The Dynasty Doctor: Week Five Injury Report

Scott Peak Posted On October 8, 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.

Calvin Johnson, WR DET

Johnson left his owners dismayed when he was surprisingly inactive on Sunday. The injury has been described as a sore left knee. Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz confirmed the injury occurred in the Bears game. I reviewed the game tape and the only possible mechanism occurred in the second quarter (12:25, second quarter). Johnson went up for a pass, landed with all force on his left leg, then hopped off the field. He returned to catch a touchdown later in the game, and seemed to be running well. No obvious signs of an injury for the remainder of the game. It is possible he suffered a bone bruise or cartilage injury, if the force from impact on the left knee joint was enough to result in damage. There was no obvious injury mechanism that would be expected to damage ligaments, so that is good news. In reviewing the footage, I have to conclude there is no reason to believe Johnson will miss much time from this injury, barring new information to suggest otherwise. Johnson also did not think it would be a long-term issue. His dynasty value is unchanged, and selling him at a discount is not recommended. If you can acquire his services from a panicked owner, it may be a good opportunity to buy him at a lower price.

David Wilson, RB NYG

Wilson finally gave his fantasy owners something to smile about, scoring a touchdown in the first quarter. Unfortunately, happiness did not last, as he was pulled from the game with a neck injury. It looked like Nate Allen delivered a blow to the side of his head, plus Wilson’s head appeared to hit the turf hard. Wilson did not return, mainly for precautionary reasons. He was quoted on Twitter saying he would be back this week. However, reports are that he is still experiencing tingling, and that likely indicates residual injury to a sensory nerve. That should get better in time and I doubt that will impact him long-term. However, it is hard to imagine he will play on Thursday Night Football, on a short week, if he is still having symptoms from a neck injury. Keep a close eye on this situation and in particular whether he is able to practice or not. Contingency plans should be in place and plan for him to be out this week unless he has a prompt recovery. Whether or not an owner would want an injured Wilson going up against a tough Bears defense, in Chicago, is debatable. Brandon Jacobs only had 34 yards on 11 carries, with a lost fumble, so he did nothing to take the starting job from Wilson. Da’Rel Scott was re-signed by the Giants and he could be considered as a waiver wire addition for fantasy owners desperate for a week six bye replacement, or for Wilson owners needing a temporary replacement until he returns to health.

Michael Vick, QB PHI

Vick pulled a hamstring on a scramble as he was running out of bounds. An MRI is planned on Monday. Initial reports are it appears to be a lower grade injury, and he has already been ruled out for week six. He might also miss week seven. Grade one hamstring injuries can take three weeks to heal, so missing two games is not surprising. Nick Foles threw for 197 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in relief of Vick. If he misses time, Foles looks ready to be a productive option for fantasy owners. If Foles is on the waiver wire, grab him until Vick returns. Foles is also a nice stash in deep dynasty leagues.

Ryan Mathews, RB SD

Mathews sustained a concussion and was removed from the game after he was hit by a knee to the back of his head. He did not appear to lose consciousness, as he was able to stand up quickly. Nevertheless, any concussion carries a high-risk for getting pulled from a game. Mathews will enroll into the NFL concussion protocol, and will have to demonstrate resolution of concussion-related symptoms and be cleared by his medical team before returning to play. Return to play depends on the severity of the concussion but it seems like, if he were to miss time, one or two games is a reasonable estimate.

Clay Matthews, LB GB

Matthews sustained a broken thumb against the Detroit Lions. Further evaluation is needed to determine if surgery is advised or not. Athletes with non-displaced thumb fractures can return to play soon, potentially the following week or two, using a cast. If the fracture is displaced, surgery is likely. Depending on the type and severity of the fracture, recovery from surgery for thumb fractures is approximately four to six weeks. Initial reports are that Matthews will be out at least a month, suggesting surgery may be planned. These fractures typically heal well and this injury should not adversely impact his dynasty value.

Wesley Woodyard, LB DEN

Woodyard left the shootout in Dallas with a shoulder injury. He was unable to return in the second half. He had been an IDP stud, with 19 solo tackles, 16 assists and 1.5 sacks. His loss would be a blow to IDP owners. Nate Irving has been a disappointment thus far, but he might be next up for the Broncos to replace Woodyard. Irving played 31 of 59 snaps against the Cowboys, and seems like a logical fit to replace Woodyard if he misses games.

Rashad Jennings, RB OAK

Jennings lasted one half before he got injured. Jennings has a long, frustrating history of injuries, so this is not a surprise. He sustained a hamstring injury and his return to play is unclear. It is quite clear he cannot stay healthy and fantasy owners would be within their rights to cut him now. Jennings has proven he cannot stay healthy, so looking elsewhere is reasonable. The good news is Marcel Reece was able to return despite his knee injury and had decent statistics for PPR leagues (7 carries, 32 yards, 3 receptions, 25 yards). Reece is a nice waiver-wire flier for McFadden owners. The dynasty value for Jennings is minimal and he can be safely dropped in all but the deepest of leagues.