This article will recap all fantasy-relevant injuries. Remember, we are operating with limited information, and as the week progresses, situations will become clearer. Be sure you’re aware of the following teams who are on byes in Week 10:
Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans Saints
New England Patriots
Indianapolis Colts
Derek Carr - Right Shoulder/Concussion
Carr sustained a reinjury to his right shoulder and is also in concussion protocol. The bye week couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. As far as the protocol goes, Carr should be able to return after the bye week. The right shoulder is a bit more concerning as it's a reinjury. Reinjuries don’t always end in a bad way, but they can be more volatile than original injuries. We won’t hear official word on Carr for a week making Jameis Winston worth a stash in 2 QB and Superflex leagues. Plus, Dennis Allen said Carr is their starting QB, he’s not the most reliable coach.
Deshaun Watson - High ankle
Watson sustained a high-ankle type injury at the end of the 1st half but finished the game. After the game, he was wearing a boot, but considering his foot wasn’t completely planted (that tends to make these injuries more severe), he has a good chance to play next week. This is also assuming his X-rays and the MRI are negative. He may be limited in the rushing department, but as of today, most guys of his archetype have played through this.
Keenan Allen - Shoulder
Allen landed hard on his left side and sat out for a series before returning and scoring a touchdown. This is a carbon copy injury that Davante Adams suffered in Week 5 this year. Allen was clearly bothered by the injury, so missing time isn’t off the table. Like we saw with Adams he played through the injury but was clearly not 100%. At worst, Allen will miss 3-4 weeks if his injury is more like Deebo Samuel’s from earlier this year. At best, he plays at less than 100% next week. The latter is more probable at this current juncture.
Taylor Heinicke - Hamstring
Heinicke left Week 10 with a hamstring strain. He’ll have the bye week to get right, and since 2018, the most time a QB has missed due to this injury was two weeks. This is a small sample but lines up clinically with what most hammies look like. Unless he’s an outlier, he should be back in Week 12… when he might be back to backing up Desmond Ridder anyway.
Alexander Mattison - Concussion
Mattison suffered a concussion in Week 10. He has a history, with 2020 being his first documented head injury. In theory, he’s far enough removed for that not to play a factor but brain injuries are complex, as we saw with Roschon Johnson this season. Johnson’s outcome was not likely but in the cards for every brain injury. The best-case scenario for Mattison is a similar path that Gus Edwards took in Week 4, where he gets through protocol without issues. However, Ty Chandler is a good pickup in case Mattison can’t go.
Odds and Ends
Michael Thomas sustained what looked like a PCL sprain and didn’t return. Dennis Allen has said this is a significant injury though not season-ending. Baker Mayfield sprained his thumb. Based on the video, it looks to be a less severe version of the injury that Matthew Stafford sustained earlier this year. Reports are that this is minor and not a concern. Gerald Everett left Week 10 with a back injury.
Here’s a list of players I expect back in Week 11:
De’Von Achane
Matthew Stafford
DeVante Parker
Justin Jefferson - TBD
Pat Freiermuth - eligible to come off IR
Dameon Pierce - Week 11-12 (dependent on progress)
Below is a table of all major injuries with projected return timeframes:
Expect updates throughout the week, and make sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel here dedicated to up-to-the-minute updates and breakdowns.
