Week 2 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 2 and take a look at what fantasy managers can expect heading into Week 3 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 Joe Burrow
Calf Strain: Questionable for Week 3
Burrow missed almost all of training camp with a right calf strain then aggravated that same calf injury on Sunday against the Ravens. Burrow described himself as “day to day” yet this realistically more of a week-to-week situation in my opinion. We know calf strains can linger as we’ve seen with Burrow and now that he’s aggravated that same injury again, it’s unlikely Burrow will be 100% before October. Moving forward, fantasy managers should expect minimal rushing production for Burrow. He ran for 257 yards last year and through two games, he has four total rushing yards. Expect Burrow to be a limited pocket passer for the next few weeks. Burrow is not a lock to play in Week 3, which is key for fantasy managers to monitor this week. The Bengals play the Rams on Monday Night Football, so those rostering Burrow should make backup plans early in the week.
Players impacted: Jake Browning, Ja’Marr Chase
QB Anthony Richardson
Concussion: Doubtful for Week 3
Richardson started off on fire against the Texans, running for two scores in the first half. Unfortunately, on his second TD run, the back of Richardson’s head slammed off the turf. As you’ll see below, I often list players who enter the concussion protocol as week-to-week. However, Richardson’s availability for Week 3 is in doubt. The reason for this is because of the delay in the onset of his symptoms. Richardson came back into the game after his head hit the turf for the Colts’ next drive. It was after this drive that he reported symptoms and was taken to the locker room for evaluation and eventually ruled out. Historically, a delay in symptoms can lead to a longer recovery, adding concerns about his Week 3 availability. If he’s not available, Gardner Minshew will be under center for Indy.
Players impacted: Gardner Minshew, Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs
RB Nick Chubb
Multi-Ligament Left Knee Injury + Dislocation: Out for the year
As I sit here writing this, I’m absolutely gutted for Nick Chubb, the human being. He’s been one of the most fun players to watch in the NFL over the last several years, and he’s been historically efficient as a runner. Now, he faces a year+ recovery related to his devastating knee injury suffered on Monday Night Football against the Steelers. Chubb tore multiple ligaments in his knee and was close to dislocating his knee. In fact, he was taken to a local hospital last night for evaluation as there is a major artery and nerve that sit in the back of the knee. When a knee dislocation occurs, these vital tissues can be compromised, which is why it’s a medical emergency to get the knee evaluated right away. Fortunately for Chubb, those structures were not injured, and he was able to fly back to Cleveland with the team last night. Chubb will have an MRI to further evaluate the extent of the injury, but this is very likely an ACL, MCL, meniscus and cartilage injury at a minimum with the potential for additional damage. Chubb had this same left knee completely reconstructed when he was in college at Georgia. The fact that he was able to overcome that injury and get even better as a player is a testament to his work ethic and his insane talent. Sadly, because this injury is to the same knee, and Chubb is on the back nine of his career, I fear this could end his wonderful career. Even if Chubb is able to play football again, the chances of him returning to his prior level of play are slim. Sadly, the combination of his Georgia knee injury and this most recent one are likely to have an impact on his life well after football. Let’s remember this game we love so much goes well beyond the field. Get well soon, Nick.
Players impacted: Jerome Ford, Pierre Strong
RB Saquon Barkley
Right Ankle Sprain: Out 3 weeks
Barkley got his right ankle trapped under multiple defenders when he was tackled late in the game on Sunday against the Cardinals. Fortunately, x-rays after the game were negative for a fracture, but an MRI on Monday revealed Barkely would be out for the next three weeks according to Adam Schefter. The report on Barkely was that this is an “ordinary” sprain, but when you hear that term, you usually think of a traditional lateral ankle sprain where the ankle rolls inward. Based on the video, this is more likely a high ankle sprain despite the fact that the team hasn’t used that terminology. Barkley picked up a high ankle sprain on this same ankle back in 2019 and missed three games. Based on my research, the majority of players who pick up a high ankle sprain in season do not return to their pre-injury level of play in the same season. The Giants have a short week to prepare for their matchup against the 49ers on Thursday night. Expect Matt Breida and Eric Gray to be involved as the primary ball carriers in a tough matchup against San Francisco.
Players impacted: Matt Breida, Eric Gray, Gary Brightwell
RB David Montgomery
Right Quad Contusion: Likely Out Week 3, Questionable for Week 4
Montgomery’s fantasy season was off to a good start in Detroit. However, that is going to have to be put on hold for Week 3 at a minimum after he picked up a quad injury on Sunday against the Seahawks. Following the game, reporters suggested that Montgomery was limping in the locker room, and on Monday, he told reporters that it’ll “take a few weeks” for his injury to heal. However, on Monday, Dan Campbell told reporters his RB is “day-to-day.” For now, this is an injury to monitor until we get more details, but at the very least, expect Montgomery to miss Week 3, and there’s a good chance this injury lingers into Week 4.
Players impacted: Jahmyr Gibbs, Craig Reynolds
RB Salvon Ahmed
Groin Strain: Questionable for Week 3
Ahmed has been running as the Dolphins’ RB2 with Jeff Wilson Jr. on IR. However, he exited Sunday night’s game against the Patriots with a groin injury and did not return. The team hasn’t revealed how serious Ahmed’s injury is, but this is one that could certainly affect his Week 3 availability. For now, consider Ahmed questionable ahead of Week 3. With Wilson still on IR, rookie De’Von Achane could be in line for RB2 duties behind Mostert.
Players impacted: Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane
RB Jamaal Williams
Hamstring Strain: Severity to be determined
Williams left Monday Night Football early with a hamstring injury and did not return. He carried the ball just nine times for 29 yards prior to exiting. As of this writing on Tuesday morning, the severity of the injury is not known, but given that the Saints play in just six days against the Packers, Williams will almost certainly miss Week 3, if not longer. Rookie RB Kendre Miller has missed the first two weeks with his own hamstring injury while Alvin Kamara has one game remaining on his suspension and is set to return in Week 4. With Miller working his way back, Tony Jones Jr. (who was elevated from the practice squad ahead of MNF) will be involved if Williams is out this week.
Players impacted: Kendre Miller, Tony Jones Jr.
RB Chase Edmonds
MCL Sprain: Out 2-4 weeks
Tampa Bay’s RB2 will miss multiple weeks with a sprained MCL, the ligament that sits on the inside of the knee. These injuries typically heal reliably without a procedure thanks to great blood supply to the area, but they do require a few weeks to heal. Edmonds wasn’t on our fantasy radar, but he was mixing in a little bit behind RB1 Rachaad White. UDFA Sean Tucker is now the clear cut RB2 behind White.
Players impacted: Rachaad White, Sean Tucker
WR Davante Adams
Concussion: Week-to-week
Adams took a helmet-to-helmet hit in the fourth quarter blowout loss against the Bills and is now in the league’s concussion protocol ahead of Week 3. This one is important to monitor throughout the week given the timing of Las Vegas’ next matchup. The Raiders play on Sunday Night Football against the Steelers in Week 3. Teammate Jakobi Meyers remains in the league’s concussion protocol as of this writing. Meyers missed Week 2.
Players impacted: Jimmy Garoppolo, Jakobi Meyers, Hunter Renfrow
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
Turf Toe: Situation to monitor
The team has not confirmed this injury, but I want to make sure it’s on fantasy managers’ radar ahead of Week 3. St. Brown got his right foot caught under a defender while being tackled on Sunday against Seattle. He limped off the field and was later seen getting a steel plate inserted into his shoe with trainers taping the big toe on his right foot. The steel plate is designed to limit the amount of extension and stress on the big toe while running. Because it limits your mobility, we tend to see players struggle to look explosive in the first few weeks after the injury. I’m not saying that St. Brown is definitely going to miss time, but it would not be surprising to see him sit in Week 3. If he is active, there’s a decent chance Detroit’s WR1 is out there at less than 100% this week. The practice reports from Detroit will be telling.
Players impacted: Jared Goff, Sam LaPorta, Josh Reynolds
Will be monitoring this situation closely this week. Amon-Ra St. Brown looked to injure that right big toe yesterday. Looks like classic turf toe mechanism. pic.twitter.com/DUy7kf7h6j
— Matthew Betz (@TheFantasyPT) September 18, 2023
WR Darnell Mooney
Knee Bruise: Week-to-week
Mooney picked up a minor knee injury on Sunday against the Bucs, and there’s been multiple reports he injury is not considered serious. He did not register a single reception, putting up a goose egg in the stat sheet. The Bears wide out should be considered week-to-week moving forward after the team described Mooney’s injury as a bruise. Until we get more details, consider Mooney questionable for Week 3.
Players impacted: Justin Fields, D.J. Moore, Cole Kmet
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Ankle Sprain: Week-to-week
Beckham exited Week 2 early against the Bengals due to an ankle injury and did not return. OBJ actually ended up on the Ravens Week 1 injury report with an ankle issue, but he played through it as a full-time player, logging over 90% of the snaps in the season opener. It remains to be seen if this injury is related to the ankle injury that caused Beckham to appear on the Week 1 injury report. Head coach John Harbaugh described the injury as minor, so it sounds like this is an injury that Beckham will try to play through. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him limited in practice throughout the week.
Players impacted: Lamar Jackson, Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers
WR Jaylen Waddle
Concussion: Week-to-week
Waddle picked up a concussion at the end of the game against the Patriots on Sunday night. He exited for evaluation and was eventually ruled out. For now, consider Waddle questionable for Week 3’s contest against the 0-2 Broncos. Fantasy managers will need to monitor Miami’s practice reports ahead of Week 3.
Players impacted: Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Braxton Berrios, Durham Smythe
WR D.K. Metcalf
Rib Injury: Likely to play Week 3
Metcalf took a big hit to his left side and was taken to the locker room for evaluation. He ended up returning, potentially with a pain relieving injection. The good news here is that Metcalf was able to finish the game with six catches for 75 yards. It’s likely we see Metcalf listed on Seattle’s injury report ahead of their Week 3 contest against the Panthers, but as of early in the week, he does not appear to be in danger of missing this week’s game.
Players impacted: Geno Smith, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba
WR Brandon Aiyuk
Left Shoulder Injury: Questionable for Week 3
Aiyuk injured his left shoulder early in the game against the Rams on Sunday. He landed on his shoulder with the defender’s body weight on top of him, which is the classic mechanism for an AC joint sprain. Aiyuk did come back into the game, but he finished with just three catches for 43 yards while playing only 53% of the snaps. It’s possible Aiyuk can play through the injury on Thursday night with an injection for pain control, but I do not think that is a guarantee given the short turnaround. The team listed him as a DNP on their estimated Monday practice report.
Players impacted: Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle
TE Logan Thomas
Concussion: Week-to-week
Thomas took a big hit in the end zone on Sunday against the Broncos and did not return after being evaluated for a concussion. The veteran will now have to go through the league’s concussion protocol in order to play in Week 3. However, most NFL players are missing one game on average due to a concussion. If Thomas sits, Cole Turner will have an opportunity as the TE1, though he only caught two balls for 21 yards this past week.
Players impacted: Sam Howell, Cole Turner