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 carousel? How do you pivot if a key player goes on injured reserve? Each week we will look at the most impactful injuries in the fantasy world and what players will step up their fantasy production as a result.
We are approaching the fantasy playoffs, so we need our players healthy. There were some injuries to some key running backs this week. Let’s look at how severe they may be and how you might need to pivot your roster.
Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers was unable to finish Sunday’s game vs the Packers, giving way to former first-round pick Jordan Love.
Fantasy Impact: Jordan Love looked good in relief of Rodgers completing six of nine passes for 113 yards and one touchdown. The Packers also need to decide on Love with his fifth-year option looming. With the Packers sitting at 4-8 we are likely to see a decent amount of Jordan Love later in the season while Aaron Rodgers plans to play through the pain while they are mathematically still alive.
Najee Harris
This one could certainly be damaging to a fantasy owner’s playoff push. Despite having a down year he still was a sizable investment. We don’t have a lot of information as to the severity so you will need to monitor this over the week. There is concern he could need abdominal surgery and be shut down for the rest of the season.
Fantasy Impact: Jaylen Warren was second on the depth chart but he has his own hamstring issue. In Harris’s absence, Benny Snell played 28 snaps with 13 touches and Anthony McFarland played 21 snaps with 8 touches.
Elijah Mitchell
This man simply can not stay healthy.
Fantasy Impact: Mitchell has been one of the most frustrating players to roster for dynasty owners over the last two years. With frustration may come opportunity. Shanahan still seems to love the kid. He was in a timeshare with one of the best running backs in football. Meanwhile, Mitchell’s dynasty owners have surely had more than their fill of his injuries. I can imagine he could be obtained for peanuts (3rd or 4th) in dynasty to the right owner. After all the best ability is availability.
Travis Etienne
While this news is undoubtedly frustrating for fantasy owners who started Etienne last week, it is good news for him moving forward.
Fantasy Impact: With Etienne cleared medically, he should be a full go for week 13. Start him with confidence.
Other notable players in the prior week’s estimated return to action:
Justin Fields – Shoulder – Week 13 – end of season
Matthew Stafford – Week 13 – end of season
Raheem Mostert – Week 13
Jameson Williams – ACL – Week 13-14
Leonard Fournette – Week 13
Ja’Marr Chase – Week 13
Matthew Stafford – Concussion – Week 13-season
PJ Walker – High Ankle – Week 13-14
J.K. Dobbins – Knee – Week 13-14
Jerry Jeudy – Week 13-14
Daniel Bellinger – Broken eye socket – Week 13-14
Dallas Goedert – Shoulder – Week 14-15
Khalil Herbert – Week 14-15
Darren Waller – Hamstring – Week 14-Season
Hunter Renfrow– Week 15
Javonte Williams – ACL – Out for the season
Breece Hall – ACL – Out for the season
Kyle Pitts – – Out for the season
Rashaad Penny – Broken fibula – Out for the season
Wan’Dale Robinson – ACL – Out for the season
Elijah Mitchell – MCL – Out for the season
Michael Thomas – Turf Toe – Out for the season
Sterling Shepard – Out for the season
Cooper Kupp – Ankle – Out for the season
Trey Lance – Out for the season
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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