Dynasty Injury Report: Week Seven

Week 7 was an absolutely brutal week for fantasy owners injury-wise. If you somehow escaped any of your players being injured, you most likely won because your opponent had injuries or you had a horseshoe stuck where the sun doesn’t shine.

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 heading into Week 8 and any concerns moving forward for your fantasy championships.

Calvin Ridley, WR TEN

Injury: Right ankle

Timeline to Return: Week 8

Ridley suffered a right ankle injury when he was rolled up on as a play was finishing, catching his right ankle. Fortunately he did not miss much time but his ankle did appear to bother him throughout the game, limiting his production. He secured 3 receptions on 9 targets for 42 yards which is rather uninspiring.

While the ankle may affect him slightly, the offensive scheme and quarterback may be the primary limitation. Ridley is a borderline starter only based on reputation at this point this season making him a boom or bust option. He’s a risky start until he can show he can produce this season.

Curtis Samuel, WR BUF

Injury: Right shoulder

Timeline to Return: Week 9-10

Samuel saw only two plays in the Week 7 win over the Tennessee Titans when he suffered what appeared to be a right shoulder injury falling to the ground. By video, he falls on his elbow which could have jammed his humeral head up into the shoulder joint causing a rotator cuff or capsular injury.

He was initially questionable to return before being ruled out. He likely had a worsening range of motion, weakness, and progressive symptoms that led to his status downgrade. Samuel has been hugely unproductive this season and if you’re rostering him, it may be best to drop him in the short term.

If you are a Samuel hopeful, look to grab Keon Coleman who is becoming a dependable favorite of Josh Allen.

Tyler Huntley, QB MIA

Injury: Right shoulder

Timeline to Return: Week 10-11

Huntley suffered a right throwing shoulder injury in the Week 7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts exiting the game. Tim Boyle took his place to finish the game but there is concern for an AC joint sprain for Huntley.

Fortunately for the Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa is set to return following missing six weeks due to his Week 2 concussion. Huntley is not fantasy relevant while Tagovailoa is healthy. If you want to hedge the possibility that Tua suffers another injury, Skylar Thompson is improving from his rib injury.

Jayden Daniels, QB WAS

Injury: Left rib injury

Timeline to Return: Week 9-10

Daniels suffered a left rib injury early in the first quarter of Sunday’s win and was ruled out , forcing Marcus Mariota to take over. While initial x-rays were negative, bruising to the ribs or cartilage damage is still incredibly painful. Add in the fact that he needs to rotate his trunk to the left when throwing, and this injury may impact him more short term.

Even with a flank jacket and if an injection is possible, I do have concerns for Daniels’ ability to scramble and throw, especially if he takes another hit. Watch the practice reports this week but I’d have a contingency plan in case Daniels is a game-time decision and is ruled out. Marcus Mariota performed well in his place and considering the Week 8 opponent in the Chicago Bears, he could be serviceable until Daniels is healthy.

DK Metcalf, WR SEA

Injury: Right knee MCL sprain

Timeline to Return: Week 8-10

Metcalf suffered a right MCL sprain when he flipped over in the air and landed awkwardly in the third quarter. Reports later came out showing that he suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain and was deemed week-to-week.

Despite the positive news but updated timeframe, Metcalf has come out and stated that he will still try to play. If Metcalf can get the swelling under control and maintain his full range of motion, he could realistically play on Sunday knowing he has the bye the following week. He will rely on straight-line speed and routes to the right to maximize his skill set. This is one where you have to watch the practice reports this week to see how he trends. If he does play, he could be a boom or bust given the injury and Buffalo’s lockdown secondary.

Deebo Samuel, WR SF

Injury: Pneumonia

Timeline to Return: TBD

Samuel started the game feeling ill and at one point required the use of an oxygen mask to help catch his breath during the game. As his symptoms worsened, he was forced to leave the game and following the loss to the Chiefs, checked into a hospital for further treatment.

Considering he had fluid build up in his lungs that led to pneumonia, Samuel will require time to get all the fluid out of his lungs and breathe normally. The downtime will lead to a significant drop in his conditioning and potential weight loss which could lengthen his time to return to the field. Watch the updates on Samuel in the coming days. I’m not certain this is an IR stint, but don’t expect a rapid return. Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, and Ronnie Bell are the only healthy wide receivers for now.

George Kittle, TE SF

Injury: Foot sprain

Timeline to Return: Week 8

Another day, another injury for George Kittle. The latest injury for Kittle is a foot sprain sometime during the 49ers’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. He has been officially deemed day-to-day.

Kittle is known to play through almost any injury and still demonstrates productivity even at less than 100%. Even if he doesn’t practice much this week, I would still expect him to play given the loss of teammates Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. The majority of the passing volume will funnel to Kittle so even if he can’t get up the field easily, he will be excellent in the red zone or just moving the ball. He is still a must-start unless he is ruled out.

Mike Evans, WR TB

Injury: Right hamstring strain

Timeline to Return: Week 10-13

Evans re-injured his right hamstring which he appeared to originally injure in Week 6 when he failed to haul in a touchdown pass, tweaking the leg. He was unable to return for the rest of the night and tests are still being performed on the severity. Given that this was a re-injury, I would expect Evans to sit out the next several weeks to rehab fully. A stint on injured reserve could certainly be in play which would put his return at the earliest Week 13 with the bye baked in.

Watch the transactions for Tampa Bay to determine how long he’ll miss, but grab Trey Parker or Jalen McMillen to fill the spot. Sterling Shepard is also a veteran option if you miss out.

Zay Flowers, WR BAL

Injury: Right high-ankle sprain

Timeline to Return: Week 9-10

Flowers suffered a right ankle sprain when he was tackled on Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter. By video, there is a strong suspicion of a high-ankle sprain that could keep him out for some time.

Watch the practice reports for Flowers not this week but next. There is little to no chance of playing in Week 8 but he could return in Week 9 but expect limited production. If the Ravens can afford to, sitting him out until Week 10 will minimize his production dip and the injury lingering. Tylan Wallace or Devontez Walker can see some increase in snaps or a waiver wire pickup are the best options.

Brandon Aiyuk, WR SF

Injury: Right knee ACL, MCL tear

Timeline to Return: 2025

Aiyuk suffered a right ACL, and MCL tear in the second quarter after getting crunched by two Chiefs defenders. His season is done and he should undergo surgery sometime at the beginning of November.

Injuries are mounting in San Francisco, grab whoever is healthy including Ricky Pearsall, and look for the volume for any type of production. Ken Kelly looks at the dynasty impact around Aiyuk’s injury here.

Aidan O’Connell, QB LV

Injury: Broken Right Thumb

Timeline to Return: Week 13-14

O’Connell suffered a broken thumb when his thumb clipped a Rams defender’s hand as he released the ball on a throw in the first quarter. He is out for the next four to six weeks and will be placed on injured reserve. The Raiders bye week is Week 10 and does not count towards time missed which means the earliest he can come back is Week 13 or 14 based on healing and how well he can grip the football.

Gardner Minshew is back starting and worth a flier if O’Connell was your guy. If Minshew struggles, the Raiders did sign Desmond Ridder from the Cardinals practice squad.

Deshaun Watson, QB CLE

Injury: Right Achilles tear

Timeline to Return: 2025

Watson suffered a right Achilles tear late in the first half of Sunday’s game attempting a run play before falling down in a heap. Watching the video, it was pretty apparent that the Achilles snapped as he attempted to push off the right leg.

His season is over and while Dorian Thompson-Robinson is next up, he is dealing with a finger injury himself. I’d hedge my bets and grab Jameis Winston who could supplant DTR as the starter before long. You can find more info on the impact of Watson’s injury here.

Chris Godwin, WR TB

Injury: Left ankle fracture

Timeline to Return: 2025

Godwin suffered a gruesome left ankle injury that resulted in a dislocation and fracture in the waning minutes of the Monday night loss to the Ravens. His season will be done after he undergoes surgery to repair the damage.

He has ample time to rehab and get right for 2025 as he may potentially look for a new home. Ken Kelly looks at the dynasty impact and potential options to replace Godwin in your lineups earlier this week.