Dynasty Injury Report: Week 14

Fantasy football playoffs are upon us! You have made it to the end of the fantasy football regular season and now all you’ve worked for is your chance at glory! Now it is more important than ever to navigate the muddy waters of injury management to win your fantasy leagues.

Understanding what to do this week could be the difference between that first-round exit and that underdog win over the top seed.

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 15 and any concerns moving forward for your fantasy championships.

Puka Nacua, WR LAR

Injury: Right calf

Timeline to Return: Week 15

Nacua briefly left the game against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter following a missed block that caused him to grab at his right calf on the sidelines. Trainers tended to him and, at one point, placed a heating massage device on his calf to loosen the muscle.

Fortunately, he was able to return to the game after some brief treatment and finish the game. As of publication, Nacua is not on the injury report but may show up as a precaution. Watch his availability closely but I do expect him to play and perform close to his expected production in Week 15.

Demarcus Robinson, WR LAR

Injury: Right shoulder AC Joint Sprain

Timeline to Return: Week 15-16

Robinson suffered a right AC joint sprain hauling in a deep catch in the third quarter where both he and Bills S Damar Hamlin were called for pass interference, a rare double call. He hauled in the catch and landed directly on his right shoulder, forcing him to briefly leave the game. He likely required an injection to return to the game but did not practice on Monday following the win.

Robinson can play on the short week with bracing and an injection, but he may be limited from a production standpoint which makes him a boom-or-bust candidate. If he is trending in the wrong direction, Tutu Atwell or Tyler Johnson are easy plug-and-play replacements but you may also be better suited to find a better matchup on Sunday.

Jonathon Brooks, RB CAR

Injury: Right ACL tear

Timeline to Return: Late 2025 or 2026

The worst happened Sunday when the rookie Brooks took a cut in the first quarter and slipped, grabbing his knee. The diagnosis following the game revealed a torn ACL, ending his season This was the same knee that he tore his ACL in his final year of college at Texas before entering the draft. This is pure and simple, bad luck. The team did not rush him back to play, it had been over a year since his previous injury, and returning to play after nine months does not increase his risk of tearing.

Unfortunately, roughly 25 percent of players who suffer an ACL tear in their career end up going on tearing their ACL again, though it is usually the opposite site. Brooks will not be effective or available for the bulk of the 2025 season and may return to his pre-draft form in 2026. Go grab Raheem Blackshear if you were riding the Brooks fantasy train.

Isaac Guerendo, RB SF

Injury: Foot sprain

Timeline to Return: Week 15-16

Guerendo suffered a foot sprain in the fourth quarter after torching the Chicago Bears for two touchdowns along with 78 yards on the ground and 50 more yards through the air. He was initially questionable but ultimately did not return to the game. With the 49ers on a short week, the team was performing more tests and he was unable to practice on Monday.

I suspect that Guerendo will make every attempt to play knowing this is a rare shot to show what he can do with McCaffrey and Mason both on IR. However, I do not expect Guerendo to be effective in the short week. It would not surprise me if he does play and still has some production, but they may lean more on backups Patrick Taylor or Israel Abanikanda despite the Rams’ run defense swallowing up the Bills’ rushing attack in Week 14.

George Pickens, WR PIT

Injury: Hamstring strain

Timeline to Return: Week 17-18

Pickens popped up on the injury report Friday with a hamstring injury with reports indicating that it is a Grade 2 strain. This kept him out of the Week 14 victory over the Browns. Given the severity of the strain, along with his positional demands, the Steelers should not be in a position to rush him back even with them fighting for a playoff spot.

Go grab Mike Williams, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, or whoever is available on your waiver wire who may suck up Pickens’s targets while he is out. Even if Pickens does return sooner than the timeline suggests, I do not expect him to be effective. The Steelers need to look long-term for Pickens’s health for the playoffs which screws the fantasy owner during their playoffs.

Derek Carr, QB NO

Injury: Concussion, Right wrist fracture

Timeline to Return: 2025

Carr suffered a double whammy of an injury when he landed on his non-throwing hand following a scramble midway through the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over the New York Giants. He suffered a wrist fracture and a concussion, knocking him out for at least the next few weeks. The team has not discussed whether he will require surgery for the wrist which could potentially be a scaphoid fracture considering how he landed with his hand outstretched.

The team may not make any moves immediately in case the Saints can make a push for the playoffs, but Carr won’t be appearing in any fantasy football playoffs this season. Go grab Spencer Rattler or the best waiver-wire quarterback for your playoffs.

Aidan O’Connell, QB LV

Injury: Left knee bone bruise

Timeline to Return: Week 16-17

O’Connell was carted off the field in an aircast after getting hit in the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This came after landing awkwardly from a late hit from Calijah Kancey. While reports did come out the injury was not as severe as thought, I am not optimistic that he will perform well even if he does play.

His left leg is the leg that he has to step into to throw every time. He will have to make sure to maintain pocket mobility should he get pressure. He will also have a hard time protecting himself from taking another hit to the knee with his already compromised mobility. I do not expect him to play which leaves Desmond Ridder as the starter for Week 15. If AOC does suit up, I’d avoid him.

Bucky Irving, RB TB

Injury: Back aggravation

Timeline to Return: Week 15-16

Irving came into the Week 14 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders with a questionable designation but ultimately suited up. He did not last long securing one catch and four carries before exiting with his back tightening up again on him. He was only able to get a limited practice in on Friday and with an aggravation, things don’t look great for him in Week 15.

Watch his practice participation this week but the smart play would be to let him rest a week with Tampa Bay in position to grab a playoff spot. This doesn’t help the fantasy owners, but a week off may help Irving be more productive in Week 16. Sean Tucker would be an excellent pickup in place of Irving and could handle the workload should you need a replacement.

CeeDee Lamb, WR DAL

Injury: Right Shoulder AC Joint

Return to Play: Week 16

Lamb aggravated his right AC joint sprain Monday night yet still had 6 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He originally suffered back in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons but did not miss any time.

When he did return following the original injury, he had 6 catches for 21 yards which may mean his production may dip in Week 16. However, he is still a must start in any league.

Justin Herbert, QB LAC

Injury: Left high ankle/thigh contusion

Timeline to Return: Week 16

Herbert continues to get banged up, this time suffering a mild left high-ankle sprain in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs before getting a quick tape up and returning. Even upon returning, he took a hard shot to his lower left thigh from Chiefs LB Nick Bolton requiring attention from the training staff.

He was able to finish the game with the Chargers narrowly losing. Herbert has been known to play through a variety of injuries and this will be no different. He is still a must-start even if he is limited during the week and may suffer the most from pocket mobility and rushing but still be able to sling the ball.

Will Levis, QB TEN

Injury: Right shoulder

Timeline to Return: Week 15-16

Levis appeared to re-injure his right throwing shoulder after taking a hard shot from Jaguars EDGE Josh Allen-Hines, forcing him to the blue medical tent. Despite the hit, Levis was able to muster up the will to return for the second half.

By video, there is concern for an aggravation of his right AC joint sprain originally suffered in Week 4. He missed a total of two games but initially attempted to play through the injury. He may continue to play through the injury to show the Titans that he is the quarterback moving forward in 2025, but I’m not so sure you should be trusting him in your fantasy lineup. I’d look elsewhere for a starter if you can.

Will Dissly, TE LAC

Injury: Right shoulder

Timeline to Return: Week 17-18

Dissly suffered a right shoulder injury on the final play in the first half of Sunday night’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He landed hard on the shoulder and was unable to return. The exact specifics are unavailable but reports state that he will be out multiple weeks.

He has essentially ruled himself out for the fantasy playoffs which means you need to pivot to Stone Smartt or Tucker Fisk if you like Justin Herbert. However, both are hugely unproven. Hit up that waiver wire, ASAP.