The Dynasty Doctor: Week Two Injury Report

Scott Peak Posted On September 22, 2015

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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 a Senior Writer for 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.

Eddie Lacy, RB GB

Lacy injured an ankle and was unable to return to play. X-rays are negative, indicating there is no fracture. Initial reports are a minor ankle injury and that is reassuring. There is even talk that he could play week three. Athletes can usually return to play from a lateral ankle sprain in 1-2 weeks. That his ankle injury is being called minor would suggest it’s not a high-ankle sprain and that typically has a longer recovery (2-8 weeks without surgery and 3-4 months with surgery). The best thing to do is monitor his practice participation and keep a close eye on the inactive list before inserting him into your starting line-up. It looks like Lacy avoided serious injury and that’s always good for dynasty value. I’ve had Lacy as a strong sell in dynasty given his high valuation relative to his injury history. I would consider waiting for Lacy to return and sell once he starts having a few big games.

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Tony Romo, QB DAL

Romo hit the ground hard and landed on his left shoulder. Unfortunately, a broken left clavicle has been confirmed. This is the same clavicle he broke previously. It’s not unusual to re-injure a previously broken clavicle, with studies reporting 7.5% of patients with surgically repaired clavicles re-breaking them. Romo didn’t have surgery in 2010 and the re-injury rate is higher (21%) for non-surgically repaired broken clavicles. Recovery from surgery is typically eight weeks. Brandon Weeden will take over at quarterback. The Dallas offense is suffering quite a bit after losing Dez Bryant and Romo in back-to-back weeks.

Drew Brees, QB NO

Brees injured his right (throwing) shoulder and it is being described as not a very serious injury after an MRI was obtained. Brees reportedly has pain and weakness in his right arm. Brees acknowledged the injury may have impacted his performance. It’s good news that his MRI didn’t show a serious injury, though. The specific nature of his injury is speculation at this time, but it’s clear he has a right arm/shoulder injury impacting his performance. He may need time to let the damage heal, but it is a concern. I’m not sure if his pain/weakness are from localized injury to soft tissue of his rotator cuff or nerve injury, but both are possible. Brees has looked ordinary this season, with just two touchdowns passing and two interceptions to start the year. Fans had high hopes for Brandin Cooks, but he has just nine receptions for 111 yards and no touchdowns in two games this year. The Saints offense has had a mediocre start to the 2015 season. The value of Brees in dynasty continues to drop. It might even be time to start adding Garrett Grayson to dynasty rosters. According to spotrac.com, Brees’ dead cap number drops from $33.8 million (2015) to $7.4 million (2016). Notably, $20 million more is guaranteed with injury and in 2016 half his $20 million becomes guaranteed. It might sound crazy, but if Brees continues declining, it’s not outlandish to think Brees could be cut after this year. The Saints are cap-constrained every year and $151 million is already on the books for 2016. Grab Grayson if you have a roster spot, especially in 2QB leagues.

Matt Stafford, QB DET

Stafford underwent x-rays of his ribs and chest after week two. Head coach Jim Caldwell was non-committal on Stafford’s playing status for week three. Injury issues are piling up for Stafford and he’s been marginally productive this year (532 yards passing, four touchdowns, three interceptions), settling in as QB15 after two games. His tendency to get banged up and post sub-par performances is a bit unsettling. Calvin Johnson is the WR21 and Golden Tate the WR38. Ameer Abdullah is the RB24. Eric Ebron is the best value for fantasy production as the TE7 after two games. It doesn’t get any easier as the Lions are playing the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals the next three weeks. Yikes.

Carlos Hyde, RB SF

Hyde nearly suffered a serious knee injury, but fortunately was saved by not planting his foot at the last possible second. He apparently did sustain a contusion that is being monitored. Compartment syndrome can be a potentially serious issue, if a blood clot expands within muscle, pressure rises and damage to nerves, arteries and muscle occur. Now, to be clear, nobody is saying this is happening to Hyde. However, that’s probably why his contusion is being closely monitored. Hyde also sustained a head injury and was reportedly cleared to return to the game. Hyde must have passed the concussion examination, so that’s good news. Whether or not he plays in week three will likely depend on whether complications arise from his contusion and pain tolerance. Monitor his practice participation and be ready for a replacement just in case he can’t play this week. I don’t think either injuries are a red flag for his dynasty value.

Jay Cutler, QB CHI

Cutler injured a hamstring and left the game. Most hamstring injuries are grades 1 or 2 (80%) and return to sport has been described as 1-3 weeks depending on severity and response to treatment. Grade 3 hamstring injuries can require a much longer recovery (3 months or longer). Cutler was having a decent day (8 pass completions on 9 attempts, 120 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 rushes for 24 yards), but got hurt on a pick-6 and was done for the day. Jimmy Clausen was not very good (14 pass completions on 23 attempts, 121 yards, no touchdowns and one interception). The Bears need a quarterback in the worst possible way. Head coach John Fox described the hamstring injury as “not severe.” If that’s the case, Cutler shouldn’t miss too much time (1-3 weeks), but good luck getting injury updates from Fox.

Tevin Coleman, RB ATL

Coleman sustained a broken rib and was taken off on a cart. He had nine carries for 32 yards and a touchdown. Initial estimates are he is week-to-week. It usually takes 4-6 weeks for a rib fracture to heal. Still, it’s possible he could return sooner depending on pain tolerance and whether protective gear reduces his re-injury risk sufficiently (flak jacket, padding, chest protectors).

Lamar Miller, RB MIA

Miller left the game with an ankle injury. Miller has had a tough beginning to the 2015 season, with a total of 67 yards rushing and no touchdowns in two games. Damien Williams replaced Miller and could only post five yards rushing. In fact, all running backs backing up Miller have a grand total of just five yards rushing this year. Other than Jarvis Landry, the Miami offense hasn’t been as good as advertised. It doesn’t sound like Miller’s ankle injury is serious, but it’s worth monitoring closely.

Kiko Alonso and Mychal Kendricks, LBs PHI

Alonso left the game with an injury to his left knee and was unable to return. Alonso has an MRI scheduled, and the Eagles are being cryptic about the injury. The MRI should be informative.

Kendricks injured his left hamstring and was unable to return to play. He has had a tough time with injuries in his young career, missing four games last year with a calf injury. Now it appears he may be dealing with a hamstring injury. Hopefully Kendricks won’t be out too long. DeMeco Ryans (five tackles, three solo tackles) and rookie Jordan Hicks (four solo tackles, one sack) are worth a look if Alonso and/or Kendricks can’t play. Judging by the atrocious performance of the Eagles offense this week, Eagles defenders should be on the field quite a bit and that means a lot of tackle opportunities.

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