The Dynasty Doctor: Week Three Injury Report

Scott Peak

dynasty_doctorEditor’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.

Andre Johnson, WR HOU

Johnson was injured in the game against the Ravens when linebacker Josh Bynes’ left knee collided with his right knee. The impact occurred on the outside of his knee, and Johnson was noticeably limping until he was pulled from the game in the third quarter. The diagnosis is a bruised shin, but the impact looked more like the outside of his knee. The peroneal nerve is superficial and in the region of impact. No mention of any nerve injury, so that is good. If the nerve was irritated, that could be a source of pain. X-rays are negative, and that helps make a fracture less likely. Head coach Gary Kubiak considers Johnson day to day, and it looks like he might be able to play week four, so that is great news. Follow his practice schedule and definitely check those active/inactive reports on Sunday. Houston plays an early game, making it an easier decision for fantasy football owners. This is not expected to be a long-term issue, so his dynasty value remains unchanged relative to this injury.

Jermichael Finley, TE GB

Finley took a nasty hit from Bengals safety George Iloka. He was hit on the right side of his head by the left shoulder of Iloka. Finley’s head snapped back and he hit the turf. He did not appear to lose consciousness, as he was able to jump back up, but appeared to be staggering as he tried walking off the field. Trainers tended to him on the field, and he was removed from the game with a concussion. Finley will go through the NFL concussion protocol. Recovery from a grade 1 or 2 concussion is usually 1 to 2 weeks, but return to play will depend on resolution of symptoms, return to practice and clearance from physicians. Green Bay is on a bye week 4, so it is possible Finley may not miss any games, but this will depend on how long he needs to complete the NFL concussion program. Click here for more information on concussions.

Vincent Jackson, WR TB

Jackson injured his ribs and was pulled from the game in the third quarter. No clear mechanism of injury, but Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes did land on Jackson’s ribs on the left side shortly before he left the game. Jackson was able to stay in the game one more play, but was soon spotted on the sidelines with his helmet off and Buccaneers hat on. Reports are the injury is not serious, and he is day to day. Good news for Jackson owners.

CJ Spiller, RB BUF

Spiller exited the game in the third quarter with a leg injury. At first, it was reported as a knee injury, but now has been clarified as a thigh injury. Either way, thankfully it is reportedly not serious and he could potentially play this week. Head coach Doug Marrone has said Spiller should be fine for the week 4 clash with Baltimore. It was not a productive day for Spiller before he left (10 carries, 9 yards, 1 catch for 1 yard), but at least it does not appear to be a long-term issue for him.

Miles Austin, WR DAL

Austin sustained another hamstring injury. Risk of recurrent hamstring injuries is 15 to 30%, and Austin has been plagued by them for the past two years. It looks like his hamstrings are an issue for the third consecutive year. Hamstring injuries can be a constant issue for an athlete, given underlying injury to muscle fibers, residual scarring and calcification of blood in muscle. Recovery time depends on severity of the hamstring injury. Estimates are 3 weeks for grade 1, 4 to 6 weeks for grade 2, and 3 months or longer for grade 3 hamstring injuries. Based on his history of hamstring injuries and repeated aggravations of them, we might not see Austin for a few games. The degree of injury has been called “not serious”, so that is good news. It would not surprise me if Austin missed at least one or two games, if not more. Aggravations of hamstring injuries can be tricky and we will need to monitor this situation closely. Dynasty value takes another hit, and his already plummeting average draft position (ADP) of 104 is heading south. Terrance Williams is reportedly next up on the WR chain, but notably Dwayne Harris has received nearly as many targets as Williams this year (5 versus 7), and Harris scored on a 24 yard touchdown against the Rams. Given the WR2 in Dallas has been productive for fantasy owners in the past, it is a situation worth monitoring, especially if Austin misses more time than is expected. Click here for more information on hamstring injuries:

Clay Matthews, LB GB

Matthews is another marquee player with a hamstring injury. Matthews has a history of hamstring and quadriceps injuries dating back to 2011. It sounds like a mild injury, as Matthews reportedly felt removal from the game was precautionary and he plans on playing in the Detroit game week 5.

Patrick Willis. LB SF

Willis sustained an injured groin and was removed from the game in the third quarter. Willis chased down Reggie Wayne, and appeared to twist his right leg in an awkward motion. He walked to the sidelines under his own power, but was unable to return. Groin injuries can be tricky, and after the game, head coach Jim Harbaugh noted an MRI is scheduled for Willis. Significant groin injuries can take 4 weeks or longer to heal properly, but we will hope for good news in the coming days for Willis. MRI results were not available at the time I wrote this article, but should be available soon. Plan to be without him on a short week, as San Francisco plays St. Louis on Thursday Night Football.

Cameron Wake, DE MIA

An injured knee ended Wake’s day against the Atlanta Falcons. Visual evidence of the injury is difficult to confirm, but Wake thought another player might have rolled up on his left leg. Wake was able to return to the sidelines, and was seen riding an exercise bike on the sidelines, so that is good news. The injury has been described as a mild sprain of the medial collateral ligament (MCL). MCL sprains are graded according to presence or absence of swelling, joint laxity, pain and instability on examination. A mild MCL sprain sounds most like a grade 1 injury, or the lowest grade. Length of rehabilitation depends on severity of the injury. Athletes can return to sport when they have full range of motion, strength and are able to perform sport-specific activities. Grade 1 sprains can take 2 weeks, grade II sprains can take 3 to 6 weeks, and grade III sprains 6 weeks or longer. The important point here is how Miami views a “mild” MCL sprain. Wake could miss two games, or a few more if this is more like a grade II sprain. It is likely he will miss one or two games at a minimum for a mild MCL sprain, and possibly longer depending on whether it meets grade II criteria or not. It is definitely better to have a mild sprain than a severe sprain for sure, so that is good news.

Mario Williams, DE HOU

Williams has been diagnosed with a left ankle sprain. No mention yet of the dreaded “high ankle sprain”. Right now, Williams is considered day to day, and is reportedly planning to play week 4. Notably, he has also been battling plantar fasciitis, so we will have to see if both injuries impact his performance. Comments from Marrone are somewhat cryptic, so even though this does not appear to be a long-term issue for Williams, keep an eye on his practice participation and whether he is active for the Bills game against Baltimore this Sunday. Fortunately, it is an early game, so you have options if Williams is inactive.

Henry Melton, DT CHI

Melton is a Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Bears, and unfortunately tore his ACL. His 2013 season is over. He was pushing upfield against an offensive lineman, and his left leg appeared to buckle. Losing Melton is a tough blow for fantasy football players in IDP leagues that require a defensive tackle starter. The Bears are presently #10 in rushing defense, but losing Melton might adversely impact that ranking. He is safe to drop in redraft IDP leagues, but he should be back in 2014. If you have an open IR spot in dynasty IDP leagues, you could stash him there or just drop him if you have other priorities.

scott peak
Latest posts by Scott Peak (see all)