Dynasty Injury Report: Week Eight
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 off of 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
Cam Akers, RB LAR
Injury: Achilles, Surgery ~7/21/21
Return to Play: Late 2021
Fantasy Impact: I wanted to highlight this one first for dynasty purposes. Before you read any further, I want you to click this link and watch Akers go through these drills. He is going through those drills at roughly three months, 12 days out from surgery (give or take two days). He is at least one month, if not two months, ahead of schedule. I don’t think it’s crazy to think that he could play two months from now, which is possible given that the Rams placed him on the Non-Football Injury list instead of the Injured Reserve. The NFI mirrors PUP rules very closely, meaning Akers could be cleared to practice and return as early as week 15 (though if I was putting money on it, I would say they likely hold him out until week 18 or playoffs, but keep him on the 53-man roster.
The point is, if you can still acquire Akers for a future second in your leagues, you need to get that done now. At this stage, I’d even consider sending a late first for him (it gets a little more questionable in superflex, but we are looking at three decent running backs, five high tier wide receivers, and maybe three or four quarterbacks, the last of which will likely be close if not behind Akers in value). Send those offers out now. I do believe that Akers can be the running back to finally break the long-held thought of an Achilles being a death sentence (keep in mind that Marlon Mack has looked very good, but on limited touches).
Week Nine Injury Notes
TY Hilton, WR IND
Injury: Concussion
Return to Play: Week 10-11
Fantasy Impact: Hilton has already been ruled out for Thursday night. Bump to Michael Pittman, Zach Pascal.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR ARI
Injury: Hamstring
Return to Play: Week 9
Fantasy Impact: Hopkins barely played in week eight, but did not seem to aggravate his hamstring strain. I would expect a closer-to-norm snap count for him this week. Monitor the injury report.
Derrick Henry, RB TEN
Injury: Jones Fracture
Return to Play: 7-12 weeks
Fantasy Impact: There is a chance that Henry is able to return to fantasy playoffs some time between weeks 15-17, but that would place him at 7-9 weeks post-surgery for a Jones fracture. Re-injury risk remains high with a return from a Jones fracture surgery before ten weeks, so I could see Henry returning to the Titans this season for playoffs, but he is likely done for fantasy purposes.
Note: I recommend sending out offers for Henry. I understand that he will soon be 28 years old, but I do believe he will be able to return to form and be well-worth a future second-round pick in dynasty.
Darren Waller, TE LV
Injury: Mid-Foot/Deltoid Sprain
Return to Play: Week 9-10
Fantasy Impact: At this stage, I would say it is 50-50 on Waller playing in week nine, as the Raiders were quiet on his status during the bye week. If it was a mild sprain, there’s a decent chance he will be ready to go. Otherwise, he could be out for another one to two weeks. Boost to Foster Moreau if out.
Robert Tonyan, TE GB
Injury: ACL
Return to Play: Season-Ending
Fantasy Impact: Tonyan unfortunately suffered a season-ending ACL tear in week eight. He is worth a stash, and if you are in need of a tight end, could be worth sending a late pick for him to stash for 2022. Expect him to be ready for the beginning of the season.
Jameis Winston, QB NO
Injury: Left ACL, MCL
Return to Play: 2022
Fantasy Impact: Winston suffered a season-ending injury to his left knee this week and will be out for the remainder of the season. The Saints did not trade for a QB before the deadline, so boost to Taysom Hill if he is cleared to play (concussion). In turn, potential regression for Alvin Kamara, unless the Saints elect to lean on the run game.
Dynasty: Winston should be ready to go for the start of 2022. It remains to be seen who he will be playing for (most likely as a backup).
Kyler Murray, QB ARI
Injury: Left Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Week 9-10
Fantasy Impact: Murray suffered a left ankle sprain, possibly high ankle, while being tackled from behind and rolled onto. He remained in the game, but was noticeably limping. I do think it was mild enough for him to be able to suit up for week nine, but monitor the practice reports. There is a chance that he misses one or two games. Colt McCoy is the next man up.
Deebo Samuel, WR SF
Injury: Calf Strain
Return to Play: Week 9-10
Fantasy Impact: Samuel aggravated his calf strain that he had been dealing with leading up to this week. It remains to be seen if the team will shut him down for a while to let him heal, or if he will be ready to play. Plan on him missing at least one game, and hopefully we do not have a George Kittle calf situation on our hands here (where Samuel winds up being placed on IR).
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.
Damien Williams, RB CHI
Injury: Knee
Return to Play: 1-3 Weeks
Fantasy Impact: Williams exited week eight early with a knee injury and was unable to return. The Bears have been quiet about it, but given it knocked him out of the game, I would plan for Williams to miss at least one to two games. Bump to Khalil Herbert until David Montgomery returns (and expect Herbert to maintain the RB2 role behind Montgomery throughout the remainder of the season).
Dak Prescott, QB DAL
Injury: Calf Strain
Return to Play: Week 9
Fantasy Impact: Prescott was pushing pretty hard to play in week eight and looked to be his normal self in pre-game warmups. I’ll be monitoring the practice reports this week, but I would expect Prescott to play this week.
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. Murray was not placed on IR, so the expectation is that he will be ready to go for week nine.
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 eleven.
Julio Jones, WR TEN
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Return to Play: Week 9-10
Fantasy Impact: I believe this is the third time Jones has now re-injured his hamstring and been ruled out. It would be wise for the Titans to give Jones more time to heal and get to 100% instead of running him out there with re-injury risk. Time will tell on this one, but I am treating him as a “Bench until I see consistent health/production out of him.”
James Robinson, RB JAC
Injury: Bruised Heel
Return to Play: Day-to-Day; Week 10-11
Fantasy Impact: Robinson reportedly bruised his heel (calcaneus) in week eight, being ruled out early in the game. These can be quite painful and can last for several weeks, but it will likely be a pain tolerance deal for Robinson. I would plan on him missing week nine, but returning for week ten.
Sam Darnold, QB CAR
Injury: Concussion
Return to Play: Week 9-10
Fantasy Impact: Darnold will have to pass concussion protocol in order to play in week nine. If he does not, PJ Walker will be next man up. DJ Moore seems to have decent weeks with Walker, but this would likely be a downtick to everyone else on offense.
Jalen Reagor, WR PHI
Injury: Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Week 9-10
Fantasy Impact: Reagor suffered an ankle sprain that knocked him out of week eight. Plan on him missing at least one game, possibly more.
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 or eight. Consider him week to week, with a 50/50 chance of playing in week nine. Word is he was 50/50 for week eight, so he will likely be closer to returning for week nine.
Baker Mayfield, QB CLE
Injury: Left Shoulder, Labral Tear
Return to Play: Week 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. I expect Mayfield to return for week nine.
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
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. He is set to begin practicing 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 off of IR until week nine after missing three games. He suffered a re-injury 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 was eligible to return off of IR week eight, 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 11. 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.
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. With the bye week coming up, expect Wilson to play week 10. Boost to the entire offense.
Of Note
Henry Ruggs, WR LV
As you have probably heard by now, Ruggs was involved in a very serious motor vehicle accident while driving under the influence. The Raiders have released the young wide receiver.
The most important note here is, prayers up for the family involved who lost someone dear and close to them. These are absolutely tragic events that you wish never happened.
For fantasy implications, Hunter Renfrow’s value increases and look for the Raiders to add a speedy wide receiver (DeSean Jackson, anyone?) to fulfill that role on offense.
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 16 - December 21, 2024
- Dynasty Injury Forecast: Week Ten - November 9, 2024
- Dynasty Injury Forecast: Week Seven - October 19, 2024
