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 5:
Cleveland Browns
Los Angeles Chargers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seattle Seahawks
Justin Herbert - Finger (non-throwing hand)
According to Ian Rapoport, Herbert has a fractured finger and a bad fingernail injury. This doesn’t sound serious, but these injuries can be extremely painful. He obviously finished the game, but the Chargers’ bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. Herbert could be marginally impacted by this injury during exchanges with the center, but overall, this isn’t a reason to fade him.
Kenny Pickett - Knee/MCL
Reports have surfaced that Pickett suffered an MCL sprain and bone bruise which adds up with what we see on video. Other quarterbacks who have missed 0 or 1 weeks of time due to an MCL sprain include Russell Wilson (0 games), Drew Brees (0 games), Ryan Fitzpatrick (1 game), Jacoby Brissett (1 game). The most recent QB to miss time due to a bone bruise was Andy Dalton in 2021, when he missed 2 games. Keep in mind it’s early, and these are only a few examples. For now, plan on being without a mobile Pickett for at least 1 week. With the Week 6 bye week, it’s possible Pittsburgh holds Pickett out until Week 7 so be prepared for that as well. Consider adding Mitch Trubisky in deeper SF leagues and downgrade the pass-catchers
Matthew Stafford - Hip Pointer
Stafford suffered a hip injury last week, but Jay Glazer is reporting he will play. This injury can be painful, but Stafford has played through worse. Watch out for a small chance of re-injury but with Cooper Kupp potentially making his return, fire Stafford up in SF leagues and try your best to acquire Kupp one more time.
Mike Evans - Hamstring
The Bucs are headed into their bye week bye week which, in the grand scheme of things, could save Mike Evans’ season. That’s no exaggeration. Typically WRs try to return too soon from hamstring injuries as we saw with Keenan Allen last year. Still, this is something to monitor as WRs who are 28+ miss no time initially after injury but end up having a setback 64% of the time. If I’m risk averse, I’m looking to trade away Evans for a comparable WR, or even for his teammate Chris Godwin.
Tee Higgins - Ribs fracture
Higgins has rib fractures, which is a huge blow as there’s nothing to do about this except allow time to pass. The timeline for these injuries typically doesn’t result in longer than 2-4 weeks. Some examples of WRs who missed 0-1 games due to this injury are Alshon Jeffery, Zay Jones, Julian Edelman, Emmanuel Sanders, Allen Robinson, Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola and D.J. Chark. Still, in 2021 A.J. Brown sat out for 4 weeks due to this injury. For now, plan on being without Tee Higgins for 0-1 weeks with the possibility of extending out to 4 weeks. As a 1-3 or 0-4 team with Burrow on the mend and Higgins now ailing, I’m looking to move any of my Bengals for options who are comparable but more reliable now.
Javonte Williams - Hip Flexor Strain
Williams has a hip flexor strain which is, theoretically, a groin injury. Adam Schefter reports this injury might not cost Williams any time at all. Based on the data, the average amount of missed time for this injury is 7-21 days with a median of 18 days. It seems like, at worst, Williams will miss just 1 game, if any at all. In theory, you read The Injury [Pro]ne Draft Guide and Playbook this summer and already roster Samaje Perine. If not Jaleel McLaughlin is worth a look in deeper leagues. Because even if Williams plays, the Broncos will need to temper his workloads, which likely contributed to this issue in the first place.
Davante Adams - AC Sprain (Shoulder)
Adams went down in Week 4 with what appeared to be an AC sprain issue. He finished the game but was clearly limited. His practice status will be one to monitor this week. Because he returned in Week 4, it’s possible he will play in Week 5, but that’s not a lock quite yet. He’ll be moderately volatile if he plays in Week 5.
Pat Freiermuth - Hamstring
Reports on the Pittsburgh tight end are that this “isn’t just a tweak.” As of today, it sounds like The Muth could miss 2-3 games if not more given Pittsburgh’s conservative medical staff. As of today, plan to be without the tight end at least until after the Steelers’ Week 7 bye.
Donald Parham Jr. - Wrist
The Chargers tight end may have broken his wrist based on video. If that’s the case, Gerald Everett could see more targets after the bye week. Keep an eye on this one and make a savvy trade move once it’s confirmed if you’re struggling at tight end.
Players to Monitor This Week
Jonathan Taylor
Cooper Kupp
Jeff Wilson Jr.
Below is a table of all major injuries:
Expect updates throughout the week, and make sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel here dedicated to up-to-the-minute updates and breakdowns.
