Injuries are inevitable in Fantasy Football. How you prepare and react to them is what 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.Â
Fantasy owners woke up Tuesday morning to a couple of brutal announcements with Justin Jefferson landing on the IR and breakout rookie De’Von Achane likely to miss multiple weeks. Compounding this week’s significant losses of top-tier Fantasy assets are the looming bye weeks. It is going to be tough sledding to navigate the next few weeks for many managers. We will begin this week’s injury round-up with the aforementioned Justin Jefferson.
Justin Jefferson
Justin Jefferson is the single most valuable non-QB asset in all of Dynasty. Teams who roster Jefferson spent an enormous amount of capital to use him as a foundational piece to their Dynasty teams. Losing him is catastrophic. Hamstring injuries are always tricky depending on the severity of the tear. The fact Jefferson went on the IR signals it is a significant tear. He should see a similar absence to Diontae Johnson (approximately four to six weeks). The Vikings currently stand at 1-4. If the losing continues the Vikings will not be incentivized to remove Jefferson from the IR. Jefferson is also due a massive contract extension soon that should make him the highest-paid wide receiver in history. These factors both add layers of complexity to this situation.Â
Fantasy Impact
First-round selection, Jordan Addison, just got promoted. Addison has yet to eclipse a 75% snap count this season. That should increase significantly with Jefferson out. Addison is currently seeing a 24% target per route run rate. With Cousins consistently zeroing in on Jefferson he will need to look for Addison to step up. K.J. Osborn also sees a bump in value but he also ranks near the bottom of the yards per route run leaderboard. Kirk Cousins also takes a value hit losing an elite weapon like Jefferson.
Expected Return
Week 10-12 (Bye week 13)
De’Von Achane
Details are still coming in on the extent of Achane’s injury. Per Schefter, he is getting a second opinion today to see if an injured reserve stint is necessary. It is thought that it could be a meniscus tear. It is not thought to be season-ending.
Fantasy Impact
Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane currently stand as the #2 and #3 Fantasy running backs in PPR points for the season. Mostert’s role will see a significant increase again during Achane’s absence. Jeff Wilson becomes a priority waiver pickup.Â
Expected Return
Week 11 (Bye Week 10)
Anthony Richardson
Richardson suffered a grade three AC joint sprain to the throwing shoulder. An IR stint is likely. This is not something a quarterback can effectively play through and the Colts have one of the league’s premier backups in Gardner Minshew. The Colts also have a bye in week 11 so it may make sense to hold him out through that. Surgery is also on the table as an option.
Fantasy Impact
Minshew is a proven quality option. He won’t win you many weeks in Fantasy but he also shouldn’t lose them. He can keep you afloat as you await the return of Richardson. In his week three start vs Baltimore he was entrusted to throw the ball 44 times. Both Michael Pittman and Josh Downs see a value bump as well. Pittman has a 30% target share and Downs 25% when Gardner Minshew takes the helm this year.
Expected Return:
Week 12 (Bye Week 11)
James Conner
Conner has had an injury-plagued career and goes on the IR now sapping much of what was remaining in his career Dynasty value. He has had elite usage in his tenure as a Cardinal which has always made him a viable asset.
Fantasy Impact
With Keaontay Ingram inactive it was undrafted rookie Emari Demercado who stepped up. Demercado had 10 carries for 45 yards rushing and one touchdown. He also contributed in the passing game with 3 receptions for 12 yards. The Cardinals bye week is week 14 so he should be back before this time.
Expected Return
Week 10
Khalil Herbert
Herbert suffered an ankle sprain in week five. If this is of the high ankle variety you can expect a two to three-week absence and a reduction in performance level upon his return. Saquon Barkley is currently recovering from the same injury.
Fantasy Impact
Roschon Johnson suffered an injury of his own Thursday. A concussion is the ailment Johnson is working through. Given the game was Thursday he has a better chance than most to return the following week. Still, over 50% of players who suffer concussions miss the following week. If that is the case D’Onta Foreman would step into the lead role. Foreman has been effective as a starter in the past including 914 yards rushing for the Panthers last year.
Expected Return
Week 6-8
Daniel Jones
It was bound to happen eventually. The Giants boast a historically bad offensive line. Every advanced metric and PFF grade has them comfortably as the worst line in the league. The injury is to the neck where he sustained a significant injury in 2021. Reports are the Giants were being cautious given this history. Jones is going to try and give it a go this week against a tough Bills defense.
Fantasy Impact
If Jones can’t go, it will be Tyrod Taylor who takes his place. Taylor is not a player you want to start behind this terrible line with those weapons. If Jones misses time seek help elsewhere.
Expected Return
Week 6
Other notable players in the prior week’s estimated return to action:
Justin Herbert – Fractured finger non-throwing hand – Week 6
Mike Evans – Hamstring – Week 6-7
Austin Ekeler – Ankle Sprain – Week 6
Amon-Ra St. Brown – Muscle strain – Week 6
Jahmyr Gibbs – Hamstring – Week 6-7
Javonte Williams – Hip Flexor – Week 7
Saquon Barkley – Ankle Sprain Week 6 (Bye week 13)
Jeff Wilson – Knee – Week 6 (IR)
Tee Higgins – Fractured Rib – Week 6-8 (Bye week 7)
Kyler Murray – Torn ACL – Week 7-8
Diontae Johnson – Hamstring – Announced he will play week 7 (IR)
Greg Dulcich – Hamstring – Week 6 (IR)
Nick Chubb – Torn MCL – 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
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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