Key:
Position Player, Team | Injury | Projected Return to Play
RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco | Knee | Likely Season-Ending
The Christian McCaffrey roller coaster may have finally come to an end. The ride was not fun, and the ending may be even less enjoyable. McCaffrey started Sunday night's game well, but his night was short-lived. While taking a handoff, McCaffrey game himself up and appeared to be dealing with an apparent right leg injury.
yikes --- Christian McCaffrey pic.twitter.com/RiwvgHWpjU
— ??O ?OOT???? ?O????? ? (@NFL_Journal) December 2, 2024
Video showed that McCaffrey likely injured himself a few plays prior. His mechanism of injury fit that of a PCL sprain - very similar to the one Dalton Kincaid suffered earlier in Week 10.
The previous #CMC play is likely where knee injury happens. Worry for right knee PCL sprain on shoestring tackle. The next run, he doesn't feel right and goes down. pic.twitter.com/aeQfmoS53x
— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) December 2, 2024
PCL sprains vary in severity and thus the return to play timeline can also have a wide range. Minor sprains result in 0-2 weeks missed. More serious sprains can be 6+ weeks. Full tears require season-ending surgery. It sounds like McCaffrey's knee injury is serious.
After the game, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that McCaffrey's season might very well be over.
Kyle Shanahan said Christian McCaffrey suffered a potentially season-ending PCL injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2024
The 49ers will hopefully provide some clarification but even without a full tear, a serious sprain would end McCaffrey's season considering there are only 5 more games left in the regular season.
Update: The 49ers are reporting McCaffrey will be out at least 6 weeks. He is droppable in all formats.
RB Jordan Mason, San Francisco | Ankle | Likely Season-Ending
In a surprising turn of events Jordan Mason was also placed on IR with an ankle injury. It is possible that Mason has a high ankle sprain or worse that would require 4+ weeks missed or the 49ers are just throwing in the towel. Either way Mason can be dropped in most leagues. Isaac Guerendo should be added in all leagues.
Update: It does sound like Mason is dealing with a high ankle sprain. I think there is a chance he could return in Week 18 but for fantasy purposes that does not mean much.
TE/QB Taysom Hill, New Orleans | Knee | Likely Season-Ending
Taysom Hill's season is likely over after a knee injury during Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. By video, it appeared that Hill suffered an ACL tear and potentially more. Sunday night, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirmed by suspicion.
#Saints do-it-all TE Taysom Hill, who was carted off today, is feared to have suffered a season-ending knee injury, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 2, 2024
No final diagnosis yet, as he’ll have an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. But feared to be significant. A tough blow. pic.twitter.com/4vNFFVE6dw
The Saints will wait for more test results before making an official statement but it would appear that Hill's 2024 season is over.
Update: ACL tear has been confirmed. Hill's season is over.
RB Austin Ekeler, Washington | Concussion | Projecting Week 18 Return
Austin Ekeler was placed on Injured Reserve (IR) due to his concussion. This has happened before for NFL players but typically most return after the required 4 week absence. However, Washington has a bye in Week 14 meaning the soonest Ekeler could return is Week 18. He is droppable in nearly every fantasy format. Jeremy McNichols is interesting especially considering Brian Robinson Jr. has been hindered by multiple injuries this season.
RB J.K. Dobbins, LA Chargers | Knee | Projecting Week 17 Return
Another RB placed on IR this week was J.K. Dobbins. Unfortunately, this was my concern when the injury originally happened. Dobbins has struggled with injuries to his left knee, but this was not a non-contact injury. It was a bit of a freak play where a defender landed on his knee while resting on another player.
Although the data points to RBs missing 4 weeks with MCL sprains, most return after 4 weeks. The Chargers have treated Dobbins like their primary back all season long. He has done well in that role and seems to have earned their trust. He should resume his duties upon his return.
WR Ladd McConkey, LA Chargers | Knee | Projecting Week 14 Return
Ladd McConkey was limited most of Sunday with a knee injury, but he was able to finish the game. We do not currently have any specifics about this injury, but they are starting to pile up for McConkey, who sustained an AC joint sprain two weeks prior. Don't be surprised to see the rookie WR miss practices or be limited most of this week.
Update: When asked about McConkey's knee, Jim Harbaugh told reporters the rookie WR is "working through a couple things." Harbaugh did not offer much more of a an explanation. I would expect McConkey to be limted this week but still have him projected to play next week.
QB Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville | Concussion | Timeline TBD
Trevor Lawrence received a nasty, late hit during Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. The hit resulted in a concussion, which required Lawrence to be carted off the field.
We do not and cannot grade the severity of a concussion based on how the injury looks, but there are some extenuating circumstances here that could delay Lawrence from returning within the typical timeline of 1 week. The Jaguars are in last place and in no position to make the playoffs. Lawrence also suffered a concussion last season, and should they continue to cumulate, that could create more issues. It's possible the Jaguars shut Lawrence down for the remainder of the season. We will have to wait for more news before I am comfortable projecting a return date.
WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore | Knee | Timeline TBD
Rashod Bateman left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury and did not return. I have not seen video of his injury, and the Ravens have not provided an update on the specifics. I will keep you updated as we learn more about the severity of his injury.
Update: John Harbaugh did not seem too concerned about Bateman's knee injury. I think it is possible he is able to return after the Ravens' Week 14 bye.
WR DK Metcalf, Seattle | Knee | Projecting Week 14 Return
DK Metcalf tweaked the same knee that caused him to miss time due to an MCL sprain. Metcalf missed 2 snaps but was able to return and finish the game. I expect Metcalf to rest up heading into Week 14 and maybe don a brace on his knee, but come Sunday, I expect him to be active.
TE Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia | Knee | Likely Season-Ending
Dallas Goedert is dealing with a knee injury that is quite possibly another PCL sprain. The Eagles are considering placing the TE on IR, meaning the soonest he could return in Week 18.
TE Theo Johnson, NY Giants | Foot | Projecting Week 18 Return
The TE injuries keep rollling in. Theo Johnson was added to IR with a foot injury. The Giants are not in playoff contention. Johnson's seaosn is likely over.
RB Roschon Johnson, Chicago | Concussion | Projecting Week 15 Return
Roschon Johnson suffered a concussion during Thursday's loss at Detroit. Johnson exited the game early, before logging any points for fantasy managers. Typically, concussions result in at least 1 game missed.
It does help that Chicago played on Thursday so there are a few extra days for Johnson to move through the concussion protocol and return next week. Still, I typically err on the side of caution with my projected timelines.
