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.
This week was brutal for quarterback injuries. To compound this, Week 9 has four top-15 fantasy quarterbacks on bye with Trevor Lawrence, Russell Wilson, Brock Purdy, and Jared Goff.
Kirk Cousins
It is sad to realize I have come to know what an achilles injury looks like from the video of the injury. That means it has occurred too often to high-profile players. The bad news is Cousins is out for the season. The good news is he plays quarterback, and as we are seeing with Aaron Rodgers, a quarterback can return from an Achilles injury far faster and with less of a downgrade to performance than any other position.
Fantasy Impact:
In Dynasty Superflex leagues, any starting quarterback has value. With the latest crop of injuries, teams will be desperate for any starter with a pulse. The Vikings starter is particularly attractive, as they lead the NFL in pass attempts. They also boast two elite receiving weapons in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, plus T.J. Hockenson at tight end.
Enter Jaren Hall, Nick Mullens, and now Joshua Dobbs.
Nick Mullens had been the presumed backup but is currently on the injured reserve with a back injury. He is expected to be ready to go Week 11. Mullens started 16 games from 2018 to 2020.
Today, the Vikings traded for Josh Dobbs, swapping 2024 7th and 6th-round picks in the process. Given the low cost of the trade, I wouldn’t say it is a slam dunk that Dobbs is the starter over Mullens or Hall. He was 1-7 for Arizona, but for Fantasy purposes, he was very effective. Dobbs currently stands as the QB 16 overall for Fantasy season to date.
Complicating matters further, it has already been announced that Jaren Hall will start this week. Hall is a 5th-round pick out of BYU, where he was the quarterback for surprise breakout rookie Puka Nacua.
I would consider Dobbs as the leader in the clubhouse to start Week 10, but it is not a slam dunk.
Expected Return:
Out for the season
Kendrick Bourne
Bourne has had a renaissance season, which sadly ends with this torn ACL. Bourne is currently ranked as the WR 28 overall in season-to-date fantasy points.
Fantasy Impact:
I have been advocating for Demario Douglas since pre-season. Last week, he led the Patriots wide receivers in snaps. His breakout is coming, albeit on a terrible Patriots offense. Douglas posted five receptions for 25 yards. He is the only Patriots wide receiver with any juice.
Expected Return:
Out for season
Matthew Stafford
Stafford left the game after banging his thumb on a player’s helmet. The Rams were getting hammered by Dallas at the time, so the initial hope here was his exit was precautionary. Updates since then have tended to be more pessimistic, even suggesting an IR stint was possible. Then, the official diagnosis came down as a UCL sprain in his finger. This is a similar injury that he played through a few years ago. It did adversely affect his performance, but he was able to play through it. The Rams take on the Packers this Sunday at 1 p.m.
Fantasy Impact:
Stafford has had a bounce-back year, thanks partly to improved health, plus the additions of Puka Nacua and a healthy Cooper Kupp back in the fold.
As much as it pains most of us to watch, Brett Rypien is Stafford’s current backup. Rypien is not someone you want to rely on in fantasy. Stafford may see a dip in performance, but I expect him to play through the injury.
Expected Return:
Week 9
Kenny Pickett
Pickett sustained his rib injury in the second quarter and did not return. Given the short turnaround with a game on Thursday, it would be a surprise if Pickett suited up. However, Mike Tomlin made comments to leave the door open for Pickett to play. With X-rays being negative for a fracture, it will be more of an issue of pain tolerance and how much that hinders his ability to throw the football.
Fantasy Impact:
Mitchell Trubisky is a capable backup. There is little drop-off from Pickett. Feel free to start whatever Steeler offensive players you would have if Pickett were starting.
Darren Waller
Waller is now 31 years old. Before this week’s injury, he had already missed 21 weeks due to hamstring injuries in his career, with most of those coming in the last two years. Hamstring issues recur at a higher rate in older players. It is especially troublesome for pass catchers. If you roster Waller and are blessed with another trade window to sell him, you simply have to do it.
Fantasy Impact:
Waller had just started to erupt in Fantasy. He averaged 16.2 Fantasy points per game over his last three outings.
Expected Return:
Week 11
Other notable players in the prior week’s estimated return to action:
Khalil Herbert – Ankle Sprain – Week 10 (Bye Week 13)
Kyler Murray – Torn ACL – Week 9 (Bye Week 14)
Deshaun Watson – Rotator Cuff – Week 9-12 (Bye Week 5 – Already passed)
Daniel Jones – Neck – Week 9 – Medically Cleared – (Bye Week 13)
Desmond Ridder – Concussion – Week 9
Justin Fields – Dislocated Thumb – Week 10 (Bye Week 13)
Deebo Samuel – Week 10 (Bye Week 9)
James Conner – Knee – Week 10-12 (IR) (Bye Week 14)
David Montgomery – Rib – Week 10 (Bye Week 9)
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)
Justin Jefferson – Hamstring – Week 10-14 (Bye Week 13)
Zach Ertz – Quad – Week 12 (Bye Week 14)
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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