Dynasty Injury Report: Week Seven
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.
To help keep track of bye weeks, here is the list:
- Week 6: Atlanta, New Orleans, NY Jets, SF 49ers
- Week 7: Buffalo, Dallas, Jacksonville, Minnesota, LA Chargers, Pittsburgh
- Week 8: Baltimore, Las Vegas
- Week 9: Detroit, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Washington
- Week 10: Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, NY Giants
- Week 11: Denver, LA Rams
- Week 12: Arizona, Kansas City
- Week 13: Carolina, Cleveland, Green Bay, Tennessee
- Week 14: Indianapolis, Miami, New England, Philadelphia
The first few injuries listed are key to know for Thursday Night Football.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR ARI
Injury: Hamstring
Return to Play: Week 8
Fantasy Impact: Hopkins has been listed as a Non-Participant on Tuesday due to a hamstring injury, though there is no indication that he will miss the game this Thursday. He played near his normal allotment of snaps in week seven, so expect him to suit up.
Davante Adams and Allen Lazard, WR GB
Injury: COVID
Return to Play: TBD
Fantasy Impact: Both Adams and Lazard have been placed on the COVID-list prior to Thursday’s game (Adams on Monday, Lazard on Tuesday). They would need to test negative two days in a row in order to play. I expect both to miss this week. Uptick to Randall Cobb, and possibly Marquez Valdes-Scantling if he is ready to play/return off of IR from his hamstring strain.
Nick Chubb, RB CLE
Injury: Calf Strain
Return to Play: Week 8
Fantasy Impact: Chubb has returned to practice and is expected to play in week eight, a big boost to the Browns offense despite the admirable play of D’Ernest Johnson last week. I do believe that Johnson and Demetric Felton will maintain roles in this offense with Kareem Hunt on IR for another two weeks, however likely in small roles. Keep Johnson stashed in case of a Chubb setback.
Jerry Jeudy, WR DEN
Injury: High Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Week 8
Fantasy Impact: It is expected that Jeudy returns and plays in week eight (further speculated given Denver just released John Brown from the team). I am planning on roughly 70-75% snaps for Jeudy, which would be plenty for him to produce as a WR3 in PPR. Typically in these cases it is wise to take a wait and see approach to see how the player performs, but I believe Jeudy will be a decent flex play.
Antonio Gibson, RB WAS
Injury: Tibia Hairline Fracture
Return to Play: N/A
Fantasy Impact: As speculated, the original Gibson injury news was poorly worded and poorly reported. He did not suffer a stress fracture (in this scenario, he most likely would not have been cleared to play), but instead a hairline fracture which has likely calloused by now. He is likely to deal with pain and discomfort throughout the season, but can easily manage this with workload management and reducing practice reps. This also could explain why JD McKissic has maintained such a large receiving role so that Gibson is not overworked.
Miles Sanders, RB PHI
Injury: Right Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Week 9-10
Fantasy Impact: Sanders suffered a low ankle inversion sprain in week seven that will likely cost him two to three games. I believe his timeline will closely mirror Saquon Barkley’s for return to play. Uptick to Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott, although Jordan Howard is expected to see snaps (avoid).
Josh Jacobs, RB LV
Injury: Chest Injury
Return to Play: Week 9-10
Fantasy Impact: Jacobs suffered a chest injury and was quickly ruled out from week seven. He is likely dealing with a sprain to the ribs where they attach at the sternum, which can be quite painful, especially when taking direct hits. The Raiders have their bye this week, but I do think there is a decent chance Jacobs either does not miss any time or misses one week for a week ten return. I expect a continued uptick to Kenyan Drake during the rest of the season, as the Raiders manage Jacobs’ workload.
Malcolm Brown, RB MIA
Injury: Quad Strain
Return to Play: Short-Term IR, 4-6 Weeks
Fantasy Impact: Brown has been placed on IR following a quadriceps injury that knocked him out of week seven. Myles Gaskin handled the majority of the workload and red zone work after Brown left, while Salvon Ahmed handled change-of-pace duties. Uptick to Gaskin here, while Ahmed could be a decent stash if you have enough bench slots.
Latavius Murray, RB BAL
Injury: Left Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Week 9-10
Fantasy Impact: Murray was unable to finish week six after suffering a left ankle sprain, limping off of the field and preventing him from playing in week seven. The RB workload was a mess between Le’Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman, and Ty’Son Williams in Murray’s absence. With the Ravens’ bye week here, consider stashing Murray from a week nine return.
Saquon Barkley, RB NYG
Injury: Left Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Week-to-Week, Week 9 or 11
Fantasy Impact: Barkley suffered a significant ankle sprain in week five, costing him two games so far. He is expected to return to practice this week, however I believe he is at least a week away from returning. Complicating matters is the fact that the Giants have a week ten bye, so as a conservative staff they could elect to hold Barkley out for two more weeks and have him return for week eleven.
Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson, RB NYJ
Injury: Hamstring Strain; Concussion Test
Return to Play: TBD
Fantasy Impact: Coleman is unlikely to return this week after suffering a hamstring strain late in the week prior to week seven. Johnson was evaluated for a concussion, but reportedly cleared for return. If any symptoms pop up this week, he could be in jeopardy of missing week eight. Continued uptick to Michael Carter, who could find himself being a great late-season option in PPR.
Patrick Mahomes, QB KC
Injury: Evaluated for Concussion
Return to Play: Cleared for return
Fantasy Impact: Somehow Mahomes was cleared from concussion protocol after suffering a brutal hit to his head and neck, however Andy Reid chose to keep him out of the game that was out of grasp. If any symptoms pop up this week, he may be placed back into the protocol. Monitor.
Antonio Brown, WR TB
Injury: Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Day-to-Day
Fantasy Impact: Brown is expected to return to practice this week. Consider him day-to-day with a 50/50 chance of playing in week eight. If not week eight, week nine is likely for return.
TY Hilton, WR IND
Injury: Quad Strain
Return to Play: Day-to-Day
Fantasy Impact: Hilton was unable to play in week seven, however the Colts are optimistic that he will be ready to play in week eight. Monitor his practice status, likely a 50/50 chance at playing. I would recommend sitting Hilton until he shows the ability to play without reinjury.
Kadarius Toney, WR NYG
Injury: Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Week 8-9
Fantasy Impact: Toney entered week six with an ankle sprain, and wound up re-injuring it in-game. He has a chance at returning to practice and showing the ability to suit up for week eight, but if not I would plan on a week nine return. If active, play him as a flex play.
Kenny Golladay, WR NYG
Injury: Knee Hyperextension
Return to Play: Week-to-Week
Fantasy Impact: Golladay avoided a serious injury in week six, but was unable to suit up for week seven. Consider him week to week, with a 50/50 chance of playing in week eight. I do believe we will see him return prior to the Giants’ week ten bye. If he is active, he should be viewed as a boom or bust option.
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 eight. I do expect him to clear and return to play this week, but would not start him in fantasy.
Dak Prescott, QB DAL
Injury: Calf Strain
Return to Play: Week 8
Fantasy Impact: Prescott is expected to practice this week with a good shot at playing in week eight. I expect him to play after suffering a mild calf strain in week six, having rested during their week seven bye.
Baker Mayfield, QB CLE
Injury: Left Shoulder, Labral Tear
Return to Play: Week 8-9
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. There is a chance he plays in week eight, but I hope the Browns continue to protect Mayfield and give him another week to recover. Risky play for fantasy.
Zach Wilson, QB NYJ
Injury: Right PCL Sprain
Return to Play: Week 10-12
Fantasy Impact: The Jets have not decided on placing Wilson on IR just yet, but he is expected to miss at least two games with a grade II PCL sprain. He described his knee as feeling “loose”, indicating at least a grade II sprain, but would not require surgery. I would expect him to recover and return wearing a brace for external support.
Players on IR
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 off 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.
George Kittle, TE SF
Injury: Calf Strain
Return to Play: Week 9
Fantasy Impact: Kittle is eligible to return off of IR for week nine against the Cardinals. All indications point to this occurring, but monitor practice status following this week.
Christian McCaffrey, RB CAR
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Return to Play: Eligible to return off IR week 9; Week 9-10
Fantasy Impact: McCaffrey was placed on IR on October 16 before the week six game, meaning he won’t be eligible to return from IR until week nine after missing three games. He suffered a reinjury of his prior hamstring strain, indicating he will likely require another three to four weeks to recover. I am planning on a week nine or ten return, hopefully no longer.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB KC
Injury: MCL Sprain
Return to Play: Eligible to return off IR week 9; Week 9-10
Fantasy Impact: Edwards-Helaire will be eligible to return off of IR for week nine, however may require more time to recover. The Chiefs have been relatively quiet on his injury and recovery, however there has been no indication that his injury required surgery. I expect a week nine or ten return.
David Montgomery, RB CHI
Injury: MCL Sprain, Bone Bruise
Return to Play: Eligible to return off IR week 8; Week 11
Fantasy Impact: Montgomery’s recovery has been quiet. He is eligible to return off of IR this week, however there has been no indication that this will occur. With a week ten bye, it won’t surprise me if the Bears hold Montgomery out until week eleven. Monitor practice status, hopefully he can return sooner.
Chris Carson, RB SEA
Injury: Neck
Return to Play: Eligible to return off IR week nine; Week 10 or longer
Fantasy Impact: Carson is certainly at risk of missing the entire season with a likely disc injury in his neck. Looking at best-case scenario, he could return off of IR after week eight, having missed three games and returning after the Seahawk’s bye week to play in week ten. Do I think this occurs? I am honestly not sure. The last update we received was Pete Carroll stating that there is a sensitive spot in Carson’s neck that has yet to calm down. I am keeping Alex Collins stashed for the time being and planning for worst-case scenario, being Carson potentially missing the rest of the season.
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
