Week 7 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 7 and take a look at what fantasy managers can expect heading into Week 8 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 Deshaun Watson
Aggravated Right Shoulder Injury: Questionable for Week 8
Watson missed Weeks 4-6 with a rotator cuff strain in his right shoulder. He entered the week questionable but did end up starting. His day, however, ended very quickly. Watson was checked for a concussion in the first quarter after hitting his head on the turf. He did get medically cleared from that concussion evaluation, but he never returned after completing just one pass for five yards. Watson was seen on the sideline doing some rotator cuff exercises, so it’s very likely it was the shoulder that kept him out, not the concussion. That said, any time a player is evaluated for a concussion in game, it warrants monitoring in the coming days. Watson should be considered questionable for Week 8 when the Browns travel to Seattle. He’s very likely to miss practice time as he continues to rehab his shoulder.
Players impacted: P.J. Walker, Amari Cooper, David Njoku, Elijah Moore
QB Jalen Hurts
Left Knee Sprain: Will play Week 8
Hurts appeared to be favoring his left knee at times during the first half of their Sunday night game against Miami. He then emerged from the locker room for the second half with a brace on his left knee. Fortunately, Hurts didn’t miss any time during the game, and he managed the injury well throughout the game. This injury won’t keep Hurts out of any game action, but it’s possible he’s on the Eagles injury report ahead of Week 8. When asked about his knee at the end of the game, Hurts said “I’ll be fine.”
Players impacted: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert
RB Bijan Robinson
Illness: Will play Week 8
Robinson only carried the ball one time for three yards in Week 7 in what was a frustrating situation for fantasy players. Robinson was not on the injury report ahead of their game against the Bucs but reportedly developed a severe headache on Saturday night, which lingered into Sunday. He talked more about his symptoms with reporters after the game. Robinson will be good to go for Week 8 against the Titans.
Players impacted: Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson
VIDEO: We heard that Bijan Robinson wasn't feeling well.
He told us postgame he was dealing with a bad headache. Arthur Smith didn't want to test it. Said he was feeling it last night as well. pic.twitter.com/qKLaETxo4c
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) October 22, 2023
RB Austin Ekeler
Low Grade Left Ankle Sprain: Likely to play Week 8
Ekeler appeared to be dealing with an injury throughout the game on Sunday against the Chiefs as he was seen favoring his left leg throughout the game and on the sideline in between possessions. Ekeler rolled his left ankle trying to fend off a tackler, but based on the video of the play, this injury appears minor. Note that this was not the same ankle that Ekeler injured earlier this season, which is good news for his short term availability. He could be on the injury report this week, but I ultimately expect Ekeler to play against the Bears.
Players impacted: Joshua Kelley, Keenan Allen, Justin Herbert
RB Jerome Ford
Right High Ankle Sprain: Out 2+ weeks
Ford left the Browns’ game Sunday against the Colts with a mild high ankle sprain and did not return. Fortunately, when he got tackled, his ankle didn’t get caught in the turf for long, which probably prevented him from suffering a more severe high ankle sprain. Reports on Monday suggest Ford could miss 1-2 weeks, but it’s very difficult for RBs to play through this injury with just a week off. I’d put his recovery timeline closer to 2-4 weeks, even for a mild sprain. Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong will lead Cleveland’s backfield in Week 8 against the Seahawks.
Players impacted: Kareem Hunt, Pierre Strong
WR Christian Watson
Right Knee Injury: Likely to play Week 8
Watson tweaked his right knee late in their game against the Broncos. By video, this injury did not appear to be serious, and there’s been minimal reporting on the severity here. Because of that, I’m inclined to believe Watson will be able to play next week, though he is likely to be limited in practice this week. On Monday, Watson told reporters regarding his knee: “Everything looked good on the scans and whatnot. Obviously, I’m just trying to get the initial pain and stuff out of there and I think I’ll be good to go.”
Players impacted: Jordan Love, Luke Musgrave, Romeo Doubs
WR Jaylen Waddle
Back Injury: Likely to play Week 8, could miss practice time
Waddle left in the first half due to a back injury. He was seen on the sidelines with a heating pad and in obvious discomfort. Waddle went to the locker room with the training staff prior to halftime but did return for the second half despite being listed as questionable. Look for Waddle to miss some practice time this week as he gets treatment throughout the week. Depending on how his back responds over the next few days, Waddle doesn’t appear to be in danger of missing Week 8.
Players impacted: Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Braxton Berrios
TE Dawson Knox
Wrist Surgery: Out 2+ weeks
Knox had been on the Bills injury report earlier this season with a wrist injury, but he’s played through the issue for a few weeks, including this past week against the Patriots. On Monday, however, Sean McDermott, told reporters that Knox was going to have surgery on his wrist and that his timetable for return was not known. Without knowing the specifics of the injury or surgery, it’s difficult to comment on how long Knox could be out. Because of the demands of blocking and catching a football, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Knox land on short-term IR.
Players impacted: Dalton Kincaid, Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis
TE Gerald Everett
Hip Injury: Questionable for Week 8
Everett left the game Sunday against the Chiefs with what was described as a quad injury and did not return despite being labeled as questionable. Everett played just 48% of the team’s snaps, but he got there for fantasy before his injury, catching a three passes for 26 yards and a TD. It may not matter as far as fantasy players are concerned, but for what it’s worth, head coach Brandon Staley told reporters Everett is dealing with a hip injury. Given the conflicting reports, it’s difficult to comment on Everett’s status ahead of Week 8. Monitor the Chargers’ injury report closely ahead of their Sunday night game against the Bears.
#Chargers HC Brandon Staley said TE Gerald Everett is dealing with a hip injury not a quad as the team reported Sunday. He wouldn't offer any more information beyond that.
— Jeff Miller (@JeffMillerLAT) October 23, 2023
Players impacted: Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, Joshua Palmer, Donald Parham
TE Luke Musgrave
Low Grade Left Ankle Sprain: Week-to-week
Musgrave took a nasty hit to the head on Sunday. On that play, Musgrave got his left ankle twisted in a classic low lateral ankle sprain mechanism. He was fortunate to avoid a concussion with this hit and clear protocol, but that’s something to monitor this week as well. As for the ankle, I suspect Musgrave will miss some practice time, but there’s a chance he can play next week, perhaps with his ankle taped for support. If Musgrave ends up missing Week 8, I do expect him back for Week 9 as this sprain appears minor.
Players impacted: Jordan Love, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs
TE Zach Ertz
Quad Strain: Out 4+ weeks on IR
Ertz exited Week 7 early with a quad injury and did not return. On Tuesday, news broke that the veteran TE will land on IR due to his quad injury, which is a signal that this is at least a grade II strain. Look for Ertz to miss 4-6 weeks as he recovers from this injury. Trey McBride will have an opportunity to operate as the every down TE in this offense with Ertz sidelined.
Players impacted: Trey McBride