The Dynasty Doctor: Week Eight Injury Report

Scott Peak Posted On October 29, 2013

Editor’s Note: Injuries are a huge part of winning and losing each year in fantasy leagues. Staying abreast of the injury situations is key as knowing what to expect from your players health-wise in the short term can help you make educated decisions in managing your team. Lucky for us, we have a Doctor in the house. Dr. Scott Peak is an ABPN board certified neurologist and neuro-oncologist. He is also a dynasty football addict and huge friend of Dynasty League Football. He’s excited to lend his expertise in medicine with hopes he may help the DLF Team and its followers better understand medical conditions and injuries that may impact NFL players and dynasty football owners. If you have a question for The Dynasty Doctor, just click here. Please remember The Dynasty Doctor is geared towards questions regarding medical science, injuries to players and their collective impact in fantasy football. Stay tuned each week as we’ll post his thoughts each and every Tuesday.

Robert Griffin III, QB WAS

Griffin was removed from the game initially from a left knee injury, but it was later confirmed to be precautionary by Dr. James Andrews. The game was already out of hand and the Redskins did not want to put their star quarterback at risk. It appears to be a non-issue and his fantasy owners can exhale.

Jimmy Graham, TE NO

There were lots of nervous fantasy football players Sunday morning when Twitter was buzzing with Graham being active for the Saints game against the Buffalo Bills. Many in the Twitter universe declared their intentions to bench Graham and were forced to watch him score two touchdowns on three receptions for 36 yards. Ouch, that had to hurt. The injury is described as a partial tear of his plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a layer of connective tissue that connects the heel to the toes. It helps support several muscles, tendons and nerves in the foot. Plantar fascia can get strained with repetitive force on the injured foot, and eventually torn. Pain can arise from inflammation in the tissue and with instability in the arch. Pain can be a long-lasting issue, for several months or longer, and feels like the heel is getting stabbed with a knife. Graham might be dealing with this discomfort for weeks or months. Then again, he was dunking the football over a goal-post in pre-game warm-ups and in the game, so that seems like a good sign. Rest can resolve pain, but for Graham, that may prove a challenge in practice and on game day. Steroid injections can be effective and have good success rates. Surgery can be done and is typically effective, but Graham may have to conservatively manage it until the off-season. It generally takes 6-to-18 months for complete healing to take place, similar to Antonio Gates in recent years. Most cases respond to conservative, non-surgical approaches to treatment.

Steven Jackson, RB ATL

The good news is Jackson did not aggravate his balky hamstrings. The bad news is his performance was less than inspiring (11 rushes, 3 receptions, 13 total yards and no touchdowns). He averaged just 0.54 yards per carry, and only three players with at least one carry in a game have accomplished that feat in 2013. It is hard to say how much of this is on Jackson as the Falcons offensive line played poorly and Jackson was frequently met by a sea of defenders in the backfield with each rushing attempt. Jackson seemed to do a solid job pass-blocking. The Arizona Cardinals are a very stout defense, allowing the third fewest yards per carry (3.5) and the sixth fewest yards per game (88) in the NFL this year. The Falcons offensive line looked overmatched, and Matt Ryan spent most of the game running for his life. It does not get any easier for Jackson, as he plays Carolina and Seattle the next two weeks. Jackson’s dynasty value has tanked and it is hard to imagine getting anything substantial for him right now.

Ryan Broyles, WR DET

Broyles’ star-crossed career continues as he sustained a ruptured right Achilles tendon. This will end his 2013 season and possibly his career. This would represent the third major injury for Broyles, including two anterior cruciate ruptures and now an Achilles tendon tear. His dynasty value bottoms out and he can be released in shallow dynasty leagues or if better options are available on waivers. In re-draft, he can be dropped.

Michael Vick, QB PHI

Vick started at quarterback for the Eagles in their game against the New York Giants, but he did not last long. He aggravated his tender hamstring in the first quarter and was removed from the game. Matt Barkley took his place, and not surprisingly played uninspiring football (17 completions in 26 attempts, no touchdowns, one interception and one fumble). DeSean Jackson still managed a decent day in PPR leagues (8 receptions, 63 yards), but LeSean McCoy had a lackluster game (15 carries, 48 yards, 4 receptions, 17 yards, no touchdowns). The Chip Kelly experiment is hitting some turbulence. McCoy and Jackson are looking like the only Eagles starters for our fantasy teams at the moment and Vick’s hold on the job is tenuous at best long-term. Given the 2014 draft may have some good talent available at quarterback, the Eagles might be in the market for a Vick replacement next year. Vick’s dynasty value is minimal, barring a miraculous turnaround.

Julius Thomas, TE DEN

Thomas suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter of the Broncos game against the Redskins, and was unable to return. Thomas has a history of ankle injuries dating back to 2011. MRI of his ankle is negative, and he has reportedly avoided the dreaded high-ankle sprain. Barring any further setbacks, there is a reasonable chance he could be back week 10, after the Broncos bye next week. It is a situation to monitor given his history of ankle injuries, and we will need to monitor his return to practice after the bye.

Mike Williams, WR TB

Williams aggravated his hamstring injury and was placed on injured reserve this week, ending his 2013 campaign. Given the career trajectory of Miles Austin, one has to hope this does not become a chronic issue for Williams. The hamstring injury appears to be severe, described as torn, and he may have surgery for it. Dynasty value takes a hit, and although he stands a good chance to return in 2014, recurrence of a severe hamstring injury is always a concern.

Brandon Gibson, WR MIA

Gibson ruptured the patella tendon in his left knee, and is done for the year. Athletes with ruptured patella tendons can return to sport in 5-to-15 months and some studies suggest 85% can resume previous athletic performance. Then again, Greg Childs ruptured both patella tendons, and has not returned to play. Ryan Williams has seen his potential dwindle after suffering a torn patella tendon, so it is not a trivial injury. For Gibson, this is a terrible injury, made worse as he had been performing well this year. He has no dynasty value and can be safely dropped in all but the deepest of leagues. In re-draft leagues, he can be dropped. Dolphins wide receiver Rishard Matthews has a shot to carve out a role now that Gibson is out for 2013.

For more information on ruptured patella tendons click here.

Duke Ihenacho, S DEN

Ihenacho sustained an ankle injury, possibly of the high-ankle variety, in the third quarter of the Broncos game against the Redskins. Ihenacho got his right ankle rolled on by a Redskins player and the injury mechanism looked suspicious for a high-ankle sprain. Confirmation of the injury extent is pending reports from the team. Ihenacho had been a solid IDP option at safety, with 40 solo tackles and eight assists this year, good for a top ten ranking across tackle-heavy and big-play IDP leagues. If Ihenacho is out, that would sting. Conservatively managed high-ankle sprains can keep a player out 2 to 8 weeks or longer if surgery is needed.

For more information on high and lateral ankle sprains click here.

Ziggy Ansah, DE DET

Ansah sustained a left ankle injury in the first half of the Lions game against the Dallas Cowboys. The type and severity of injury are still awaiting updates from the Lions. Ansah had just six solo tackles and three sacks this year, so his loss is less important for 2013, and more so for dynasty IDP owners with a long-term view.