This week is pivotal. Decisions will be made and the ripple effects of these decisions will carry forward for years. Research should be done, polls examined, and all candidates need to studied. Although you might feel your opinion does not matter, I assure you it does. This is fantasy football.
A lot of impactful NFLplayers were injured this week. How you adjust and who you elect to replace these players is important. It's hard to imagine you'll face a bigger decision this week.
Key: Position Player, Team | Injury | Projected Return to Play
WR Drake London, Atlanta | Hip Pointer/Oblique Strain | Projecting Week 10 Return
Drake London injured his hip while laying out to catch a Kirk Cousins pass – resulting in a touchdown. London was ruled out shortly after a hip pointer. At the conclusion of the game, we also learned that London is dealing with an oblique strain.
My understanding is #falcons WR Drake London is dealing with a hip pointer and an oblique strain. It doesn't appear to be a serious concern.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 4, 2024
These two injuries are closely related. We have a recent example of a player being diagnosed with both this season (Anthony Richardson).
Hip pointers can be painful but typically can be played through. Assuming London has no setbacks, he could return as soon as next week.
Update: London's injuries are "not considered serious." I think there is a good chance London could play next week, if not then by Week 11.
WR Chris Olave, New Orleans | Concussion | Projecting Week 13 Return
One of the more scary injuries this season happened Sunday in Carolina. Chris Olave was carted off the field after Derek Carr airmailed a pass into triple coverage, leaving Olave vulnerable for a big hit. Olave was hit in the head and appeared to be briefly unresponsive. He was late diagnosed with a concussion.
This is Olave's fifth documented concussion and the second this season. Given the severity of this situation and looking at historical comps, it's likely Olave will be out at least until Week 13, following the Saints' Week 12 bye. This could be a very similar situation to Tua Tagovailoa, where the Miami quarterback was placed on IR. This could be a possibility for Olave.
WR CeeDee Lamb, Dallas | AC Joint Sprain | Projecting Week 12 Return
CeeDee Lamb attempted to play through a shoulder injury, but after falling hard on his injured arm several times, he was unable to continue. Lamb's initial injury looked like an AC joint sprain – a common injury for NFL WRs.
Dallas confirmed the AC joint sprain and reported that he will get an MRI on Monday, indicating uncertainty regarding the severity of his injury. Typically, X-rays can show the degree of separation in the shoulder, whereas MRIs can show soft tissue involvement. Unless we learn more post-MRI, it's possible Lamb will return soon but will probably miss ~ two weeks.
QB Dak Prescott, Dallas | Hand/Hamstring | Projecting Week 14 Return
Dak Prescott was seen pulling up while throwing in Sunday's loss vs. Atlanta. Prescott was diagnosed with a hamstring strain and did not return.
Dallas is concerned that Prescott has a serious hamstring strain and he will get an MRI Monday. All soft tissue injuries can be limiting, but for NFL QBs, they rarely result in extensive absences. Since 2017, <20% of quarterbacks have missed 5+ weeks.
Update: Monday we learned that Prescott's injury was worse than expected and Per Adam Schefter he is spected to miss 'several weeks.' Based on the report and data on NFL QBs I have him slated to miss the next 4 games.
Dak has been placed on IR.
QB Caleb Williams, Chicago | Ankle | Projecting Week 10 Return
Caleb Williams tweaked his ankle during Sunday's loss in Arizona. Williams appeared to injure his ankle late in the fourth quarter when the game was well out of reach. This leaves many questioning why the rookie quarterback was even in the game.
Early reports out of Chicago indicate that Williams's injury is minor. An ankle sprain could limit Williams' mobility and ability to scramble, but he could play through a minor ankle sprain. I feel good about Williams' chances to play in Week 10.
WR A.J. Brown, Philadelphia | Knee | Projecting Week 12 Return
A.J. Brown injured his knee Sunday afternoon and was unable to return. Brown's left knee was seen bending inward with a slight pivoting motion. By video, he appeared to sustain an MCL sprain.
The MCL sprain is merely conjecture on my part, but if this is later confirmed, it could result in multiple weeks missed. DK Metcalf has already missed two weeks with what Seattle called a "mild MCL sprain" showing that even the least significant MCL sprains are substantial.
Update: The Eagles have reported that A.J. Brown avoided a serious knee injury and have listed him as "day-to-day." This update does not provide a lot of detail on the specifics of Brown's injury but it sounds like even if he is dealing with an MCL sprain he could miss minimal time. I've adjusted his return to play timeline from 4 weeks to 2 weeks missed.
WR Keon Coleman, Buffalo | Wrist/Forearm | Timeline TBD
Keon Coleman managed to log one reception for 21 yards before injuring his wrist/forearm in Sunday's win over Miami. Although Coleman's teammate Amari Cooper is dealing with a minor wrist injury and is projected to return soon, Coleman's prognosis is a little unclear. By video there is potential for a fracture.
#Bills Keon Coleman R wrist/forearm injury.
— Banged Up Bills (@BangedUpBills) November 3, 2024
Thought this was going to be a head check.
Looking at replay, looks like Poyer’s helmet/shoulder pad makes contact with Coleman’s wrist/forearm.
AT holding arm walking to locker room. Likely getting x-rays. pic.twitter.com/13MaWLIfk6
A fracture would result in lengthy absence.
TE Erick All Jr., Cincinnati | Knee | Likely Season-Ending
Rookie TE Erick All Jr. suffered a non-contact knee injury during Sunday's win against Las Vegas. All tore his right ACL in college, and the initial fear is that he has re-injured this same knee.
All's injury fits the mechanism for an ACL tear. An MRI would confirm this, but reports are not promising. It's likely All's 2024 season is over.
Update: Bengals reporting that an ACL tear is confirmed for Erick All Jr.. His season is over.
