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.
We are in most league’s last regular season week before the playoffs. If you haven’t already lined up your Dynasty rosters to optimize Week 15 to 17 matchups, please check out the series I wrote: “Cheap players to acquire with favorable fantasy playoff schedules.”
As always, visit the bottom section of this article, where I continuously update the projected return dates of previously injured players.
Rhamondre StevensonÂ
* Click image to view full tweet and video
Belichick isn’t very forthcoming regarding injuries, but it doesn’t look good for Stevenson to play shortly. Given the Patriots current record of 2-10, there is also zero reason to rush him back.
Fantasy Impact:
Ezekiel Elliot now goes on his reunion tour for Fantasy managers if Rhamondre misses time. The Patriots would be well served to run him into the ground as he doesn’t figure into their plans as a free agent after this season.
Expected Return:
Week 16-17
Tank Dell
* Click image to view full tweet and video
The result of this play was a rough one for the upstart Texans. Dell suffered a fracture and will undergo season-ending surgery. You have to wonder about the logic of a 5’10” 165-pound wide receiver being utilized in this manner.
Fantasy Impact:
Tank Dell has been a revelation for Fantasy owners this year, returning more Dynasty value than any rookie not named Puka Nacua. This is good news for Nico Collins, who should dominate targets. It is also fantastic news for Noah Brown, who all contenders should be targeting for acquisition as a cheap potential league winner type. Brown posted consecutive games with 27.3 and 24.2 fantasy points before missing the last couple of games with a knee injury. He did return this week but was likely not 100%.
Expected Return:
Out for the season
Kenny Pickett
* Click image to view full tweet
Like Tank Dell, Pickett suffered the injury on a rush near the goal line. It was later diagnosed as an ankle injury, and he was ruled out for the game. Surgery indicates something more severe than your run-of-the-mill ankle sprain.
Fantasy Impact:
There is minimal, if any, drop-off from Kenny Pickett to Mitch Trubisky. The offense produced over 400 yards last week, something they never did in the Matt Canada era. If you were starting any Steelers, don’t change the strategy because Pickett is out.
Expected Return:
Week 15
Trevor Lawrence
* Click image to view full tweet
As we have written in prior articles, high ankle sprains are far more severe than low ankle. With this being diagnosed as a high ankle sprain, we should expect Lawrence to miss at least one week. As a quarterback more reliant on his arm than legs, he may be able to come back the following week. For other positions, this is a multi-week absence.
Fantasy Impact:
C.J. Beathard takes over for the Jaguars. This is a significant downgrade from Lawrence. All the Jaguars’ weapons take a hit as a result.
Expected Return:
Week 15
Derek Carr
* Click image to view full tweet
As noted with Derrick Henry, players in concussion protocol are only clearing within one week at a 22% rate. You should expect to be without Carr this week in Fantasy.
Fantasy Impact:
Jameis Winston assumes the quarterback role for the Saints. This should be considered an upgrade for Chris Olave and a downgrade for Alvin Kamara. Winston likes to air it out.
Expected Return:
Week 15
Derrick Henry
* Click image to view full tweet and video
The latest data have 22% of players clearing concussion protocol in one week. We should expect Henry to miss this week but return for the Fantasy playoffs in week 15.
Fantasy Impact:
I fully expect Tyjae Spears to take over the Titans backfield next season. Derrick Henry is a free agent, and the Titans are not ready to compete for a title. This is a great audition for Spears to assume that mantle. Spears has been one of the most efficient running backs all season. He has a three-down skill set, and the Titans invested third-round draft capital in him.
Expected Return:
Week 15
Christian Watson
* Click image to view full tweet and video
Watson falls victim to another hamstring injury in his short career. This marks Watson’s fifth hamstring injury in the last three years. For the most part, injuries are episodic and hence luck-based. Hamstring injuries are the ones you need to worry about recurring most. From a Dynasty standpoint, this is something a Christian Watson manager is likely to have to deal with throughout his career.
Fantasy Impact:
Jayden Reed has emerged as a key target for the improving Jordan Love. He has posted double-digit fantasy points in five of his last seven games. Look for him to be a viable Flex play if Watson misses time. Dontayvion Wicks has also shown he is an NFL wide receiver in his limited playing time. Wicks ranks 28th among all wide receivers in yards per route run. He is someone who could contribute to best ball rosters down the stretch if Watson misses time.
Expected Return:
Week 14-16
Other notable players in the prior week’s estimated return to action:
Dorian Thompson-Robinson – Concussion – Week 13
Jonathan Taylor – UCL ligament – Week 16-17
Michael Thomas – Knee – Week 17 (IR)Â Â
Dallas Goedert – Forearm fracture -Week 15-16Â
Justin Jefferson – Hamstring – Week 14
Tyrod Taylor – Ribs – Week 14Â
Demario Douglas – Concussion – Week 14
Kenneth Walker – Oblique – Week 14-15
Darren Waller – Hamstring – Week 14-15
Aaron Jones– MCL Sprain – Week 15Â
Anthony Richardson – Grade 3 AC Sprain – Out for the season
Nick Chubb – Torn MCL – Out for the seasonÂ
Deshaun Watson – Shoulder fracture – Out for the seasonÂ
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
Click here for a 12-month DFF Membership.
