Inside the Tent - Week 3 NFL Injury Insight

September 22, 2018

Injury updates and analysis for Week 3 of the 2018 NFL season. Medical expert Aaron Burger, SPT, provides analysis on fantasy football's biggest injuries to help you make informed lineup start/sit decisions.

In Week 2, we unfortunately bore witness to some notable running back injuries including Dalvin Cook, Melvin Gordon, Joe Mixon, Jay Ajayi, and LeSean McCoy. On a more positive note, Aaron Rodgers was able to play thanks to a cumbersome knee brace and even threw a TD to his go-to receiver, Davante Adams. Now as we look forward to Week 3, we will see Carson Wentz make his long-awaited comeback after a brutal injury in Week 11 last year. Oh, and the Browns won their first game since Christmas Eve 2016 so you know Week 3 is about to be interesting.

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 guys, the readers! I'm Aaron Burger, a third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student, graduating in May. About a year ago, I decided to combine my love, fantasy football, with what I've been learning for three 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 breaking NFL news updates.

Updates from Last Week

Aaron Rodgers, QB - Green Bay Packers

Rodgers started against the Vikings in Week 2 completing 30 of 42 passes for 281 yards and a TD. He didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday but with that being said,  he didn't practice last week until Saturday and was good to go Sunday. The Packers are likely just being cautious with their keystone player who obviously belongs in lineups Week 3. It's Aaron Rodgers, don't overthink this one.

Carson Wentz, QB - Philadelphia Eagles

Wentz is cleared for contact. It's happening. The Philly franchise QB will make his 2018 debut against his former Offensive Coordinator, Frank Reich, who is now the Head Coach for the Indianapolis Colts. A little over nine months after tearing his ACL and LCL and partially tearing his IT band, #11 will be taking the field again. It will be interesting to see how comfortable Wentz is as the pocket collapses as well as planting on his left foot during his throwing motion.

Marcus Mariota, QB - Tennessee Titans

Mariota is dealing with some ulnar nerve symptoms in his throwing arm after being taken down by a Miami defender in Week 1. The ulnar nerve runs along the inside of the arm and provides sensation to half of the ring finger as well as the pinky finger. Also, a branch of it controls the muscles that bring the fingers together as well as splays them out. Fun fact: when you hit your "funny bone" it's actually your ulnar nerve. Imagine that feeling being nonstop and that's likely what Mariota is dealing with right now. He was active last week but didn't see any game action and that could once again be the case in Week 3 depending on how fast he can regain sensation.

Throwing these deep out-breaking routes is a good sign for Marcus Mariota. #Titans pic.twitter.com/1215thwgxl

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 20, 2018

Leonard Fournette, RB - Jacksonville Jaguars

The LSU product was held out against the Patriots with a minor hamstring strain and it seems the Jaguars didn't miss him while they were busy putting up 31 points. Actually, the Jaguars are 4-0 when Fournette doesn't play and average 30+ points per game. This week Fournette has turned in limited practices both Wednesday and Thursday which is a great sign for his availability in Week 3. If he plays, he is obviously a must-start considering TJ Yeldon is now dealing with an ankle injury, although he has been practicing as well. Hamstring strains can linger so hopefully, the Jaguars' plan of being cautious with Fournette works out and he is now 100% from here on out.

Devonta Freeman, RB - Atlanta Falcons

It was confirmed that Freeman's injury was an aggravation of his 2017 MCL/PCL injury. Wow, I was right about something! Seriously though, the timeline for his return has been reported anywhere from 2-4 weeks according to which source you listen to. If you're a Tevin Coleman owner, you should be starting him in all formats. The MCL and PCL help to make the knee more stable so as Freeman returns to the lineup, his explosiveness will be something to monitor.

Davante Adams, WR - Green Bay Packers

Adams, shadowed by Xavier Rhodes, was able to catch eight balls on 12 targets for 64 yards and a TD.  Unless his shoulder injury is aggravated in Week 3, he should be a reliable WR1 going forward if Rodgers can stay on the field.

Alshon Jeffery, WR - Philadelphia Eagles

Jeffery has remained limited at practice as of late. He has been more involved in practices which is a great sign in an otherwise frustrating situation. Jeffery will be fresh once he makes his debut, likely in Week 4 or 5, after undergoing rotator cuff surgery following the Super Bowl. The rotator cuff helps to stabilize the shoulder which is one of the more mobile joints in the body.

Doug Baldwin, WR - Seattle Seahawks

Baldwin is dealing with a Grade II MCL tear and he will likely be out for 1-3 more weeks. The MCL is located on the inside of the knee and contributes to the stability of the joint. Tyler Lockett hauled in five receptions for 60 yards and a TD on Monday Night Football in Baldwin's absence.

Marquise Goodwin, WR - San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers' speedster is being held back by a deep thigh bruise. He was not able to suit on for Week 2 after missing a whole week of practice. This week, he was limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday, putting him in a good position to play Sunday. He may not have the giddy-up he usually does, as you can see in the video, but he should see some looks from Jimmy G.

#49ers WR Marquise Goodwin at practice on Thursday as he bids to return from deep thigh bruise. pic.twitter.com/uC7RWtK4wt

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 20, 2018

Greg Olsen, TE - Carolina Panthers

After reinjuring the same foot that kept him out last season, Olsen will be sidelined for an extended period of time. How long the Carolina TE will be kept out is still up in the air. The Panthers didn't put Olsen on IR so the hope is mutual that he'll be able to come back at some point this year. He could come back by Week 6 but Week 7 or 8 is more likely. Olsen once again is suffering from a Jones fracture which affects the bone on the outside of the foot, or the fifth metatarsal. Surgeries for this type of fracture are often not 100% successful as is Olsen's case.

Week 3 Injury Updates

Joe Mixon, RB - Cincinnati Bengals

• Injury: Mixon is dealing with a "slight tear" of his meniscus. The meniscus distributes forces in the knee and acts somewhat as a shock absorber. It provides a smooth surface for the femur to move along the tibia, or shin bone.
• News: At this point, it’s looking like Mixon could be out anywhere from two to four weeks as a result of the slight tear and arthroscopic surgery. This procedure is similar to the one Sony Michel underwent at the beginning of training camp. Mixon does not seem too concerned about his longterm status as he was quoted in saying, "As soon as I feel any type of comfortability, in terms of me going out there and able to run full speed and cut a dime, that's definitely when I'll be out there. And even if I did have a little pain, I'll definitely still be out there at that point when I'm comfortable."
• Outlook: If you are a Mixon owner, hopefully you snagged Giovani Bernard off the waiver wire after you heard about the news. Bernard is a great pass catching back and is elusive in the open field. His matchup against the Panthers isn’t the greatest but the volume should be there to provide a solid floor.

Melvin Gordon, RB - Los Angeles Chargers

• Injury: Gordon had his neck flexed forward by a defender and likely strained one of his neck extensor muscles. Any injury involving the neck can obviously be concerning as this is a very sensitive area of the body.
• News: He was removed from the game with a little under 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter and he did not return. Following the game, Head Coach Anthony Lynn, described Gordon’s injury as an “upper body injury.” Sorry Coach Lynn, I didn’t realize this was the NHL. Gordon practiced in full this week despite the ailment so he is good to go Week 3 against the Rams and their star-studded defense.
• Outlook: Gordon has cemented himself in the RB1 conversation with two impressive weeks thus far. In Week 1, he caught nine passes for 102 yards and in Week 2 he scored three TDs. He faces a tough Rams D but you’re starting the guy based on volume and opportunity alone.

LeSean McCoy, RB - Buffalo Bills

• Injury: He had one of his offensive linemen fall on him during Week 2’s matchup with the Chargers. It was first reported that McCoy broke a rib but it was then discovered the cartilage that attaches the rib to the sternum was cracked. This cartilage allows for the ribs to expand when the lungs fill with air. With this being said, McCoy is likely dealing with some pain when he breathes let alone running and breathing heavier.
• News: McCoy has sported a non-contact jersey this week while practicing in a limited fashion. It’s definitely good news that he is even out there and I expect him to rock a flak jacket and suit up against the Vikings in Week 3.
• Outlook: This isn’t the best matchup for the veteran. The Vikings have given up an average of 87 yards per game rushing and haven’t allowed a rushing TD this season. It would be tough to sit McCoy given his talents but expectations have to be reeled in a bit. On the other hand, the Bills have struggled this year so far so they could be playing catch up which means McCoy can get some targets out of the backfield if you play in a PPR format.

Dalvin Cook, RB - Minnesota Vikings

• Injury: Following Sunday's tie against the Packers, Cook told reporters he was not able to return after leaving the game in overtime because he was dealing with hamstring cramps.
• News: Cook missed Wednesday and Thursday's practices which means he is likely dealing with something more serious than cramps. Rather than cramps, Cook is likely dealing with a minor hamstring strain. It was announced Friday afternoon that he will NOT play this weekend against the Bills.
• Outlook: Given the Bills’ struggles this year, I'm assuming the Vikings are keeping him sidelined as a precautionary measure. Soft tissue injuries, like hamstring strains, can be aggravated pretty easily. The hamstrings help athletes to accelerate as well as slow down so if a strain is not fully healed, it can strain again. With Cook out, Latavius Murray will be the bell-cow back in a game which could become run heavy for the Vikings.

Jay Ajayi, RB - Philadelphia Eagles

• Injury: Philadelphia’s lead back (I think) is dealing with a back injury leading up to Week 3. We don’t know the specifics of the injury but he was able to come back in the second half to get seven touches for 34 yards and a TD.
• News: Ajayi did not practice at all this week which is never a good sign. It was reported early in the week that he was looking like a long shot to play this week and that news was confirmed on Friday when he was officially ruled OUT.
• Outlook: With Ajayi out, Darren Sproles should have a good volume as Carson Wentz returns from his 2017 injury. Oh wait… Sproles is out too?! Okay, the next man up is Corey Clement and he should have the volume to sustain RB2/FLEX value although he is questionable too. Josh Adams was promoted from the practice squad due to the Ajayi and Sproles injuries.

Larry Fitzgerald,WR - Arizona Cardinals

• Injury: Fitzgerald is as steady as they come and rarely finds himself on the injury report. This week though, he is questionable with a hamstring strain. He did not play the second half in Week 2. As I said above, hamstring strains, like any soft tissue injury, can easily be aggravated so Fitzgerald’s status throughout the weekend will need to be monitored.
• News: The Arizona WR took Wednesday off but followed that up with limited practices Thursday and Friday. Head Coach Steve Wilks expects Fitzgerald to be out there Sunday saying, “We all know that it’s going to be tough to keep Larry off the field. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure he is ready to go on Sunday with the treatment and the amount of reps he gets in practice."
• Outlook: Sam Bradford has led an anemic offense for the Cardinals thus far. Moving the ball down the field has been a challenge and Fitzgerald and David Johnson have suffered. I expect the veteran to be out there Sunday but so far he has been disappointing thanks to Bradford. Maybe Josh Rosen can save this offense and Fitzgerald’s fantasy value.

Josh Gordon, WR - New England Patriots

• Injury: Gordon tweaked his hamstring filming a commercial the Friday before Week 2’s game. Obviously, we all know he was then traded from the Browns to the Patriots for a conditional 5th round pick.
• News: Hamstring strains can linger but he underwent an MRI to check on the integrity of the tendon which came back OK. He was limited Wednesday and Thursday and is officially questionable for Week 3 against the Lions. He is a risky play nonetheless considering he has had about four days to learn the Patriots’ playbook.
• Outlook: Well, well, well, this could be great or blow up in our faces. If Gordan can buy into the Patriots’ winning ways and his demons are truly behind him, this could be something special. Tom Brady hasn’t had a weapon of Gordon’s caliber since he was slinging bombs to Randy Moss in 2007-2009. The dynamics of the Patriots passing attack will be something to monitor and the waters will only get muddier when Julian Edelman returns in Week 5.

Jack Doyle, TE - Indianapolis Colts

• Injury: Doyle was able to play the entire game Week 2 so it was a surprise when he missed practice completely on Wednesday. It was reported he was dealing with a hip issue which could come from any one of numerous structures. If it is coming from the hip joint itself, like a labrum injury, this could be an issue for weeks to come. If it is a soft tissue injury, it should be cleared up with a week or two of rest.
• News: As I said above, Doyle surprised everyone when he wasn’t able to practice on Wednesday. Colts fans and Doyle owners got concerned when he didn’t practice on Thursday either. Friday afternoon he was declared OUT against the Eagles along with Marlon Mack.
• Outlook: With Doyle out, Eric Ebron should see the majority of the tight end looks for the Colts in Week 3. He is a great streaming option if he’s miraculously still on the waiver wire or DFS play. The Eagles D is tough but the Colts will have to move the ball and put up points to keep up in Carson Wentz’s return.

Give me a follow on Twitter at @FFAchesAilments - Check back next week and all season for insight regarding fantasy's biggest injuries!

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