Dynasty Fantasy Football Injury Report: Week Three

My name is Jeff Mueller, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and I am here to help guide you through these weekly injuries and provide (hopefully) helpful insight into how bad the injury is and what the expected timeline for recovery is for your key player. The weekly injury roundup will be posted on Wednesdays to discuss injuries that just occurred. I would also encourage you to tune in to the DLF YouTube channel (make sure to subscribe!) to tune in to helpful content throughout the week.

Follow me on Twitter @jmthrivept for further updates throughout the week.

To start off with, remember we have some Bye Weeks coming up starting Week Six. I always advise not to make bad trades to simply navigate bye weeks. Bye weeks do not matter that much, not nearly as much as season-long value for your roster. In fact, try to take advantage of various situations where a leaguemate may want to make a bad trade just to help their bye week situation.

I’ll touch on these guys more down below too, but now is also a good time to target a few injured players, including Dalvin Cook, D’Andre Swift, Michael Thomas, and Chris Godwin. There are several players who are wildly overproducing their expectations for the season, so try to capitalize on current perception and trade value to “Buy Low” on these injured players who are projected to return soon.

Let’s dive in.

Mac Jones, QB NE

Injury: Left High Ankle

Return to Play: Week 8-11

Fantasy Impact: Jones suffered a severe left high ankle sprain and will be out for an extended period of time. To be honest, I’ll put the timetable as week 8-11 (bye week is week 10), but I won’t be surprised if rehabilitation does not help and he winds up getting surgery in-season. If he is able to return, don’t be surprised if you hear about him getting a Tightrope procedure in the off-season. He was already benchable in superflex leagues, so not sure what you’ll get from him in fantasy for the rest of the season.

Dak Prescott, QB DAL

Injury: Right Thumb

Return to Play: Week 4-7

Fantasy Impact: Prescott will reportedly push to play this week, but I’m still not certain he’ll be able to. It all depends on his ability to grip the football pain-free without fumble risk, as well as displaying good accuracy and velocity in order to return. Cooper Rush has been adequate for the time being, so I would expect Dallas to play it safe with Prescott’s return. I do believe we will see him return before their week nine bye week.

Justin Herbert, QB LAC

Injury: Rib Cartilage Fracture

Return to Play: Week 3 Returned

Fantasy Impact: “I do believe Herbert has a chance of playing in week three…” is what I said in last week’s injury report. I am proud of that call, because everyone else stated that Herbert will without a doubt miss week three. Well, he played and there have been no reports of any setbacks or worsening of symptoms. Start him week four, and hope for that continued result of no reinjuries.

Tua Tagovailoa, QB MIA

Injury: Back, Ankle

Return to Play: Week 4-5

Fantasy Impact: Early word is that Tua is planning on playing this week, even on the short week for Thursday Night. If, for whatever reason, he is not able to suit up, expect him to return by week five, but I do believe he will play this week. Start if active.

Zach Wilson, QB NYJ

Injury: Meniscus Surgery

Return to Play: Week 4-5

Fantasy Impact: It sounds like Wilson has a decent chance to make his return for week four, all depending on his practice status and ability to ramp up reps. Keep an eye on this one, as it likely has implications on the fantasy status of the Jets’ offensive weapons. It would be a major bummer if the Jets players who are currently dominating in fantasy take a hit.

Joe Mixon, RB CIN

Injury: Low Ankle Sprain

Return to Play: Week 4-5

Fantasy Impact: Mixon is planning on suiting up for Thursday night, and was able to get in a Limited Participation already. Stash Samaje Perine just in case, but expect Mixon to play. Start if active.

David Montgomery, RB CHI

Injury: Low ankle sprain

Return to Play: Week 4-5

Fantasy Impact: Per source, Montgomery does not have a high ankle sprain and has a chance to play in week 4. If he does not play this week, I would expect him back at least by week five. His knee is reportedly fine. I would Sit Montgomery if he is active for week four, as the team is likely to limit his touches to avoid reinjury.

Dalvin Cook, RB MIN

Injury: Left Shoulder Dislocation

Return to Play: Week 4-5

Fantasy Impact: I do believe Cook plays this week, likely with a harness to provide extra stability coming off the most recent dislocation (we all know he has had two prior left dislocations). If he does miss time, I expect it to only be one game. Limiting factors would be swelling and pain. Start in fantasy if active.

D’Andre Swift, RB DET

Injury: Left AC Sprain

Return to Play: Week 7

Fantasy Impact: Swift’s injury is most likely a grade two AC sprain and HC Dan Campbell has already stated he will likely benefit from a few weeks off until after the bye (week six). I would expect him to return in week seven. Notably: he suffered a Right AC sprain last year in the Thanksgiving game, but did deal with a Left AC/Shoulder sprain in 2019 at Georgia.

Keenan Allen, WR LAC

Injury: Left Hamstring Strain

Return to Play: Week 4

Fantasy Impact: Barring any setbacks, I would expect Allen to return for week four off of his hamstring strain. He should be safe to insert into your starting lineups.

Michael Thomas, WR NO

Injury: Right Toe, Potentially Turf Toe

Return to Play: Week 4-6

Fantasy Impact: The good news is, this recent toe injury is not on the same side as his prior ankle/deltoid injury (that was his left ankle/foot). Everything I’ve read is indicating that this toe injury is mild, however if it is Turf Toe it could cost him one-two games. Monitor closely. If he is able to get in Limited or Full practices and is active, I think you can start him this week. London game, baby.

Chris Godwin, WR TB

Injury: Hamstring

Return to Play: Week 4-5

Fantasy Impact: Godwin should have a chance to play this week, but his practice status and ability to ramp up reps will be key. It would not shock me if he is inactive this week as the Bucs will be getting Mike Evans and Julio Jones back, as well. No need to rush Godwin back if he’s on the cusp.

Julio Jones, WR TB

Injury: Knee Sprain, PCL

Return to Play: Week 4

Fantasy Impact: Jones has been dealing with a PCL injury in his knee. While he is expected back this week, I do think he will be a risky play until we see him make it through a game or two without reinjury.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR DET

Injury: Right Ankle

Return to Play: Week 4-5

Fantasy Impact: ARSB’s week four status will likely depend on how his ankle responded after finishing week three (swelling, pain, stiffness, ability to push off and cut, etc). He was able to finish the game after missing several snaps, so I do think he has a decent chance at playing this week. His production may dip a little bit, but should still be safe to start in fantasy if active. Monitor his practice status.

Jarvis Landry, WR NO

Injury: Foot Soreness

Return to Play: Week 4-5

Fantasy Impact: I believe Landry likely misses week four, as his injury limited him to only 30% of the snaps and was unable to return. Monitor his practice status, but Tre’Quan Smith could be the next man up. Wheels up on Chris Olave this week.

Jakobi Meyers, WR NE

Injury: Knee Soreness

Return to Play: Week 4

Fantasy Impact: Meyers was reportedly close to playing last week, so I do believe he will play this week. I’m not sure how it’ll play out with the Patriots for fantasy, as Brian Hoyer steps in at QB. I wouldn’t blame you for sitting Meyers in fantasy in his first game back from injury.

Rondale Moore, WR ARI

Injury: Hamstring

Return to Play: Week 4-5

Fantasy Impact: Moore will likely be able to return soon, if not for week four then for sure by week five, according to Kingsbury. Arizona will likely welcome his return with AJ Green likely out for a while with a knee injury.

Michael Gallup, WR DAL

Injury: ACL Return

Return to Play: Week 4-5

Fantasy Impact: I do believe Gallup’s return is close. I’m not sure if it will be week four, but I do know he has been able to get full participations in over the last two weeks. Keep an eye on this. Once he returns, I doubt he will slide right into starting snap percentages, but his return will likely have a negative impact on Noah Brown (Sell High candidate if you can).

Kyle Philips, WR TEN

Injury: Left Shoulder Sprain

Return to Play: Week 4-5

Fantasy Impact: Philips was listed as doubtful last week, so currently unsure if he is close to returning. I’m speculating that he worsened the injury that he suffered in week one when he played in week two.

Sterling Shepard, WR NYG

Injury: Left ACL

Return to Play: Out for Season

Fantasy Impact: This one is a major bummer, as Shepard was looking fantastic in his return from an Achilles rupture last year. He will miss the rest of this season with a torn ACL. The team needs Kadarius Toney to return soon, but still unsure of his status.

Dalton Schultz, TE DAL

Injury: PCL Sprain

Return to Play: Week 4-6

Fantasy Impact: Schultz had been ruled out for week three, which lines up with a PCL sprain and possible bone bruise. I won’t be surprised if Schultz misses 2-4 weeks, so have a backup plan at TE. This is also a good time to buy low on him, as by the time he returns we will likely also have Dak Prescott back on the field (or soon after).

Brevin Jordan, TE HOU

Injury: Ankle Sprain

Return to Play: Monitoring

Fantasy Impact: Jordan has been playing through an ankle sprain, possibly why his snap count dropped from 60% in week one to 37% in week two. He should be off the fantasy radar until further notice.

Brian Robinson, RB WAS

Injury: Knee, Gunshot Wounds

Return to Play: Week 5-7

Fantasy Impact: I want to put Brian Robinson on your radar now because there is a realistic chance he returns for week five. He has been spotted doing agility drills on the side with trainers. You may want to get a jump on your leaguemates if he’s out there on waivers or available for cheap in a trade.