The Dynasty Doctor: Week Three Injury Report

Scott Peak Posted On September 29, 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.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB PIT

Roethlisberger injured his left knee and it’s being called a sprained MCL with a bone bruise. Reports are he does not have a torn ACL and that is a big relief. MCL sprains are classified as grades 1, 2 or 3. Most MCL sprains are treated non-surgically. Return to play is 2-4 weeks for grade II sprains and 4-8 weeks for grade III sprains. Roethlisberger’s return is being estimated as 4-6 weeks and that sounds like a mid-grade MCL sprain. Michael Vick is the backup quarterback and he could only manage five completions for 38 yards and no touchdowns in relief this week. This injury is a bummer, as Pittsburgh was shaping up to be a strong contributor to our fantasy teams. This isn’t a concern for Roethlisberger’s dynasty value, but it could adversely impact important assets likeAntonio Brown, Heath Miller and Martavis Bryant. Le’Veon Bell may get a bump.

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Marshawn Lynch, RB SEA

Lynch received the questionable tag late last week and still managed to start this week. He didn’t last long, though, as he left the game with a hamstring injury. After the game, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll downplayed the severity of this injury. Lynch played the first half and could only manage 14 yards on five rushes and one reception for nine yards before exiting. Hamstring injuries can be tricky and most are grades 1 or 2. Return to play for grades 1 and 2 hamstring injuries is 1-3 weeks. It’s encouraging Carroll didn’t seem concerned about it, but whether Lynch can play in week four remains to be seen. Monitor his practice participation and we’ll see if he can give it go next week. The biggest dynasty news is the performance of Thomas Rawls, who replaced Lynch and had 16 carries for 104 yards. Fred Jackson had just two carries for 13 yards, so his usage wasn’t as expected. If Rawls is somehow on waivers, grab him. Send out trade offers for him and hope he stays under-the-radar next week as well.

Sammy Watkins, WR BUF

Watkins sustained a calf injury and could only manage one reception for 39 yards. It’s not good news to hear Watkins has a calf injury, as Alshon Jeffery owners can attest. Calf injuries are graded 1, 2 and 3. Recovery from a grade 1 injury can take 2-4 weeks, grade 2 injury 4-8 weeks and grade 3 injury 3+ months. Fantasy players may need to be without Watkins for some time. I’m starting to cool on Watkins as a dynasty asset. I wouldn’t advocate trading him at a discount right now, but between his situation and injuries, owning Watkins in dynasty has been a disappointing experience. Charles Clay (five receptions for 82 yards and one touchdown) and Percy Harvin(seven receptions for 66 yards) were the primary beneficiaries.

LeSean McCoy, RB BUF

McCoy injured a hamstring in mid-August and it is a persistent issue. We’re now going on six weeks since his injury and McCoy is still being adversely impacted from it. Risk of aggravating the original hamstring injury is a concern. McCoy had 11 carries for just 16 yards this week to go along with one reception for 10 yards and a touchdown. Karlos Williams had 12 carries for 110 yards and a score of his own. I’ve had McCoy has a strong sell the past two years in dynasty. The dynasty value for him is dropping fast. If owners can sell McCoy at a slight discount, I wouldn’t hesitate to trade him. McCoy’s best years as a fantasy asset are likely over. Grab Karlos Williams if he’s somehow available.

Jonathan Stewart, RB CAR

It wouldn’t be fantasy football without including Stewart in an injury article. He briefly left the game with a leg injury, but was able to return to play, so that’s good. What’s not good is Stewart’s long track record of injuries and relying on him to stay healthy is not realistic. His performance has been lacking and he could only manage 14 carries for 52 yards (3.7 YPC) against a beatable New Orleans Saints defense. In 2015, Stewart has 49 carries for 170 yards (3.5 YPC) and no touchdowns. The most effective component of the Panthers’ rushing attack is Cam Newton. I’ve had Stewart as a strong sell for the past three years. If dynasty owners can get anything of reasonable value for Stewart, take it.

Ladarius Green, TE SD

Green was inactive this week after having persistent symptoms from two concussions. The highest likelihood of sustaining a second concussion is in the first 1-2 weeks post-head injury, so it’s not too surprising that he had a second concussion in a short period of time. A history of concussions increases risk of subsequent concussions. Dynasty owners should follow his recovery closely, as prolonged recovery from concussion-related symptoms is a concern. This might also be a good time to grab Antonio Gates, who will return from suspension after week four. Green has generated hype in dynasty leagues for years, while Gates has been grossly discounted. Gates isn’t going away and I expect Philip Rivers to be very happy when he returns in week five. I’ve always felt Green was overvalued in dynasty formats and his audition with Gates suspended hasn’t changed my mind.

Davante Adams, WR GB

Adams aggravated his ankle injury and was removed from Monday Night Football. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport noted it was an aggravated high-ankle sprain on his Twitter account. If so, this is an injury that could range from 2-8 weeks, if managed conservatively. Adams seems likely to miss some time, but we’ll have to see how this week goes. James Jones had another big game, with seven receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. Jones seems to have usurped Adams in the pecking order for Green Bay wide receivers and I wonder what happens in 2016 when Jordy Nelson returns from his injury. Dynasty owners might consider moving Adams if the price is right.

Charles Johnson, DE CAR

Johnson left the game with a hamstring injury and this appears to be an aggravation of a prior ailment. Aggravated hamstring injuries can be as bad or worse than the original injury. We will see if this injury is of the 1-3 week variety or longer. Mario Addison might be flying under-the-radar, but he is worth a waiver add. Addison had four tackles and two solos against the Saints. Addison has six solo tackles and two sacks on the year. If Johnson misses time, he is a solid addition to IDP rosters.

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