Fantasy Football: Week 3 Injury Report
Doug Baldwin, WR, SEA
Groin Strain: day to day
Baldwin exited Week 3 against the Titans early with a groin injury and was questionable to return. However, the Titans training staff decided to keep Baldwin out, ending his Week 3 early. For now, we’ll consider this a minor injury but Baldwin is someone I’m definitely keeping an eye to see how much he practices this week as groin injuries can linger. Don’t expect a formal decision on his Week 4 status until Friday.
Other players impacted: Russell Wilson, Paul Richardson, Tyler Lockett, Jimmy Graham
Darren Sproles, RB, PHL
Torn ACL and Broken Arm: out for season
Ugh, brutal. Darren Sproles, one of the best third down RBs in league history, may have played his final snap in the NFL. On the same play, Sproles tore his ACL in his right knee and also broke a bone in his right hand/forearm as he took a shot to the outside of his knee while simultaneously getting his wrist hit hard by a defender’s foot during the tackle. The broken bone would have put him out 6-8 weeks, but the ACL means his season, and potentially his career, is over.
Other players impacted: Wendell Smallwood, Corey Clement, LeGarrette Blount
Kelvin Benjamin, WR, CAR
Knee Sprain: week to week
Kelvin Benjamin appears to have escaped a major injury to his left knee after getting his leg caught underneath of him during a tackle. His knee bent inward awkwardly, so my initial concerns were an ACL and/or MCL injry. However, an MRI on Monday revealed no structural damage. For now, we’ll call his injury a knee sprain, but expect more details to surface as the week goes by. I don’t expect Benjamin to be available in Week 4.
Other players impacted: Devin Funchess, Russell Shepard, Christian McCaffery, Cam Newton
Michael Crabtree, WR, OAK
Chest Injury: week to week
Crabtree wasn’t doing much Sunday night against the Redskins, posting just one catch for 7 yards prior to leaving early with a chest injury. As of now, there are no details in regards to the specifics of the injury. However, x-rays were negative, which means Crabtree escaped without a broken bone. More details should surface in the next day or two, so be on the lookout for updates, which should provide a more definitive diagnosis and prognosis. For now, consider Crabtree questionable for Week 4.
Other players impacted: Amari Cooper, Seth Roberts, Jared Cook, Derek Carr
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Sammy Watkins and Tavon Austin, WR, LAR
Concussion: week to week
Both Sammy Watkins and Tavon Austin exited the Thursday night shootout against the Niners with concussions. They both remain in the concussion protocol and their timeline to return is unknown. Recovery after a concussion is variable, making prognosis difficult to predict. The injury reports this week will provide more clarity, but both guys will need to get in a full session this week in order to play. One thing working in their favor – they have an extra 3 days after playing on Thursday rather than Sunday.
Other players impacted: Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Jared Goff
Melvin Gordon, RB, LAC
Bone Bruise: week to week
The Chargers’ workhorse running back has been dealing with a bone bruise for the past week or two, which was reportedly injured in practice. On Sunday, Gordon appeared to aggravate this injury late in the first half and only carried the ball twice in the second half after being questionable to return. A bone bruise may sound like a minor injury, but it can be very painful to play through due to soreness and swelling. Of note, Gordon has previously had microfracture surgery in his knee, so this raises an eyebrow for me. Consider him week to week with a final word regarding his Week 4 status coming on Friday, as he will likely be limited on Wednesday and Thursday in practice as the Chargers attempt to manage his reps.
Other players impacted: Branden Oliver, Austin Ekeler, Andre Williams (practice squad)
Matt Forte, RB, NYJ
Sprained Toe: week to week
Forte exited Week 3 early with a toe injury and did not return. By the time he was injured, the Jets had this game in hand over the Dolphins (as we all predicted!), so he may have returned had the game been closer. X-rays on Monday were negative, so he escaped without a fracture. More details should surface over the next few days, but for now, consider him week to week.
Other players impacted: Bilal Powell, Elijah McGuire
Samaje Perine, RB, WAS
Bruised Hand: day to day
With Rob Kelley on the shelf with a rib injury, Perine got the start on Sunday night against the Raiders, but didn’t do much with the opportunity, posting 19 carries for just 49 yards and a fumble. Perine took a big hit to his left hand, causing his fumble in what appeared to be a more serious injury. Fortunately, Perine did not suffer a fracture in his hand, so he should be able to play next week as long as they can get the swelling down. Assuming Fat Rob returns, Perine will be relegated back to his backup status, especially after his fumble in Week 3.
Other players impacted: Rob Kelley, Chris Thompson