After significant injuries have sidelined players for the entire 2023 NFL season, fantasy owners are finally getting some much-needed positive news heading into Week 4.

Players such as Brandon Aiyuk, Saquon Barkley, and Austin Ekeler are practicing again after missing early-season games, giving fantasy managers hope that help is on the way.

Week 4 marks the last time until mid-December that all 32 NFL teams will take the field every week. With bye weeks approaching, which players are healthy enough to return to play in the near future? Read on to see Week 4’s NFL Fantasy News.

San Francisco 49ers Brandon Aiyuk Should Return Against Cardinals

After missing last week’s contest, Brandon Aiyuk returned to limited practice this week for the San Francisco 49ers. Aiyuk suffered a shoulder injury in Week 2.

On Thursday, the fourth-year player was seen at practice without a blue non-contact jersey, suggesting he’s trending toward playing in Week 4.

Fantasy Impact:

After Deebo Samuel was injured in the 49ers’ Week 3 victory over the Giants, San Francisco’s WR corps looked extremely thin.

While the team has multiple All-Pro options to choose from, having either Saumel or Aiyuk (or both) available and in the lineup against the Cardinals this week gives QB Brock Purdy a speedy down-field target.

New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley Returns To Practice

Saquon Barkley took the field Thursday for individual drills for the first time since his Week 2 injury against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Giants RB has been sidelined with a high-ankle sprain, but coach Brian Daboll told reporters Barkley made progress this week and was able to return to limited practice.

Fantasy Impact:

Without Barkley, New York ran the ball 11 times in their Week 3 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. That total was the lowest single-game rushing attempts for the Giants in more than 30 years.

Barkley immediately changes that dynamic and alleviates the pressure for QB Daniel Jones to carry this offense.

Baltimore Ravens RB Gus Edwards Probable Sunday

After suffering a concussion in Week 3’s loss to the Colts, Ravens RB Gus Edwards returned to practice this week.

Baltimore HC John Harbaugh suggested Edwards is a probable starter for their game against Cleveland, noting that the six-year veteran wouldn’t have returned to practice had he remained under the concussion protocol.

Fantasy Impact:

With Justice Hill (turf toe) expected to be sidelined, Edwards immediately becomes a starter for their Week 4 matchup against the Browns. Baltimore will run the ball, so Edwards is a fringe fantasy RB starter.

The Ravens also have Kenyan Drake and Melvin Gordon on their practice squad roster, two RBs who could be elevated on game day as insurance (and cut into Edwards’ workload).

Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson To Return Week 4

After suffering a concussion two weeks ago, the Colts’ first-round draft pick Anthony Richardson was a full practice participant Thursday.

Richardson also suffered a concussion while at Florida in 2021, and the young QB was available to play the following week for the Gators.

Fantasy Impact:

Richardson’s dual-threat nature elevates him to QB 1 status against Los Angeles. Through roughly five quarters of action, the Colts signal-caller has rushed for three TDs and passed for almost 300 yards, giving fantasy owners plenty of hope against a struggling Rams defense.

New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr Likely Out For Week 4

After suffering a shoulder injury in their Week 3 loss to Green Bay, Saints QB Derek Carr is likely out for this Sunday’s contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Carr told multiple media that he would not return to action until the injury was completely healed and he stood no risk of re-injury.

Fantasy Impact:

With Carr out, New Orleans will turn to Jameis Winston. Winston was an efficient 10-of-16 for 100 yards against the Packers but did little to show he’s of real fantasy value for owners.

Further, the Saints will have Alvin Kamara back after his three-game suspension, pushing Winston’s value further down against the Buccaneers.