Dynasty Injury Report: Week 15
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.
It has been quite a year so far. I congratulate you if you have made it this far and are now battling it out in the playoffs. You have navigated injuries, COVID cases, baffling coaching decisions, unlucky matchups, and who knows what else, but you made it. I have thoroughly enjoyed helping all of you with injury content this season and wish you the best. Two more weeks to go. Let’s finish strong!
COVID-19 rules have changed. Now, if you test negative two times in a row after testing positive (even if it is the next day), the player can be cleared to return to play. Players on the COVID list to monitor for week 16: Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Harrison Butker, Tyler Higbee, Cole Beasley, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Taylor Heinicke, Tyler Lockett, Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff.
Elijah Mitchell, RB SF
Injury: Knee Sprain
Return to Play: Week 16-17
Fantasy Impact: Early word here is that Mitchell cleared the concussion protocol and has turned the corner in regards to his knee sprain. It will likely come down to a game-time decision, so keep an eye on his status up until Thursday night. If he plays, he should be a safe play for fantasy.
AJ Brown, WR TEN
Injury: Chest Sprain
Return to Play: Week 16-17
Fantasy Impact: Brown has been designated to return from injured reserve and will begin to practice. Keep a close eye on reports, as he has a decent shot at playing in week 16. Consider your other options, but given Brown’s ability to create and the urgent need of playmakers for Tennessee, he could be a good fantasy play against the 49ers.
Julio Jones, WR TEN
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Return to Play: TBD
Fantasy Impact: Jones suffered yet another re-injury of his prior hamstring strain. At this point, I won’t be surprised if the Titans shut him down for the rest of the regular season with hopes that he can be ready for the playoffs, if they make it that far.
Adam Thielen, WR MIN
Injury: Left High Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Week 16-18
Fantasy Impact: Thielen suffered a left high ankle sprain while being tackled. Seeing video of the injury, he took a tremendous amount of stress to the left ankle, so I believe this is more along the “moderate” level of severity. Keep an eye on his practice status, but he may have a shot at playing week 16.
Chris Godwin, WR TB
Injury: Right ACL, MCL
Return to Play: 2022
Fantasy Impact: Unfortunately, Godwin’s 2021 season is over. Timeline-wise, he also suffered an MCL sprain, so I won’t be surprised if his surgery is pushed off for a few weeks to reduce swelling in his knee. He will be cutting it close to eight months by August, and typically there is a year one production regression post-ACL reconstruction. We may not see Godwin be himself until November/December 2022. Buy low.
D’Andre Swift, RB DET
Injury: AC Sprain
Return to Play: Week 16-18
Fantasy Impact: There have been rumors that Swift may get shut down for the rest of the season, though it was just labeled as “league source”. I am operating under the assumption that he is able to return from this AC sprain, but given the team’s record, the Lions could elect to place him on IR. Keep an eye on reports. I think there is a decent chance he can play in week 16 but practice status will determine. Start if active.
Note: Jamaal Williams has been removed from the COVID-19 list, so I would be cautious about spending too much on Craig Reynolds.
Damien Harris, RB NE
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Return to Play: Week 16-17
Fantasy Impact: Harris suffered a hamstring strain, left week 13 for a few snaps, then attempted to return to the game. Unfortunately, he cut a run to the right for a long gain and further aggravated his hamstring strain. This will likely be a multi-week absence. Bump to Rhamondre Stevenson if Harris is inactive again.
Darren Waller, TE LVR
Injury: IT Band Strain
Return to Play: Week 16-17
Fantasy Impact: Waller could require more time to return from his back and ITB injuries. The report from last week stated that he was still having pain and swelling with cutting exercises, but he may have been able to turn the corner over the weekend. Keep a close eye on his practice status.
Leonard Fournette, RB TB
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Return to Play: IR, Likely done for fantasy 2021
Fantasy Impact: Fournette will likely be placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring strain, likely at least grade II, that forced him to require crutches as he left the stadium. Bump to Ronald Jones.
Lamar Jackson, QB BAL
Injury: Right Ankle
Return to Play: Week 16
Fantasy Impact: Jackson has reportedly been cleared of a high ankle sprain, instead having suffered what seems to be a mild low ankle sprain with a bone bruise. Good chance he returns and plays in week 16.
Mike Evans, WR TB
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Return to Play: Week 16-17
Fantasy Impact: Evans suffered a hamstring strain, though not as severe as Fournette’s. He has been deemed week to week, but will likely miss at least one game. With Evans, Godwin and Fournette out, bump to Tyler Johnson and possibly Scotty Miller. Antonio Brown may be returning soon too.
Austin Ekeler, RB LAC
Injury: Ankle Sprain, COVID?
Return to Play: Week 16-17
Fantasy Impact: Ekeler reportedly tested positive for COVID, however was not placed on the official list. He must not have tested positive, though there are reports he may be dealing with lingering discomfort from an ankle sprain. Monitor closely, but there is a decent chance he plays and remains a high-end fantasy option in week 16.
Joe Mixon, RB CIN
Injury: Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Week 16-17
Fantasy Impact: Mixon suffered a mild ankle sprain, though was spotted jogging on the sidelines and was in on the final snap for the kneel down. Gut feeling he winds up playing in week 16. He may be a risky play, but you start him if he is active. Stash Samaje Perine just in case.
Pat Freiermuth, TE PIT
Injury: Concussion
Return to Play: Week 16-17
Fantasy Impact: Freiermuth has now suffered two concussions within two months’ time, which is obviously not great. The key here is that a secondary concussion can be fairly common after suffering an initial concussion earlier in the season. Some players have dealt with multiple concussions without further issue, such as Brandin Cooks. I would not fade Freiermuth in dynasty, but keep a close eye on his ability to practice and any lingering symptoms. If any managers are nervous, buy low.
Sterling Shepard, WR NYG
Injury: Achilles Rupture
Return to Play: 2022
Fantasy Impact: Shepard unfortunately suffered a season-ending Achilles rupture and now has nine months to prepare for the 2022 season. He likely will not regain steam until mid-season or late-2022. I would avoid in startups unless he comes at a very cheap price.
Rondale Moore, WR ARI
Injury: Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Week 16-18
Fantasy Impact: Moore suffered an ankle sprain and reportedly will get an MRI to determine the extent of the damage. Typically in these cases, if an MRI is warranted, you can expect a multi-week absence. Buy low in dynasty and hope his usage improves in 2022.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB DEN
Injury: Concussion
Return to Play: Week 17-18
Fantasy Impact: Thankfully, Bridgewater recovered well and was able to move all extremities as he recovered in the hospital after suffering a concussion. He most likely will be out for week 16, giving a bump to Drew Lock. Oddly enough, Lock’s ability to push the ball downfield will likely open the field up even more for Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon, and may provide a boost to Tim Patrick or Courtland Sutton. I would not want to rely on any of these receivers in fantasy, but Patrick could be a decent dart selection in DFS lineups.
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
