Dynasty Injury Report: Week Nine

My name is Jeff Mueller, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Injury Analyst for DLF. 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

Latavius Murray, RB BAL

Injury: Left Ankle Sprain

Return to Play: Week 10-11

Fantasy Impact: Murray was unable to finish week six after suffering a left ankle sprain. I believe he is close to returning, but if he were to miss another game, uptick to Devonta Freeman for week ten.

Tua Tagovailoa, QB MIA

Injury: Left Middle Finger Fracture

Return to Play: Week 11-12

Fantasy Impact: I believe Tagovailoa remains a few weeks away from returning after suffering a finger fracture on his throwing hand. It does not sound like he required surgery, so the plan is likely to splint the finger and let the fracture heal over a two-three week timespan. He will return when he has full range and is able to grip and throw a football under control.

Chase Edmonds, RB ARI

Injury: High Ankle Sprain

Return to Play: Week 13-15

Fantasy Impact: Edmonds suffered a high ankle sprain that knocked him out of week nine early. I expect this to be a four-six week timeline as it sounds to be a higher grade sprain. Decent chance he is able to return after the Cardinals’ bye week. Uptick to James Conner (and consider adding Eno Benjamin if he is out there).

Alvin Kamara, RB NO

Injury: Left Ankle Sprain

Return to Play: Week 10-11

Fantasy Impact: Kamara reportedly was banged up in week nine, however, he was able to play the entire game and showed off his typical elusive traits. Keep an eye on the injury reports this week, but I believe he will play in week ten.

DeAndre Hopkins, WR ARI

Injury: Hamstring

Return to Play: Week 10-11

Fantasy Impact: Hopkins barely played in week eight, then was ruled out for week nine. Monitor his practice status. For now, I’d say he is 50-50 for playing in week ten.

Zack Moss, RB BUF

Injury: Concussion

Return to Play: Week 10-11

Fantasy Impact: Moss suffered a concussion in week nine and is now in concussion protocol. He must pass all stages in order to return for week ten. Uptick to Devin Singletary.

Ezekiel Elliott, RB DAL

Injury: Right Knee Contusion

Return to Play: Week ten

Fantasy Impact: Elliott returned to the game and looked spry without any further setbacks in-game, so I would expect him to play in week ten.

DJ Moore, WR CAR

Injury: Ribs

Return to Play: Week 10-11

Fantasy Impact: Moore suffered a rib injury after taking a tough shot directly to his side. He was able to return to the game, however these often tighten up and become more painful as the game goes on and after the game. I would expect him to play in week ten, but monitor practice reports.

Sam Darnold, QB CAR

Injury: Fractured Right Scapula

Return to Play: Week 14-16 (if at all)

Fantasy Impact: Darnold suffered a fractured right scapula, problematic for a quarterback who throws right-handed. I would not be surprised if Darnold winds up on IR (bye week 13), but there is also the possibility that PJ Walker remains the starting quarterback if he plays well.

Trevor Lawrence, QB JAC

Injury: Ankle Sprain

Return to Play: Week 10-11

Fantasy Impact: Lawrence was able to return to the game, so I would expect him to play in week ten. It could still limit him for a few weeks, but likely only a small downtick to the offense. Monitor practice reports.

Kyler Murray, QB ARI

Injury: Left Ankle Sprain

Return to Play: Week 10-11

Fantasy Impact: Murray did not practice all week and was ruled out for week nine. As of now, I would say he is 50-50 on playing in week ten. Monitor practice reports.

Deebo Samuel, WR SF

Injury: Calf Strain

Return to Play: Week 10

Fantasy Impact: Samuel reportedly did not suffer any setbacks in-game and should be set to play in week ten. This is a good sign coming off a reaggravation of his prior calf strain.

Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris, RB NE

Injury: Head Injuries

Return to Play: Week 10-11

Fantasy Impact: Both Stevenson and Harris suffered head injuries late in the fourth quarter. I have not seen any information on them being placed on the concussion protocol, but monitor practice reports closely. If both miss week ten, uptick to Branden Bolden. As of now, I am operating under the assumption that both will be cleared to play.

Devontae Booker, RB NYG

Injury: Hip Injury

Return to Play: Week 11-12

Fantasy Impact: Booker suffered a hip injury late in the game. The Giants have their bye week, and I expect Saquon Barkley to return in week 11.

Dak Prescott, QB DAL

Injury: Calf Strain

Return to Play: Week ten

Fantasy Impact: Prescott did not suffer any setbacks from his prior calf strain and should be good to go.

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 three 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 11.

James Robinson, RB JAC

Injury: Bruised Heel

Return to Play: Day-to-Day; Week 10-11

Fantasy Impact: Robinson was unable to play in week nine, but there is a decent chance he is able to return for week 10. The Jaguars’ offense certainly could use the help.

Zach Wilson, QB NYJ

Injury: Right PCL Sprain

Return to Play: Week 10-12

Fantasy Impact: The Jets plan on assessing Wilson in practice this week for return to play. There is aecent chance he is still one-two weeks away from returning.

Players on IR:

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB KC

Injury: MCL Sprain

Return to Play: Eligible to return from IR week 9; Week 10-13

Fantasy Impact: Edwards-Helaire was not activated from IR last week. Andy Reid stated that he is close to returning, but given how close we are to the Chiefs bye week, there is a risk here that they hold CEH out until week 13. Monitor practice reports.

Chris Carson, RB SEA

Injury: Neck

Return to Play: Eligible to return off IR week nine; Week 10 or longer

Fantasy Impact: Carson is reportedly set to return to practice this week, although we have heard this one before. Monitor closely. If he does return and has any setbacks or does not appear ready, continued uptick to Alex Collins.

Russell Wilson, QB SEA

Injury: Finger

Return to Play: Week 10

Fantasy Impact: Wilson has had the pin removed from his surgical site in his middle finger. Wilson is expected to play in week 10. Uptick to the entire offense.

If you have any questions about these players or any other players I did not discuss, please ask in the comments. Good luck!