NFL Quick Hits: Lynch, McCoy uncertain for Week 4

Did you watch Aaron Rodgers' masterful performance Monday night? Getting past the whole who-won-the-most-Super-Bowls thing, have you ever seen someone play quarterback as well as he does? I haven't, and disagreement with my blog posts is futile.

Let's get to the news ...

Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch left Sunday's game with a hamstring injury (he already had a calf issue coming into the game). Lynch had an MRI Monday, and head coach Pete Carroll says we won't know much about his status until practice starts later this week. Rookie Thomas Rawls ran for 104 yards in Lynch's place on Sunday, and makes for an interesting free-agent target if you need a short-term backup.

FOX Sports 1 NFL Insider Mike Garafolo reports that Bills RB LeSean McCoy is unlikely to play against the Giants this week because of a hamstring injury. Backup Karlos Williams is owned in 15.3 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, has run for a TD in all three games so far, and would be a fine pickup for anyone needing a Week 4 running back. The Bills might be without WR Sammy Watkins (groin) as well.

Scheduling news: The Patriots and Titans have byes in Week 4, Thursday's game is Ravens-Steelers, and there's a Jets-Dolphins game in London on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET. Set your lineups accordingly.

With QB Ben Roethlisberger (knee) expected to miss 4-6 weeks, Michael Vick will start for the Steelers on Thursday. Expect to see a LOT of Le'Veon Bell -- as always -- with the mistake-prone Vick being conservatively managed. Antonio Brown owners can't be happy about Roethlisberger's injury, but Brown is still a must-start. Maybe he's a top-six WR instead of top-two, and that's fine. Finally, don't get any ideas about starting Vick on your fantasy team. 

"There's a possibility" that Todd Gurley will get more carries this week, according to Rams head coach Jeff Fisher. Fisher said Monday that Gurley was close to 50 or 60 yards instead of the nine he got on Sunday. Way to be positive, coach!

Lost in the Bears' Monday trade flurry was a report that WR Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) expects to return in Week 4. Sure, Jimmy Clausen completed just three passes for 17 yards to his wide receivers on Sunday, but I'd still start Jeffery against the weak Raiders' secondary.

Ryan Fowler and I talked Jeremy Hill, injuries and free agents on today's FOX Fantasy 15 podcast. Listen below!

Nothing new on the Drew Brees front, but I'm betting he misses Sunday night's game against the Cowboys. In other Saints' news, head coach Sean Payton says he's "got to get" C.J. Spiller more opportunities. If you think Payton means what he says, keep Spiller in mind as a $3,900 option on DraftKings.

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien says "I think we're close" to Arian Foster returning. Not too specific there, coach. With the Texans playing a Thursday game in Week 5, maybe they don't want Foster to play twice in five days? That's just a guess.

The Cardinals expect RB Andre Ellington (knee) to practice this week, but his status for Sunday is TBD.

Here's the lame explanation on why Jets RB Chris Ivory was active but still didn't play on Sunday. Some NFL teams are so inconsiderate of fantasy football owners.

The Eagles have made a kicking change, putting Cody Parkey (groin) on injured reserve and signing Caleb Sturgis.

Giants WR Victor Cruz (knee, calf) sounds pretty sure that he'll make his 2015 debut on Sunday. It's hard to know what to expect from Cruz, so he should stay on fantasy benches if possible.

Packers WR Davante Adams left Monday's game after aggravating a sprained ankle. The thing about Adams becoming a star in Jordy Nelson's absence isn't quite working out, huh?

Raiders QB Derek Carr has thrown for 665 yards and five touchdowns in his last two games. He's owned in 20 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, and faces the Bears this week. It's a good spot for Carr, but maybe not a great one, as his team travels east for an early game.

Dolphins WR Rishard Matthews (10.4 percent owned) is the 11th-ranked PPR wideout in FOXSports.com fantasy scoring. Matthews is probably the third option in the Miami offense, but for now he's getting enough work to be useful.

Here's a link to D.J. Foster's always-helpful "Five Fantasy Football Takeaways" from Week 3.

See you back here Friday morning.