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.
RB Aaron Jones
Rib Cartilage Injury: Likely to play in Week 11
Jones took a hard hit to the right side of his torso in the second half Sunday. He was in visible discomfort and was taken to the locker room for X-rays and further evaluation. In game X-rays of his ribs were negative for a fracture, and Jones was able to return for the final few minutes of the game, which is obviously great news. I expect Jones to appear on the Vikings’ injury report ahead of Week 11, but I do expect him to suit up next week against the Titans.
Players impacted: Cam Akers, Ty Chandler
RB Tank Bigsby
Ankle Injury (Diagnosis Unknown): Questionable for Week 11
Bigsby left Sunday’s game against the Vikings with an ankle injury but did return later. He was listed on the team’s injury report over the last two weeks, logging a limited session in all three days of practice heading into Weeks 9 and 10. Early in the week, the severity of Bigsby’s injury isn’t known, but given that he was able to return to the game and he’s been playing through the injury for a couple of weeks, it is likely minor. Look for him to appear on the Jags’ injury report again ahead of Week 11.
Players impacted: Travis Etienne Jr., D’Ernest Johnson
TE Sam LaPorta
Shoulder Sprain (Specifics Unknown): Questionable for Week 11
LaPorta left Sunday night’s game against the Texans early due to a shoulder injury. On Monday, Dan Campbell described the injury as minor, but the specifics on LaPorta’s injury aren’t known at this time. Post game, here’s what Campbell had to say on his young TE: “It’ll be day-to-day. We don’t feel like this is something like, ‘ah, man, this is gonna be a long, nagging injury.’ I think we’ll get through it. I’m hopeful this week, but I can’t say that. He’s questionable.” For now, fantasy managers should treat LaPorta has questionable for next week’s game, but there’s a chance he misses a game or two. It’s important for managers to monitor the Lions’ practice reports this week.
Players impacted: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jared Goff, Jameson Williams
TE Dalton Kincaid
Left Knee PCL Sprain: Likely Out Week 11
Kincaid slammed his left knee on the turf Sunday when he was overthrown by Josh Allen. Direct contact to the front of a flexed knee is the most common mechanism of injury for a PCL injury as seen in the video below. He did return to the game with a brace, but he was clearly not himself, and he ultimately left the game for good in the second half. Assuming his is mild in severity, Kincaid can return to the field in a couple of weeks, but I do not expect him to play in Week 11. Fortunately for Kincaid and the Bills, Buffalo goes on Bye in Week 12.
Players impacted: Josh Allen, Dawson Knox, Khalil Shakir
Here's the play where #Bills TE Dalton Kincaid injured his left knee. Attempted to return with a brace but was ineffective.
Concern here is a sprained PCL. Even a mild PCL sprain would make it difficult for Kincaid to play next week. Week 12 bye comes at the perfect time pic.twitter.com/jV2EBl7Qwo
— Matthew Betz (@TheFantasyPT) November 11, 2024
Additional Injury Notes:
QB Dak Prescott – Met with a specialist on Monday to determine his next steps in recovery from a hamstring tendon avulsion injury. He’ll undergo surgery, ending his 2024 season is over, but he’ll be able to make a full recovery in time for the team’s offseason program. He faces about a 4 month recovery process, so he’ll be ready in plenty of time for training camp next offseason.
QB Trevor Lawrence – News broke prior to kickoff this past weekend that Lawrence is dealing with a “significant” AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini suggested that it’s possible Lawrence doesn’t play for the remainder of the year as he focuses on his recovery. With the Jags in the middle of a lost season, it certainly makes sense to avoid further injury to their franchise QB. Worth noting, he does have a significant injury history in that shoulder, undergoing labral repair back in 2021 when he was coming out of Clemson.
QB Jordan Love – Was severely limited in Week 9 with a groin strain suffered in Week 8. Coming out of the bye week, I expect Love to be far closer to 100% than he was in Week 9. His mobility in and out of the pocket should be much improved.
RB Christian McCaffrey – CMC returned to the lineup for the first time this past Sunday against the Bucs. His usage was very encouraging with McCaffrey handling 19 touches while playing 54 of 61 offensive snaps. I expect the Niners to limit stress on McCaffrey’s Achilles by managing his practice reps, but on Sundays, he should see his typical usage with the 49ers trying to make a push for the postseason. This is the type of injury that his highly volatile, but as long as CMC is healthy, he will be a difference maker in fantasy.
RB Najee Harris – Was evaluated for a right ankle injury yesterday but was able to return to the game, handling 21 carries against the Commanders. By video, this is a mild medial/high ankle sprain.
WR Nico Collins – Was activated off IR on Saturday prior to Sunday’s loss to the Lions but was ultimately ruled out after only logging one limited practice on Friday. I fully expect him to ramp up his practice reps this week and return in Week 11, six weeks after his hamstring injury. He should be close to 100%.
WR D.K. Metcalf – Missed two games prior to the Week 10 bye with a minor MCL sprain. I expect Metcalf to return to practice this week with a great chance to play in Week 11.
WR Michael Pittman – Did not play in Week 10 due a back injury. This has been plaguing him for the last month with the team previously considering placing him on IR. Prior to Week 10, head coach Shane Steichen called his WR “week-to-week.” The specifics of the injury aren’t known, but it sounds like this is going to be affecting Pittman for the rest of the season. If the team happens to fall out of playoff contention in the next few weeks (Currently 4-6), there’s a chance they shut him down for the year.