concussed Sunday, and after the atrocious job Drew Stanton did replacing him (4-for-11, 37 yards, two interceptions), Tuesday morning's news that Palmer has a chance to play Thursday has to feel great for Cardinals fans as well as fantasy owners invested in their offense. Still, he hasn't passed through the concussion protocol yet. The Cards promoted third-stringer Zac Dysert from the practice squad, likely as a precaution in case Palmer can't go and they need a backup for Stanton.

Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton's played through a lot of hits in his day, but he took one in the fourth quarter Sunday that forced him to leave with a concussion. Derek Anderson then hilariously managed to attempt 23 passes in less than a single quarter of football as the Panthers tried a comeback in vain. He completed 17 of them for 172 yards and two scores (for which we Greg Olsen owners are grateful), but was also picked off twice. Newton's status for Carolina's Monday Night Football tilt in Week 5 remains unclear, as he's still in the concussion protocol.

Chicago Bears

Over the course of two-plus games, Brian Hoyer has put together the following numbers: 67-for-97 (69.1 percent!) for 697 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He hasn't exactly had a hard set of matchups, but that's good work nonetheless in Jay Cutler's (thumb) absence. Now, the Bears are floating the possibility that if he keeps it up, Hoyer might remain the starter even upon Cutler's return. With soft matchups versus the Colts and then the Jags upcoming, Hoyer has a great opportunity to maintain his momentum.

Denver Broncos

Trevor Siemian departed Sunday's game in the first half with a shoulder injury, and Paxton Lynch kept the offense rolling nicely in his place, completing 14 of 24 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown in his first ever NFL action. However, the Broncos are downplaying the injury and seem to believe they'll have Siemian under center for Week 5.

New England Patriots

Tom Brady comes back this week, and not a moment too soon after the Pats ran out of steam in Week 4 and got shut out by Buffalo.

RUNNING BACK

Atlanta Falcons

Thanks to Matt Ryan and Julio Jones going insane Sunday – Ryan passed for 503 yards, with Jones reeling in an absurd 300 of them – there wasn't a lot left over for Atlanta's running game, but Devonta Freeman still helped his owners with 57 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Tevin Coleman had a much weaker game – just 33 total yards on eight carries and three catches – and may be in danger of sitting out or being limited in Week 5 as he has the sickle cell genetic trait, which has the potential to cause significant health problems at altitude.

Baltimore Ravens

Justin Forsett got out-and-out benched heading into Week 4, as he was declared inactive for the game. The Ravens put the ball in the hands of Terrance West and have to be thrilled with what he gave them: 113 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. West's been getting better every week, and he has to be considered the current starter in Baltimore. However, Kenneth Dixon (knee) started practicing in full this week and could work into the mix as soon as the Ravens' next game, Sunday against Washington. Once Dixon's back, it wouldn't be surprising to see Forsett get cut – again.

Carolina Panthers

With the Panthers playing from behind Sunday and Cameron Artis-Payne not getting it done on the ground (six carries for 12 yards), they turned to Fozzy Whittaker to make things happen out of the backfield in the passing game. Nine targets went Whittaker's way, and he caught all of them for 86 yards, plus another six on his own three carries. Jonathan Stewart's (hamstring) Week 5 status remains up in the air.

Chicago Bears

Jordan Howard racked up 111 rushing yards on 23 carries (and 21 more via three receptions) Sunday – his first game as Chicago's interim starter with Jeremy Langford (ankle) out a number of weeks. The newly signed Joique Bell barely touched the ball as his backup, so Howard has terrific job security for at least as long as Langford's out – and if he keeps producing like this, he won't give the job up at all.

Detroit Lions

Theo Riddick was the Lions' leading carrier in Week 4, but turned 11 rushes into just 31 yards and didn't pop in the receiving game (his usual forte) either, catching four balls for another 27. Zach Zenner and Dwayne Washington split the backup touches, but neither was able to show much aside from Zenner's 22-yard reception.

Jacksonville Jaguars

T.J. Yeldon finally found some running room in Week 4 thanks to facing the Colts' subpar defense, picking up 71 yards on 14 carries and adding another 46 on four catches. Chris Ivory, however, was still unimpressive working behind him (29 yards on eight carries), so despite the veteran's return from injury, it's looking increasingly like the pendulum is swinging back Yeldon's way.

Kansas City Chiefs

Jamaal Charles (knee) returned in Week 4, but played in a backup role (two touches) behind Spencer Ware as the Chiefs eased him back in. He's expected to see his workload grow when the Chiefs are back in action following their Week 5 bye. Ware ran effectively again Sunday, but lost a fumble for the third consecutive week, which can't make the coaches happy. There's no doubt that Ware is an electric runner, but his inability to hold onto the ball could result in Charles ultimately taking a huge share of the carries.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins lost a tough one Thursday and, although they didn't exactly get blown out, they also more or less abandoned the running game – Jay Ajayi led the team with six carries, and they totaled only 13 running plays against 30 passing plays. For what it's worth, Ajayi was productive with his limited touches, averaging 5.5 YPC. Kenyan Drake ripped off a 12-yard gain when given the chance, but was barely used otherwise (two carries).

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikes gave Jerick McKinnon a heavier workload this time around, and he paid them off pretty handsomely – 18 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Matt Asiata rushed six times for only six yards, but still snaked a touchdown. Still, you gotta like McKinnon better than ever moving forward.

New York Giants

Rashad Jennings (thumb) couldn't go Monday night, leaving Orleans Darkwa to head the Giants' backfield in a tough matchup against the Vikings. Darkwa helped those who deployed him, rushing 12 times for 48 yards and a touchdown, but the more interesting story of the night was rookie Paul Perkins, who raced his way to a 67-yard gain off a short pass and looked good on his couple of rushing chances. There may not be a path to immediate playing time here, but he's clearly an intriguing longer-term investment. Jennings' status for this week is unclear currently.

Oakland Raiders

This is becoming quite the mess, but whoever emerges atop the pile could become fantasy gold – which is what you probably thought you had when you drafted Latavius Murray, only to have him bleed carries off to DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard. Murray carried just eight times in Sunday's tough matchup against Baltimore, gaining only 19 yards. Washington, meanwhile, carried five times for 30 yards (28 of them on one play) and added 16 on three catches, but lost a fumble; Richard chipped in 15 yards on just two rushes. There's a lot of talent here, but also too many bodies, so this is one of those patented Mutual Destruction of Fantasy Value situations. It probably will continue that way unless (well, this is the NFL – let's go with until) someone gets hurt.

Philadelphia Eagles

Ryan Mathews got a bye week to heal up his ankle and is expected to play against Detroit in Week 5, but after Wendell Smallwood's big Week 3, there could be a timeshare of sorts here. Coach Doug Pederson has said that if Mathews is fully healthy, he's still the starting back, but Smallwood's clearly in the rotation now and Darren Sproles has his role too.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Le'Veon Bell returned to a full workload and full-on stardom Sunday, ripping off 144 yards on 18 carries and another 34 on five receptions. Yep, he's good to go. Although DeAngelo Williams got only five touches (four carries and a catch) upon Bell's return, he did manage to score a fourth quarter touchdown to help out any fantasy owners who were forced to start him.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks shocked everyone by getting a touchdown out of C.J. Spiller in Week 4, but Christine Michael was again the main man with the ball. Although he averaged a mere 3.2 YPC on 18 carries against the Jets' tough defensive front, he also caught five passes for 32 yards and a touchdown on six targets while serving in a three-down role. Thomas Rawls, meanwhile, is out for a month with his ongoing ankle issue and will almost certainly not find a starting job awaiting his return.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The stifling Denver defense brutalized poor Charles Sims on Sunday, as he picked up only 28 yards on 15 carries (plus seven on two catches) and lost a fumble. He also missed practice Tuesday with a knee injury that he's been playing through, leaving the Buccaneers even more shorthanded at running back. Doug Martin's out at least through the Week 6 bye with a hamstring injury so if Sims can't go, Tampa will be down to rookie Peyton Barber and career backup Jacquizz Rodgers against the Panthers on Monday night.

WIDE RECEIVER

Arizona Cardinals

Michael Floyd (concussion) was back out there in Week 4, but it was John Brown who seized the headlines by dominating the attention of Arizona's quarterbacks. How about 10 catches on 16 targets for 144 yards? Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald had seven targets each – that is, two fewer put together than Brown had by himself.

Buffalo Bills

Despite having Sammy Watkins (foot) on IR, the Bills stunned the Patriots with a shutout win Sunday, as Robert Woods led the way by catching seven balls for 89 yards on a team-leading 10 targets. No other wideout was targeted more than five times – both Walt Powell and Marquise Goodwin had that many, but neither did much to speak of.

Chicago Bears

Through four games, Kevin White has 11 more pass targets than Alshon Jeffery, 36-25. Indeed, White has been Hoyer's favorite receiver since he took over as the starter, but has still been roundly outproduced by the star on the opposite side of the formation (317 yards to 187). Unfortunately, White came down with what sounds like a pretty serious ankle ailment Sunday; he could be out multiple weeks, pending MRI results.

Dallas Cowboys

With Dez Bryant (knee) unable to go Sunday, you would have thought that Cole Beasley would go off, but he caught only three passes on four targets – though he led the team with 66 yards. Meanwhile, Brice Butler was targeted nine times, producing five catches for 41 yards (but at least a four-yard touchdown). Not exactly inspiring stuff, that. Terrance Williams, too, was more heavily involved than Beasley, but managed a quite modest 44 yards on four catches (six targets), though he also had his day saved by a touchdown. As for Dez, he could conceivably be back this week.

Houston Texans

Paging DeAndre Hopkins… Mr. Hopkins, please pick up the white courtesy phone. A 111-catch, 1,521-yard man despite spending last season catching passes from Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett and T.J. Yates, Hopkins got an ostensible upgrade to Brock Osweiler this year. But the beneficiary has instead been Will Fuller, who's actually been targeted slightly more than Hopkins (34-33) and has him crushed in yardage, 323-227. Fuller had another strong game in Week 4, catching seven passes for 81 yards and a score; Hopkins caught a single four-yard pass on six targets. Don't hit the panic button yet, but it's certainly not a good look for one of the league's star receivers.

Indianapolis Colts

Phillip Dorsett caught just one pass against the Jags in London, but it was a 64-yard touchdown that saved the day for his otherwise frustrated fantasy owners. Other than him and T.Y. Hilton, no other wideout was heavily involved. That seems likely to remain the case as long as they stay healthy and Donte Moncrief (shoulder) remains out.

Los Angeles Rams

Brian Quick got himself noticed by fantasy owners Sunday by turning his two catches into 69 yards and two touchdowns, but he also failed to reel in the other four passes thrown his way. Still, that's two weeks in a row with long touchdowns for Quick, and that boom potential makes him worth taking a flier on. His six targets equaled Tavon Austin's (who caught only two for 14 yards) and exceeded Kenny Britt's four. However, Britt caught every ball thrown his way for a team-leading 82 yards and has looked better this year than he has in a long time, although that still only amounts to middling fantasy value.

New York Jets

With Eric Decker (shoulder) unable to go Sunday, Quincy Enunwa occupied the No. 2 role against the Seahawks, accumulating six catches (seven targets) for 60 yards. It was looking like Enunwa might be in for more early on but Ryan Fitzpatrick fell apart again, adding three more interceptions to his line. For his part, Brandon Marshall caught just four of 12 targets but produced a fantasy-worthy game nonetheless, totaling 89 yards and a touchdown. Robby Anderson saw six targets in the No. 3 role, but caught only two for 16 yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh passing game required little volume Sunday – Ben Roethlisberger threw the ball only 27 times, completing 22 – to produce big numbers: a neat 300 yards and five touchdowns. Antonio Brown was quiet after two first-quarter scores, with Sammie Coates actually leading the team in targets (eight), catches (six) and receiving yards (79). Darrius Heyward-Bey and Markus Wheaton both caught touchdowns (of 31 and 30 yards, respectively) for their only receptions on the night.

San Diego Chargers

Dontrelle Inman emerged as the most heavily targeted receiver for Philip Rivers on Sunday, catching seven of 11 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. Sure, there's the caveat that this came against the Saints, but Travis Benjamin (seven targets, four catches, 48 yards, fumble) apparently didn't get the memo, and neither did Tyrell Williams (eight targets, five catches, 40 yards). It's hard to say whether this was a real bust-out for Inman, but it's not like he has very tough competition for looks here.

TIGHT END

Cincinnati Bengals

C.J. Uzomah has done a credible (if unspectacular) job at tight end in the absence of Tyler Eifert (ankle), but the Bengals sound like they have a good chance to get their starter back in Week 5.

Indianapolis Colts

Jack Doyle hasn't gotten any attention in this space yet, but it's time – he's outproducing Dwayne Allen for fantasy purposes despite being ostensibly behind him on the depth chart (and receiving slightly fewer snaps). Three weeks in, Doyle has 137 yards and two scores on 15 targets, while Allen has 113 yards and one touchdown on the same number of targets. Still, they're hurting each other's fantasy value and are largely TD-dependent.

New England Patriots

Rob Gronkowski continued to be much less than himself in Week 4, playing through his hamstring injury and catching only a single 11-yard pass. Meanwhile, Martellus Bennett continued his boom-or-bust ways – this time it was boom, a 109-yard day on five catches. He now has two 100-yard efforts, but just 24 total yards in the other two games. More consistency may be coming with Brady back in the fold, though.

New York Jets

Austin Seferian-Jenkins didn't dress for the Jets in Week 4, so their tight ends remain useless until he's learned enough of the playbook.

Philadelphia Eagles

Zach Ertz (collarbone) is expected to be back in full for Week 5. Woo!

San Diego Chargers

Hunter Henry started again in Week 4, and he helped fantasy owners out with 61 yards and a touchdown on four catches. Antonio Gates (hamstring) was out again, and it's unclear when he'll be ready to return. Either way, it seems like the tight end is going to see a lot of use in this offense.

Tennessee Titans

Delanie Walker (hamstring) got back in action Sunday although he had a tough time out there, catching only two of eight passes for 34 yards. Jace Amaro returns to irrelevance accordingly.