IDP Dynasty Fantasy Football: Monthly Injury Report
We are at the quarter pole of the NFL season and this means that the first installment of the IDP fantasy outlook is here! This is a monthly article looking at all the notable defensive injuries that affect your IDP leagues. We discuss how certain players coming off injuries will perform and when others will return along with any potential concerns.
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.
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.
Let’s look at the various injuries following the first month of the season and any concerns moving forward for your fantasy championships.
Terrel Bernard, LB BUF
Injury: Left Pectoral strain
Timeline to Return: Week 5-6
Bernard suffered a left pectoral injury late in the first quarter during the eventual win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. Even after the initial injury, he played in several more snaps before exiting for further evaluation. Fortunately, he suffered only a strain and not a full tear with the team stating he would be out for a month. The Bills did not place him on injured reserve but he should be able to return in Week 5 or 6.
He may look rough in the first game or two back but he should continue to improve if you can be patient.
DeForest Buckner, DE IND
Injury: Right high-ankle sprain
Timeline to Return: Week 8
Buckner suffered a right high-ankle sprain in the Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Given the severity, the Colts placed him on injured reserve, making the earliest he can return is Week 6. Having at least a month off will allow the syndesmosis of the ankle to heal. The hope is that the extended time off will allow him to get as close to 100 percent to effectively drive off that leg.
He should round into form as your fantasy playoffs near which means if you can buy low on him, absolutely do that.
Myles Garrett, DE CLE
Injury: Bilateral feet, Achilles, Thigh
Timeline to Return: Week 5
Garrett has been beaten up as of late dealing with an injury to both feet, an Achilles injury, and a thigh injury. The exact nature of the feet injuries have not been disclosed but he hinted that he may eventually require surgery on the area later. It’s quite possible he is dealing with plantar fasciitis or even a partial tear in the area. He also went on to state that it’s causing more lower body issues due to compensation such as the Achilles.
Garrett is still a must-start unless he is ruled out and while he is at less than 100 percent, he’s still one of the best players on the field every week.
Foyesade Oluokun, LB JAC
Injury: Plantar fasciitis
Timeline to Return: Week 8
Oluokun suffered a foot injury against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3 that was later diagnosed as plantar fasciitis. Given the Jaguars 0-3 record, the team elected to put him on injured reserve to allow him to heal and fully rest. He will be eligible to return in Week 8 and shouldn’t have any restrictions. Acquire if you’re able to wait out the IR stint.
Maxx Crosby, DE LV
Injury: Left high-ankle sprain
Timeline to Return: Week 3
Crosby suffered a left high-ankle sprain in the waning moments of their Week 2 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately, Crosby continues to play through the injury, lacking the ability to drive off the left leg and bend the edge that makes him so dangerous. Re-injury to the area can happen and won’t necessarily make it significantly worse, but without proper rest, this injury will linger and never quite get better unless he misses some games.
Crosby is still one of the best in the game and still worth starting in fantasy, but he will underperform most weeks. Proceed with caution and if you can move him for several players or draft capital, consider the option.
Dallas Turner, DE MIN
Injury: Right MCL sprain
Timeline to Return: Week 4
Turner missed one game after suffering a right MCL sprain in the Week 2 win over the San Francisco 49ers. While he was able to return to the lineup in Week 4, he did so with a hinged knee brace and lacked some explosion pushing off the right side. He will not be fully healthy for another two or three weeks but should not lose a lot of production while he is healing. Fortunately, the MCL is a knee ligament that heals up reliably well.
While he is rated lower in the DLF IDP rankings, he is someone worth keeping on your roster as he continues to adjust to the NFL.
CJ Mosley, LB NYJ
Injury: Big Toe
Timeline to Return: Week 5
Mosley suffered a big toe injury when he kicked a Titans player early in the Week 2 win. He attempted to play through the injury before the pain became too great. Despite getting an injection to help assist with the pain, he was unable to play on the short week in Week 3 and was doubtful in Week 4, ultimately missing.
This injury is different from turf toe in that the ligaments holding the big toe were not sprained. However, the direct blow to the toe still jammed the joints together, causing pain and inflammation, preventing effective use. Anyone who stubs their toe understands how long this lingers even when not playing football. Given that he has had time to let the injury rest, when he does return, he shouldn’t have a drop-off. The Jets will continue to rely on him in the middle of their stout defense which means he should be productive for your fantasy team.
Micah Parsons, LB DAL
Injury: Right high-ankle sprain
Timeline to Return: Week 8
A huge blow to the Cowboys defense, Micah Parsons suffered a right high-ankle sprain in the win over the New York Giants in Week 4. Considering the Cowboys bye is coming up in Week 7, the smart play would be for the Cowboys to sit him out until at least Week 8 to give the ankle a fair shot at actually healing.
Even when he does return, he may be limited to the right side to avoid placing the ankle in an everted and dorsiflexed position that stresses the ankle. At this point, I would not expect him to go on injured reserve due to the proximity of the bye and the injury. He’s worth buying low on if someone is willing to offer him but if you have him, hold on because an even 70% Parsons is still better than most.
DeMarcus Lawrence, DE DAL
Injury: Right midfoot sprain
Timeline to Return: Week 10-12
Adding insult to injury, DeMarcus Lawrence suffered a right foot injury in Week 4 with later tests revealing that he suffered a Lisfranc sprain. This is the area where the metatarsals connect with the cuneiform bones of the foot. Reports state that he will be out anywhere from 4-to-8 weeks with placement on injured reserve highly likely.
Research indicates that Grade 2 Lisfranc sprains return on average in 5 weeks but this is not an injury the Cowboys should try to rush Lawrence back from quickly. If he rushes through rehab, this could worsen the spacing seen between the bones when a sprain like this occurs. Slow and steady rehab will get him back healthy. Fortunately, when he does return, there isn’t a performance drop-off. Hold onto Lawrence with the idea that he can help in your fantasy playoffs.
Jeffery Simmons, DT TEN
Injury: Left elbow UCL sprain
Timeline to Return: Week 6
Simmons suffered a left elbow UCL sprain as the result of a collision with a teammate ahead of the Week 4 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. It wasn’t clear whether the injury occurred in practice or a game, but the training staff held him out as a precaution with the Titans bye coming up in Week 5. Despite the association with the UCL and Tommy John surgery in baseball players, this injury is not as much of a concern in a defensive lineman. He will be wearing a hinged brace which reduces valgus stress on the ligament on the inside portion of the elbow.
His grip strength may be compromised in his first game back from the injury, but as he rehabs and heals, this shouldn’t linger and he will not require surgery. Hold onto Simmons as a key defensive player on your roster and if you can, scare a league mate into trading him to you and reap the rewards.
- Dynasty Injury Report: Week 15 - December 18, 2024
- Dynasty Injury Report: Week 14 - December 11, 2024
- IDP Dynasty Fantasy Football: Monthly Injury Report - December 5, 2024
