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Injury Wrap: Eric Decker, Dez Bryant out indefinitely

Eric Decker's shoulder could be an ongoing problem (AP)
Eric Decker's shoulder could be an ongoing problem (AP)

The injuries keep coming hard, with the wide receiver position getting dinged this week. That’s where we’ll start our Week 4 status check.

• Eric Decker has been diagnosed with a partially torn rotator cuff, which puts him into limbo. We know he won’t play Sunday against Seattle. It’s not my shoulder and I’m nobody’s doctor, but this sounds like Decker’s going to be out several weeks. Last call on Quincy Enunwa in shallow leagues.

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• The Cowboys are playing it cool with Dez Bryant (knee), but the star receiver isn’t going to play at San Francisco. Bryant has a hairline fracture in his knee; consider him week-to-week. Cole Beasley takes a step up in the rankings, and Brice Butler could be an interesting addition to the game plan.

• Sammy Watkins (foot) was placed on injured reserve Friday, which means he’s out for at least eight weeks, and possibly the season. Unless you’re in a pool where stashing is easy and painless, Watkins is an automatic drop in most leagues. If I had to dial up a Buffalo receiver for this week or the long term, Robert Woods, by complete default, would be my selection. Marquise Goodwin is the other reasonable choice, but again, this is just a deep-league dart throw. Lots of luck to you, Tyrod Taylor.

• One more Buffalo item: Charles Clay (knee) is listed as questionable, getting in limited work the last two days. He didn’t have a catch in Week 3’s ambush of Arizona.

• The Bears haven’t made it official yet, but it’s just about certain Jay Cutler (thumb) won’t play against Detroit. Brian Hoyer isn’t really all that different than Cutler, anyway. Alshon Jeffery (knee/hamstring) had a limited week and will be a game-day decision. Tailback Jordan Howard figures to get plenty of work with Jeremy Langford (ankle) out indefinitely.

• It’s been a while since we’ve seen Russell Wilson at full throttle, but the Seahawks don’t seem too worried. Wilson (ankle/knee) isn’t even on the injury report, so he’ll go at the Jets. Thomas Rawls (fibula) remains out indefinitely, so keep rolling with Christine Michael. Resurgent tight end Jimmy Graham (knee/back) was able to practice Friday.

• Phillip Dorsett (ankle) had a limited practice Friday and is considered questionable for the Sunday morning special against Jacksonville. Get up early before the European showcase, do your diligence.

• Willie Snead (toe) did some work during the practice week, a step up from last week. He’s a game-day call at San Diego, and it’s a late-wave game. Have pivot options and late-game caddies available. If Snead can’t go, it might push some extra targets to TE Coby Fleener.

• Julius Thomas (elbow) will probably be a game-time decision for the Sunday morning tilt against the Colts. Week 4 doesn’t look that bad for mid-tier tight ends; you might be able to find a good value somewhere else.

• The Chiefs might have Jamaal Charles (knee) available for Sunday night’s game at Pittsburgh, and that would be a boost given that Charcandrick West (ankle) can’t play. No matter what Charles’s status becomes, I fully expect Spencer Ware to be Week 4’s featured back, and I’ll use him in any seasonal roster I can.

• Marvin Jones (hamstring) and Eric Ebron (ankle) both worked in full Friday, so don’t sweat their questionable tags. They look good to go at Chicago.

• As you probably heard Thursday, Josh Gordon has checked into a rehab facility and isn’t going to rejoin the Browns in October, as expected. I’d be shocked if Gordon played football for anyone this year. Terrelle Pryor looks like the major beneficiary from this news item.

• Josh Doctson (Achilles) won’t play against Cleveland. More fun for the main Washington targets, we suppose — Jordan Reed, DeSean Jackson and Jamison Crowder. Jackson, incidentally, was removed from the injury report Friday, so fire him up.

• Kenneth Dixon (knee) did some work in practice this week and is getting closer to a return for Baltimore, though he won’t play Week 4. If you’re a look-ahead kind of guy, he could be a nice name to file away now. The Ravens backfield hasn’t done much to this point, in part because the Ravens have some key injuries on the offensive line.

• Michael Floyd (post concussion) looks cleared to play Week 4 against the Rams, not that I can start him with any confidence.

• Rashad Jennings (thumb) has been limited in practice and might come down to a game-time decision for Monday. Shane Vereen might be done for the year; he’s on injured reserve.

• The Patriots have no interest in helping us with their Week 4 quarterback plans. Jimmy Garoppolo (shoulder) and Jacoby Brissett (thumb) are both listed as questionable. The hijinks will be over in Week 5, when Tom Brady returns from suspension. Rob Gronkowski (hamstring) is listed as questionable; you the idea he’s going to play against Buffalo, but the snap count is difficult to project.

• Tavon Austin (shoulder) had a full session Friday, so he’ll likely play at Arizona. He’s nonetheless listed as questionable, because Fishers gonna Fisher.

• Virgil Green (calf) remains week-to-week and can be dropped in most standard formats.

• Eli Rogers (toe) won’t play for the Steelers on Sunday night. We’re still waiting for Sammie Coates or Markus Wheaton to show some consistency.

• Julio Jones (calf) and Mohamed Sanu (shoulder) are both expected to play against Carolina, despite some aches and pains.

• Charles Sims will be tested against Denver’s outstanding defense, though he surely will add to the cause through the passing game. Doug Martin (hamstring) remains week-to-week.

• Jonathan Stewart (hamstring) remains week-to-week, which pushes Cameron Artis-Payne into the flex discussion.