Fantasy Football: Week 14 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 13 and take a look at what fantasy managers can expect heading into Week 15 and beyond.
Don’t forget to 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 Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Left Foot Sprain: Questionable for Week 15
Allen got tackled from behind while running against the Bucs on Sunday and got his left foot caught underneath the defender. He could be seen on the sideline getting his foot taped, but he did return to the game and was able to finish. Following the game, Allen was seen with a boot on his left foot. Allen’s injury was described as a foot sprain by the team, though you could see Allen’s big toe getting taped on the sideline as well. It’s possible there is a turf toe injury as well, but neither of these injuries appear to be serious. I expect Allen to play in Week 15, though his rushing upside may be capped.
Players impacted: Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, Dawson Knox
QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Right Ankle Sprain: Questionable for Week 15
Jackson injured his right ankle while being tackled in the backfield on Sunday against Cleveland. He was originally listed questionable to return but never did, eventually getting ruled out after his 2nd quarter exit. Following the game, Jackson was seen wearing a boot on his right ankle, but his boot did not extend up the lower leg (it stops just above the ankle), which is a good sign that this is not a high ankle sprain. I expect Lamar to miss practice time this week, but he’s got a shot to play in Week 15. Certainly, his mobility out of the pocket could be affected depending on severity.
Players impacted: Tyler Huntley, Mark Andrews, Marquise Brown
QB Taylor Heinicke, Washington Football Team
Knee and Elbow Injuries: Day to day
Heinicke is dealing with both an elbow injury and a knee injury, both of which can be described as a contusion. He is likely to pop up on the injury report this week, but early in the week, he does not appear to be in danger of missing Week 15 against Philadelphia.
Players impacted: Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Ricky Seals-Jones, Antonio Gibson
RB Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
Left High Ankle Sprain: Questionable for Week 15
Ekeler picked up a left ankle sprain on Sunday against the Giants with his injury being consistent with a high ankle mechanism. He was ultimately ruled out after attempting to return with tape on the ankle and testing it on the sideline. Head coach, Brandon Staley, told reporters Ekeler is dealing with a “sore” ankle and expressed optimism that his RB would be available on Thursday night. With their next game just four days away, I’m not so optimistic in Ekeler’s health. If active, he’ll be playing at less than 100%.
Players impacted: Justin Jackson, Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen
RB Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
Left High Ankle Sprain: Out at least Week 15, Likely longer
Hunt left Week 14 early with a high ankle sprain against the Ravens and didn’t return. Kevin Stefanski called Hunt “week-to-week” but that’s probably a bit misleading based on Hunt’s injury. He’ll most likely miss at least Week 15 but could miss more time depending on severity.
Players impacted: Nick Chubb, D’Ernest Johnson
RB Giovani Bernard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hip Strain and MCL Sprain: Out multiple weeks
Gio exited Week 14 against the Bills with hip and knee injuries and didn’t return. Bernard is set to miss multiple weeks due to the nature of his injuries. His absence will even further solidify Leonard Fournette‘s stranglehold on the Bucs passing down role out of the backfield.
Players impacted: Leonard Fournette
WR Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team
Concussion: Week to week
Terry McLaurin went up for a reception along the sideline, got up ended and landed hard on the turf, hitting his head. After being evaluated for a concussion on the sideline, McLaurin was ruled out and did not return. He will enter the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol and will need to be monitored as the week progresses.
Players impacted: Taylor Heinicke, Curtis Samuel, Ricky Seals-Jones, Antonio Gibson
WR Emmanuel Sanders, Buffalo Bills
Knee Sprain: Out Week 15
Sanders exited Week 14 against Tampa with a knee injury and didn’t return. In his absence, Gabriel Davis entered a near full time role and would stand to benefit the most as far as playing time. Sean McDermott told reporters Monday that his veteran RB is “most likely out this week.”
Players impacted: Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, Dawson Knox, Gabriel Davis