Another week of football, unfortunately, brings a new batch of injuries. Hopefully, your fantasy football team was not affected by these injuries, but if it was, here is what to expect for the upcoming week(s).
Key:
(Position) Player | Injury | My Projection for Return to Play
QB Justin Fields, Chicago Bears | Thumb Injury | Projecting Week 9 Return
Justin Fields exited amidst Chicago's 19-13 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings with a right thumb dislocation (his throwing hand). Early reports are that Fields' x-rays were negative but that he needs an MRI to determine the full extent of the injury. Absence of a fracture is a good sign, but the dislocation hints at possible ligament damage. If you remember last season, Dak Prescott missed 5 weeks with a UCL tear (thumb ligament).
The next few days will be key. As mentioned above, a dislocation leaves the door open for additional injuries - the worst of which could A UCL tear or other ligament injury that likely results in an IR stint. Best case scenario, Fields returns in 1-2 weeks but it's unlikely to be sooner since gripping the football very difficult secondary to pain and swelling.
Tuesday Update: Per Chicago Bears, Fields is doubtful for Week 7. I would plan for him to miss some time.
RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers | Oblique / Rib Injury | Projecting Week 10 Return
The RB1 overall in fantasy is dealing with a pair of injuries. Reports out of San Francisco indicate that McCaffrey is dealing with a rib and oblique injury. Assuming he does not have a fractured rib, I think the oblique could be more limiting. During the live broadcast, McCaffrey was seen trying to stretch out his side. He did briefly return but eventually went to the locker room and was ruled out.
Oblique/core injuries can be difficult to manage in-season and typically do not get better without rest. On average, skill position players miss ~2 weeks with this injury, with >75% of the sample missing at least 1 game. Fantasy managers might remember Jaylen Waddle dealt with a similar injury that limited him for the majority of the preseason. The 49ers rely heavily on McCaffrey for their offense, and considering his injury history combined with the Week 9 bye coming up, it might make sense to have McCaffrey sit the next few weeks.
WR Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers | Shoulder Injury | Projecting Week 10 Return
Deebo Samuel left early in Sunday's game vs. the Cleveland Browns and did not return. After the game, NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported that Samuel's injury was not considered to be serious since x-rays were negative, but he was going to get an MRI on Monday.
Samuel exited during a rushing attempt, so it's possible that he is dealing with an AC Joint sprain, something his WR counterpart Brandon Aiyuk dealt with earlier this season. Even though Samuel's injury is "not considered serious," if he does have an AC Joint sprain, these are very painful and easy to reaggregate in football games, especially when you consider his physical playing style.
In games where Samuel has been listed on the team's final injury report, he has scored 24% fewer fantasy points than when he is healthy. The 49ers have a bye in Week 9, and it's very possible they will allow Samuel time to rest up and prepare for their second leg of the NFL season.
Tuesday Update: Deebo avoided "serious injury" according to the 49ers but the specifics have not be released yet. If he does have an AC joint sprain he could still miss time.
QB Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans | Ankle Injury | Projecting Week 10 Return
In the second half of the London game vs. Baltimore, Ryan Tannehill had his left ankle rolled up on, and by video, it appeared to be a high ankle sprain. This is the same ankle that caused Tannehill to miss a total of 5 games, 2 earlier in the season and 3 to end the season after he reaggravated it.
Tannehill was able to walk to the locker room, so I do not think a fracture is in play, but given the circumstances of last season's injury, I currently have him to miss some time.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo, Las Vegas Raiders| "Back" Injury | Projecting Week 8 Return
Jimmy Garoppolo was ruled out of Sunday's game with what is being called a back injury. In-game reports released that Garoppolo was being taken to a local hospital as a result of the injury. This is not common for your typical back injuries. By video, it looked as if Garoppolo took a shot to his right kidney, which would explain the need for additional medical attention as a visceral injury could have additional complications.
If this is the case, I am conservatively projecting Garoppolo to miss minimal time. A kidney bruise could result in minimal time missed (<2 weeks), but a laceration typically results in more time missed. It's very possible that the team was being overly cautious with their starting QB. We should have more information this week.
QB Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars | Knee Injury | Projecting Week 7 Return
With only minutes left in Sunday's game vs. the Colts, Trevor Lawrence injured his left knee and did not return. Lawrence's left leg was grabbed from behind and, by video, looked to be twisted by a Colt defender. Jacksonville reported post-game that Lawrence would have his knee more closely examined.
It's possible that Lawrence could have a meniscus tear based on the mechanism of his injury. If this was the case, surgery could have him ready by Week 10 as the Jaguars play on Thursday in Week 7 and then travel to Pittsburgh before their Week 9 bye.
The hope is that Lawrence avoids another serious, but his Week 7 availability would still be in doubt, given the short week.
Tuesday Update: Per Ian Rapoport, Lawrence has a shot to play Thursday Night.
WR DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks | Hip Injury | Projecting Week 7 Return
DK Metcalf went to the locker room during the 3rd quarter of Sunday's game with a hip injury but was able to return in the 4th quarter and finish the game. By video, Metcalf's injury appeared to be a hip pointer, which can be painful but managed with pain medication. Expect Metcalf to miss practice or be limited to start the week, but I am not overly concerned about his chances of playing next week.
RB David Montgomery, Detroit Lions | Rib Injury | Projecting Week 8 Return
David Montgomery was ruled out of the Week 6 match-up vs. Tampa Bay with a rib injury. Early reports indicate that David Montgomery does not have a rib fracture, but as we have already seen this season, that does not mean he will not miss any time. Rib injuries can be very painful, and with the Lions traveling to Baltimore next week, I am projecting Montgomery to miss one game.
Rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs sat out Week 6 after he was a late addition to the injury report with a hamstring injury. Given the timing, I lean towards Gibbs missing another week, which would mean that Craig Reynolds is the next man up.
Tuesday Update: David Montgomery is not expected to play in Week 7 according to HC Dan Campbell. Week 8 is in play according to historical data.
TE Hunter Henry, New England Patriots | Ankle Injury | Projecting Week 8 Return
Hunter Henry briefly missed time with an ankle injury before he was able to return and finish the game. Upon return, Henry was not targeted and did not produce any fantasy football points. Even though Henry did return, it's possible he will deal with the effects of his injury in the upcoming days. On average, NFL TEs miss 2 weeks with ankle injuries, with 40% of them missing at least one game. I would expect Henry to be limited this week and possibly sit out Week 7. If you rely on his services for your fantasy team, follow New England's practice reports on Thursday and Friday.
RB Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams | Ankle Injury | Projecting Week 9 Return
Kyren Williams was spotting in a walking boot after Sunday's game and per Ian Rapoport is scheduled to get an MRI Monday. The MRI leads me to believe that the Rams are concerned about a serious injury. On average NFL RBs miss ~2 weeks with a low (inversion) ankle sprain. High ankle sprains are more serious and more limiting and lead to longer absences (4 weeks on average). Williams sustained a high ankle sprain last season that sidelined him for 9 weeks although it is unclear if this is the same ankle.
Tuesday Update: Kyren avoided a serious injury. It does not sound like he has a high ankle sprain. Even with that in store most RBs miss some time with ankle injuries.
RB Ronnie Rivers, Los Angeles Rams | PCL Sprain | Projecting Week 12 Return
Kyren Williams' back-up, Ronnie Rivers, is also dealing with a knee injury which is being reported as a PCL sprain. There are different degrees of PCL sprains but a fair amount of them require IR stints. Zach Evans is in line to be the next man up.
RB Damien Harris, Buffalo Bills | Neck Injury | Projecting Week 9 Return
There was a scary moment in Sunday night's game as Damien Harris required the spine board after sustaining a neck injury. Harris was taken to the hospital, hopefully for precautionary measures. Expect Harris to miss time, the length is unknown until more information about his injury is revealed.
Tuesday Update: Official word on Damien Harris injury is a neck sprain. Assuming all else is good he could return in a few weeks. The Bills were planning on working out Leonard Fournette, but that was later cancelled. This could be a sign that Harris is doing well.