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? We will examine the most impactful injuries in the fantasy world each week and what players will step up their fantasy production.
In Greek mythology, Achilles was the strongest warrior and hero in the Greek army during the Trojan War. In the 2023 Fantasy season, Achilles is the destroyer of dreams and wrecker of wishes. We begin the week one injury roundup with two major season-altering Achilles injuries.
Aaron Rodgers
The Aaron Rodgers Jets era lasted just one drive in his first season at the helm. An Achilles rupture, in all likelihood, means his season is over. Achilles can be career enders for many NFL positions. For a quarterback, even a 40-year-old one, it shouldn’t mean a significant drop in performance upon his return.
Fantasy Impact:
This is brutal for Garrett Wilson. Last year, Wilson averaged 8.4 Fantasy Points Per Game in 2022 with Zach Wilson at QB vs. 20.4 with other Jets quarterbacks. If the Jets believe they are still contenders, they will scour the quarterback market for a replacement. Anyone would be an upgrade for the Jets pass catchers vs. Wilson.
Expected Return:
Out for the season
J.K. Dobbins
This is devastating news for Dobbins that Coach Jim Harbaugh later confirmed. He was just getting back to full speed after a long recovery from a complicated torn ACL injury, and now this. Although an Achilles rupture is not as career-ending as it once was, this does not bode well for Dobbins’s future. Cam Akers was the exception rather than the rule when it came to recovering from a torn Achilles. Akers came back in 6 months. The list is long of players who had an Achilles injury and then flamed out. Even Akers himself seems on the verge of losing his job to Kyren Williams.
Fantasy Impact:
It may be worthwhile to test the trade waters to see if some have a rosier outlook on Achilles injuries due to Cam Akers. I completed a trade Sunday of Dobbins for a 2024 3rd.
Perennial handcuff Gus Edwards and Justice Hill picked up the slack with Edwards out. Hill picked up two touchdowns on eight carries but only accumulated nine yards. Edwards was more effective with eight carries for 32 yards. This could also be a potential destination for Kareem Hunt. Melvin Gordon, 19% Sleeper ownership, will likely be activated from the practice squad.
Expected return:
Out for the season
Travis Kelce
Kelce missed this week with a bone bruise. Jay Glazer reported on NFL Fox Pregame that Kelce worked out at the facility today. He is trending towards playing in week two.
Fantasy impact:
Fantasy Armageddon has been avoided. This could have been significantly worse.
Expected return:
Week 2-3
Diontae Johnson
Hamstring injuries are tricky. The return date depends on the severity of the pull. There is an elevated risk of re-injury as well. Initial reports suggest a moderate strain, but expect him to miss at least next week and likely week 3.
Fantasy impact:
Diontae Johnson was my single most significant buy this off-season after an incredibly unlucky 2022, where he set the single-season record for receptions without a touchdown. Look for George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth to receive increased targets in their absence.
Expected Return:
Week 4 to 5
Jakobi Meyers
Meyers was the recipient of this brutal hit Sunday.
On average, those players who enter concussion protocol miss the next game more than they play by a small amount. They rarely are out more than one week.
Fantasy Impact:
Meyers and Davante Adams combined for an insane 73% target share. Hunter Renfrow is a capable replacement for Meyers, but don’t expect a lengthy absence for the Raiders’ new free agent signing.
Expected Return:
Week 3
Mark Andrews
Andrews logged limited practices last week and seemed to trend towards playing before being declared inactive. It would be a surprise if he were not ready for Week 2.
Fantasy Impact:
Isaiah Likely was a popular start this week, ultimately disappointing with only 1.4 Fantasy points. Instead, Zay Flowers was the beneficiary of Andrews’s absence with a ridiculous 45% target share.
Expected Return:
Week 2
Jack Conklin
Fantasy Impact:
This is a small ding to Deshaun Watson as he loses one of the premier tackles in all of football for the season.
Expected Return:
Out for the season
Greg Dulcich
If it is the same injury as last year, we should expect a similar return window. Hamstrings have one of the highest rates of future re-injury, so this recurrence is also worrying for Dulcich’s long-term Dynasty value.
Fantasy impact:
Dulcich was a popular breakout candidate after a stellar rookie year. His usage was somewhat in question, with Payton favorite Adam Trautman in the mix. Some had him earmarked for Payton’s “joker” role.
Expected Return:
Week 6-8
Austin Ekeler
Ekeler rolled his ankle, leading to Joshua Kelley receiving a large workload, mostly in the second half. This is all the information we have at the time of publication. High ankle sprains are much worse and often lead to a reduction in performance when that player does return. Let’s hope this is a garden variety sprain.
Fantasy impact:
Joshua Kelley has been among the least efficient running backs in the NFL last year. But volume is king for RBs, and Kelley had 16 for 91 yards Sunday. He is the player you want to target on waivers, but hopefully, we get more information on the severity of the sprain before then.
Expected return:
Week 2 – 8
Other notable players in the prior week’s estimated return to action:
Jonathan Taylor – Ankle – Week 5 (PUP)
Wan’Dale Robinson – ACL – Week 2-3
Kendre Miller – Hamstring – Week 2-3
Christian Watson – Hamstring – Week 2-3
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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