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 9:
Broncos
Lions
Jaguars
49ers
Puka Nacua - Knee
Sean McVay says Puka had “some knee swelling.” This is more something to monitor than a concern as of today. Expect Nacua to be limited in practice.
Kirk Cousins - Achilles
Cousins is out for 2023, but should be ready to go by the time training camp starts in 2024.
Matthew Stafford - Thumb
Stafford has a long history with this UCL in his throwing hand, as he had surgery to repair it in 2020. Initially, there was optimism Stafford could go, but RapSheet is reporting that IR is not off the table for Stafford. After those reports, Sean McVay called Stafford day to day. Now, Stafford could have the worst injury on the slate and still push to play because he’s a “dogg,” but it might not be wise. As of today, we assume the ligament is not re-torn, as Stafford would be out 5-6 weeks for sure with that type of injury. With all of that said, Stafford returning after the Week 10 bye is the soonest he should, in my opinion. For what it’s worth, even if he plays this week, his performances historically worsen. In the final five games of the 2020 season, while dealing with this same ligament tear in his thumb, he finished as QB28. Previously that season, he had been QB23. This stands to reason, as a UCL tear makes it extremely difficult to grip a football. Accordingly, Stafford ranked 30th among qualified QBs in adjusted completion % during that stretch in 2020. This is obviously a downgrade for all of the Rams' skill players. The Packers' defense is streamable.
Drake London - Groin
Groin injuries are muscle/soft tissue injuries that aren’t as finicky as hamstring strains, but they can be. Luckily the Falcons have said this injury is not as severe as initially believed for London. However, their initial read on the injury is anybody’s guess. If they thought it was an IR-worthy strain, it’ll obviously take 2-3 weeks. If they thought he’d be able to return in Week 9, maybe they now believe London will play in Week 10. That’s a lot to decipher, so here’s the data instead: mean missed time is 1-3 games across the NFL with a median of 18 days. Amongst WRs, the mean is 1 missed game, and the mode is 0 missed games. London’s young age and his lack of history with soft tissue strains will undoubtedly help his cause. However, if he does play in Week 9, keep in mind the reinjury rate is 10%. London has been OK, but trading him away makes sense to desperate managers as this injury also coincides with major questions at quarterback.
Best Case Comp: CeeDee Lamb 2022
Worst Case Comp: Rondale Moore 2022
Tyrod Taylor - Ribs
Taylor went down with a rib injury and was taken to the local hospital, likely because he has a history of a punctured lung (ahem, Chargers). If Tyrod’s imaging comes back clean, QBs miss an average of 0.7 games, and the mode is 0. Realistically, the Giants have cleared Daniel Jones for contact, and the Giants might sit Tyrod simply for the optics.
Best Case Comp: Justin Herbert 2022
Worst Case Comp: Drew Brees 2020
Desmond Ridder - Concussion
Desmond Ridder apparently cleared protocol, but our boy Artie Smith decided against putting him back in. Clearing protocol doesn’t mean Ridder is out of the woods, as symptoms can still surface later this week. The mean missed time for QBs after a concussion is 1 game, the median is 0.5 game, and the mode is 0. Still, reinjury risk in the first week back after a concussion is 33% since 2018 amongst QBs. Additionally, turnover-worthy play rates for QBs one week after a concussion is > 60%. Ridder may also just get benched because, well, he’s Desmond Ridder.
Best Case Comp: Andy Dalton 2020
Worst Case Comp: Tua Tagovailoa
Darren Waller - Hamstring
This injury is not the same side as Waller’s pre-season injury, as he explains in a post-game presser. Still, the film shows some hyperextension of the knee implicating the hamstrings and, at worst, PCL involvement. As always, video is not diagnostic and cannot determine the severity of an injury, but the bottom line is with Waller’s long history of lower extremity injuries, we cannot rule out an extended absence. If he returns in Week 9, his re-injury risk is high.
Best Case Comp: Rashod Bateman 2023
Worst Case Comp: Darren Waller 2022
Kenny Pickett - Ribs
If Pickett has negative X-rays, don’t assume he’s out of the woods since a CT scan is needed to identify cartilage fractures. If all of his images are clean, QBs miss an average of 0.7 games, and the mode is 0. Still, Rapsheet is reporting there isn’t much optimism Pickett will go in Week 9, given the quick turnaround to Thursday night. If Pickett plays, note that the following week quarterbacks see a dip in pass attempts (decrease by 40%), and fantasy points are down 10%. If Pickett does have cartilage fractures, expect 2-4 weeks of missed time. Picket is at extreme risk of missing Week 9 and is highly volatile, even if he plays. Deep SF managers should add Mitch Trubisky.
Best Case Comp: Justin Herbert 2022
Worst Case Comp: Drew Brees 2020
Curtis Samuel - Toe
If this is a Grade II turf toe injury (not much is available on film, so we’ll have to draw some conclusions on the specificities), Samuel will miss 4-5 weeks. If it’s a Grade I, Samuel may return as quickly as next week. There’s no way to know the severity as of today, so sit tight. Desperate managers can add Jamison Crowder in deeper leagues to get ahead of it.
DeVante Parker - Concussion
Parker is dealing with his second concussion in as many seasons and may struggle to return in Week 9. Additionally, Kendrick Bourne's ACL tear could open the door for Demario Douglas.
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.
