The Training Room: Week 3 Injury Updates
We're glad to report that while Week 3 did bring about some new injuries that we need to cover, it wasn't as insanely ridiculous as last week. Our on the mend section of our article returns this week that will cover players that are potentially close to returning and what the expectation could be heading into this week. We'll give you our initial thoughts about those players on the mend and then will give you our take based on the length of time they've been out and where they currently stand in the recovery process. Let's get right into it! UPDATED SUNDAY 10/4/20
DeAndre Hopkins, WR Cardinals
Injury: Sprained Ankle
Timetable For Recovery: Expected to play Week 4
Potential Replacements: Larry Fitzgerald, Andy Isabella
Initial Thoughts: Hopkins has not practiced all week as he is dealing with an ankle issue. The fact that the reports are stating that Hopkins is pushing to play Week 4 indicates that he's going to need to convince the medical staff he's healthy to play. However, GM Steve Kleim is going to allow Hopkins to make the final call as to whether or not he plays. I'm not sure how much stock I'd put in the GM letting a player play if he's putting himself at more risk for prolonging the issue. It sounds like Hopkins is going to do everything he can to try and play, but don't be surprised if he's inactive due to potential re-aggravation and long term health concerns from the Cardinals.
Chris Carson, RB Seahawks
Injury: Sprained Knee
Timetable For Recovery: Expected to play Week 4
Potential Replacements: Carlos Hyde
Initial Thoughts: Carson's knee sprain intiailly looked worse than it actually was. The fact that he's able to be ready a week later is a good sign. I wouldn't expect too much of a drop off in terms of usage as the Seahawks wouldn't rush him back if he felt he wasn't ready.
Terry McLaurin, WR Washington Football Team
Injury: Thigh Injury
Timetable For Recovery: Expected to play Week 4
Potential Replacement: Dontrelle Inman, Steven Sims
Initial Thoughts: McLaurin did not practice Friday which usually means that he doesn't have a great chance to play that week. However, the Washington Football Team states that they expect him to play. WIth Dwayne Haskins struggling and facing a Ravens team this week, McLaurin doesn't have a great matchup.
Christian Kirk, WR Cardinals
Injury: Strained Groin
Timetable For Recovery: Game time decision for Week 4
Potential Replacement: Larry Fitzgerald, Andy Isabella
Initial Thoughts: Kirk will test out his groin during pre-game and see how it responds to cutting, decelerating, and sprint work. He's truly a 50/50 shot at this point so keep an eye on his status heading into today's games.
Joe Mixon, RB Bengals
Injury: Chest Injury
Timetable For Recovery: Expected to play Week 4
Potential Replacements: Giovani Bernard
Initial Thoughts: The chest injury that Mixon has been dealing with is apparently minor so I wouldn't be overly concerned with his availability heading into this week's matchup against the Jaguars.
Chris Godwin, WR Buccaneers
Injury: Strained Hamstring
Timetable For Recovery: 2-4 Weeks, Ruled OUT for Week 4
Potential Replacements: Scott Miller, Justin Watson
Initial Thoughts: It's never good to be on this injury report twice when we're only three weeks into the season. Godwin is unlikely to suit up for Week 5 due to the Bucs playing Thursday night. I would say Week 6 there is an outside chance but for now there needs to be more tangible evidence that he's ready to start practicing and ramping up to return.
John Brown, WR Bills
Injury: Strained Calf
Timetable For Recovery: Expected to play Week 4
Potential Replacement: Cole Beasley, Gabriel Davis
Initial Thoughts: Brown was removed from the injury report as the Bills are set to face the Raiders. I'm a little skeptical about Brown's overall availability for Week 4 as calf strains are high risk for re-aggravation and usually take some time to make a full recovery. I'd say if you have another option then consider it but keep an eye on Brown's pre-game status to ensure he doesn't experience any tightness or renewed soreness.
Dallas Goedert, TE Eagles
Injury: Fractured Ankle
Timetable For Recovery: Placed on IR
Potential Replacement: Zach Ertz, Richard Rodgers
Initial Thoughts: Goedert injured his ankle in the first quarter when a defender pulled him down from behind and ended up landing on his ankle. Further testing revealed a small fracture in his ankle which led to the Eagles putting him on IR which will cost him at least 3 weeks. Even when he is eligible to return, it'll be interesting to see how limited his ankle might be when he suits up.
Tarik Cohen, RB Bears
Injury: Torn ACL
Timetable For Recovery: Out for season
Potential Replacement: David Montgomery, Cordarrelle Patterson
Initial Thoughts: Coach Nagy told reporters after the game that Cohen did in fact tear his ACL. He'll get an MRI to confirm the diagnosis and will be out for the rest of the season. It's a tough break for Cohen after just signing a three-year extension with the Bears but he should make a full recovery to be ready for next season.
Russell Gage, WR Falcons
Injury: Concussion
Timetable For Recovery: Expected to play Week 4
Potential Replacement: Calvin Ridley, Olamide Zaccheaus
Initial Thoughts: Gage was removed from the injury report and will suit up Monday night against the Packers. I would expect a high scoring game in this one, and with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley banged up a bit, there's potential Gage could see more usage if the Falcons find themselves in a negative game script.
Diontae Johnson, WR Steelers
Injury: Concussion
Timetable For Recovery: Week To Week
Potential Replacement: Chase Claypool, James Washington
Initial Thoughts: Johnson was doing individual drills in Thursday's practice, but with the Steelers game being postponed due to the Titans COVID outbreak, he'll get another week to fully recover from his concussion. He should be good to go for Week 5.
Jerick McKinnon, RB 49ers
Injury: Bruised Ribs
Timetable For Recovery: Expected to play Week 4
Potential Replacement: Jeff Wilson Jr.
Initial Thoughts: McKinnon showed well against the Giants as the 49ers continue to be depleted by injuries and should be in line for another uptick in usage against the Eagles. McKinnon is ranked inside our top 20 RB's in both half and full PPR leagues.
Jordan Reed, TE 49ers
Injury: Sprained MCL
Timetable For Recovery: Placed on IR, expected to miss 6-8 weeks
Potential Replacement: Ross Dwelley
Initial Thoughts: Reed was hit low against the Giants last week and suffered the sprained MCL. Reports have him missing 6-8 weeks which means he's dealing with a higher grade sprain. George Kilttle is potentially available for Week 4 but until we hear any further information on Kittle, Dwelley will be the guy for now.
On The Mend
Julio Jones, WR Falcons
Injury: Strained Hamstring
Timetable For Recovery: Game time decision for MNF
Initial Thoughts: Julio was able to practice in limited fashion all week so there's a strong chance that he plays on Monday night barring any setbacks.
Davante Adams, WR Packers
Injury: Strained Hamstring
Timetable For Recovery: Game time decision for MNF
Initial Thoughts: Adams was able to return to practice in limited fashion all week. He'll test out his hamstring before the game to see where he stands. I think he's got a better chance of potentially suiting up this weekend compared to last but time will tell. If he does suit up, I would not expect him to get his full compliment of snaps as the Packers are normally pretty conservative with their players returning from injury.
Michael Thomas, WR Saints
Injury: High Ankle Sprain
Timetable For Recovery: Day To Day, Ruled OUT for Week 4
Initial Thoughts: The optimism was high early in the week after Thomas was able to practice on Wednesday. However, the Saints are playing the long term game here and don't want to risk potentially re-aggravating the issue and potentially having him out longer. Week 5 looks to be the week he returns.
A.J. Brown, WR Titans
Injury: Knee Bone Bruise
Timetable For Recovery: Day To Day
Initial Thoughts: With the Titans dealing with the outbreak of COVID cases in their organization, the postponement of their Week 4 game doesn't affect Brown much as he wasn't expected to play Week 4. Hopefully the Titans can't get the outbreak under control and be able to move forward and play Week 5 which would allow Brown to return and give a big boost to the Titans offense.
Raheem Mostert, RB 49ers
Injury: Sprained MCL
Timetable For Recovery: Week To Week, Ruled OUT for Week 4
Initial Thoughts: Mostert didn't practice this week and now is two weeks removed from an MCL sprain. He'll need to practicet to show some progress in hopes of an early week practice participation to feel more comfortable that he's trending to play Week 5. Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson Jr. will continue to be the primary beneficiaries of Mostert being sidelined.
George Kittle, TE 49ers
Injury: Sprained Knee
Timetable For Recovery: Expected to play Week 4
Initial Thoughts: Kittle was able to practice in full on Wednesday which is a big deal for those who own him. If he is able to make it through the week without setbacks, he'll be ready for Week 4 which will be a welcomed addition to fantasy owner's lineups.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB 49ers
Injury: High Ankle Sprain
Timetable For Recovery: Week To Week, Ruled OUT for Week 4
Initial Thoughts: Garoppolo continues to not practice since his high ankle sprain which was to be expected given the nature of the injury. Garoppolo is highly questionable for Week 5 at this point with high ankle sprains normally taking 3-4 weeks for the ankle to respond in a positive manner. Nick Mullens will make another start in his place.
D.J. Chark, WR Jaguars
Injury: Chest/Back Injury
Timetable For Recovery: Expected to play Week 4
Initial Thoughts: Chark has shown enough progress in his recovery that they've taken him off the injury report. He should see his normal compliment of snaps this week and has a nice matchup against the Bengals.
Deebo Samuel, WR 49ers
Injury: Jones Fracture (Foot)
Timetable For Recovery: Expected to play Week 4
Initial Thoughts: Samuel will finally make his debut this week against the Eagles as he's been recovering from surgery to address a Jones fracture in his foot. The 49ers will likely ease him back into game action to make sure the foot responds positively to the increased level of stress, but the 49ers will welcome him back as the teams continues to struggle with injuries on the offensive side of the ball.
