It’s already Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season! Insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have been making calls to sources around the league for the latest news and notable buzz.
Injuries are starting to pile up as we hit the quarter mark of the season, and a few important players went down Sunday, including Lamar Jackson, Pat Surtain II, Ja’Marr Chase and Saquon Barkley. Which teams could be in trouble if they have to go without one of their stars? And which teams might have to make a trade sooner rather than later to either replace an injured player or quickly fix a weak spot in the roster? The trade deadline is approaching fast — it is under five weeks out.
Coaches are also under the microscope with four weeks of games behind us. Are any seats warming around the league? And have any coordinators shown enough in the early going to put themselves on the radar for head coach interviews if they keep this up? It’s all here, as Jeremy and Dan answer big questions, hand out useful fantasy football nuggets and empty their reporting notebooks heading into Week 5.
Which player’s Week 4 injury could be most detrimental to his team?
Which player’s Week 4 injury could be most detrimental to his team?
Graziano: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is the obvious answer if he has to miss time (which we don’t know for sure yet). They’re just so different without him. Having him on the field makes things easier for running back Derrick Henry, whereas defenses can lock in on Henry when they don’t have to fear the QB run.
Fowler: Can’t understate that one. The Ravens are hopeful he won’t miss time, but this week feels uncertain. I’ll go with Broncos corner Pat Surtain II, who is set to miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury. With Denver’s offense struggling to consistently score points, it needs the defense to reestablish its dominant form. But after ripping through the league with 68 sacks last season, the Broncos have eight through four games … which heightens the importance of having a former Defensive Player of the Year such as Surtain in the secondary. Normally I would go with the star quarterback who’s hurt, but Surtain’s absence could have a sizable ripple effect for a team on the ropes.
Graziano: A Saquon Barkley absence could exacerbate the Eagles’ problems. I know Barkley isn’t having the best season, but the Philadelphia offense is getting really low on good players. It had to play Sunday without right tackle Lane Johnson (who has since retired), top wide receiver DeVonta Smith and, other than the first four plays, Barkley. It’s a thin group around Jalen Hurts right now, and even at full strength it was trying to figure out a new offense under a first-time playcaller. If the Eagles are going to pull out of this, they’re going to need as many of their stars as close to full strength as possible.
An underrated absence is that of Vikings guard Donovan Jackson, who is undergoing season-ending knee surgery. He’s a good player, which Minnesota can’t afford to lose, particularly on an offense that ranks 31st in total yards. Either Joe Huber, who went undrafted in 2025, assumes the starting job, or Minnesota adds to the roster in short order.
Which player’s Week 4 injury could be most detrimental to his team?
Graziano: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is the obvious answer if he has to miss time (which we don’t know for sure yet). They’re just so different without him. Having him on the field makes things easier for running back Derrick Henry, whereas defenses can lock in on Henry when they don’t have to fear the QB run.
Fowler: Can’t understate that one. The Ravens are hopeful he won’t miss time, but this week feels uncertain. I’ll go with Broncos corner Pat Surtain II, who is set to miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury. With Denver’s offense struggling to consistently score points, it needs the defense to reestablish its dominant form. But after ripping through the league with 68 sacks last season, the Broncos have eight through four games … which heightens the importance of having a former Defensive Player of the Year such as Surtain in the secondary. Normally I would go with the star quarterback who’s hurt, but Surtain’s absence could have a sizable ripple effect for a team on the ropes.
Graziano: A Saquon Barkley absence could exacerbate the Eagles’ problems. I know Barkley isn’t having the best season, but the Philadelphia offense is getting really low on good players. It had to play Sunday without right tackle Lane Johnson (who has since retired), top wide receiver DeVonta Smith and, other than the first four plays, Barkley. It’s a thin group around Jalen Hurts right now, and even at full strength it was trying to figure out a new offense under a first-time playcaller. If the Eagles are going to pull out of this, they’re going to need as many of their stars as close to full strength as possible.
Dan Orlovsky: Lane Johnson’s retirement a ‘significant loss’ for Eagles
Fowler: Yeah, the Eagles are depleted in the short term, and their healthiest back right now is third-stringer Will Shipley. Hamstring injuries linger, and unfortunately for Philly, their top two playmakers are managing them. Plus, tight end Dallas Goedert has missed two weeks and guard Cam Jurgens is in concussion protocol. The Eagles could use reinforcements, so it might be worth it for them to explore the trade or free agency market for depth.
An underrated absence is that of Vikings guard Donovan Jackson, who is undergoing season-ending knee surgery. He’s a good player, which Minnesota can’t afford to lose, particularly on an offense that ranks 31st in total yards. Either Joe Huber, who went undrafted in 2025, assumes the starting job, or Minnesota adds to the roster in short order.
