Injuries are inevitable in Dynasty 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.
‘Tis the season to give thanks.
I am thankful for my friends.
I am thankful for my family.
and…
I am thankful Week 10 injuries did not do catastrophic damage to most Fantasy rosters (with apologies to Deshaun Watson’s managers).
As always remember to visit the bottom section of this article where I continuously update the projected return dates of previously injured players. We will begin with the late-breaking surprise news of Deshaun Watson.
Deshaun Watson
Watson came into this season with high expectations. He was expectedly rusty in his short stint with the Browns in 2022. Unfortunately, it seems as though the rust has carried into this season. At what point though do we stop calling it rust and realize this may be who he is
Per Player Profiler and ESPN, he ranks:
QBR: 23
EPA: 28
Money Throws: 30
Yards per att: 29
Accuracy rating: 35
Expected Fantasy PPG: 30
True passer rating: 24
Now, Watson goes down for the season with a broken bone from a hit suffered in his Week 10 game vs. the Ravens.
Fantasy Impact
Much of Watson’s Dynasty value has already been shed this year. On KeepTradeCut he has gone from QB11 before the season started to QB20 now. It is being reported Dorian Thompson-Robinson will take over the reins to lead this talented Cleveland team to the playoffs. DTR he a pretty horrific debut in his lone game as a starter throwing three interceptions. However, he has a tantalizing ability to run the football. He ran for over 600 yards each of his last two seasons at UCLA to go along with 21 touchdowns. Look for the Browns to lean on the run game. Amari Cooper takes a big hit to his Fantasy value. In games with Deshaun Watson, Cooper averages 17.6 PPR Fantasy points. In games without Watson, he averages 9.1 Fantasy points.
Expected Return
Out for the season
Derek Carr
The Saints are on a bye this week. Data supports most players miss one week after they are concussed. Carr should clear concussion protocol for the game Week 12. The AC joint sprain is the larger concern for Carr. This is more likely to cause him to miss time than the concussion.
Fantasy Impact
This is the rare occurrence where the backup quarterback has more Fantasy value than the starter and also helps the wide receiver value. Winston, particularly would be a boon to Chris Olave’s value. This is perfectly illustrated here:
Olave had 1 catch with Carr at QB. He then proceeded to put up 21.4 fantasy points in the second half with Winston at the helm.
Alexander Mattison
With Mattison in concussion protocol, he has over a 50% chance of missing this week’s game based on prior history.
Fantasy Impact
With Cam Akers out for the season, Ty Chandler is next up in the pecking order for the Vikings. Chandler has plenty of speed with a sub 4.4 40-time at the combine. He should be in the RB3 territory if he gets the start for the Vikings this week.
Reports are Thomas suffered an MCL sprain. With the Saints on bye this week it gives Thomas an extra week to recover. He will likely still miss Week 12 given the history of older wide receivers recovering from a similar injury.
Fantasy Impact
Michael Thomas has been serviceable this year. Thomas has scored double-digit fantasy points six times this year. He also gained at least seven targets in seven games. If Carr misses Week 12 it sets up Chris Olave for a monster game with Jameis Winston at the helm.
Other notable players in the prior week’s estimated return to action:
Khalil Herbert – Ankle Sprain – Week 11 (Bye Week 13)
Justin Fields – Dislocated Thumb – Week 11 (Bye Week 13)
Dameon Pierce – Ankle – Week 11-12 (Bye Week 8 – Already Passed)
Ryan Tannehill – High Ankle Sprain – Week 11 (Bye Week 7 – Already Passed)
Kyren Williams – High Ankle Sprain – Week 12 (IR) (Bye Week 10)
De’Von Achane – Knee – Week 11 (Bye Week 10)
Nico Collins – Calf -Week 11 (Bye Week 7)
Tee Higgins – Ribs – Week 12 (Bye Week 7)
Dallas Goedert – Forearm fracture -Week 15-16 (Bye Week 10)
Matthew Stafford – Finger Ligament – Week 12 (Bye Week 11)
Justin Jefferson – Hamstring – Week 11 (Bye Week 13)
Zach Ertz – Quad – Week 12 (Bye Week Week 14)
Tyrod Taylor – Ribs – Week 14 (Bye Week 13)
Darren Waller – Hamstring – Week 14-15 (Bye Week 13)
Anthony Richardson – Grade 3 AC Sprain – Out for the season
Nick Chubb – Torn MCL – Out for the season
Cam Akers – Torn Achilles- Out for the season
Daniel Jones – Torn ACL – Out for the season
Mike Williams – Torn ACL – Out for the season
Aaron Rodgers – Achilles – Out for the season
J.K. Dobbins – Achilles – Out for the season
Kirk Cousins – Achilles – 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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