Inside the Tent - Week 6 NFL Injury Insight

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 a year 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.

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Inside the Tent Updates

Davante Adams, WR - Green Bay Packers

• Adams is dealing with turf toe in his right big toe. He has been ruled out for Week 6 and although this stinks for your fantasy team right now, this is definitely the right call for the rest of the season. These can easily be re-aggravated so it’s better to be cautious.

Christian Kirk, WR - Arizona Cardinals

• Kirk, recovering from an ankle sprain in Week 4, missed Week 5 and has now turned in three limited practices leading up to Week 6. Two limited practices in a row are usually a sign the player will suit up. The Cardinals are going against a soft Atlanta defense that Deshaun Watson just embarrassed and we could see the Kyler Murray breakout we’ve been waiting for.

Week 6 Injury Updates

Patrick Mahomes, QB - Kansas City Chiefs

• Injury: Mahomes re-aggravated his left ankle sprain in Week 5 when an offensive lineman stepped on his foot. He had his ankle liberally taped and his mobility was affected the rest of the game as he sported a noticeable limp.
• News: He turned in full practices all week so he will obviously start in Week 6. As if there was ever any doubt.
• Outlook: Although he’s starting, expect Mahomes’ mobility to be affected by this re-aggravation. He is one to extend plays and find his targets improvising down the field so this will be something to keep an eye on.

Todd Gurley, RB - Los Angeles Rams

• Injury: Gurley is dealing with a quadriceps contusion, which is really just a bruise along the muscle belly. Contusions can be very painful depending on severity and location. It’s notable that this is the same leg that Gurley had his ACL reconstruction on.
• News: Gurley didn’t practice all week and is OUT for Week 6. It’s notable that Sean McVay told reporters, "I think he knows his body as well as anybody. I think we all know what a tough, elite competitor he's been in terms of the things that he's been able to push through.”
• Outlook: When the Rams take the field in Week 6, Todd Gurley will not be there. With him out, the real question is whether it will be Malcom Brown or Darrell Henderson who benefits. McVay told reporters that this may be the week the Rams rely on Henderson so that’s certainly something to note.

David Johnson, RB - Arizona Cardinals

• Injury: Johnson is being sidelined with a low back injury. He was able to finish the second half but was obviously in some pain. There are plenty of things that could be going on with his back including back spasms or a disc issue. Back spasms can be controlled with soft tissue work as well as muscle relaxers. Disc pathologies are more difficult to treat and the symptoms can be decreased with physical therapy and chiropractic care.
• News: He was not able to practice on Wednesday or Thursday but turned in a limited practice on Friday. With this situation, Johnson will likely be a game-time decision when the Cardinals face the Falcons.
• Outlook: If Johnson isn’t able to give it a go, Chase Edmunds will have a great opportunity to see the majority of RB snaps for Arizona. He is able to catch passes out of the backfield and Kliff Kingsbury loves his skillset.  

Wayne Gallman, RB - New York Giants

• Injury: Gallman is unfortunately dealing with a concussion. Concussions are obviously the result of a hit to the head and the signs and symptoms associated with concussions are from the chemical cascade that occurs in the brain. Signs and symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, and difficulty orienting oneself to time.
• News: He did not practice this week and did not play in Thursday Night Football.
• Outlook: As he progresses through concussion protocol he will see how his symptoms respond to activity. There’s a good chance Saquon Barkley is back for Week 7 so Gallman will return to his backup duties.

Sammy Watkins, WR - Kansas City Chiefs

• Injury: Watkins re-aggravated the hamstring strain he was dealing with it leading up to Week 5. The hamstring group are the three muscles that are located in the back of the leg and help to bend the knee, extend the hip, and decelerate from sprinting. He was likely dealing with a Grade I hamstring strain.
• News: Watkins did not practice at all this week so he is considered doubtful for the Chiefs this weekend.
• Outlook: With Watkins likely out, look for Demarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle, Mecole Hardman, and possibly Tyreek Hill to carry the load for the Chiefs. Watkins hasn’t done much since Week 1 so I’m sure the Chiefs are anxious to get Hill back from his sternoclavicular joint posterior dislocation.

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