The Training Room: Week 12 Injury Updates
For the first time in a long time, we don't have a laundry list of injuries to report this week. With no teams on bye in Week 12, we'll turn our attention a little more to those who are returning from injury and have been struggling to get healthy over the past few weeks. Let's get you updated with the injuries that occurred in Week 11 and how they might affect your roster. UPDATED 11/28/20
Joe Burrow, QB Bengals
Injury: Torn ACL
Timetable For Recovery: Out For Season
Potential Replacements: Ryan Finley
Initial Thoughts: Burrow had a defender land on his left leg and his leg got caught up as the defender was bringing him to the ground. He had to be carted off the field due to the knee injury which has been confirmed as an ACL tear, and he'll get an MRI to determine if there is any other potential damage in his knee that might change his recovery timetable. He'll be around nine months removed from ACL reconstruction before the season opener so he should be ready for the season. However, every recovery from an injury like this is different, and he'll still be on the shorter side of full recovery so time will tell as to how he looks as he goes through his rehab.
Julio Jones, WR Falcons
Injury: Strained Hamstring
Timetable For Recovery: Day To Day. Questionable For Week 12.
Potential Replacements: Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage
Initial Thoughts: Jones is a 50/50 shot to play this weekend against the Raiders. While it was good to have him practice in some capacity this week, it sounds like the hamstring is still not where they want it to be heading into Sunday's game. He'll test things out before the game to see how he feels and hopefully be able to give it a go. The downside of this situation is that if he does play, there's a high risk that he could re-aggravate it and miss the rest of the game if he doesn't feel like he can give it a go. Something to monitor closely as the inactives start to roll out tomorrow.
Salvon Ahmed, RB Dolphins
Injury: Strained Shoulder
Timetable For Recovery: Week To Week. Ruled OUT For Week 12.
Potential Replacements: Myles Gaskin, Matt Breida
Initial Thoughts: Ahmed's shoulder injury seems like it never really responded well to treatment to warrant playing this weekend. With Myles Gaskins also nursing a knee issue, Matt Breida and Patrick Laird may have to do a lot of the heavy lifting against the Jets.
Rex Burkhead, RB Patriots
Injury: Potential ACL Tear
Timetable For Recovery: Out For Season
Potential Replacements: Damien Harris, Sony Michel, James White
Initial Thoughts: Burkhead took a low shot to the knee while his foot was still planted on the ground and saw his knee buckle inward on impact. It did not look good as he was ruled out immediately following the injury. Testing has confirmed a
Randall Cobb, WR Texans
Injury: Turf Toe
Timetable For Recovery: At least 3-4 Weeks
Potential Replacements: Brandin Cooks, DeAndre Carter
Initial Thoughts: Cobb has been diagnosed with turf toe which as we've seen with past football players dealing with it, can really limit how well an athlete moves around due to the pain. He'll likely miss multiple weeks and could be a candidate for IR if they feel like he won't be ready in under that three-week timeframe.
Greg Olsen, TE Seahawks
Injury: Plantar Fascia Rupture
Timetable For Recovery: 4-6 Weeks Minimum. Placed On IR.
Initial Thoughts: Rupturing your plantar fascia on the bottom of your foot is painful. However, there is usually no surgical intervention as time will allow that tissue to heal on its own so it will come down to how much discomfort Olsen will have when running, decelerating, and cutting off of the foot to see when he's potentially able to return. Four weeks would be a significant stretch to expect him back so I would not consider him a player to continue to hold on your roster especially if he's unable to return before fantasy playoffs.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB Dolphins
Injury: Sprained Thumb
Timetable For Recovery: Week To Week. Doutbful For Week 12.
Potential Replacements: Ryan Fitzpatrick
Initial Thoughts: Tua injured his thumb on a helmet last week and apparently hasn't been right since. He practiced on a limited basis all week but will not sit in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick. It's hard to gauge what the Dolphins will do with Tua as they are still in playoff contention. Even though Tua has shown flashes of his playmaking ability, the Dolphins could potentially turn to Fitzpatrick down the stretch if they feel like he gives them the best chance to win football games. This is definitely something to keep an eye on, especially if Tua continues to miss time due to the thumb injury.
On The Mend
Austin Ekeler, RB Chargers
Injury: Strained Hamstring. Activated Off IR.
Initial Thoughts: Ekeler has been out since early in the year but is finally activated off the IR list. They'll likely ease Ekeler back into volume to reduce any likelihood he sustains another injury, but I don't see him not playing this weekend against the Bills.
John Brown, WR Bills
Injury: High Ankle Sprain. Placed On IR.
Initial Thoughts: Brutal. Brown will miss at least the next 3 weeks as he tries to get healthy from a high ankle sprain.
Christian McCaffrey, RB Panthers
Injury: Strained Shoulder. Ruled OUT For Week 12.
Initial Thoughts: The Panthers have a Week 13 bye and it's good to see them not rushing CMC back for no reason. He's got a good chance to play coming out of the bye. Mike Davis will continue to be the lead back in McCaffrey's absence.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB Panthers
Injury: Sprained MCL. Expected To Play Week 12.
Initial Thoughts: Bridgewater only ends up missing 1 game due to the knee issue and returns against his former team the Vikings. If you have Bridgewater on your roster and with the way things are shaping up around the league with the QB position, he's a solid start.
Chris Carson, RB Seahawks
Injury: Sprained Midfoot. No Injury Designation.
Initial Thoughts: Carson looks to be finally healthy after missing multiple weeks with a midfoot sprain. He'll return on Monday facing an Eagles defense that will look to try and hold down the Seahawks offense. With Carson back in the fold, he'll likely split carries with Carlos Hyde but could see more time depending on game flow.
Raheem Mostert, RB 49ers
Injury: High Ankle Sprain. Activated Off IR.
Initial Thoughts: Mostert will dress this weekend against the Rams and should take on the lead back duties or at least split reps with Jerrick McKinnon. The 49ers play late Sunday so make sure you keep an eye out for any details leading up to the 1pm games to see if you can make a better determination as to what the 49ers might do with Mostert.
Jeff Wilson Jr., RB 49ers
Injury: High Ankle Sprain. Activated Off IR.
Initial Thoughts: Like Mostert, Wilson will be ready for Sunday's game against the Rams, but there might not be enough touches to go around to get him consistent volume for fantasy purposes. The 49ers backfield has been a revolving door due to injuries so WIlson Jr. could be a hold until further.
