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
RB Aaron Jones, Minnesota | Hip Injury | Projecting Week 8 Return
Aaron Jones did not make it out of the first half of Sunday morning's game in London. Shortly after Jones was injured, Minnesota ruled him out with a hip injury. Currently, we do not have any specifics on what kind of hip injury Jones sustained. Until we hear more, here are possible scenarios for Jones managers.
- Non-specific hip injuries average 1.7 weeks missed with a high risk of re-injury.
- Groin strains average 1.5 weeks missed with a low re-injury rate.
Minnesota has a bye next week, so I would not make Jones' backup, Ty Chandler, a major priority on the waiver wire. However, that data suggests Chandler could be the Vikings' RB1 even with the extra week for Jones to recover.
Update: When asked about Aaron Jones hip injury on Tuesday, Kevin O'Connell said that he [Jones] avoided a long-term injury, but was still week-to-week. Those two statements do not align. I am projecting Jones to miss time even after the bye week. If your roster can afford it, stash Ty Chandler.
RB De'Von Achane, Miami | Concussion | Projecting Week 7 Return
De'Von Achane was pulled early from Sunday's game in New England with a concussion. On average NFL RBs miss 1.6 weeks with a concussion, with 70% of the sample missing at least 1 week. Miami has a bye in Week 6, just in the nick of time, so Achane managers might only be without the RB during his planned absence.
QB Josh Allen, Buffalo | Possibility to Enter Concussion Protocol
Josh Allen finished Sunday's game, but late in the 4th quarter, the quarterback was hit while making a throw and his head slammed into the turf. Allen was cleared to return, but by video, it looked concerning to me...and I was not the only one.
wow Josh Allen hit his head hard pic.twitter.com/jZINDo15vD
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 6, 2024
Josh Allen looked unconscious on the field but returned just a few minutes later https://t.co/PNND1ucpj9
— Brian Sutterer MD (@BrianSuttererMD) October 6, 2024
Unfortunately, we have seen NFL players cleared to return to game action after a blow to the head and then enter the concussion protocol after the game. It's possible that we see the same with Allen. I'm speculating on this situation, but it raised enough of a concern with me that I think Josh Allen managers should be aware.
I'll also mention that even if Allen enters the concussion protocol, he could still clear it with enough time to return in Week 6. Amongst WRs, RBs, and TEs, QBs miss average the least time missed with concussions with the largest portion of their sample missing 0 weeks (40%).
WR Nico Collins, Houston | Hamstring Injury | Projecting Week 9 Return
Nico Collins left Sunday's game early with a hamstring injury. However, Collins did not leave fantasy managers hanging and scored 15.8 PPR points, with 90% of his production coming on a long TD reception. It appears that big play did come at a cost since it was this play that led to the injury.
On average, WRs who sustain a hamstring strain miss 2.6 weeks, but if you remember, Collins was dealing with a hamstring injury earlier in Week 3. If this is the same injury, that could be an issue for fantasy managers
Drilling down to WRs who sustain a hamstring with a re-injury in the same season, the average time missed bumps up to 6 weeks, with the majority of time missed coming after the re-injury (~3.5 weeks). Essentially, this data hints that WRs who play through a hamstring injury or come back too soon worsen their injury. It's possible Collins misses a decent amount of time.
Update: Per Adam Schefter the Texans have Collins listed as "week-to-week." Expect him to miss some time. I still lean on my projection of Week 9 Return.
RB Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville | Shoulder Injury | Timeline TBD
Travis Etienne Jr. was limited in practice last week with a shoulder injury but Jacksonville did not have him listed on the final injury report heading into Week 5. It appears that Etienne suffered setback during Sunday's win over Indianapolis.
Doug Pederson confirms that Travis Etienne Jr. suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday and *that's* why he didn't play much in the second half. "We didn't want to risk it," he said.
— #AskFFT (@daverichard) October 7, 2024
Until we know the specifics of Etienne's shoulder injury, it's hard to give a timeline, but RB non-specific shoulder injuries average 1.6 weeks missed while A/C Joint sprains average >4 weeks. This news should signal to all fantasy managers that Tank Bigsby needs to be 100% rostered.
Update: Doug Peterson said the team was being "cautious" with Travis Etienne Jr.'s shoulder injury. It's still unclear is this is a new injury or the same. Monitor practice reports this week.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson, New England | Knee Injury | Timeline TBD
Rhamondre Stevenson's performance was solid and capped off with a 33-yard TD run. However, Stevenson did not finish the game due to a knee injury. I have not seen any video of his injury yet, so until we hear more, it's difficult to speculate. On average, non-specific knee injuries cause RBs to miss three weeks, while the mean for MCL sprains is four weeks.
Antonio Gibson was the fake "starter", but after Stevenson's injury, he was certainly the closer. If he is still available on waivers, he could be worth a stash.
RB Zack Moss, Cincinnati | Ankle Injury | Projecting Week 9 Return
Zack Moss missed a portion of Sunday's game with an ankle injury. Moss was able to return but did not look 100%. Moss' mechanism of injury fit that of a high ankle sprain. If this is confirmed, those can result in multiple weeks missed (3), with the majority of NFL RBs missing at least one game.
QB Aaron Rodgers, NY Jets | Ankle Injury | Projecting Week 6 Return
Aaron Rodgers was the second fantasy-relevant player to sustain an injury during the London game. Rodgers' mechanism fit that of a high ankle sprain, and he was clearly in a lot of pain.
Aaron Rodgers crawling like he needs a revive in Fortnite. pic.twitter.com/oiCyguS7Ac
— Fidel Cashflow (@mattmurphylol69) October 6, 2024
High ankle sprains usually require time missed, but NFL QBs can play through this injury and miss little to no time – the most recent example is Justin Herbert this year. I think Rodgers could still play next week, but we will have to monitor this week.
TE David Njoku, Cleveland | Knee Injury | Timeline TBD
After missing the last three weeks with a high ankle sprain, Njoku returned to action this past Sunday. However, he was unable to finish the game due to a knee injury. We have no word on the severity/specifics of his injury, but the Browns have said he will need an MRI. It's shaping up like a lost season for Njoku in 2024.
K Jake Moody, San Francisco | High Ankle Sprain | Projecting Week 9
#KickersMatterToo. Jake Moody injured his right ankle (kicking leg) while trying to make a tackle. After the game, the 49ers said they expect Moody to miss a few weeks. High ankle sprains can result in absences ranging from 3-6 weeks. Because Moody injured his kicking leg, it's possible he will miss the later part of that timeline.
