Fantasy Football: Week 2 Injury Report
Sam Bradford, QB, MIN
Knee Pain and Swelling: week-to-week
Bradford unexpectedly popped up on the injury report in the middle of the week last week after dealing with swelling and soreness in his left knee following his incredible Week 1 performance against the Saints. Bradford has torn the ACL in his left knee twice over the course of his career, and it’s not uncommon for players after an ACL reconstruction to have injuries to the underlying cartilage, resulting in swelling and pain. This could be something that pops up on occasion throughout the year. He ended up being a game time decision in Week 2 and ultimately did not play, leaving Case Keenum under center. Keenum will continue to QB the Vikings until Bradford returns.
Other players impacted: Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen
DeMarco Murray, RB, and Corey Davis, WR, TEN
Hamstring Strain: day-to-day
DeMarco Murray has certainly not looked like his normal self during the first 2 weeks of the season, and he likely has a hamstring strain to blame. Like Murray, Corey Davis exited Week 2 early with a hamstring injury. Both Davis and Murray dealt with hamstring issues off and on during training camp, and this seems to be an aggravation of their injuries. It appears as though these injuries could linger for a few weeks, as hamstring strains often do. Murray and Davis will likely both be limited throughout the week as the Titans manage their reps. I ultimately expect Murray to suit up in Week 3 but am not as confident in Davis.
Other players impacted: Derrick Henry, Eric Decker, Rishard Matthews
Jordan Howard, RB, CHI
Shoulder Injury – Diagnosis unknown: day-to-day
Jordan Howard injured his shoulder in Week 1 but didn’t miss any time as a result of the injury, and initially the thought was this was a minor injury. However, after being limited in practice last week, he put up an abysmal performance in Week 2, rushing 9 times for just 7 yards. Then, after the Bears’ Week 2 loss to the Bucs, Howard was spotted with his right shoulder in a sling, making this injury seem more serious. The Bears have not released much information regarding the details of the injury to the shoulder, so it’s difficult to comment on the extent of the injury or Howard’s timetable to return. He will most definitely be limited all week in practice and figures to be another game-time decision on Sunday. If he can’t go, the explosive rookie, Tarik Cohen, should see the majority of the touches.
Other players impacted: Tarik Cohen
Rob Kelley, RB, WAS
Rib Cartilage Injury: day-to-day
“Fat Rob” was forced to exit early in Week 2 against the Rams with a rib injury. Initially, the Redskins feared it was a fractured rib. However, imaging on Monday revealed otherwise. Even though Kelley appears to have escaped without a fractured rib, he will be dealing with a very painful injury for multiple weeks. There’s no medical reason that Kelley won’t be able to suit up this Sunday, but this is a very painful injury to play through. As a result, this is simply a pain tolerance issue. Expect Kelley to be limited in practice throughout the week and to wear a flack jacket to protect his ribs. Regardless of whether or not Kelley suits up in Week 3, expect this injury to linger for a few weeks.
Other players impacted: Samaje Perine, Chris Thompson
Rex Burkhead, RB, NEP
Rib Injury: day-to-day
With Danny Amendola missing Week 2 with a knee injury and concussion, Burkhead saw extra time in the slot. His day was off to a good start after catching a TD pass from Tom Brady in the first half, but he was forced to exit early in the 4th quarter after suffering a rib injury. Like Gronk’s injury, the Patriots haven’t released any details about Burkhead, so he should be considered day-to-day. If he misses any time, James White will have an even bigger role catching passes out of the backfield.
Other players impacted: Mike Gillislee, Dion Lewis
Jordy Nelson, WR, GB
Quad Contusion: week-to-week
Jordy Nelson exited Sunday night’s game just a few minutes in after colliding with a defender and taking a knee to the quadriceps (muscle in the front of the thigh). He lined up on the next play and ran a curl route, immediately coming up with a limp and removing himself from the game. When a muscle contusion occurs in the quad, it is common for sharp, quick, and explosive movements to be extremely painful. He was seen on the sideline stretching, riding the bike, and with a hot pack on the muscle. Ultimately, he was held out for the remainder of the game and is now week-to-week. So long as he is able to maintain his flexibility and reduce swelling in the thigh, Jordy has a chance to suit up in Week 3, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he sat 1 or 2 games. Expect Aaron Rodgers #1 weapon to be limited in practice all week and ultimately be a game time decision on Sunday.
Other players impacted: Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison
Randall Cobb, WR, GB
Shoulder: day-to-day
Man, what a rough night for Aaron Rodgers, who lost both of major weapons in one game. Cobb exited in the 4th quarter Sunday night against the Falcons and had an MRI on Monday. There hasn’t been much in terms of news regarding the details of Cobb’s injury, but it appears to be minor. Expect Cobb to appear as limited this week in practice, but he should be ready to go for Week 3.
Other players impacted: Davante Adams, Geronimo Allison
Corey Coleman, WR, CLE
Fractured Hand: 6-8 weeks
Coleman suffered a fractured hand in the Browns’ Week 2 loss to the Ravens. This is the second year in a row Coleman has fractured his right hand, and he will require surgery to stabilize the broken bone. After a promising start to the year, Coleman will again be on the shelf for about a month and a half.
Other players impacted: Kenny Britt, Rashard Higgins, Ricardo Louis
Greg Olsen, TE, CAR
Fractured Foot: 6-8 weeks
Olsen was forced to exit the Panthers’ Week 2 game early and was seen limping on his way back to the locker room. Initially, reports indicated that Olsen was probable to return. However, he emerged from the locker room on crutches and in a walking boot on his right foot, which is never a good sign. Reports from Monday indicate that Olsen underwent surgery on his foot and is expected to miss about 6-8 weeks. Based off my observation of the video from Sunday’s game, it appears as though he suffered a Jones fracture, which is a fracture in the bone on the outside of the foot (5th metatarsal). This is the same injury that Julian Edelman and Dez Bryant dealt with in 2015. Edelman missed 7 games and Dez missed 5 games (6 weeks with the bye). It is not uncommon for players to require a second surgery later in his career for this injury, so his week-to-week status will be something worth monitoring upon his return.
Other players impacted: Ed Dickson, Devin Funchess
Jimmy Graham, TE, SEA
Knee/Ankle Injury – diagnosis unknown: day-t0-day
Graham was awkwardly rolled up on in a pile of players, causing his knee to bend awkwardly inwards. He was examined on the sideline but returned to the field shortly after. It’s possible the injury is a bit more serious than originally thought, as Pete Carroll came out today, reporting that Graham is questionable for Week 3. Look for more details to come throughout the week.
Other players impacted: Luke Willson, Nick Vannett
Stephen Brashear/ Getty Images
Jordan Reed, TE, WAS
SC Joint Sprain: day-to-day
After injuring his chest in Week 2, Reed was originally questionable to return but was able to return to the game, which is a positive sign. It’s another bump and bruise added to Reed’s laundry list of injuries, as he frequently pops up on the injury report with minor injuries throughout the year, making him a headache to own. Details surfaced today indicating that the injury is likely a sprain of the sternoclavicular (SC) joint, which is the articulation between the sternum and the clavicle. This joint isn’t injured often, but when it is, it is painful to play through. The SC joint works with the shoulder, allowing for normal mechanics when elevating the arm overhead. As a result, Reed could be limited if he needs to elevate his arms to make a catch over a defender. The Redskins are reporting that he is day-to-day but is likely to suit up on Sunday against the Raiders. If for some reason Reed is unable to go, Vernon Davis would likely see an increase in usage.
Other players impacted: Vernon Davis, Niles Paul
Rob Gronkowski, TE, NEP
Groin Strain: day-to-day
Gronk exited the Patriots’ Week 2 win against the Saints early with a groin injury, but this is not believed to be a serious injury according to Gronk and the Patriots. The injury report this week will provide more clarity, but he is ultimately expected to be ready for Week 3. If he ends up missing any time or being limited on Sunday, Dwayne Allen should slide into the TE1 role for Tom Brady.
Other players impacted: Dwayne Allen
Tyler Eifert, TE, CIN
Back and Knee Injuries: week-to-week
The oft-injured Cincy TE is yet again dealing with nagging injuries, this time to his back and knee. He dealt with knee tendinitis off and on during training camp, so this could be an exacerbation of an old injury as tendinitis can linger for many weeks. As for the back, Eifert battled low back injuries for much of 2016 and underwent surgery last December for his back, so this raises a red flag for me. Eifert has yet to play in all 16 games in a season, and it doesn’t look like 2017 will be any different.
Other players impacted: Tyler Kroft, Tyler Boyd, Brandon LaFell