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At RotoBaller, we can't stress enough the importance of keeping up with injuries and playing your best lineup week after week. Players are going to get injured, that's an unavoidable fact. What's avoidable though is making the wrong roster decisions based on the injuries surrounding your fantasy squad. If you want to dominate your leagues and win some dough in daily contests, you have to be proactive with injury research.
That's where I come in to serve you, the readers! I'm Aaron Burger, a Doctor of Physical Therapy in Pittsburgh, PA. About three years ago, I decided to combine my love, fantasy football, with what I've been learning for years now: injuries and the human body. Each week, I'll be checking in on fantasy's biggest injuries to keep you informed.
Be sure you also have RotoBaller bookmarked and follow us on social media to catch all the latest NFL news and updates. Feel free to reach out on Twitter (@aaronburgerPT) for any injury questions!
Inside the Tent Updates
Phillip Lindsay, RB - Denver Broncos
- Lindsay missed Week 2 against the Steelers and fantasy managers can expect to be without him for at least two more weeks, if not more. He is dealing with turf toe which is the result of hyperextension of the big toe, causing the ligaments and tendons on the bottom of the toe to stretch. Lindsay has been announced as DOUBTFUL for Week 3.
Le'Veon Bell, RB - New York Jets
- Bell was placed on injured reserve as of September 15th with a hamstring strain. Now that he's on injured reserve, he will be out until at least Week 5. Hamstring strains, like the majority of soft tissue injuries, are more susceptible to re-injury.
A.J. Brown, WR - Tennessee Titans
- A.J. Brown was able to play in Week 1 with a bone bruise in his knee but was unfortunately not able to suit up for Week 2. Bone bruises can be quire frustrating because athletes must really depend on their bodies to heal the ailment. Like the skin, or anything else in the body, bones can also bruise as they have their own blood supply. Bone bruises in the knee are often a result of stress put on ligaments and pulling at the bone where the ligament attaches. Brown will likely miss Week 3 after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Hopefully he will be able to suit up for Week 4 but that may too be in question. Brown has been ruled OUT for Week 3.
Michael Thomas, WR - New Orleans Saints
- Thomas is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and obviously did not play in Week 2. The Saints certainly suffered as they lost to the Las Vegas Raiders. With high-ankle sprains, players usually miss three or more games so expect to see Thomas back on the field during Week 5 at the earliest. Thomas will be OUT for Week 3 according to Dan Graziano.
Chris Godwin, WR - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Godwin missed Week 2 with a concussion sustained in Week 1 but turned in full practices on Wednesday and Thursday after being removed from the league's concussion protocol on Monday. This leads us to believe he will be active for Week 3 but as with all concussions, there is certainly risk for another.
Kenny Golladay, WR - Detroit Lions
- Golladay suffered a hamstring strain before Week 1 and has yet to make his 2020 debut. There is reason for optimism though as Golladay was able to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Expect to see Golladay in Week 3 in what should be a high-scoring affair in the dessert.
Henry Ruggs III, WR - Las Vegas Raiders
- Ruggs was able to play on Monday as the Raiders defeated the Saints. He was quite ineffective though only catching one of his three targets for four yards. He didn't look hampered by his MCL sprain and will once again be good-to-go for Week 3. Ruggs missed practice on Thursday and will be OUT in Week 3 due to a hamstring strain and his knee sprain.
Jamison Crowder, WR - New York Jets
- Crowder missed Week 2 with a hamstring strain and did not practice Wednesday or Thursday for the Jets. This is not a positive sign and he will likely be out for another two or three weeks. As of Friday, Crowder has been ruled OUT for Week 3.
George Kittle, TE - San Fransisco 49ers
- Kittle is managing a sprained MCL and was able to turn in a limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday which is always a positive sign. Unfortunately, the 49ers may hold Kittle out for Week 3 based on concerns about MetLife Stadium's turf and the injuries it may or may not have caused the 49ers in Week 2. Be sure to monitor practice reports and keep an eye on the RotoBaller news feed for updates about George Kittle's availability. Kittle has been announced as OUT for Week 3 according to Matt Maiocco.
Week 3 Injury Updates
Drew Lock, QB - Denver Broncos
- Injury: Lock suffered a significant rotator cuff strain in Week 2 against the Steelers. There are four muscles that make up the rotator cuff: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. Based on reports from the team, Lock is likely dealing with a significant Grade I strain which should keep him away from surgery but will sideline him for at least four weeks. It has also been reported he is dealing with an AC, or acromioclavicular, joint sprain from the impact against the ground.
- News: According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Lock's injury will be re-evaluated in two weeks and will be out for at least four weeks.
- Outlook: The Broncos have their bye week in Week 8 so don't be surprised if Lock doesn't see the field until Week 9. Jeff Driskel will take the snaps from under center for the Broncos and they also signed Blake Bortles. This significantly affects any and all pieces of the Broncos offense including Melvin Gordon and Jerry Jeudy.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB - San Francisco 49ers
- Injury: Jimmy Garoppolo had his right ankle rolled up on and is now dealing with a high-ankle sprain as a result. High ankle sprains are different from low ankle sprains in that they involve the connection (syndesmosis) between the tibia and fibula. These are the two lower leg bones and a sheet of connective tissue binds them together. With a high ankle sprain, this tissue is stretched and the joint becomes unstable.
- News: He was not able to practice on Wednesday or Thursday and the 49ers will roll with Nick Mullens under center in Week 3.
- Outlook: Mullens is no slouch as a backup and should be able to run Kyle Shanahan's offense in an efficient manner. Look for the 49ers to utilize Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jerick McKinnon out of the backfield and scheme creative plays to get them in space.
Tyrod Taylor, QB - Los Angeles Chargers
- Injury: Tyrod Taylor unfortunately had one of his lungs punctured, resulting in a partially collapsed lung, while getting a pain injection into his ribs. Medically, this is termed a pneumothorax, and will result in Taylor being out for Week 3.
- News: Taylor will not play in Week 3 and Justin Herbert will be under center for the Chargers for the second week in a row.
- Outlook: With Herbert under center in Week 2, the Chargers had the Chiefs on the ropes and controlled the game for three quarters. Herbert seemed to prefer Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler compared to Taylor having eyes for Mike Williams. Once Taylor is recovered, likely before Week 4, we will seemingly have a quarterback controversy on our hands.
Saquon Barkley, RB - New York Giants
- Injury: Saquon Barkley suffered a torn ACL, meniscus, and MCL in his right knee as his knee collapsed inward while planted in the turf. This is worrisome considering the meniscus tear compared to a "clean" ACL tear.
- News: Barkley was placed on injured reserve on September 22nd.
- Outlook: As far as recovery is concerned, the meniscus certainly complicates things early in the rehab process as knee flexion will be limited to allow for proper healing. Barkley will also not be able to fully bear weight on his right leg until about 3 weeks post-op. Barkley may miss voluntary workouts but should be back for training camp in 2021. The Giants signed Devonta Freeman to join Dion Lewis and Wayne Gallman in the Giants' running back room. Until roles are defined, this may be a situation to avoid.
Christian McCaffrey, RB - Carolina Panthers
- Injury: McCaffrey suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 2. As stated above, high-ankle sprains involve the syndemosis between the tibia and fibula. These injuries often occur when the ankle is flexed too far upwards into dorsiflexion and externally rotated. McCaffrey is likely dealing with a Grade I sprain.
- News: McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday, indicating that he will miss at least three weeks.
- Outlook: When the dust settles, expect McCaffrey to be back for either Week 7 or Week 8. We saw last year when Barkley attempted to come back too early from a high-ankle sprain that the efficiency may not be there if ankle isn't fully healed. The Panthers will likely give McCaffrey ample time to heal considering the contract they signed him to this offseason.
Raheem Mostert, RB - San Francisco 49ers
- Injury: Mostert suffered a sprained MCL in Week 2 against the Jets. The medial collateral ligament runs along the inner part of the knee and is commonly injured in football players when the knee collapses inward during a tackle. Mostert is likely dealing with a Grade I sprain, which is the least significant.
- News: Mostert has not practiced this week and is doubtful for Week 3 against the Giants.
- Outlook: Without Mostert, the 49ers will lean on Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jerick McKinnon to lead the 49ers' rushing attack. Expect Wilson to see the goal-line work with McKinnon working between the 20's and catching passes out of the backfield.
Tevin Coleman, RB - San Francisco 49ers
- Injury: Tevin Coleman is unfortunately dealing with an MCL sprain and will be out for multiple weeks. The MCL, or medial collateral ligament, runs along the inside of the knee and helps to provide stability to the joint. Coleman is likely dealing with a Grade I sprain.
- News: Coleman was placed on IR on September 23rd. With this news, Coleman will miss at least three weeks as he rehabs from his MCL sprain.
- Outlook: With Coleman out of the mix, look for Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jerick McKinnon to lead the 49ers backfield. Wilson should be more valuable in the red zone with McKinnon commanding some caries and targets between the 20's.
Cam Akers, RB - Los Angeles Rams
- Injury: Cam Akers sustained an injury to the cartilage in his ribs in Week 2. As I always say with rib injuries, these are extremely painful and often come down to a game-time decision. Ribs are surrounded by cartilage and this cartilage can sometimes become dislodged from the rib itself. Unfortunately, this is what happened to Akers.
- News: Akers has been ruled OUT for Week 3.
- Outlook: With Akers sidelined, Darrell Henderson Jr. and Malcom Brown will handle the carries for the Rams. Look for Akers to be back in Week 5 and hopefully begin to return on his draft stock.
Davante Adams, WR - Green Bay Packers
- Injury: Davante Adams suffered a hamstring strain in Week 2. As stated before, hamstring strains often occur during moments of acceleration or deceleration and tend to linger even after an athlete returns to play. Soft tissue injuries such as hamstring strains are vulnerable to re-injury if they are not rehabbed properly or the athlete comes back too soon.
- News: Adams was not able to practice at all this week and is DOUBTFUL for Week 3.
- Outlook: Ultimately, Adams will be a game time decision or won't play so fantasy managers should certainly have a plan B. Based on the severity, it's possible Adams will miss next week as well.
Courtland Sutton, WR - Denver Broncos
- Injury: After coming back from a sprained AC joint in his shoulder, Sutton tore his ACL and will be done for the year. The ACL is obviously in the knee and helps to add stability to the knee, specifically prevent anterior translation of the tibia on the femur.
- News: Sutton was placed on IR on September 22nd.
- Outlook: Without Sutton. the Broncos will lean on their rookie, Jerry Jeudy, to provide stability in the passing game. They lost Drew Lock as well so expect for this offense to take a step back until he returns.
