Week 10 Fantasy Football Injury Recap
As The Fantasy Footballers’ lead injury analyst and sports physical therapist, I’ll be recapping the previous week’s injuries and giving a projected timeline for recovery all season long. Let’s look at the biggest injuries from Week 10 and take a look at what fantasy managers can expect heading into Week 11 and beyond.
If you’re looking for more detailed injury analysis, check out JoinTheFoot.com for additional premium resources, including access to the Injury Blitz Podcast hosted by yours truly. This bonus podcast, available to all #FootClan Premier members, is a short, yet informative injury podcast that drops late in the week in order to provide all the injury updates you need to set your lineup each week.
QB Derek Carr
Concussion + Right Shoulder AC Joint Sprain: Questionable for Week 12
Carr left Sunday’s game against the Vikings with a concussion and a right shoulder injury when he took a hard hit. Carr and the Saints go on bye in Week 11, so he’ll have two weeks to clear the concussion protocol and rehab his shoulder. Carr sprained the AC joint in his right shoulder earlier this year and did not miss a start, though he was affected in his first game back. As of now, I do expect Carr to play Week 12, but this is an injury that will be crucial to monitor after Week 11.
Players impacted: Jameis Winston, Chris Olave, Michael Thomas
QB Baker Mayfield
Right Thumb Sprain: Day-to-day
Mayfield hit his right hand on a defender’s helmet during a follow through when throwing a pass in the second half against the Titans. He was able to stay in the game and didn’t miss a snap. On Monday, it was reported that Mayfield’s scans on his thumb came back clean, so he is fully expected to play next week against the 49ers. He may see limited reps in practice this week.
Players impacted: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Cade Otton
QB Deshaun Watson
Left High Ankle Sprain: Questionable for Week 11
Watson got his left ankle caught under a defender this past Sunday in the first half against the Ravens, in a mechanism that was consistent with a mild left high ankle sprain. Watson stayed in the game, but his mobility was affected in the second half, and he was wearing a boot on his left ankle following the game. These ankle injuries usually get worse in the days following the game, so this is a key injury to monitor throughout the week. Personally, I don’t think it’s a guarantee Watson plays next week against Pittsburgh. Watson will certainly be limited in practice this week and should be considered truly questionable for next week’s game against the Steelers. If he is able to start, expect Watson’s mobility to be hampered.
Players impacted: P.J. Walker, Amari Cooper, David Njoku, Elijah Moore
QB Taylor Heinicke
Hamstring Strain: Questionable for Week 12
Heinicke picked up a hamstring injury on Sunday against the Cardinals in the second half and did not return. Desmond Ridder finished the game as the QB this past week. Heinicke’s injury is being described as “mild” but even a Grade I hamstring injury can take 2-3 weeks to heal. The bye week comes at the perfect time for Atlanta, but it is not a guarantee Heinicke is ready for Week 12 against the Saints. If he can’t go, Ridder will be back under center.
Players impacted: Desmond Ridder
RB Alexander Mattison
Concussion: Week-to-week
Mattison picked up a concussion on Sunday against the Saints in the third quarter and did not return, giving way to Ty Chandler as the lead back. This season, roughly 75% of players are missing at least one game due to concussion, which makes Mattison Questionable for next week’s matchup against the Broncos. On Monday, the team signed Myles Gaskin to the practice squad to add some depth with Mattison in concussion protocol and Cam Akers on IR.
Players impacted: Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, Myles Gaskin
WR Michael Thomas
Right Knee Injury (Likely MCL sprain): Severity unknown
Thomas left in the first quarter with what appeared to be an MCL sprain in his right knee, but there has not been official reporting here on the specifics. He did not return, and now heads into the bye week, adding some uncertainty on his outlook over the next several weeks. On Monday, head coach Dennis Allen said the knee injury Michael Thomas suffered in Week 10’s loss to the Vikings is “fairly significant.” Obviously, that sort of verbiage suggests this could be a multi-week injury. For now, fantasy managers should consider Thomas unlikely to play in Week 12 when the team comes out of their bye.
Players impacted: Derek Carr, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed
WR Jalin Hyatt
Concussion: Week-to-week
Hyatt left early due to a concussion and did not return. Like Mattison, he’s got an uphill battle to clear concussion protocol. He should be considered questionable for next week’s contest against the Commanders.
Players impacted: Tommy DeVito, Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton
WR Keenan Allen
Left Shoulder AC Joint Sprain: Has a chance to play Week 11
Allen landed hard on his left shoulder when he was tackled by a Lions defender this past Sunday. The mechanism is consistent with a mild AC joint sprain. Allen exited to the locker room, likely for an injection, but he did return and finished the game to post a monster fantasy line. Look for Allen to be limited this week in practice, but he’s got a good chance to play next week against the Packers. If he’s still experiencing pain come Sunday, the team and player can opt for a pre-game injection to help mitigate discomfort.
Players impacted: Justin Herbert, Jaylen Guyton, Austin Ekeler
TE Gerald Everett
Back Injury: Questionable for Week 11
Everett was deemed questionable to return Sunday with a back injury, but he only played 33% of the snaps. On Monday, head coach Brandon Staley told reporters that Everett was considered “day-to-day” but of course, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee Everett plays next week. He’ll likely be limited in practice this week with his back injury, and his Week 11 status is up in the air.
Players impacted: Justin Herbert, Donald Parham Jr., Keenan Allen, Jaylen Guyton