Fantasy Injury Updates: Latest news on Elijah Mitchell, Melvin Gordon, Darrell Henderson affecting Week 4 start ’em, sit ’em calls

Few positions cause fantasy football owners to check for injury updates quite as fanatically as running back. Heading into Week 4, at least six key RBs (Dalvin Cook, Jonathan Taylor, Antonio Gibson, Elijah Mitchell, Darrell Henderson, and Melvin Gordon) are “questionable” and figure to be game-time decisions. We’ll be updating this article all day Sunday with the latest news on the late-afternoon RBs (you can find updates on Cook, Taylor, and Gibson here) so you know who’s playing ahead of finalizing your start ’em, sit ’em decisions.

For updates on injured early-game RBs Dalvin Cook, Antonio Gibson, and Jonathan Taylor, click here; for more on banged-up pass-catchers George Kittle, Tyler Lockett, and Curtis Samuel, go here; for an update on Lamar Jackson, click here; for an update on Josh Jacobs, click here. For all the latest fantasy updates, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy (Links coming soon)

WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Is Elijah Mitchell playing Week 4?

Mitchell managed to get in a limited practice on Friday after failing to practice early in the week. He’s “questionable” for Sunday’s game against Seattle. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Mitchell’s status is in “limbo” and his availability will come down to pain tolerance.

If Mitchell is out, which feels likely at this point, then Trey Sermon will once again be San Francisco’s primary ball carrier. However, as we saw last week, Kyle Juszczyk will also also get touches. Sermon is a low-end RB2/flex if Mitchell is out. If Mitchell plays, he’ll be tough to trust, as he’ll likely split touches with Sermon. 

WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Is Darrell Henderson playing Week 4?

Henderson (ribs) practiced in full on Friday and is listed as “questionable” for Sunday’s game against Arizona. Rams coach Sean McVay said he’s “hopeful” Henderson will play. 

It’s unlikely that Henderson is out again, but it’s unclear how the Rams will divvy up RB touches between him and Sony Michel. We expect Henderson to get the bulk of the touches and be a decent RB2/flex, but he does carry some risk. If Henderson is out, Michel is a solid RB2/flex.

WEEK 4 FANTASY: Start ’em, sit ’em | Sleepers | Busts

Is Melvin Gordon playing Week 4?

Gordon (ribs, leg) was limited in practice all week and is “questionable” for Sunday’s game against Baltimore. 

WEEK 4 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo

It’s expected that Gordon will play, but if he’s out, Javonte Williams would see a huge boost in value and be a solid RB2. If Gordon is active, both Denver backs will be low-end RB2/flexes.