Dynasty Injury Report: Week Six
My name is Jeff Mueller, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Injury Analyst for DLF, and I am here to help guide you through these weekly injuries and provide helpful insight into how bad the injury is and what the expected timeline for recovery is for your key player. It is important to remember that my analysis is based on limited information provided by teams, beat reporters, and limited video analysis of the injury itself – I am simply here to give you the best estimate possible for how to move forward and plan around player injury.
If you have already set up your lineups for week seven, you know it is rough business out there. You are likely weathering injuries and the next round of bye weeks. Teams on bye this week: Buffalo, Dallas, Jacksonville, Minnesota, LA Chargers, Pittsburgh.
The first few injuries listed are key to know for Thursday Night Football.
Nick Chubb, RB CLE
Injury: Calf Strain
Return to Play: Week 8
Fantasy Impact: Chubb has been ruled out already for Thursday night due to a calf strain. I do expect him to have a good chance of returning for week eight. Uptick to D’Ernest Johnson over Demetric Felton. Note: Kareem Hunt has been placed on IR due to a calf injury.
Baker Mayfield, QB CLE
Injury: Left Shoulder, Labral Tear
Return to Play: Week 7
Fantasy Impact: It was reported that Mayfield actually suffered a fully torn labrum in his left shoulder in week two, not just a partial. He suffered a re-injury to his left shoulder after landing awkwardly, however he plans on attempting to play through the pain. Downtick in production, but it sounds like he’ll be active this week. I am tempering expectations for the entire Browns offense this week.
Jerry Jeudy, WR DEN
Injury: High Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Week 8
Fantasy Impact: It was recently reported that Jeudy is not likely to play in week seven, but I do believe he will have a good shot at playing in week eight. Given the extent and severity of the injury, it fits the typical timeline for a higher grade high ankle sprain in return to play.
Antonio Gibson, RB WAS
Injury: Tibia Stress Fracture
Return to Play: TBD
Fantasy Impact: Gibson had an MRI on Monday after he aggravated his previous tibia stress fracture. This is speculation, but typically the results are in fairly quickly but WFT is still awaiting results as of Tuesday. This makes me think that the team/Gibson is seeking secondary consult to determine extent and severity of the injury, which typically means an extended absence. WFT has a week nine bye, so they could elect to hold Gibson out for week seven and eight, and have him return in week ten. Best case scenario is that there was no worsening of the fracture and he plays in week seven. I am bracing for an extended absence.
If so, uptick to JD McKissic over Jaret Patterson.
Rob Gronkowski, TE NE
Injury: Fractured Ribs
Return to Play: Week 7
Fantasy Impact: Bruce Arians reportedly stated that Gronkowski is close to returning last week. I believe there is a good chance that he is able to return to practice almost four weeks out from his injury and play in week seven.
Dallas Goedert, TE PHI
Injury: COVID
Return to Play: TBD
Fantasy Impact: There has been minimal news on Goedert’s status, however I would expect him to come off of the COVID list and be active for week seven. Monitor closely.
Alex Collins, RB SEA
Injury: Hip/Glute Injury
Return to Play: Week 7-8
Fantasy Impact: With Chris Carson on IR, Collins filled in admirably and showed why the Seahawks like him so much in their system. Unfortunately, he suffered mild hip and gluteal injuries and was unable to finish the game. He has not been ruled out, so monitor his practice status, but it sounds like he will not play in week seven. Complicating matters is that Seattle plays on Monday night, so it may be best to avoid the Seahawks backfield this week. Rashaad Penny is also eligible to come off of IR and play, however he should not be trusted for fantasy yet, either.
Latavius Murray, RB BAL
Injury: Left Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: 1-3 Weeks
Fantasy Impact: Murray was unable to finish the game after suffering a left ankle sprain, limping off of the field. I expect him to miss at least one game. Based on usage and current production, I would lean towards Devonta Freeman over Le’Veon Bell, but this backfield will likely be unpredictable and possibly worth avoiding. Ty’Son Williams could see usage as well, but the Ravens have shown a lack of trust in his play.
Saquon Barkley, RB NYG
Injury: Left Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Week-to-Week, Likely 3-4 Weeks
Fantasy Impact: Barkley suffered a significant ankle sprain in week five, so I do not expect to see him return to play for another few weeks. There is a chance he returns for week eight, but I am planning on week nine for now. Continued uptick to Devontae Booker in the meantime.
Julio Jones, WR TEN
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Return to Play: Week-to-Week
Fantasy Impact: Jones re-injured his hamstring, once again, in the game Monday night and was unable to finish. I expect Jones to miss at least one game, particularly as the team remains cautious with his recovery and workload. I am hoping this does not turn into a failed season for him. If he does play in week seven, I recommend sitting him.
Parris Campbell, WR IND
Injury: Foot Injury
Return to Play: Placed on IR
Fantasy Impact: News came out on Monday that Campbell suffered a potentially season-ending foot injury on his long touchdown catch. At this time, the team is unsure if it will end his season, however he has been placed on IR for now. I am speculating that it is either a Lisfranc injury or Jones fracture. I am sure we will hear more about his situation soon.
TY Hilton, WR IND
Injury: Quad Strain
Return to Play: Day-to-Day
Fantasy Impact: Hilton showed once again that he is dominant against the Houston Texans. Unfortunately, he suffered an in-game quadriceps strain that limited him. He reportedly felt better on Monday, but monitor his practice status. I believe there is a good chance he plays in week seven, though I would avoid for fantasy for now.
Kadarius Toney, WR NYG
Injury: Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: 1-3 Weeks
Fantasy Impact: Toney entered week six with an ankle sprain, and wound up re-injuring it in-game. The team is reportedly preparing to be without Toney for at least one week if not longer, however he is likely to avoid an IR stint. Monitor closely.
Kenny Golladay, WR NYG
Injury: Knee Hyperextension
Return to Play: Week-to-Week
Fantasy Impact: Golladay suffered a hyperextension injury while making contact with a defender in week five, however seems to have escaped serious injury. He is likely dealing with a bone bruise, which tends to be more of a pain tolerance/management issue. I expect Golladay to miss one week, but if he continues to deal with pain/swelling, he may miss more time. He is a risky play for fantasy if he is active for week seven.
Dawson Knox, TE BUF
Injury: Hand Fracture
Return to Play: 2-3 Weeks
Fantasy Impact: Knox fractured a bone in his right hand in week six and may miss some time. Buffalo’s bye week comes at the right time for him, as there is a chance he is able to place in week eight, however I would plan on being without him until week nine or ten.
Terrace Marshall, WR CAR
Injury: Concussion
Return to Play: Week-to-Week
Fantasy Impact: Marshall must clear concussion protocol in order to play in week seven. Thankfully the Panthers do not play on a short week, so there is a chance. These are often 50-50 and simply depend on the player’s symptoms and ability to progress to full speed and reps without symptoms. Monitor.
Dak Prescott, QB DAL
Injury: Calf Strain
Return to Play: Week 8
Fantasy Impact: Prescott will likely be labeled as week to week, but thankfully has a bye week to recover from the calf strain suffered on the last play of week six. I do believe he will have a good chance of playing in week eight after the bye.
Michael Thomas, WR NO
Injury: Ankle Surgery (Deltoid Ligament Repair, Possible Tightrope)
Return to Play: Week 9-10
Fantasy Impact: We are nearing the end of the IR requirements for Thomas, as he is eligible to return from IR on week seven. However, it was recently reported that Thomas will not be expected back for several more weeks. I am planning on a week nine or ten return.
If you have any questions on these players or any other players who I did not discuss, please ask in the comments. Good luck in week two!
- Dynasty Injury Forecast: Week Ten - November 9, 2024
- Dynasty Injury Forecast: Week Seven - October 19, 2024
- Dynasty Injury Forecast: Week Three - September 21, 2024
