After a brutal first two weeks of injuries, we got some reprieve in Week 3. Although there are some players who still got hurt, and their impact on our fantasy football rosters cannot be minimized, the sheer volume was lower than in the past weeks. Nevertheless, here are the main injuries from Week 3's slate of games.
Key:
(Position) Player | Injury | My Projection for Return to Play
WR Mike Williams Los Angeles Chargers | Knee Injury | Season Ending
After his best fantasy football performance of the season, Mike Williams' day was cut short with a left knee injury. By video and initial reports from the team, the injury does seem serious and possibly of the season-ending variety. Williams is set to get an MRI on Monday, but the fear is that Williams has a torn ACL. If Williams did tear his ACL, that would obviously mean an early end to his 2023 season. Until the Chargers give an official word, his timeline is uncertain.
Monday Update: Our worst fear has been realized. Mike Williams tore his ACL and his 2023 season is over per Ian Rapoport.
QB Derek Carr New Orleans Saints | Shoulder Injury | Projecting Week 7 Return
Derek Carr was slammed to the ground by Green Bay Packer defender Rashan Gary. Originally, the video was alarming, and there was concern internally amongst the Saints that his season could be over. However, per Ian Rapoport, Carr "avoided a more serious injury."
Based on the mechanism of injury, it's most likely that Derek Carr is dealing with an AC or SC joint sprain, as a fracture or shoulder dislocation would very likely require an IR stint. On average, NFL QBs miss ~2 weeks with an AC joint sprain and very rarely any longer. An SC joint sprain can be a bit more challenging and, as a result, could extend the injury by another 1-2 weeks (3-4 weeks total). Until we have more specifics, I am splitting the difference and projecting a Week 7 return to be conservative.
Tuesday Update: On ESPN's Monday Night Halftime Show, Adam Schefter reported that Carr is dealing with an AC Joint sprain. Based on this information Week 4 is very unlikely, Week 5 is iffy but I think Week 6 is about 50/50. If you were relying on Carr's services make preparations for the short-term but it sounds like this injury should net a brief absence.
QB Justin Fields Chicago Bears | Possible Concussion | Week 4/5 Return
Amidst a blowout, Justin Fields appeared to exhibit some concussion-like symptoms, and his teammate DJ Moore tried to get him to help.
This is great stuff: DJ Moore can tell something is wrong with Justin Fields, so he forces him to go to the team’s sideline.
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 24, 2023
Awesome teammate. Health comes first.
pic.twitter.com/RSZHwQ2VF5
Even though the game was well out of reach, Fields ended up returning to the game and actually played the rest of the team's offensive snaps. We have seen instances before where teams do not really follow the NFLPA's concussion guidelines during the game. So it is possible that word comes out later that Fields does have a concussion. If you rely on Fields' services for your fantasy team, monitor this situation.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo | Concussion | Week 4/5 Return
Monday we learned that Jimmy Garoppolo was in the concussion protocol. The analysis here is the same as Justin Fields. Garoppolo will have to clear the concussion protocol in order to return but on average most QBs miss at least a game.
RB Gus Edwards Baltimore Ravens | Concussion | Projecting Week 5 Return
A player who did have a documented concussion was Gus Edwards. The Ravens' RB had to be taken to the locker room during Sunday's game. On average, NFL RBs miss 1.8 games with a concussion, and 75% of players miss at least one game. With Justice Hill dealing with turf toe (a multi-week injury typically), it's very possible that we move back in time to 2019 when Kenyan Drake and Melvin Gordon are fantasy-relevant again...both are next in line for RB touches.
QB Patrick Mahomes II Kansas City Chiefs | Ankle Injury | Projecting Week 4 Return
Patrick Mahomes II appeared to injure his right ankle early in the Chiefs' match-up with Chicago. However, it did not result in time missed, and it did not stop him from dominating Chicago.
Patrick Mahomes II - history of high ankle sprain
— Adam Hutchison (@TheRealAdam_H) September 24, 2023
By video this is NOT the issue.
Classic inversion ankle sprain
Can lead to 2-3 weeks missed. Wonder if we see much of Mahomes in the 2nd half.
But big takeaway is he should be OKAY pic.twitter.com/RdKNLRs0I8
Mahomes played through a high ankle sprain last season, and I do not expect his ankle to limit him much moving forward. Fantasy managers who rely on Mahmoes should be aware as he could be limited in practice this week.