Week 12 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 12 and take a look at what fantasy managers can expect heading into Week 13.
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 and Ultimate 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 Baker Mayfield
Left Shoulder AC Joint Sprain: Questionable for Week 13
Mayfield exited Sunday Night Football early with a left shoulder injury and did not return after appearing with his left shoulder in a sling following halftime. Initially, I was concerned about a potential left shoulder subluxation, but following imaging Monday morning, it was confirmed that Mayfield is dealing with an AC joint injury. Given that this is his non-throwing shoulder, Mayfield does have a chance to play through the injury, but it ultimately comes down to severity and pain control. This injury is easily aggravated if Mayfield lands on the shoulder or takes direct contact to the top of the shoulder, so if he is able to go, it’s unlikely we see him fighting for extra yards as a runner.
Players impacted: Teddy Bridgewater, Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin
QB JJ McCarthy
Concussion Protocol: Likely Out Week 13
McCarthy played the entire game Sunday against the Packers, so it was a bit of a surprise when it was announced that McCarthy was in the protocol. He reported symptoms to the medical staff after the game, which suggests delayed onset of symptoms. As we’ve seen with some other QBs who’ve had the same delayed onset, this usually leads to at least a one-game absence. As a result of the delayed reporting of symptoms, I doubt McCarthy clears protocol ahead of next week’s game. We’re likely to see UDFA Max Brosmer under center for Kevin O’Connell‘s offense this week against Seattle.
Players impacted: Max Brosmer, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison
RB Alvin Kamara
Right Knee MCL Sprain: Likely out Week 13, Hopeful to avoid IR
Kamara’s right leg got bent awkwardly underneath him as he was taken to the turf while being tackled Sunday against the Falcons. After an MRI, it was confirmed that he’s dealing with a sprained MCL. This does not profile as a significant sprain that will sideline Kamara longer than four weeks, so I’m hopeful he can avoid IR. However, we’re at the time of the year where players will go on IR even if they’re only expected to miss a few games, so it can’t be ruled out. The Saints have nothing to play for in the standings, and Kamara is obviously an established veteran. I don’t anticipate them rushing him back, so he’s likely to miss Week 13 at a minimum even if this sprain is on the more mild side.
Players impacted: Devin Neal
RB Ashton Jeanty
Medial Left Ankle: Situation to monitor
Jeanty got his left ankle rolled up on late in the fourth quarter, suffering what looked like a medial eversion sprain. Fortunately, his foot was not planted in the turf, and his ankle didn’t get trapped under the defender, so I’m hopeful he’s more “hurt than injured.” Pete Carroll noted on Monday that he doesn’t anticipate Jeanty missing time, and while that’s encouraging news, we need to remember that Carroll is historically very optimistic on injuries, so we need to take that report with a grain of salt. The Raiders’ practice report this week will tell the story. Ultimately, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jeanty miss some practice reps this week.
Players impacted: Raheem Mostert
WR Tee Higgins
Concussion Protocol: Out Week 13
Higgins’ helmet slammed off the turf when he landed after attacking the ball in the air. He immediately went to the locker room and was ruled out with a concussion. The Bengals play on Thursday night, so there’s no way Higgins will be able to clear protocol on a short week. Hopefully, he can return in Week 14 after the ‘mini bye following their Thanksgiving game.
Players impacted: Joe Burrow/Joe Flacco, Ja’Marr Chase, Mike Gesicki
WR D.K. Metcalf
Left Ankle Sprain: Situation to monitor
Metcalf was blocking on Sunday against Chicago when he got stuck in a pile of defenders. During the play, he suffered a left ankle injury and came up hobbling after the play ended. He ended up returning to the game, for a period of time so this is obviously not a serious injury. However, he ended up leaving the game a second time as he appeared pretty uncomfortable. Despite returning to the field, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Metcalf’s name on Pittsburgh’s practice report this week. For now, this is a situation to monitor until we learn more about the severity of Metcalf’s injury.
Players impacted: Aaron Rodgers, Calvin Austin
TE Michael Mayer
Ankle Injury (Severity Unknown): Situation to monitor
Mayer exited this past weekend’s game with an ankle injury and did not return. There’s some concern for a high ankle sprain with Mayer, so be sure you’re tracking news out of Las Vegas this week. If that ends up being the case, Mayer would be considered doubtful for Week 13 and could miss multiple games.
Players impacted: Brock Bowers
Additional Injury Notes:
– QB Joe Burrow is set to return this week when the Bengals play the Ravens on Thanksgiving night. I don’t expect him to be 100% from a mobility standpoint, and he’s likely to take just about every snap out of shotgun in an effort to avoid having him backpedal, thereby stressing the big toe. In shotgun, he can take the snap, pivot and throw. Look for Cincy to use a ‘get the ball out quick’ game plan as Burrow’s quickness in the pocket could be compromised. I suspect Burrow will probably play with an insert in his cleat to help support the big toe and avoid hyper-extending the joint, which would put stress on the repair.
– QB Aaron Rodgers didn’t play in Week 12 with the fracture in his left wrist, but as I noted on the Injury Blitz Pod this week, the type of splint he was wearing allowed his thumb to be free, which does allow him to have a good chance to grip the football once pain and swelling calm down. By all accounts, he should be back out there in Week 13 against Buffalo.
– RB Josh Jacobs didn’t play in Week 12 with a knee injury, but he appears on track to return in Week 13. The type of bone contusion he has leaves the door open for him to play on Thanksgiving as long as he can get his full mobility back and manage the swelling. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a few more touches for Emanuel Wilson than normal, especially after Wilson played well this past week.
– RB Bucky Irving is likely to return to the lineup this week. We got some updates last week on Irving’s status with some media members and Todd Bowles suggesting there was some additional reason(s) for Irving’s delayed return to the field. Either way, it does appear that Bucky will make his return to the field this weekend. He’s been limited in practices thus far but should get back to full practices ahead of Week 13.
– RB Trey Benson had his 21-day window opened last week, getting in three straight limited practices. He’s now 8+ weeks out from meniscus surgery, which is right in that expected window to return based on PT protocols. As long as his knee responds to increased workloads in practice this week, he has a good chance to return to the lineup. If he does return, I suspect he’ll be part of a committee in his first game back as he ramps back up.
– RB Isiah Pacheco has been out since suffering a sprained MCL in his right knee back in Week 8. He was practicing last week with a brace on that right knee and was listed as a full participant on Monday’s estimated injury report. Barring any setbacks, I do anticipate him playing on Thanksgiving against Dallas.
– WR Rashee Rice got banged up late in their game against Indy, and it wasn’t 100% clear what the injury was. Per the broadcast, Rice was dealing with a hamstring injury, but there wasn’t much reporting out of KC following the game. He did, however, pop up on the injury report on Monday and was listed as limited. Be sure you’re tracking KC’s injury report on a short week.