Week 11 was kind to our fantasy team as there were not many injuries on the offensive side of the ball. Should new injuries arise during the early portion of this week, circle back to this article as I will be updating it daily.
Key:
Position Player, Team | Injury | Projected Return to Play
WR Ladd McConkey, LA Chargers | Shoulder | Projecting Week 14 Return
Ladd McConkey hurt his left shoulder during Sunday night's game causing him to miss a chunk of the action. By video McConkey's shoulder injury looked like an AC joint sprain – a common injury for NFL WRs. McConkey was able to eventually return, reeling in 2 more receptions for 55 yards during the Chargers' last drive.
The fact that McConkey was able to return does not necessarily rule out an AC joint sprain as players have played through this injury before and gone one to miss time once the adrenaline wears off.
If an AC joint sprain is confirmed for McConkey, he would likely miss some games (on average ~2.5 weeks). Rarely do NFL WRs not miss time. Since 2017, only 20% of the WRs I've looked at have missed 0 games with an AC joint sprain due to the moderate re-injury rate of the injury.
Follow practice reports this week, but do not be surprised to see the rookie WR sit in Week 12.
WR Darnell Mooney, Atlanta | Hamstring | Projecting Week 14 Return
Darnell Mooney, who missed most team practices in Week 11 with an Achilles injury, was removed from Sunday's game with a hamstring injury. It's unclear if Mooney's hamstring injury was on the same leg as his Achilles, but it would not be surprising if it were. The only good news for Mooney, fantasy managers, and Falcons fans is that Atlanta has a bye in Week 12 – allowing Mooney some time to rest.
Hamstring injuries typically result in multiple weeks missed, with 60% of wideouts since 2017 missing 3+ weeks. Taking all the variables into consideration, I would expect Mooney to miss a few games as well.
Update: Mooney's Hamstring injury is not considered "serious." Based on hamstring data I still think there is a chance that Mooney misses a game or two following the Falcon's Week 12 bye.
RB Raheem Mostert, Miami | Hip | TBD
Raheem Mostert injured his hip in Week 11 but was eventually able to return. The injury could have hampered Mostert, considering his struggles on Sunday.
Obviously, Mostert is no stranger to injury so this will be a situation to follow. If Mostert is limited or misses practices to the start of this week, Jaylen Wright may be a nice player to stash.
WR Puka Nacua, LA Rams | Not-Specified | Projecting Active in Week 12
Puka Nacua appeared to be hurt on this TD catch.
PUKA. NACUA.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 17, 2024
?: @NFLonFOX | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/YqWw9l9ikK
The injury specifics are not clear, but reading between the lines, it would seem there was concern about a possible concussion.
A Rams doctor and the independent evaluator emerged from the tent, a few moments later Nacua also left the tent. He is standing with Kupp on the sideline with his helmet on. https://t.co/ToCAunwesq
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) November 17, 2024
If that was the case, Nacua obviously cleared the concussion testing as he returned to the game shortly afterward. Concussion symptoms can worsen or show up in the following days. Nacua managers should follow this closely.
Update: No sign of Nacua on the Ram's Week 12 injury report.
WR Gabe Davis, Jacksonville | Knee | Season-Ending
Gabe Davis suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee in Sunday's loss at Detriot. Per Ian Rapoport, Jacksonville is still deciding whether Davis will need a meniscus repair or a scope (arthroscopy). A repair would end Davis' 2024 season, while a scope would still likely land him on IR, but Davis could return in 4-6 weeks. We will wait to see what the Jaguars elect to do before a more accurate timeline can be provided.
Update: Gabe Davis is having season-ending surgery (likely a meniscus repair).
QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco | Shoulder | Projecting Active in Week 12
On Monday the 49ers reports that Brock Purdy was added to the team's injury report with "shoulder soreness."
This is a situation to monitor. Rarely are 49ers' QBs on the final injury report unless it a serious injury and in terms of injury report usage, San Francisco ranks middle of the pack with ~75% of players listed as "Questionable" playing that week (data from 2017-2023).
I expect some rest days for Purdy but would be surprised to see him on the injury report come Friday. If he is, I would be more nervous about his Week 12 availability.
TE George Kittle, San Francisco | Hamstring | Projecting Week 12 Return
George Kittle did not play in Week 11, so he was not injured in last week's game, but I wanted to discuss him because I had Kittle pegged to play leading into Sunday's game. Kittle was Questionable with a hamstring injury he dealt with in Weeks 3 and 4. Hamstring injuries carry a high re-injury rate, and for NFL TEs, the average time missed is four weeks. With that said, Kittle is a player who historically played through injury and was able to practice this week, albeit in a limited fashion. Therefore, I think there is a good chance that the former Hawkeye will return next week.
RB Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City | Ankle | Projecting Week 12/13 Return
Isaiah Pacheco is set to return from IR in the upcoming weeks following his ankle fracture and surgery. Pacheco will be "healthy enough to play", but Kansas City will determine if he is ready and up to game speed for a Week 12 return.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (ankle) is expected to be healthy for Week 12 game vs. Panthers, per @RapSheet
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) November 17, 2024
It’ll be a coaches decision whether he plays as Kansas City will be on a short week. pic.twitter.com/70daleItMD
Kareem Hunt has been a nice addition to fantasy teams lucky enough to snag him but even with Pacheco slated to return, I think Hunt is still worth holding onto. The type of injury Pacheco had, combined with his running style, makes for a difficult return. Until we see the Chiefs hand Pacheco his pre-injury workload, I am keeping Hunt on my rosters.
