Injuries are inevitable in Fantasy Football. How you prepare and react to them can make or break your fantasy team. Did you build a bench with sufficient depth to withstand the running back injury carousel? How do you pivot if a key player goes on injured reserve? Each week, we look at the most impactful injuries in the Fantasy world and what players will step up their Fantasy production.
As always, remember to visit the bottom section of this article, where I continuously update the projected return dates of previously injured players.
Jordan Love
*Click image to view full tweet*
With just six seconds left, Love had his leg rolled up on and fell to the ground writhing in pain. It immediately looked like a long-term injury. Early reports of the ACL coming back intact eased those concerns.
Timeline:Â
Sprained MCL averages 2-5 weeks missed for quarterbacks. He is not going on the injured reserve which is a good sign for under 4 weeks.
Fantasy Impact:
This is rough news with wide-ranging impacts on many players. Malik Willis is a below-average backup QB. Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, and Romeo Doubs each become questionable fantasy starters if Love misses time. Josh Jacobs who most of the game looked like he did in his mediocre to bad 2023 also gets dinged. The offense will lack the touchdown opportunities they would have had with Love at the helm.
Jake Ferguson
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Ferguson reportedly has a bone bruise in addition to the MCL injury.
Timeline:
1-3 weeks
Fantasy Impact:
Dallas doesn’t have a lot of options in the passing game. I would look for Lamb to get peppered with targets and maybe Brandin Cooks becomes flex-worthy. Ferguson has appeared to dodge a more serious injury though.
Christian McCaffrey
*Click image to view full tweet and video*
McCaffrey was a surprise inactive Monday night. His calf is still not healthy.
Timeline:
Per the above link, it appears likely McCaffrey will miss next week as well.
Fantasy Impact:
Jordan Mason looked great in McCaffrey’s absence. Start him with confidence.
Puka Nacua
*Click image to view full tweet*
The prior injury was reported as a burst bursa sac. There was also concern over some unreported ligament damage.Â
Timeline:
4 to 6 weeks.
Fantasy Impact:
Per Rams beat reporter Jordan Rodrigue, Tyler Johnson had been backing up Puka Nacua all camp. Then Johnson went out and put up 5 receptions for 75 yards on 7 targets.
I dug up this old Tweet on Tyler Johnson.
*Click image to view full tweet*
He was a highly productive college player but has done nothing in the NFL.
De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert
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Timeline:
Week to week for both
Fantasy Impact:
This sounds mostly like they are just banged up. The concern is that they have a short week with a game on Thursday. Jaylen Wright was a highly touted rookie with speed to burn. He would be startable if both were out. Look to see if they are practicing Tuesday. If they are not, it would be a stretch for them to play.
Rome Odunze
*Click image to view full tweet*
Timeline:
1-3 weeks depending on the severity
Fantasy Impact:
Odunze was minimally involved in week 1. DJ Moore and Keenan Allen meanwhile got 8 and 11 targets respectively. Look for more of that while Odunze is out.
Previously injured players’ expected return dates
Russell Wilson – Week 2-3
Tee Higgins – Week 2-3
Josh Downs – – Week 3-4
Marshawn Lloyd – – Week 2-3
Jonathon Brooks – ACL – Week 5 – (PUP)
Nick Chubb – ACL – Week 5-7 – (PUP)
I hope you enjoyed reading my article. My goal is to provide actionable advice you can utilize to improve your dynasty team. You can follow me on Twitter @force_fantasy. #DFFArmy #FantasyFootball #AlwaysBeBuilding #NFL #NFLDraft #NFLTransactions #NFLTrades #AlwaysBeScouting
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