IDP Injury Analysis: First Quarter

Editor’s Note: This article was written prior to the games played in week five. We’ll have another article recapping injury analysis on the IDP side of the ball after week eight.

While fantasy football leagues place much of their attention on the offensive side of the ball, there are other leagues that value defense equally. IDP leagues allow the user to build an all-star defense to place value on individual performance versus team success. Unfortunately, injuries still affect both sides of the ball in fantasy football. Having a detailed account of the major defensive injuries will allow you to avoid taking unnecessary risks while also finding value in players coming back from injury.

The weekly injury roundup will be posted on Wednesdays to discuss notable 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.

The IDP injury analysis will be a monthly installment highlighting the biggest injuries around the NFL.

Defensive injuries to monitor

Chase Young, DE WAS

Injury: Stinger

Return to Play: Week 2

Though Young missed only week one and has since played, a stinger that he suffered back in the preseason opener that lingered for a month. While he is healthy now, I am concerned about a cervical disc herniation that could flare up in the future, causing him to miss further games. Ranked 37 in the DLF IDP consensus rankings, he is worth rostering and starting, but have a dependable backup if he suffers a flareup.

Marcus Williams, S BAL

Injury: Left pectoral strain

Return to Play: Week 6-8

Williams suffered a left pectoral tear in the win over the Houston Texans, electing to rehab versus undergoing season-ending surgery. It is important to note that he was not placed on injured reserve to avoid any roster transactions. When he does return, he will likely wear a shoulder harness and have difficulty wrapping up tackles. Despite not being ranked in the DLF IDP consensus rankings, he is still a player to watch. He will improve as the season wears on, but he is not roster-worthy until he begins to rack up some stats.

Jaelan Phillips, LB MIA

Injury: Back/oblique

Return to Play: Week 5-6

After suffering a back injury the Friday before week two, Phillips missed the first game of his career. He was able to return in week three but did not last long as he left midway through with an oblique injury. Phillips was sorely missed when the Dolphins lost to the Bills in week four and considering the proximity of the back and oblique injuries, the team must exercise caution in rushing him back out there. Ranked 10 in the DLF IDP consensus rankings, Phillips is worth keeping and starting once healthy.

Marcus Davenport, DE MIN

Injury: Ankle

Return to Play: Week 4

Davenport played sparingly through the first three weeks of the season, logging just four snaps in week two due to an ankle injury suffered just prior to week one. However, he returned to play in 45 snaps, collecting one sack, four total tackles, and one tackle-for-loss. The exact injury he sustained is not clear but he appears to be improving. Ranked 137 and 59 among DL in the DLF IDP consensus rankings, there are far more productive options to select from now but could be a great depth option for later in the season as his health improves.

Azeez Ojulari, DE NYG

Injury: Hamstring strain

Return to Play: Week 4

After suffering a hamstring strain in week one, Ojulari missed the last two games before returning in week four. He collected one solo tackle on 40 defensive snaps in the Giants 24-3 loss to the Seahawks. Despite the injury, Ojulari is still ranked 84 and 43 among DL in the DLF IDP consensus rankings. Considering he collected 13.5 sacks over the previous two seasons, Ojulari could be a great trade target or waiver pickup to bank on as his health improves.

Marlon Humphrey, CB BAL

Injury: Foot surgery

Return to Play: Week 5-6

Humphrey underwent foot surgery in late August and has not been able to play since then. The surgery was to address a “lingering issue”. Reports indicate he is on track to play in week five against the Steelers. Though unranked in the DLF IDP consensus rankings, he could be worth a stash as Humphrey was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2022 and also has an All-Pro nod in 2019. It may take him a few games to get up to speed but could be an excellent late-season addition.

Micah Parsons, DE DAL

Injury: Left ankle/foot

Return to Play: Week 5

Parsons suffered a mild left ankle sprain and tweaked his foot in the week four win over the New England Patriots. While he did leave early, limping off the field, there is minor long-term concern. Rest during the week and an effective tape job will allow Parsons to continue his dominance within the defense in week five. As the top overall rated player in the DLF IDP consensus rankings, he is still a must-start even at less than 100%.

Joey Bosa, LB LAC

Injury: Hamstring/toe

Return to Play: Week 5-6

Bosa injured his hamstring in week one and his toe in week three, forcing him out of the week four matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. While the hamstring appears on the mend as he has played through it, the toe injury may be the more acute issue. It’s not clear the exact specifics of the injury, but a toe designation always worries for turf toe. Dealing with these injuries, he may continue to see a decrease in his production over the next few weeks. Ranked 24 overall and 16 among DLs in the DLF IDP consensus rankings, he is still among the best when healthy, but injuries have hampered an otherwise stellar career. Go grab someone on the waiver wire as a plug-and-play when Bosa is out.

Players returning from PUP/IR

Von Miller, LB BUF

Injury: Left ACL

Return to Play: Week 5-6

Miller begins practice on Wednesday, his first action since suffering an ACL tear on Thanksgiving last season after spending the first four weeks on PUP. He has stated on his podcast that he hopes he can return in week five against the Jaguars in London. He may need more practice time but has looked good in rehab. He is not ranked in the DLF IDP consensus rankings, but is an excellent second half addition to gear up for the playoffs.

Jaycee Horn, CB CAR

Injury: Hamstring

Return to Play: Week 7-9

Horn suffered a hamstring strain in week one against the Atlanta Falcons in which he heard a
“pop”. After further testing, he was placed on IR prior to week two to miss the next four games. Considering he needed an IR stint, he will likely need a longer time to recover meaning he may not return until mid-season. The former first-round pick is not roster-worthy until he shows he can stay healthy.

Budda Baker, S ARI

Injury: Hamstring

Return to Play: Week 6-8

Baker injured his hamstring in practice prior to week two and was placed on injured reserve to miss the next four games. He is eligible to return to practice after week five and depending on the severity will determine when his practice window opens. Ranked 58 and fourth overall among DBs in the DLF IDP consensus rankings, buy low on Baker if he’s available because his value will only increase as he gets healthier.

Players currently on IR

Tre’Davious White, CB BUF

Injury: Right Achilles

White tore his right achilles on a non-contact play in week four and is out for the season. This comes after a 2021 left ACL tear.

Matt Judon, LB NE

Injury: Right distal biceps tear

Judon tore his right distal biceps tendon after getting his arm hyperextended while trying to complete a tackle in the backfield in week four. He has been placed on IR to undergo surgery and will miss at least two months as he rehabs.

Shaq Thompson, LB CAR

Injury: Right fibula fracture

Thompson suffered a right fibula fracture against the New Orleans Saints in week two. This occurred after a fellow teammate threw a Saints player to the ground and into Thompson’s ankle. He underwent surgery and is out for the season.

CJ Gardner-Johnson, S DET

Injury: Right pectoral tear

Gardner-Johnson suffered a right pectoral tear in the week two matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. He has since been placed on injured reserve but there are not any reports that he has undergone surgery. That would end his season which means he is attempting to rehab to make a late-season return.

Derek Stingley, CB HOU

Injury: Hamstring

Stingley was placed on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury in practice prior to week three. The injury is described to be serious enough to require six to eight weeks to recover, leaving his return to play timeline open-ended.

Marcus Jones, CB NE

Injury: Right labrum tear shoulder

Jones suffered a right labrum tear in his shoulder after trying to grab Jaylen Waddle on a tackle in week two, falling hard to the turf. He was placed on injured reserve and may attempt to return with a brace when eligible. Jones had two shoulder surgeries following the 2021 season.

Cameron Heyward, DT PIT

Injury: Groin tear

Heyward suffered a groin tear in the week one loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He was reported to require eight weeks to recover from the core muscle repair, placing a return to play as early as mid-season.

Avonte Maddox, CB PHI

Injury: Left pectoral tear

Maddox underwent surgery to repair a left pectoral tear suffered in the week two win over the Minnesota Vikings. Barring a deep playoff run, Maddox is not expected to return this season.

Trevon Diggs, CB DAL

Injury: Left ACL tear

Diggs tore his left ACL in practice prior to week three and will miss the remainder of the 2023 season. Even when he returns in 2024, it may take him longer to return to his prior elite level.

Christian Gonzalez, CB NE

Injury: Right shoulder dislocation

Gonzalez suffered a right shoulder dislocation in the first half against the Dallas Cowboys and was unable to return. Reports later came out that he suffered a right shoulder dislocation that required it to be put back in place. Reports stated that he would undergo surgery for a torn labrum and miss the rest of the season. Many players return to full form after this surgery, but struggle if they played through the injury.