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.
As we enter the second half of the season and toward NFL Week 14 odds, you should now know whether your Dynasty team is a pretender or a contender. If you are a pretender, you should be eyeing the injured players who are out for the season like Anthony Richardson, Nick Chubb, and Kirk Cousins. The injury discount you can get on a trade is significant. Their price should shoot up in the off-season. Meanwhile, if your rookie draft order is based on max points you can get some potential points off your team to improve your draft position.
With that let’s dive into this week’s significant injuries.
Daniel Jones
Shortly after signing his lucrative contract extension, this season has been nothing short of a disaster for Daniel Jones. Under constant pressure due to a turnstyle offensive line, Jones has been brutally hammered all season long and suffered multiple injuries. This torn ACL mercifully ends his season.
Fantasy Impact
At 2-7, the Giants are free to go full tank and should be squarely in the Drake Maye or Caleb Williams sweepstakes.
Expected Return
Out for the season
Ja’Marr Chase
Back injury is a vague description. Chase’s return timeframe will certainly depend on the specifics of the injury. From the comments, it sounds like something Chase should be able to play through. His performance could be affected but not to the point where you would consider sitting him.
Fantasy Impact
If Chase cannot suit up, Tyler Boyd will reprise the role he has played several times over the last two years as the Bengals handcuff wide receiver.
Expected Return
Week 10
Dallas Goedert
Goedert is likely to be going on the injured reserve with this injury. Fortunately, for the Eagles this should not be a season-ender and Goedert should be fresh for the playoffs. Unfortunately, for Fantasy managers he is likely to be out until Week 16. The Eagles have a bye in Week 10 so if he goes on the IR you are looking at Week 15 at minimum
Fantasy Impact
DeVonta Smith will be the biggest beneficiary of Goedert’s absence. Over the past two years, Devonta Smith has a target share of 30% without Dallas Geodert and 23% with him.
Expected Return
Week 14-16
Cam Akers
This is Akers’s second Achilles injury. This one was to his other leg. It is very rare for someone to come back from an Achilles injury for a running back and be a viable Fantasy asset. It would be virtually impossible to come back from two. Unfortunately for Akers, I expect this to be a career-ender. If you roster Akers you can safely drop him.
Fantasy Impact
Ty Chandler moves up in the pecking order and will be the primary backup to Alexander Mattison. He should be a popular Dynasty waiver add where he is still available.
Expected Return
Out for the season.
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 10 (Bye Week 14)
Justin Fields – Dislocated Thumb – Week 10 (Bye Week 13)
Deebo Samuel – Week 10-11 (Bye Week 9 – Already Passed)
James Conner – Knee – Week 10-12 (IR) (Bye Week 14)
Dameon Pierce – Ankle – Week 10-11 (Bye Week 8 – Already Passed)
David Montgomery – Rib – Week 10 (Bye Week 9 – Already Passed))
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)
Matthew Stafford – Finger Ligament – Week 12 (Bye Week 11)
Justin Jefferson – Hamstring – Week 10-14 (Bye Week 13)
Zach Ertz – Quad – Week 12 (Bye Week Week 14)
Darren Waller – Hamstring – Week 14-15 (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
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.
