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 Tua Tagovailoa
Concussion: Out multiple weeks
Tua unfortunately suffered his third documented concussion going back to 2022 when the Bills and Dolphins played last Thursday night. Obviously, Tua’s injury history is well documented, and the research shows that players with a history of concussions are more likely to suffer a future concussion and take longer to recover from subsequent head trauma. The Dolphins will be without their QB in Week 3 at a minimum, and it’s very likely he sits in Weeks 4 and 5 as well. They’ve got their bye in Week 6, so it’s possible that Tua could return in Week 7, but for now, it’s wait and see on Tagovailoa. Skylar Thompson will start until Tua is ready to return. Expect the Dolphins medical staff to take extreme caution with their franchise QB, who came out over the weekend and expressed his desire to keep playing football in 2024.
Players impacted: Skylar Thompson, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle
RB Joe Mixon
Right High Ankle Sprain: Severity TBD
Mixon got rolled up on during Sunday night’s win over Chicago during a hip drop tackle. His right leg got pinned under the defender, causing a right ankle injury. He exited to the locker room briefly and returned with his ankle heavily taped in the third quarter. Despite the return to the field, Mixon was largely ineffective with his opportunities. As of this writing, the specifics on the severity of the injury are not known, but DeMeco Ryans called Mixon “week-to-week.” For now, consider Mixon questionable at best for Week 3. Worth noting, Dameon Pierce missed Week 2 as well with a hamstring injury, so the Texans backfield could be very thin heading into Week 3 with Cam Akers set to be the de facto starter if Mixon and/or Pierce can’t go.
Players impacted: Dameon Pierce, Cam Akers
RB Isiah Pacheco
Right Fractured Fibula: Will be placed on IR, Out 6-8 weeks
Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula in his right ankle on Sunday against Cincy when his leg got caught awkwardly under a pile of defenders. An X-ray immediately following the game confirmed the fracture while an MRI on Monday confirmed that the talented RB will require surgery to stabilize the fracture. He’ll land on IR and require between 6-8 weeks to recover, but it’s possible that upon being medically cleared, Pacheco will need a couple of weeks to ramp up to his full workload. On Monday, it was announced that the team is bringing former Chief, Kareem Hunt, in for a visit.
Players impacted: Samaje Perine, Carson Steele
RB Tyjae Spears
Sprained Ankle: Questionable for Week 3
The Titans’ RB2 left Week 2 early with an ankle injury and did not return. Fortunately, on Monday head coach Brian Callahan expressed optimism on Tyjae’s availability next week, so it sounds like this is a minor ankle sprain. Look for Spears to appear on the Titans’ Week 3 injury report as he is likely to have his reps limited, but as of now, he’s not in danger of missing Week 3.
Players impacted: Tony Pollard
RB Tank Bigsby
Shoulder Injury: Questionable for Week 3
Jaguars RB2 Tank Bigsby suffered a shoulder injury when he took a big hit on a kickoff in the first half of Sunday’s game vs. the Browns. Despite the massive hit and concern for serious injury, Doug Pederson said “he’s good” in regards to his running back, calling him “day-to-day.” As of now, this is a situation to monitor until more details emerge.
Players impacted: Travis Etienne
WR Deebo Samuel
Calf Strain: Out “a few weeks,” Could be placed on IR
Calf strains are all too familiar for the 49ers with the CMC injury already ongoing. Unfortunately, Deebo will join his teammate on the sideline for “a few weeks” per Kyle Shanahan. It sounds like based on that description, it’s a mild to moderate injury, but even these types of calf strains can require a month of rehab. Of course, the concern is rushing back too quickly given the high re-injury rate of calf strains. It’s possible Deebo lands on IR, but regardless, expect Samuel to sit in Weeks 3 and 4 at a minimum.
Players impacted: Brock Purdy, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, Jauan Jennings
WR Justin Jefferson
Right Quad Contusion: Day-to-day
Jefferson got his right quad impacted by 49ers star LB Fred Warner on Sunday, which forced him to leave the game early with a quad contusion. These quadriceps contusions generally heal within a week so long as they’re mild. During the week, it’s possible JJetts misses time or is limited in practice, but he’s got a good chance to play in Week 3. If for some reason he can’t go next week, I’d be shocked if he doesn’t play in Week 4. At most, this should be a one game absence, if at all.
Players impacted: Sam Darnold, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
Undisclosed Lower Body Injuries: Day-to-day
St. Brown was in and out of the game on Sunday, but he is more likely to be “hurt” than “injured.” His leg got caught under a defender at one point and he took a hard hit at another point in the game, but despite those episodes, St. Brown was able to finish the game. Following the game, Dan Campbell said ““He’s alright. I don’t think it’s anything long-term, so that’s good news.” In addition, Adam Schefter reported Sun God was dealing with a contusion and cramping. Regardless, I fully expect St. Brown to play in Week 3, though he is likely to be limited throughout the week as he recovers from getting banged up on Sunday against Tampa.
Players impacted: Jared Goff, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta
WR Cooper Kupp
Left Medial/High Ankle Sprain: Out multiple weeks, likely to be placed on IR
Similar to Mixon’s injury, Kupp injured his left ankle on Sunday against Carolina due to a hip drop type of tackle. He limped off the field and was quickly declared doubtful to return. Following the team’s Week 2 loss, Kupp was seen in the locker room with a boot on his left ankle, and speaking Monday, Sean McVay noted that his WR will miss “an extended period of time.” It’s not the most clear description on the severity, but one thing is clear – it’s going to be weeks before we see Kupp on the field. He could easily land on IR. Kupp’s injury history is well documented at this point. He’s sprained both ankles since entering the NFL, but it was his right ankle that required tightrope surgery back in 2022. The Rams limp into Week 3 with Puka (PCL, IR), Kupp and multiple offensive linemen injured.
Players impacted: Matthew Stafford, Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Jordan Whittington
TE Evan Engram
Hamstring Strain: Week-to-week
Engram suffered a hamstring strain during pre-game warmups this past Sunday and did not play in Week 2 agains the Browns. On Monday, Doug Pederson called his TE “week-to-week.” Unfortunately, with this injury taking place during warm ups, there’s been minimal reporting on the severity. Most hamstring injuries sideline skill players for at least one week, but there’s a chance this is a multi-week absence. For now, I’d consider Engram doubtful for next week’s game against the Bills.
Players impacted: Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas Jr., Gabe Davis, Trevor Lawrence
TE Taysom Hill
Chest Injury: Questionable for Week 3
Taysom Hill suffered an undisclosed chest injury on Sunday against Dallas and was actually taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. Fortunately, he was cleared and returned to New Orleans with the team. There hasn’t been much reporting on this injury, so be sure to monitor the Saints injury report ahead of their Week 3 matchup with the Eagles.
Players impacted: Juwan Johnson, Derek Carr
Additional Injury Notes
- RB Christian McCaffrey – placed on IR, so he’ll miss 4+ weeks. Expect team to be conservative with their star RB until he is truly over the Achilles issue. If they rush him back, it will continue to linger.
- RB Kenneth Walker – suffered an oblique strain in Week 1 and DNP Week 2. Given history of core muscle surgery and prior groin injuries, expecting this to be a multi-week injury.
- WR A.J. Brown – suffered a hamstring injury in practice last Thursday then downgraded to a DNP before missing MNF. During the broadcast, Lisa Salters noted that Brown is set to miss “a couple of weeks.” Philly goes on bye in Week 5, so it’s unlikely we see him before then.
- WR Tee Higgins – has not practiced since suffering a hamstring injury prior to Week 1. Could return to practice this week but still no guarantee he’s back for Week 3.
- WR Keenan Allen – Did not practice at all last week and missed SNF against the Texans with plantar fasciitis. This is likely to linger for weeks as this is now a chronic issue going back to the end of the 2023 season when he was in LA.
- TE David Njoku – missed Week 2 with a high ankle sprain. Likely to sit in Week 3 as well.
- TE Jake Ferguson – missed Week 2 with an MCL sprain and bone bruise in his knee. Has a chance to play in Week 3, but bone bruises can linger for weeks.