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.
You can do everything to prepare yourself for the fantasy playoffs. You can look for favorable player matchups and make trades to prioritize strengthening your starters over bench depth. However, injuries can still wreak havoc on your ultimate chances to win a title. This week saw some devastating injuries to potential contenders starting with one of the top fantasy quarterbacks.
Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray collapsed to the ground on a non-contact play that most could immediately ascertain was an ACL tear. Murray has been one of the top fantasy quarterbacks for several years now and has established himself as a foundational piece in dynasty.
Fantasy Impact: With this tear occurring so late in the season this will likely carry into next year. Murray becomes a candidate for the PUP list. The fact he is a QB vs a running back or wide receiver could help get him back earlier but his mobility would certainly be limited until later in the season. With that being such a large part of his game, the Cardinals may choose to put him on PUP and let Colt McCoy assume the reins.
Deebo Samuel
This may be good news for 49ers fans, but it is bad news for Deebo’s fantasy owners. This suggests he is out for multiple weeks. With most fantasy leagues starting their playoffs next week that means you will not have a valuable cog to your roster.
Fantasy Impact: Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk seem to be the primary beneficiaries of Deebo missing time. Perhaps George Kittle also sees an uptick as a pass catcher, but he has been an unreliable fantasy asset all season.
Russell Wilson
The Broncos have been eliminated from the playoffs. Given this is the case, there is little reason to rush Wilson back from a head injury. Since Tua’s high-profile case, most players have been sitting put the week following a concussion too.
Fantasy Impact: The Broncos have had the worst offense in the NFL all season with Wilson at the helm. Brett Rypien came in to relieve Wilson after he exited with the injury. He is your man if you need an emergency quarterback, but hopefully you have better options.
Dameon Pierce
https://twitter.com/_MLFootball/status/1602666554847551495?s=20&t=egqJLfWWLI2WxarmSfnOkQBreakout rookie sensation Dameon Pierce will now likely be unavailable for key fantasy playoff games.
Fantasy Impact: This is a backfield situation you want to avoid. Rex Burkhead is next up on the depth chart.
Rhamondre Stevenson
You will need to monitor this situation closely this week if you need Rhamondre in your fantasy playoffs. This does not appear to be a long-term situation, but it may affect this coming week.
Fantasy Impact: Rhamondre Stevenson is the RB9 year to date for fantasy, so this is a major blow for owners relying on him for their playoff push. Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong split carries after Rhamondre left the game. However, Damien Harris is the running back you want in this offense if he is back from his injury.
Tee Higgins
Tee Higgins was an “active inactive” for the second time this year. Higgins played just 1 snap before exiting the game. Brutal timing for those relying on him to firm up playoff seeding.
Fantasy Impact: Reports are this is a mild hamstring issue. Higgins should be active next week but I don’t know how you can trust him in an important playoff game. Tyler Boyd also dislocated his finger though, so Cincinnati needs Higgins.
Other notable players in the prior week’s estimated return to action:
Dallas Goedert – Shoulder – Week 15
Kenneth Walker – Ankle – Week 15
Lamar Jackson – Week 15
Michael Carter – Week 15
Darren Waller – Hamstring – Week 15-Season
Hunter Renfrow– Week 15
Courtland Sutton – Week 16 – Season
Javonte Williams – ACL – Out for the season
Breece Hall – ACL – Out for the season
Kyle Pitts – MCL – Out for the season
Matthew Stafford – Likely out for the season
Rashaad Penny – Broken fibula – Out for the season
Treylon Burks – Out for the season
Wan’Dale Robinson – ACL – 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
Jimmy Garoppolo – 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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