The Dynasty Doctor: Week One Injury Report

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.

Cam Newton, QB CAR

Newton has a hairline rib fracture and was held out of the opener against Tampa Bay. Panthers head coach Ron Rivera has already declared Newton the starter for week two. Rib fractures can take 4-to-6 weeks to fully heal. Given the abuse Newton takes on a weekly basis, risk of worsening the injury is a concern. Still, athletes can return to play when pain-free at rest and use a flak jacket or rib protector to help reduce risk of re-injury. I don’t expect this to impact Newton’s dynasty value at all, and if you can trade for him at a discount, I would consider it.

Jordan Reed, TE WAS

Reed sustained a hamstring injury and is scheduled for an MRI this week. Reed tried to hurdle a defender and landed awkwardly. Head coach Jay Gruden has said Reed could be sidelined for an unspecified period of time. Hamstring injuries are graded 1 to 3, with 1 being the lowest grade. Risk of re-injury can be significant, 16 to 31%, if not treated properly. Monitor Reed for his ability to return to practice participation and hopefully this will resolve soon, but his return is cloudy at the moment. I have Reed as a strong sell in dynasty, given he is currently drafted as the TE5, and his long list of injuries.

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Tyler Eifert, TE CIN

Eifert dislocated his right elbow. Initial reports are he could miss “a few weeks.” The elbow was reportedly able to be put back in place. No reports of nerve or blood vessel damage so that’s good. Non-operative treatment involves immobilization for a short time and physical therapy. Return to sports is typical within six weeks of injury. We will have to see how Eifert responds to physical therapy and heals but plan for him to be out six weeks or (hopefully) less.

Ben Tate, RB CLE

Tate suffered a knee injury, although the mechanism of injury is unclear. Is it really a surprise? The severity is unknown. Terrance West looked great, rushing 16 times for 100 yards. Isaiah Crowell also showed well with five carries for 32 yards and two touchdowns. Tate’s dynasty value is close to falling off a cliff, if it’s not already there. I’m a big fan of West and I’ve been down on Crowell. Still, it’s hard to ignore Crowell’s performance, but I suspect his believers may not sell him cheaply. I still believe West is the better long-term value in dynasty.

Shaun Hill, QB STL

Hill sustained a thigh injury, but didn’t play well, completing eight passes for 81 yards and one interception. Austin Davis took over for Hill, completing 16 passes for 192 yards and one interception. The Rams offense isn’t looking like a great option for fantasy owners. Davis could be a flier in 2QB superflex leagues if Hill gets benched, but I’m not optimistic about the Rams as a productive offense for fantasy owners.

Jadeveon Clowney, DE HOU

Clowney sustained a torn lateral meniscus and initial estimates are 4-to-6 weeks to recover. This sounds like a partial meniscectomy and this enables more aggressive rehabilitation. I don’t expect this injury to impact Clowney’s dynasty value.

Eddie Lacy, RB GB

Lacy sustained a concussion when he was tackled by Kam Chancellor. The mechanism of injury didn’t appear significant, but predicting severity of concussion can be difficult regardless of how the injury looks. Lacy has advanced through the first stage of this injury and given he has ten days to recover there is a reasonably good chance he could play week two. It may be good for his long-term value if he took week two off, as risk of repeat concussion is highest in the first ten days after injury. 85% of concussions resolve in 7-10 days so that is good. This is Lacy’s second concussion since last year, and this is of some concern. Still, I wouldn’t sell him quite yet in dynasty leagues. There is a shortage of good young running backs in the NFL and Lacy still has a promising future.

Jonathan Cyprien, S JAX

Cyprien is a promising safety for the Jaguars and likely a starter for most IDP teams. Cyprien slammed the back of his head on the field. He appeared to be unconscious for a short bit. Cyprien will be enrolled in the concussion protocol, symptoms will need to resolve, he will need to advance sports-specific activities and be cleared by his medical team. Hopefully he will be back soon but he is at risk for missing the next game, so pay attention to how this unfolds.

Vontaze Burfict, LB CIN

Burfict sustained a concussion and much like Cyprien will need to clear the concussion protocol before returning. Pay attention to how he advances through the protocol before plugging him into the line-up week two. I don’t think this adversely impacts Burfict’s dynasty value but keep this in mind should he sustain more concussions in the future. Vincent Rey seems like a possible replacement for Burfict should he be unable to go this week.

Derrick Johnson, LB KC

Johnson sustained a torn achilles tendon and his season is done. James-Michael Johnson is a potential replacement and should be on the IDP radar. Johnson will be 32 years old next year and an achilles tendon rupture is a tough injury to overcome. It’s somewhat unpredictable but other NFL linebackers have returned, such as DeMeco Ryans and been productive. Time will tell.

Doug Martin, RB TB

Martin sustained a left knee injury, severity as yet unclear. Martin had a subpar day, with nine carries for nine yards and one reception for seven yards. Owners of Martin expected a lot more. Bobby Rainey replaced Martin and rushed four times for 12 yards, and had two receptions for eight yards and a touchdown. Hopefully Martin owners have Rainey available on waivers or already handcuffed to him.

Jordan Cameron, TE CLE

Cameron aggravated his sprained AC joint injury first sustained in training camp. Athletes with type 1 sprains can return to sports in 1-2 weeks, type II sprains 2-4 weeks and type 3 two months. Hopefully Cameron has a low-grade injury and will be back in a short period of time. I have had Cameron as a strong sell in dynasty, and that was before his latest injury. Cameron has a long history of injuries, only one season of top 5 TE production, questions at quarterback and will draw a lot of defensive attention. I think Cameron is a strong sell as the current TE4 in dynasty. I’m targeting Dwayne Allen and Travis Kelce, as I believe they are a far greater value than Cameron.

Alshon Jeffery WR CHI

Jeffery sustained a hamstring injury and his fantasy owners held their breath. The injury appears to be minor and hopefully he will be back for week two. Hamstring injuries can be tricky, though. Bears Head Coach Marc Trestman downplayed the injury after the game and hopefully that is not just coachspeak. Jeffery had five receptions for 71 yards. Monitor how this plays out and hopefully he will be available week two. This injury does not adversely impact Jeffery’s dynasty value.

Andre Ellington, RB ARI

Ellington sustained a slight tear of his peroneus longus muscle. Depending on the severity of the muscle tear, or strain, there may not be much delay in return to play if it is a grade I strain. Grade II strains may need two weeks to resolve, and grade III strains are much more severe, may require surgery and have longer recovery times. Ellington was active to play in game one against the Chargers, suggesting a low grade injury, so that is good news. The main concern, aside from aggravating the injury, would be compartment syndrome, similar to what Hakeem Nicks suffered earlier in his career. Still, there has been no mention of Ellington requiring surgery, suggesting that compartment syndrome is not likely at this time. I doubt this injury will adversely impact his dynasty value, but his usage, at least early in the season, may be limited until the muscle has had ample time to heal.

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