After a relatively quiet few weeks on the injury front, the pendulum swung the other way with some major injuries to the fantasy football landscape. Many managers may be scouring the waiver wire for replacements, but as we enter the halfway point of the season, some of the options might be frightening. Just in time for Halloween.
Here are the key injuries from Week 8 of the 2023 NFL season.
Key:
(Position) Player | Injury | My Projection for Return to Play
QB Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings | Achilles Tear | Season-Ending
Kirk Cousins needed to be carted to the locker room after injuring his ankle. It was later reported that Cousins sustained an Achilles injury. These reports were confirmed as during NBC's Sunday Night Football Halftime Show, Mike Florio told viewers that Cousins did suffer an Achilles Rupture and that the MRI was merely a "formality."
The on-field test of an Achilles tendon rupture is the Thompson Test, which can correctly diagnose a full-thickness tear 93% of the time compared to an MRI. Although there could be a small chance that Cousins does not have an Achilles rupture, it is not likely. Cousins' season is unfortunately over.
TE Darren Waller, New York Giants | Hamstring | Projecting Week 14 Return
The lingering hamstring issue for Darren Waller appeared to catch up to him Sunday, as he was ruled out early Sunday with the same issue, suggesting a setback. NFL TEs average 2.5 weeks missed with a hamstring injury with a moderate re-injury risk at 14%. Considering Waller has been dealing with this injury nearly all season long and struggled with soft tissue injuries in the past (he missed 10 weeks last year with a hamstring injury), it's very possible the Giants shut Waller down till after their Week 13 bye and allow their starting TE time to heal.
QB Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants | Rib Injury | Projecting Week 12 Return
Tyrod Taylor suffered a rib injury during the Giants loss Sunday to the New York Jets. Taylor had to be rushed to the hospital after the rib injury, and reports are that he will need to stay there overnight. The hospitalization suggests that Taylor sustained a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) as a result of the rib fracture.
If Taylor does in fact have a pneumothorax, then it would be a long shot that he would be ready for Week 9. Rib fractures can take ~4 weeks to heel, with NFL QBs from 2017-2022 missing anywhere from 0-4 weeks. Daniel Jones is dealing with a neck issue, and it's unclear if he will be back by the time Taylor is cleared to return to action, but as of now, I am projecting a multi-week absence for Taylor.
QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers | Rib Injury | Projecting Week 10 Return
Kenny Pickett injured his ribs Sunday and was unable to return. Early reports out of Pittsburgh have it listed as just a rib injury, and assuming that Pickett does not have a fracture, he could miss minimal time.
The Steelers play on Thursday night in Week 9. If they didn't have such a short turnaround, I would be more confident that Pickett could be active. But given the timeline, I could go either way. Pickett likely won't practice much, if at all, and it will come down to pain tolerance heading into Thursday night.
Tuesday Update: Kenny Pickett will play Thursday night. Rib fracture is unlikely.
QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams | Thumb | Projecting Week 13/14 Return
Matthew Stafford appeared to sustain a thumb sprain in the Rams' Week 8 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The injury was on his right (throwing) hand. Stafford tried to play through the injury with his thumb taped but could not do so. Assuming word does not come out that Stafford fractured his thumb or a serious sprain, he could be back shortly. This may be a different injury than the one that has kept Fields sidelined the previous two weeks.
Monday Update: Unfortunately Ram's head coach Sean McVay, told reporters that Stafford has a UCL sprain. This is similar to Justin Fields and will likely net a multi-week absence and I would not be shocked to see him end up on IR.
WR Drake London, Atlanta Falcons | Groin | Projecting Week 10 Return
Drake London was unable to finish the same Sunday due to a groin injury. Assuming that he does not have a serious groin strain, London could be back shortly. Historically, groin strains have not been overly limiting, with players, on average, missing < 2 weeks.
65% of players miss at least one game, which is why I lean towards London not playing next week, but in general, managers who roster London should not be worried.
WR Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders | Toe Injury | Timeline TBD
Curtis Samuel missed the second half of the game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles with a toe injury. Samuel was questionable coming into Week 8 with a foot injury so it's possible that we are now getting more clarity and he was dealing with a toe injury before Week 8, or this is a new injury. I watched the Commanders/Eagles game and did not see an obvious Curtis Samuel injury, so I tend to lean toward the former.
Turf toe would be a blow as it could limit him for several weeks. With the information we have, I don't think turf toe is in play, and as a result, Samuel could miss 0-1 weeks with a generic toe injury. But until we have more information, his return time is to be determined (TBD).
WR Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots | Knee Injury | Season Ending
Kendrick Bourne injured his right knee Sunday and was quickly ruled out. Bourne, who had recently become Mac Jones' top WR target, is getting an MRI on Monday. Per Ian Rapoport, the team is concerned about an MCL injury. By video, an MCL sprain/tear is in play with the potential of ACL/PCL involvement. Hopefully, Bourne avoided a serious injury, but I would not rule out an IR stint at this point. It's difficult to project his timeline until we have more information.
Monday Update: NFL Network's Mike Garafolo confirmed my worst fears. Bourne has an ACL tear and his season is over.
WR Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers | Knee Injury | Projecting Week 10 Return
We did not have a lot of information regarding Joshua Palmer's injury heading into Week 8, but it appears that he was less than 100%. Palmer re-injured his knee in Sunday Night's win vs. the Chicago Bears. Palmer did return but was not overly effective and played limited snaps. He may miss some time to allow his knee injury to heal.