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? We will look at the most impactful injuries in the Fantasy world each week and what players will step up their Fantasy production.
Thankfully, this was a relatively light week for injuries. Oddly enough, we concurrently have a bye from bye weeks in Week 8. So, combining these two facts, all teams should be in a better initial position to optimize Fantasy points than last week. We will start our injury roundup this week with a quarterback making a return appearance in this weekly column.
Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson exited this week early, but before he left, he was not himself. This diagnosis provides more clarity than what we had been seeing before this week. He is in obvious discomfort with the rotator cuff injury to his throwing arm. An injury reserve designation is in play. The Browns have larger aspirations than simply making the playoffs, so look for them to get Deshaun completely healthy this time.
Fantasy Impact:
Even if he does play based on how he has looked, you need to consider other options. Hopefully, that option is on your bench, as quarterbacks are hard to come by in Dynasty. In Superflex leagues, remember it is not imperative you start a quarterback in your Superflex spot. They may be a better alternative to P.J. Walker and Brian Hoyer types.
Expected Return:
Week 8-12 (Bye Week 5 – Already passed)
Zach Ertz
Reports are saying the reason for the injured reserve trip for Ertz is a quad injury. Ertz returned quickly from his ACL. Perhaps it was too soon, as compensating for an injury can lead to other injuries. Either way, after a fast start, Ertz had become unstartable in Fantasy.
Fantasy Impact:
Finally, the runway is clear for Trey McBride. The 55th pick overall in the 2022 draft will now get every opportunity to fulfill his significant Dynasty potential. McBride owns the highest single-season receiving yards per team pass attempt mark of the last decade in college football. RYPTPA is the most predictive metric for future receiving success for college prospects. As a manager who owns multiple McBride shares, I am looking forward to seeing what he can do with this opportunity.
Expected Return:
Week 12 (Bye Week- Week 14)
Jerome Ford
The good news is that Ford’s ankle sprain is low and not high. This should not be a long absence, and when he does return, he should not see a decline in performance.
Dynasty Impact:
Pierre Strong is a sneaky add this week. He took 61% of the snaps after Ford left the game. Kareem Hunt did get the lion’s share of the attempts with ten and has an infinitely more popular name.
Expected Return:
Week 9 (Bye Week 5 – Already passed)
Christian Watson
This MCL/PCL injury will need to be confirmed before a timeline can be given. You need to be prepared for Watson to miss Week 8 at the minimum. An injured reserve designation is a possibility but unlikely.
Fantasy Impact:
After a promising rookie campaign, Watson’s 2023 season has been injury-marred. He has a lengthy injury history dating back to his college days. He remains a 98th-percentile athlete who posted elite Yards Per Route Run marks in college and in his early NFL career. If he can shake the injury bug, his Dynasty outlook remains promising as a potential buy-low target.
Expected Return:
Week 8-9 (Bye Week 6 – Already Passed)
Other notable players in the prior week’s estimated return to action:
Khalil Herbert – Ankle Sprain – Week 8-10 (Bye Week 13)
Kyler Murray – Torn ACL – Week 8-9 (Bye Week 14)
Daniel Jones – Neck – Week 8-10 (Bye Week 13)
Jimmy Garoppolo -Back – Week 8-9 (Bye Week 13)
Justin Fields – Dislocated Thumb – Week 8-10 (Bye Week 13)
Miles Sanders – Week 8-9
James Conner – Knee – Week 10-12 (IR) (Bye Week 14)
David Montgomery – Rib – Week 10 (Bye Week 9)
Kyren Williams – High Ankle Sprain – Week 12 (IR) (Bye Week 10)
De’Von Achane – Knee – Week 11 (Bye Week 10)
Justin Jefferson – Hamstring – Week 10-14 (Bye Week 13)
Anthony Richardson – Grade 3 AC Sprain – Out for the season
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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