Black Sunday Strikes: Week 4 Injury Report Puts NFL Depth to the Test

Read Time:3 Minute, 6 Second

Week 4 of the NFL season brought with it not just thrilling matchups and surprising outcomes, but a wave of significant injuries that threaten to reshape the season for several contending teams. From superstar quarterbacks to game-changing wide receivers and critical pieces along the line of scrimmage, the toll of “Black Sunday” was heavy, forcing coaches and front offices to quickly pivot and test the true depth of their rosters.

The most jarring news comes from the NFC, where the New York Giants appear to have suffered a catastrophic loss. Rookie sensation wide receiver Malik Nabers reportedly suffered a torn ACL in their game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The immediate impact is immeasurable; Nabers had been an electrifying playmaker and a cornerstone of the Giants’ rebuilt offense. His absence forces the team to rely heavily on other receiving options, fundamentally changing their game plan moving forward.

Meanwhile, the AFC saw its own set of high-profile scares, with the Baltimore Ravens taking the hardest hit. Quarterback Lamar Jackson exited the game against the Chiefs with a hamstring strain and did not return. While initial reports suggest the injury is not season-ending, the uncertainty surrounding their MVP’s status for Week 5 and beyond immediately dampens the team’s Super Bowl aspirations. The injuries didn’t stop there for Baltimore, either. They also saw All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf), and Pro Bowl offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) all leave the contest, highlighting a severe personnel crisis on both sides of the ball.

The battle in the trenches took a significant turn for the Los Angeles Chargers, whose already-shuffled offensive line took another blow when standout rookie offensive tackle Joe Alt left with an ankle injury, believed to be a high ankle sprain. His departure, combined with other existing injuries up front, immediately jeopardizes the protection for their quarterback and the effectiveness of their run game, putting immense pressure on the next men up to keep the offense functioning.

The wide receiver position across the league was particularly ravaged, with a number of top targets missing or exiting games:

Mike Evans (Buccaneers): Ruled out for the Eagles game and expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury. This loss is compounded by the fact that the team is already dealing with a slew of defensive injuries.
Terry McLaurin (Commanders): Ruled out before the game with a quad injury, leaving a major void in the Washington passing attack and forcing backup quarterback Marcus Mariota to operate with a depleted arsenal.
CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys): Ruled out for the Sunday night game with an ankle injury, stripping the Cowboys of their primary offensive threat in a key divisional matchup.

For teams like the Ravens and Buccaneers, the injuries extend well beyond a single star. Tampa Bay’s defense, already battling prior long-term losses, saw multiple defenders—including cornerback Jamel Dean (groin/hip) and linebacker Haason Reddick (stinger)—exit their game against Philadelphia, leaving the team “running out of bodies,” as head coach Todd Bowles grimly noted.

While no team gets through an NFL season unscathed, Week 4 served as a particularly brutal reminder of the league’s attrition. For the teams that absorbed the most damage, the coming days will be a frantic scramble of MRIs, injury reports, and practice squad elevations. The season is a marathon, not a sprint, but for the Giants and Ravens, in particular, the sudden collapse of health has instantly made the path forward a treacherous uphill climb. The immediate future of the league will be defined by which teams can best navigate these personnel losses and find unexpected heroes to fill the enormous cleats of the players now watching from the sideline.