I know it can feel like the injuries are piling up, but compared to previous seasons (2022 + 2023), the number of injuries that fantasy football players have sustained is about the same. 2024 has yielded more injuries to high-profile players (players selected in rounds 1-3), but sometimes that is just the way it goes.
The important thing is that you are here, trying to improve and adjust to the hand you've been dealt. Week 5 is right around the corner - the start of bye weeks. The combination of bye weeks and injuries could make the fantasy landscape tricky. Hopefully, this article will help you navigate the weeks to come.
Key: Position Player, Team | Injury | Projected Return to Play
TE Sam LaPorta, Detroit | Ankle | Projecting Week 6 Return
Sophomore tight end Sam LaPorta was carted to the locker room at halftime of Sunday's game with an ankle injury. LaPorta returned briefly, but he appeared limited by the injury.
By video, it looked like LaPorta suffered a low (inversion) ankle sprain. Although low ankle sprains are generally considered less serious than high ankle sprains, for TEs, they typically result in time missed.
On average, NFL TEs miss 2.1 weeks with low ankle sprains, with >65% of the sample missing at least one week. Detroit should exercise caution with their starting TE since low ankle sprains carry the third-highest re-injury rate amongst their position (10.5%). We will likely learn more about the severity of LaPorta's injury this week, but as of right now, I expect him to miss some time.
Update: ESPN's Jeremy Fowler confirmed that LaPorta does have a low ankle sprain. My projection remains the same unless we get any new information.
QB Sam Darnold, Minnesota | Knee | Projecting Week 4 Return
Few quarterbacks have had a better first three weeks to start the 2024 season than Sam Darnold. The NFL vet has seemingly revived his career in Minnesota, throwing for 4 TDs in the Vikings Week 3 victory.
However, Darnold did injure his left knee in the win. When asked about his injury, Darnold had this to say:
"It's good...and that's as much as I'm gonna say about that."
Darnold is set to get an MRI of his knee on Monday, so his breakdown of the injury might not be completely accurate.
This is purely conjecture on my part, but I believe there is a concern of a possible MCL sprain or meniscus injury, thus the imaging. If either of those injuries were confirmed, they would most likely result in time missed. An MCL sprain could have a timeline similar to Jordan Love's (2-4 weeks), while a meniscus tear would be closer to 4+, assuming it is accompanied by surgery. For now, we wait until Minnesota provides more information.
Update: NFL Network insider, Tom Pelissero has reported Monday that Sam Darnold's MRI revealed a "knee bruise and no structural damage." Expect Darnold to play in Week 4.
QB Justin Herbert, LA Chargers | Ankle (Re-injury) | Projecting Week 6 Return
Justin Herbert has always been a QB who plays/attempts to play through injury. Heading into Week 3, Herbert was "Questionable" with a high ankle sprain - an injury that typically nets 3-4 weeks missed.
Herbert re-injured his ankle Sunday, forcing him to leave the game. After the game, he had X-rays of his ankle and was seen leaving the stadium in a walking boot.
None of this information is unusual or alarming, but it does suggest that Herbert suffered a setback. As a result, I would expect LA to shut down their franchise quarterback for a few weeks so he can fully recover from this high ankle sprain.
Update: X-rays of Herbert's ankle were negative, confirming that he does not have fracture. While this is good news it still points to a setback regarding his high ankle sprain. It would probably be wise for LA to allow Herbert's ankle by resting a few weeks, and I still am projecting this to be the case.
WR DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia | Concussion | Projecting Week 6 Return
DeVonta Smith was on the receiving end of a brutal tackle, which caused him to leave the game with a concussion.
On average, NFL wide receivers miss 1.4 weeks with a concussion. Although by video, the hit looked bad, concussions are highly variable and person-to-person specific. The severity can not be determined by watching the injury. Smith has no concussion history so for now I am projecting him to miss one week and return in Week 6 following the Eagles' bye.
TE Trey McBride, Arizona | Concussion | Projecting Week 5 Return
Trey McBride was also evaluated for a concussion in Arizona's Week 3 loss to Detroit. Should McBride be officially diagnosed with a concussion, he would need to clear the NFL protocol before returning.
It's worth noting that on averageTEs miss one more week than WRs (2.4 weeks missed). This is something to consider if you need another TE option should McBride miss time with his.
Update: It has been confirmed that McBride is in the concussion protocol. His outlook for Week 4 is murky.
WR Adam Thielen, Carolina | Hamstring | Projecting Week 7 Return
Adam Thielen injured his hamstring on an incredible touchdown catch during Carolina's first win of the 2024 season.
Andy Dalton TO Adam Thielen. UNREAL ?
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 22, 2024
3RD TD THIS HALF
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/mVsSs0qfzZ
On average, NFL WRs miss 2.3 weeks, but as someone in his early 30s, I can testify that things do not heal as quickly as they once did. Of all the injuries I have examined, I have the most data on hamstring strains.
Drilling down to WRs over 30 (the bucket Adam Thielen is in), the average return-to-play timeframe increases by one week (to 3.2 weeks) with higher re-injury odds. It's possible this injury sidelines Thielen for a few weeks.
Update: Thielen has been placed on IR with his hamstring injury. He will miss at least 4 weeks.
WR Tank Dell, Houston | Hand/Wrist/Rib Injuries | Projecting Week 5 Return
Tank Dell was added to the injury report on Monday as he is dealing with multiple injuries. Currently Houston has his listed with injuries to his hand/wrist and ribs. The hand/wrist injury could be more limiting depending on the severity. The inital report has indicated that neither injury resulted in "structural damage."
Both of these injuries typically result ~1 week absences. Since Dell is dealing with both, I am projecting him to sit out in Week 4.
QB Skylar Thompson, Miami | Rib Injury | Timeline TBD
Skylar Thompson was pulled from Sunday's game at Seattle with a rib injury. Thompson may have a rib fracture. If so, he would likely miss additional time.
Tim Boyle replaced Thompson, but Miami has also added long-time Baltimore Raven backup Tyler Huntley. Either one would be under center in Week 4 if Thompson is unable to play.
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh | Shoulder Injury | Projecting Week 4 Return
Najee Harris was spotted in the locker room Sunday with a sling on his arm. Although this can be concerning, it's still possible the sling was just precautionary.
Currently, there is no official word from the Steelers about the severity of Harris' injury or even the specifics of his injury. Slings can be used for a wide variety of injuries. If Harris is dealing with a minor AC joint sprain or shoulder sprain, seeing him practice at all this week (even if limited) would be promising for his chances to start in Week 4.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh | Knee Injury | Timeline TBD
Jaylen Warren reportedly got an MRI of his knee on Monday, but the results have not yet been revealed. Anytime a player is getting imaging of his knee (or any body part for that matter), I get a little concerned. Warren was sidelined for most of the preseason with a hamstring injury, but it is unclear if this injury is related. This will be a situation to monitor moving forward.