Dynasty Injury Report: Week Four
My name is Jeff Mueller, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, 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. 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.
Justin Herbert, QB LAC
Injury: Left Middle Finger Fracture
Return to Play: Week 6-7
Fantasy Impact: Herbert suffered a fractured finger after getting it caught in a defender’s facemask. Early reports indicate he won’t miss much time, and while the Chargers bye week comes at the perfect time, there’s the risk that he will require surgery. Thankfully this is his non-throwing hand, so even if it requires a pin to fixate, he should have a chance to return for week six.
Kenny Pickett, QB PIT
Injury: Left Knee Bone Bruise
Return to Play: Week 7-8
Fantasy Impact: With the Steelers bye week coming up in week six, I would expect Pickett to be out until week seven, also coinciding with Diontae Johnson’s likely return.
Matthew Stafford, QB LAR
Injury: Right Hip
Return to Play: Week 5
Fantasy Impact: Stafford suffered a right hip contusion, finding a way to continue playing in the game despite limping his way around and running for his life avoiding pressure. He is tough as nails, so I would anticipate him playing in week five. He may also have one of his top weapons back, too.
Javonte Williams, RB DEN
Injury: Hip Flexor Strain
Return to Play: TBD
Fantasy Impact: Sean Payton has kept information on Williams very quiet. Analyzing how quickly he was ruled out after suffering the injury, the fact that he is coming off of a significant ACL tear, and how quickly they have ramped up his workload, it will not surprise me if he misses at least one game, possibly more. Jaleel McLaughlin should be on your radar as a top waiver pick-up.
Saquon Barkley, RB NYG
Injury: Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Week 5
Fantasy Impact: Barkley was ruled as doubtful for Monday night, but was reportedly close to playing. I would anticipate him playing week five, though he will not be getting much help from his offensive line.
Austin Ekeler, RB LAC
Injury: Ankle Sprain
Return to Play: Week 6
Fantasy Impact: Ekeler was reportedly ramping up his workload in practice before being ruled out. The Chargers were likely playing it safe with the week five bye, so I would expect him to suit up for week six.
Rico Dowdle, RB DAL
Injury: Hip
Return to Play: Week 5-6
Fantasy Impact: Dowdle suffered a right hip contusion, though reportedly has a chance to play in week five. Of note, he suffered a fracture to his right hip back in 2021, so hopefully this bone bruise did not create a small re-fracture. Monitor his status in practice.
Davante Adams, WR LV
Injury: Right AC Sprain
Return to Play: Week 5-6
Fantasy Impact: Adams most likely continues to play through this injury after returning to this past week’s game after suffering an AC sprain. It likely swelled and became more painful after the game, but given the mild severity, he should be able to suit up. Monitor his status.
Tee Higgins, WR CIN
Injury: Rib Fracture
Return to Play: Week 6-8
Fantasy Impact: Higgins admitted that he was having trouble sleeping on his side due to pain, yet he hopes to play this coming week. I would say that is highly unlikely given the nature of rib fractures and how long they take to heal. Could he play next week? Sure, with pain and the risk of reinjury/worsening if hit really hard on the same exact spot of the fracture. The Bengals have a week seven bye, so it would not surprise me if we do not see Tee again until week eight.
Mike Evans, WR TB
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Return to Play: Week 6-7
Fantasy Impact: The Bucs’ bye week comes at the perfect time with Evans suffering a reportedly mild hamstring strain. The key to monitor here is if this is a reinjury to his prior hamstring strain that he was dealing with leading up to week one. My guess is, he suits up for week six.
Pat Freiermuth, TE PIT
Injury: Right Hamstring Strain
Return to Play: Week 7-8
Fantasy Impact: Freiermuth’s injury is expected to take several weeks to heal, which makes sense given the Steelers’ week six bye. They have no reason to rush him back to play. He likely has a decent chance at suiting up for week seven, but monitor his status.
Donald Parham, TE LAC
Injury: Wrist
Return to Play: Week 6-7
Fantasy Impact: Reportedly mild, Parham has a bye week upcoming at a perfect time. Given optimism on his status, expect Parham to suit up week six and help fill the role left by Mike Williams.
I hope this information helps as the week goes on. Follow me on Twitter/X @jmthrivept for further injury analysis and updates.
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