Dynasty Injury Report: Week Three
Injuries continue to pile up every week forcing fantasy managers to pivot looking at the backups or the waiver wire to save their matchups. While some injuries are straightforward, others require more nuance to discern,
I am Kyle Trimble, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and injury analyst at Dynasty League Football. I am here every week to break down the latest injuries and provide perspective on how to navigate the pitfalls that are injuries.
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Let’s look at the various injuries heading into Week 4 and any concerns moving forward for your fantasy championships.
Kenneth Walker, RB SEA
Injury: Oblique strain
Timeline to Return: TBD
Walker was a player I did not initially report on given when his injury occurred in Week 1. Oblique injuries can be brief or linger based on the player and position. Unfortunately, he has since missed the last two games as the Seahawks have taken “extreme caution” indicating it could be a multi-week injury.
He has had a history of abdominal injuries including a hernia repair during his rookie season that saw him miss the first week and a slow first month. While this injury is different from 2022, there is a concern this could be a core muscle presenting as an oblique/abdominal injury. Walker is a wait-and-see approach. He may just need more time and he returns without issue or it never gets better and he undergoes surgery. If you can buy him low, he’s worth a shot if he heals, but my fear is this may linger for a while. Kenny McIntosh is worth a grab if Zach Charbonnet goes down or look to the waiver wire for Alexander Mattison or Chuba Hubbard
Justin Herbert, QB LAC
Injury: Right high-ankle sprain
Timeline to Return: Week 4-6
Despite suffering a right high-ankle sprain in Week 3, Herbert played through the injury and had similar statistics as previous weeks. He regrettably did aggravate the ankle injury midway through the third quarter and did not return. He was replaced by Taylor Heinicke with the Chargers relying on the running game in the 20-10 loss.
If Herbert played through the injury this week, an aggravation to the area could force him to the bench to rest it for at least a week. Head coach Jim Harbaugh was contemplating resting him until his he practiced that Friday, but that decision may cost them more time than originally thought.
If he does play, his pocket mobility will continue to be compromised as he plays week-to-week. Given the Chargers offensive weapons, picking up Taylor Heinicke could be an option but looking to the waiver wire for a matchup-specific quarterback may garner you more points especially with the Chargers playing the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4.
George Kittle, TE SF
Injury: Hamstring strain
Timeline to Return: Week 5-7
Kittle was a late addition to the injury report last week due to a hamstring strain suffered in practice. He was doubtful for Week 3 and ultimately did not play. Given when he suffered the hamstring strain, this puts him just over a week to recover from the strain.
The highest chance to reinjure the hamstring is within the first one to two weeks which means that if Kittle has any sort of damage, he could be looking at missing Week 4. Kittle has shown he will attempt to play through anything which makes his availability murky. Given that Week 6 is a short week, the team may want to hold him out to maximize his rest.
If he does play, he is a boom or bust play due to the re-injury risk. If he doesn’t, Eric Saubert is the go-to guy. Knowing what you have on your roster will determine how much risk you are willing to take.
Skylar Thompson, QB MIA
Injury: Ribs
Timeline to Return: Week 5-6
Thompson suffered a painful rib injury in the third quarter after taking a hard hit requiring trainers to tend to him before he ultimately left. Tim Boyle stepped in to finish the game as the Dolphins fell 24-3 to the Seattle Seahawks. While Thompson is day-to-day and isn’t fantasy-relevant, former Pro Bowl QB Tyler Huntley is on the roster and could be an intriguing desperation play. Otherwise, consider grabbing any Dolphins running back such as Jeff Wilson Jr or Jaylen Wright to spell De’Von Achane as the team looks for any spark.
Adam Thielen, WR CAR
Injury: Left Hamstring strain
Timeline to Return: Week 8-9
Thielen injured his left hamstring on a 31-yard touchdown catch late in the second quarter running into the end zone before grabbing his left thigh. He was unable to return, finishing with three catches for 40 yards.
This is not his first hamstring injury as he suffered one in 2019 that saw him miss four out of the next five games in Week 7 of that season. He initially missed one game before returning to play and exiting early. Based on his struggles last time, I did not expect him to make a quick return. This was further confirmed with reports Tuesday that he would go on injured reserve. Teammate Xavier Legette should see a significant increase in snaps but if you don’t trust the Panthers offense, look for match-up-specific streaming options to maximize your points.
Sam LaPorta, TE DET
Injury: Right low ankle sprain
Timeline to Return: Week 4
LaPorta suffered a right low ankle sprain in the win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, forced to briefly leave the game. This occurred when he was blocking downfield before stepping awkwardly and twisting his ankle. Fortunately, this sprain was to the outside portion of his ankle and not the syndesmosis that is injured with high-ankle sprains.
I do expect LaPorta to be limited during the week in practice. With an extra day off playing on Monday Night Football, he will rehab and tape up the ankle and should have no noticeable drop off in performance.
Sam Darnold, QB MIN
Injury: Left knee bruise
Timeline to Return: Week 4
Darnold scared Vikings fans when he went down with a left knee injury late in the third quarter when Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter hit him and he fell awkwardly. He left for the one-mandated missed play before he came back in and finished the game. Reports after the game indicated that he had some bruising but no structural damage.
He is currently riding a heater leading the NFL with eight touchdown passes and should be a must-start in any league.
DeVonta Smith, WR PHI
Injury: Concussion
Timeline to Return: Week 5
Smith was forced to leave the game in the fourth quarter courtesy of a questionable hit by the Saints’ Khristian Boyd. He was forced to exit and later diagnosed with a concussion leaving Week 4 in doubt.
Under 25 percent of players return to play within one week after sustaining a concussion which doesn’t bode well for Smith. Watch the practice reports this week closely and look for a limited practice ideally Wednesday but could happen on Thursday. If he doesn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, pivot to your next man up. With AJ Brown out, Johnny Wilson and Jahan Dotson should be immediate pickups in this Eagles offense.
Trey McBride, TE ARI
Injury: Concussion
Timeline to Return: Week 5
After suffering a helmet-to-helmet hit with safety Brian Branch in the fourth quarter, McBride was forced to the blue medical tent for a concussion check and later, an official diagnosis. As mentioned above with Smith, most players don’t return in under a week. Watch the practice reports for limited practices early in the week, otherwise, stream your tight end with options such as Cole Kmet or Mike Gesicki.
Joe Mixon, RB HOU
Injury: Right high-ankle sprain
Timeline to Return: Week 5-6
Mixon missed last week with a right high-ankle sprain after a hip-drop tackle that was not flagged. At the time of publication, it was not clear the extent of his ankle injury but with a high-ankle sprain, this is one that typically lingers. I would not expect him to play in Week 4 and now potentially even Week 5. The longer he sits out, the better his production will be for the remainder of the season.
Go lock up Cam Akers or Dare Ogunbowale especially with Dameon Pierce out with his hamstring injury. If neither is available, see what’s available on the waiver wire.
Najee Harris, RB PIT
Injury: Right Shoulder
Timeline to Return: TBD
Harris was observed in the locker room with his right shoulder in a sling after the Steelers’ 20-10 win over the Chargers in Week 3. It’s not clear when he injured the shoulder or the severity of the injury, but it is not promising for Harris to require a sling for support and be realistically expected to play on Sunday. Jaylen Warren was also pulled early in the third quarter with a groin injury which puts Cordarrelle Patterson in as RB1.
Austin Ekeler, RB WAS
Injury: Concussion
Timeline to Return: Week 5
Eckler left Monday’s game early in the third quarter with a concussion and did not return after being ruled out. This is his third confirmed concussion in the NFL and coming off a short week, there is almost zero chance that he clears concussion protocol by Sunday. Brian Robinson Jr should be owned in most leagues which means that you may need to find someone on the waiver wire to fill Ekeler’s spot until he clears.
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