The fantasy football playoffs bring on many hurdles – one of which is injuries. If you're in the middle of your playoffs or just starting the final leg to landing a championship, hopefully, you are doing so unscathed. If not, the breakdowns below will help you navigate the waiver wire and adjust as needed.
Key: Position Player, Team | Injury | Projected Return to Play
QB Justin Herbert, LA Chargers | Leg | Projecting Active in Week 15
Justin Herbert was hobbled a couple of times during the Sunday night matchup in Kansas City. Before halftime, Herbert injured his leg and was seen limping into the locker room.
Justin Herbert with a noticeable limp leaving the field for halftime, but we already know that dude is tough as nails. https://t.co/IXirlhJZGy pic.twitter.com/PusN78l4xZ
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 9, 2024
Herbert finished the game because he is a tough player who typically plays through injury, but this will be something Herbert's managers will want to follow. Once we have an official injury (if any) I will be able to provide more clarity.
RB De'Von Achane, Miami | Possible Concussion | Projecting Active in Week 15
De'Von Achane is another player who was injured Sunday but ended up returning to finish the game. Achane was briefly in the concussion protocol but was cleared to return. Managers should be aware of this situation as players have popped up with symptoms the next day even when being cleared. Unless there is an update, Achane should be ready come Week 15.
TE Will Dissly, LA Chargers | Shoulder | Projecting Week 17 Return
Will Dissly injured his shoulder in the first quarter of Sunday Night's game. Dissly's shoulder injury looked like a possible AC joint sprain which would likely mean at minimum a 2 week absence. It's possible that the veteran TE will miss some time.
QB Aidan O'Connell, Las Vegas | Knee | Projecting Week 16 Return
Aidan O'Connell needed to be put in an air cast after he suffered a low leg injury during Sunday's contest in Tampa Bay. The Raiders post-game report labeled O'Connell with a "knee injury", but since he was put in an air cast it sounds like there might be some concern of a fracture. A leg fracture would effectively end his season.
It is a brutal blow for O'Connell, who missed most of the season with a broken finger.
Update: In a turn of events O'Connell is reportedly dealing with a bone bruise in his knee. The air cast was a precautionary measure. It sounds like O'Connell is going to try and play next week. Although a bone bruise injury is rarely season-ending, it is unlikely that O'Connell does miss anytime. Week 15 seems like a long-shot.
RB Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco | Foot | Timeline TBD
Toward the end of Sunday's game, Isaac Guerendo spent time in the blue medical tent with a foot injury. After the game 49ers beat reporters labeled Guerendo with a "foot sprain." A midfoot foot sprain could be serious as it might indicate a Lisfranc injury. A Lisfranc injury can result in multiple weeks missed – possibly season-ending.
It is difficult to forecast until we know more, but fantasy managers may want to stash Patrick Taylor Jr. and/or Ke'Shawn Vaughn, the next two players listed on the depth chart.
RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina | Knee | Possibly Season-Ending
Jonathon Brooks uncourtly injured his right knee – the same leg that caused him to miss the end of his collegiate season and most of the 2024 NFL season. Brook's right knee appeared to give away. It was a non-contact injury.
Given his medical history, re-tearing his surgically reconstructed ACL is the primary concern. If Brooks somehow avoided a serious injury, it's possible that Carolina would shut down the rookie RB anyway since the Panthers are playing for 2025 and beyond.
Update: Our fears have be realized. Panthers confirmed today that Johnathon Brooks re-tore his ACL. He is done for the year.
QB Derek Carr, New Orleans | Hand | Likely Season-Ending
Derek Carr injured his wrist during Sunday's win over the Giants. Carr's mechanism was what is commonly referred to as a FOOSH injury (falling on an outstretched hand). Typically, when these injuries are bad, they result in a fracture to the hand or wrist—specifically, the scaphoid bone.
Early reports out of New Orleans reiterate my fears. If confirmed, this injury would also likely end Carr's 2024 season.
Update: Carr's hand fracture has been confirmed. He is done for the rest of the 2024 season.
RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay | Back | Projecting Week 16 Return
Bucky Irving was Questionable coming into Week 14 with a back injury. Irving suited up but appeared to re-injure his back. He exited early with the same injury and did not return. The rookie RB has been stellar but has battled multiple injuries. He may need a week or two to rest up.
WR George Pickens, Pittsburgh | Hamstring | Projecting Week 16 Return
After early reports Saturday night/Sunday morning pointed toward Pickens being active in Week 14, Pickens was ultimately ruled out Sunday afternoon.
George Pickens intended to play today vs. the Browns, but after conversations this morning, the Steelers decided to take a long-term view and not risk the hamstring injury that he suffered at the end of the week. Thus Pickens is inactive.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 8, 2024
Originally, I was skeptical Pickens would play in Week 14, and Week 15 felt like a long shot, given Pickens injured his hamstring late in the week. It sounds like Pittsburgh thought it would be best for Pickens to rest after testing out his hamstring in pregame warmups. The fact that Pickens was so close to playing this week makes me believe he will be ready to go next Sunday.
Update: Per ESPN's Jeremy Folwer, Pickens is dealing with a grade-II hamstring strain. If that is the case, Week 15 is unlikely. I have adjusted his return to play timeline.
