Week 7 unfortunately brought injuries to a pair of marquee WRs and five NFL QBs -including rookie phenom Jayden Daniels. When/if these players return to game action is discussed below.
Key: Position Player, Team | Injury | Projected Return to Play
QB Jayden Daniels, Washington | Rib Injury | Projecting Week 8 Return
Jayden Daniels' rookie season has been all gas, but on Sunday, he ran into a bit of a speed bump. Daniels was removed early from game action with a rib injury and did not return. Daniels did return to the sideline in the second half and appeared to indicate that his rib injury was relatively minor.
Jayden Daniels isn’t missing next week’s game against Chicago #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/n3C2hOL9TW
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) October 20, 2024
For what it is worth, Daniels' mom even took to social media to let everyone know that her son avoided a serious injury.
He's fine #httc
— Mz Jackson (@LovelyMzJackson) October 20, 2024
There is some doubt that Daniels will play next week because he was not able to return to game action. Additionally, post-game head coach Dan Quinn said that Daniels would need further testing heading into Week 8.
It's likely Daniels had X-rays taken at the Commanders' stadium, which did not show any fractures – a great sign. However, sometimes small fractures do not show up on X-rays, but later, when an MRI is taken, they can show that small fractures are present. At the very least, I would expect Daniels to have a bruised rib or possibly a costal cartilage injury. Both can be very painful.
Looking at historical data on quarterbacks with rib injuries, it's a 50/50 split of those who miss at least one game or not. Based on the early reports, I lean toward Daniels playing against Chicago next week, but if we get word later in the week that Daniels does have a rib fracture, the likelihood of him missing next week increases. Expect Daniels to be limited all week and possibly sit out Wednesday/Thursday's practice as he manages his pain.
WR Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco | Knee Injury | Possibly Season-Ending
Brandon Aiyuk was carted to the locker room after a knee injury and did not return. Initial reports out of San Francisco indicate that there is concern that Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan told reporters that the team is worried WR Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 20, 2024
The mechanism of injury certainly fits that of an ACL tear with possible MCL involvement. Once Aiyuk has an MRI on Monday, we will know for sure. Obviously, a torn ACL would require season-ending surgery. For now, we wait, but it does not look promising.
Update: An ACL and MCL tear were confirmed Monday. Aiyuk's 2024 season is over.
WR DK Metcalf, Seattle | Knee Injury | Projecting Week 11 Return
DK Metcalf was unable to finish Sunday's game vs. Atlanta due to a knee injury. Metcalf's mechanism of injury, combined with a video of the medical staff assessing his knee, suggests that he sustained an MCL sprain.
I am speculating about the MCL sprain, but if that is confirmed, every NFL WR who has sprained their MCL has missed at least one game since 2017. Most miss 2-4 weeks. As it stands, I expect Metcalf to miss some time.
Update: Metcalf has a grade-I MCL sprain. This is the most minor of MCL sprains but it's still possible that this injury sidelines him until Seattle's bye in Week 10.
WR Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans | Knee Surgery | Season-Ending
Prior to Thursday, we learned that Rashid Shaheed's knee injury was a torn meniscus. Per medical advice, it was recommended that he have a meniscus repair which is typically a 6-month recovery. Shaeed's 2024 season is over.
QB Spencer Rattler, New Orleans | Hip Pointer | Timeline TBD
Spencer Rattler did not finish Thursday's game against the Denver Broncos due to a hip pointer although it's not exactly clear if Rattler's injury or poor play was the reason he was removed.
Hip pointers can be painful injuries and result in 1-2 weeks missed. If it is a true hip pointer, Rattler might not be able to return before Derek Carr. If Rattler misses, Jake Haener would be the next man up.
Update: Saints HC Dennis Allen said that Rattler will remain the starter as long as Derek Carr is out. It sounts like Rattler's hip injury was minor and he will be under center in Week 8.
QB Deshaun Watson, Cleveland | Achilles | Likely Season-Ending
Deshaun Watson was carted off the field with an Achilles injury. By video it the mechanism and apperance of "calf quiver" fit that of an Achilles tendon rupture. Should this diagnosis be confirmed by Cleveland following an MRI, Watson's season would be over.
QB Aidan O'Connell, Las Vegas | Hand Injury | Projecting Week 13 Return
Aidan O'Connell only managed to hold onto the Raiders' starting QB job for 5 quarters before injury struck and he was removed. The former Boilermaker is dealing with a thumb fracture – likely to sideline him for quite some time.
#Raiders QB Aidan O'Connell is believed to have suffered a broken thumb based on preliminary tests, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 20, 2024
He’ll have further evaluation tomorrow to determine the extent of the injury. Frustrating, considering he had just taken the starting job. pic.twitter.com/B0gs5olKuQ
Thumb injuries are difficult because it is how quarterbacks grip the football. Fractures/injuries to other fingers might not result in time missed. The extent of O'Connell's absense will depend on the exact location/severity of his fracture but at the very least I would expect him to miss at least 4 weeks and possibly be placed on IR.
Update: O'Connell's thumb fracture is confirmed and the Raiders expect him to be out 4-6 weeks. I suspect he is placed on IR.
QB Tyler Huntley, Miami | Shoulder Injury | Timeline TBD
Tyler Huntley was unable to complete Sunday's game at Indianapolis due to a shoulder injury. It is unclear the specifics of Huntley's injury but it might not matter as Tua Tagovailoa figures to return in Week 8.
WR Curtis Samuel, Buffalo | Shoulder Injury | Timeline TBD
Curtis Samuel injured his shoulder Sunday and did not return to game action. By video, it could be a potentially long-term injury.
#Bills Curtis Samuel R shoulder inj.
— Banged Up Bills (@BangedUpBills) October 20, 2024
Falls on R elbow, jamming humerus head up into shoulder. Initially questionable, didn’t return.
Likely continued to have pain, loss of motion/strength.
Possible posterior capsule/rotator cuff inj.
Possible labrum is involved, unlikely AC. pic.twitter.com/pbwKGAKDzc
If a shoulder labrum tear is confirmed, it could require surgery which would essentially end Samuel's season. If surgery is avoided Samuel could miss anywhere from 2-6 weeks.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City | Hamstring | Projecting Week 11 Return
JuJu Smith-Schuster barely played Sunday due to a hamstring injury. Kansas City has already ruled Smith-Schuster out for Week 8 which suggests that his hamstring strain is serious. At minimum I think Smith-Schuster misses 2 weeks but it could very well be likely longer which is why I have him projected for a Week 11 return.
QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Cleveland | Finger Injury | Timeline TBD
Dorian Thompson-Robinson was set to be the backup QB for Cleveland but he suffered an injury of his own. Monday Cleveland revealed that Thompson-Robinson has a finger injury.
#Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the presumptive starter with Deshaun Watson out, is not believed to have suffered a major finger injury, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 20, 2024
But it’s not that simple. How he responds to treatment and how he can grip a football will determine his availability. pic.twitter.com/k2s8yifjGt
The specific's of Thompson-Robinson's finger injury are vague so it is hard to project a timeline. A thumb fracture would be similar to Aidan O'Connell (above), while an index finger fracture could remove him from anywhere to 0-4 weeks. Thompson-Robinson could play with a sprains/fracture to the remaining fingers.
Until we know more Thompson-Robinson's status moving forward is up in the air and Jameis Wintson is very interesting.
WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay | Hamstring (Re-injury) | Projecting Week 12 Return
Mike Evans re-injured his hamstring during Monday's loss to Baltimore and did not return. WRs who re-injure their hamstring in the same season average 3.4 weeks missed. I expect Evans to miss some time.
WR Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay | Ankle Dislocation/Possible Fracture | Likely Season-Ending
Things only got worse for Tampa Bay when Chris Godwin was injured on the final play of the game. Godwin dislocated his ankle, needed to put in an air cast and carted off the field.
Buccaneers believe WR Chris Godwin dislocated his ankle.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2024
Dislocations without fractures are not common, but possible. I suspect there was a fracture present which will require surgery. Godwin's season is very likely over. With both Godwin and Evans out for an extended period of time Jalen McMillan and Sterling Shepard become interesting waiver wire targets.
WR Zay Flowers, Baltimore | Ankle Injury | Projecting Week 9 Return
Zay Flowers had an injury scare when his right ankle was rolled up on – mechanism for an eversion ankle sprain or the dreaded high ankle sprain. Flowers was able to return but he had a very quiet night and was outshined by Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews.
The fact that Flowers was able to return to game play makes me think he avoided a high ankle sprain. It's not uncommon for players to play through ankle sprains during a game but feel the painful effects and swelling of the injury afterward and miss time. I suspect Flowers will miss practice early in the week and possibly sit out Week 8's game.
