Fantasy Football: Week 10 Injury Recap
Cooper Kupp
Torn Left ACL: out for the year
Ugh, this one hurts. Cooper Kupp’s second season in the NFL is over. He tore the ACL in his left knee during the Rams’ win over the Seahawks this past Sunday. He was running a route and attempted to plant with his left leg and cut towards the sideline. Kupp immediately clutched for his left knee as he fell to the ground in a classic non-contact mechanism of injury. It’s a big loss for the entire Rams offense and many fantasy football owners. Kupp will undergo surgery to reconstruct his torn ACL and push to be ready for the start of Week 1 in 2019.
Other players impacted: Jared Goff, Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, Gerald Everett, Josh Reynolds
James Conner
Concussion: day to day
Conner exited Week 10 on Thursday Night Football early with a concussion. He was evaluated in the blue tent on the sideline but must have passed the tests because he came back in shortly after for a few plays. However, he ended up leaving the game a second time, was taken to the locker room, and didn’t return for the remainder of the game. Fortunately for Conner, time is on his side given that he played on Thursday night, giving him a few extra days to be ready for Week 11. Watch practice reports this week, but as long as he is consistently increasing his activity in practice, he is likely to clear concussion protocol.
Other players impacted: Jaylen Samuels, Stevan Ridley, Ben Roethlisberger
Marvin Jones
Knee Bone Bruise: day to day
Good news came for Marvin Jones and the Detroit Lions on Monday after an MRI revealed no ligament damage in Jones’ knee. He left Week 10 early with the knee injury late in the third quarter and didn’t return after taking a hit from Bears’ cornerback, Bryce Callahan. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jones limited or a non-participant in practice for the majority of the week. Worth noting, the Lions have a quick turnaround after their Week 11 game with Panthers on Sunday. They place just four days later on Thanksgiving day in Week 12, and it’s possible that the Lions choose to sit him this week in order to have him available on turkey day.
Other players impacted: Matthew Stafford, Kenny Golladay, T.J. Jones
Dez Bryant
Torn Achilles Tendon: out for the year
Two practices. That’s it. That’s the extent of Dez Bryant’s 2018 season after he ruptured his Achilles during the Saints practice last Friday. He signed a one-year deal on Thursday with the Saints after the team placed Ted Ginn and Cameron Meredith on injured reserve. It’s an unfortunate injury for a player who was hoping for a bounce-back season at the end of his career. It’s an unfortunate injury for a player who struggled to find work as a free agent after a few down years in Dallas. Now 30 years old, Dez faces an uphill battle to return to football. Some studies suggest that about 30% of professional athletes never return to their sport after this injury. For reference, this is the injury that eventually led to the retirement of Arian Foster. It’s possible we may have seen the last of Dez Bryant in the NFL.
Other players impacted: Tre’Quan Smith, Brandon Marshall (new signing)
Julian Edelman
Left Ankle Sprain: week to week
Edelman exited Week 10 early in the fourth quarter against the Titans with a left ankle injury. He’s been listed on the injury report with an ankle injury for the past several weeks, so this is likely an aggravation of that pre-existing injury. It’s possible Edelman could have returned if the game was closer, but the Patriots got blown out on Sunday. The news of out New England is positive, and reports indicate that Edelman may not miss any time. The bye week in Week 11 comes at the perfect time for Edelman and his fantasy owners. Look for more news after the team’s bye week, but don’t be surprised to see Edelman limited throughout the week in practice heading into Week 12. The Patriots are historically conservative when it comes to listing players on the injury report.
Other players impacted: Tom Brady, James White, Rob Gronkowski
Jakeem Grant
Left Ankle Injury (diagnosis unknown): week to week
Jakeem Grant appeared to rupture his Achilles tendon when he planted on his left foot and immediately came up limping, unable to put any weight on his left leg. He was carted off the field in what appeared to be a season-ending injury. However, an MRI today revealed that his Achilles tendon is intact. The speedster was seen with a walking boot on his injured left ankle after the game. Grant had been listed on the injury report for the last few weeks with an Achilles injury, so it’s surprising that his Achilles was spared. The exact diagnosis is unknown at this time but look for more details after the Dolphins’ Week 11 bye. He is expected to miss at least a week or two.
Other players impacted: DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills
DeVante Parker
AC Joint Sprain: week to week
DeVante Parker exited Week 10 with a shoulder injury and didn’t return. He was seen with a sling on his shoulder following the game. Fortunately for Parker, it appears as though he’s suffered either a grade I or grade II AC joint sprain given that NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports Parker will avoid surgery. Grade I injuries typically carry a 1-2 week recovery timeline, while a grade II sprain can take 2-4 weeks. For now, consider Parker week to week, but don’t expect to hear much regarding Parker given that the Dolphins go on bye in Week 11. Best case scenario: Parker can play in Week 12.
Other players impacted: Kenny Stills, Jakeem Grant
Martavis Bryant
Left Knee PCL Injury: out for an extended period of time
Martavis Bryant sustained a PCL injury on Sunday, but the extent of the injury is unknown at this time. If the ligament is completely torn, he will be placed on injured reserve, but if this is a low-grade sprain, he could return in 6-8 weeks. With it already being Week 10, it would make sense for the Raiders to place Bryant on injured reserve regardless of the severity of the injury.
Other players impacted: Derek Carr, Jordy Nelson, Jared Cook
Jordy Nelson
Quadriceps Contusion: day to day
Nelson took a shot to his quad during the team’s Week 10 loss to the Chargers, but he was able to return after staying loose on the sideline. It didn’t matter for fantasy football, as he didn’t catch his only target. Expect Nelson to be limited in practice this week, but he should be okay for Week 11.
Other players impacted: Derek Carr, Jared Cook