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 will look at the most impactful injuries in the fantasy world and what players will step up their fantasy production.
Another week, another season-ending injury. That is three weeks in a row we have lost a significant player to a season-ending injury. This week, the Chargers were the team affected. Their first-round selection of a wide receiver now seems fortuitous. So we kick off this week’s injury round-up with Mike Williams, who tore his ACL Sunday.
Mike Williams
This is a tough break for the oft-injured Williams. By the time he returns, he will be a 30-year-old wide receiver returning from an injury that takes well over a year to return to his prior performance level. Others have come back earlier, but they see a performance dip in the early part of that return. The Chargers drafted Quentin Johnston in the first round this year and will now be forced to escalate his integration into the offense. Williams will likely be released with a $32.5 million cap hit and only a $12.4 million dead cap. The Chargers are one of the most pass-heavy teams in the NFL, so a move to almost any other team would be a downgrade for his Fantasy production.
Fantasy Impact:
Given these factors, if you can get a late 2nd for him at this stage, I think that is a very nice return for Mike Williams. Target teams that aren’t contending this year. As for this year, Josh Palmer is likely the first man up. In this week’s game, Palmer out-snapped Johnston 44 to 16. Palmer has filled in nicely in the past when given the opportunity. Last year, in games Palmer had over an 80% snap share, he had double-digit fantasy points in 7 of 8 games. He averaged 15.5 Fantasy points in these games. Quentin Johnston will continue to earn snaps, but you will likely need to be a little patient.
Expected Return:
Out for the season
Gus Edwards
Edwards left Sunday’s Ravens game with a concussion. Slightly over half of players who enter concussion protocol miss the following week’s game. As was the case with Anthony Richardson and Jaylen Waddle last week, you need to be prepared for Edwards to miss time.
Fantasy Impact:
With Justice Hill sidelined, this left Melvin Gordon as the next man up. 10 of Gordon’s 12 touches came after Edwards left the game with a concussion. Gordon only had 32 rushing yards and is a shell of his former self. Justice Hill could likely return this week and assume the lead-back role if Edwards misses the game. This will not be a long-term absence, but also worth a deep league stash is Keaton Mitchell, who should come off the IR for Week 5.
Expected Return:
Week 4-5
Derek Carr
An AC joint sprain is not a serious long-term injury, but it will certainly affect Carr’s ability to throw the ball effectively. This is likely why the Saints plan to sit him for at least one and likely two weeks.
Fantasy Impact:
Jameis Winston has always been a capable quarterback. His issue has been turnovers. For Fantasy, the Saints’ weapons are in good hands. Do not expect any dip in Fantasy production from Chris Olave or Michael Thomas. Alvin Kamara also returns this week from his three-game suspension. This could be a boost to the offense overall and provide more scoring chances.
Expected Return:
Week 4-5
Other notable players in the prior week’s estimated return to action:
Justice Hill – Foot – Week 4
Christian Watson – Hamstring – Week 3-4
Jaylen Waddle – Concussion – Week 4
Brandon Aiyuk – Week 4
David Montgomery – Week 4-5
Saquon Barkley – Ankle Sprain Week 4-5
Austin Ekeler – Ankle Sprain – Week 4-6
Kyler Murray – Torn ACL – Week 5-8
Diontae Johnson – Hamstring – Week 7 (IR)
Jonathan Taylor – Ankle – Week 5 (PUP)
Jeff Wilson – Knee – Week 5 (IR)
Greg Dulcich – Hamstring – Week 6 (IR)
Cooper Kupp – Hamstring – Week 5-8 (IR)
Nick Chubb – Torn MCL – Out for the season
Aaron Rodgers – Achilles – Out for the season
J.K. Dobbins – 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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