Fantasy Football: Week 8 Injury Recap
Will Fuller
Torn Right ACL: out for the year
Brutal…Will Fuller, who has dealt with a myriad of injuries since he entered the league, has another injury to add to his list. Unfortunately for Fuller and the Texans, Fuller tore the ACL in his right knee and will undergo surgery this week. He went up for a reception deep down the sideline and landed on his right leg, causing it to buckle inwards in the classic non-contact mechanism for the ACL tear. He immediately clutched for his knee and was ruled out quickly. Ironically, this is right around the time that teammate, Deshaun Watson, also tore his ACL last year. Fuller is going to have surgery with the same surgeon who operated on Watson’s knee, and he will push to be ready for the start of 2019. In the meantime, rookie Keke Coutee stands to benefit the most as he immediately will gain an increase in targets from Deshaun Watson.
Other players impacted: Keke Coutee, Deshaun Watson
Tyreek Hill
Groin strain: week-to-week
The Cheetah, Tyreek Hill, sustained a groin strain late in the team’s win over the Broncos on Sunday and didn’t return. The severity of the injury is unknown at this time, but groin strains can be very difficult for wide receivers to play through, so his status for Week 9 cannot be taken for granted. When a receiver makes quick lateral movements, like when he cuts to break out of his route, the groin muscles are stressed the most, making this injury difficult for receivers. Similar to hamstring injuries, groin strains carry a high-risk of re-injury during the athlete’s first two games back on the field. If he sits, Sammy Watkins would immediately become the WR1 for this high flying Chiefs passing attack.
Other players impacted: Sammy Watkins, Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes
Ronald Jones
Strained hamstring: week-to-week
The Buccaneers’ second-round pick out of USC, Ronald Jones, strained his hamstring on Sunday and didn’t return. Reports indicate that Jones is likely to miss a few weeks, so don’t expect him to be available for Weeks 9 or 10, and potentially longer. As fantasy football owners have learned so far this year (talking to you Dalvin Cook and Leonard Fournette owners), it’s that hamstring injuries should never be treated lightly, and the biggest risk for reinjury is returning to the field too quickly. For now, this is a two-man backfield between Peyton Barber and Jacquizz Rodgers.
Other players impacted: Peyton Barber, Jacquizz Rodgers
A.J. Green
Right toe injury (diagnosis unclear): day-to-day
A.J. Green sustained a toe injury late in the team’s win against the Buccaneers on Sunday. It was the final drive of the game, and Green exited the field with a slight limp after making a big catch across the middle of the field. On the sidelines, trainers examined his right big toe, but no details regarding Green’s injury are known at this time. Don’t be surprised to hear very little about Green over the next week or so given that the team goes on bye in Week 9. My fear regarding this injury is a potential turf toe injury, which is basically a sprain of the joint that makes up your big toe and your foot. The Bengals bye week comes at a perfect time.
Other players impacted: Andy Dalton, Tyler Boyd, C.J. Uzomah
Chris Thompson
Bruised ribs: day-to-day
It’s been a rough season for Chris Thompson, who injured his ribs on Sunday against the Giants. He missed the last two weeks with bruised ribs and a knee injury, but the rib injury sustained in Week 8 is actually to the opposite side of his ribs. This is simply a pain tolerance issue, so Thompson could still play next week, but dealing with two rib injuries and a knee injury may keep him out. Thompson will most certainly be limited this week in practice. Look for Thompson’s Friday practice report to tell the story heading into Week 9.
Other players impacted: Kapri Bibbs, Adrian Peterson
David Johnson
Evaluated for a concussion: situation to monitor
David Johnson left for a brief period of time after taking a hit to the head in order to be evaluated for a concussion. Fortunately for Johnson, he returned to the game, and the coaching staff stated that Johnson was “fine” after the game when speaking to reporters. Johnson is included on this list primarily to advise fantasy football owners to monitor Johnson’s situation this week. Concussive like symptoms don’t always present themselves at the time of injury (though this is most common), and it’s certainly possible that symptoms present themselves the day after the injury. No need to worry if you’re a Johnson owner, but keep this on your radar.
Other players impacted: Chase Edmonds