The Training Room: Week 9 Injury Updates

I wrote about them in Week 6, so naturally, I have to do it again this week. If you are a college football fan then you know that once again the Purdue Boilermakers (my alma mater) pulled off another epic upset this weekend, besting the undefeated, and top-5 ranked Michigan State Spartans. Purdue holds the record for most wins versus a top-5 ranked opponent when they are unranked (which is cool but also sort of depressing at the same time because it gives you an idea of how bad our football program has been for the last decade that we have been unranked for so long). I encourage you to tune in next week to see if the Spoilermakers can live up to their name as they take on Ohio State at The Shoe.

Because this is a fantasy football website focused on fantasy football content, a name to look for next year is David Bell from Purdue. The junior wide receiver should declare this year, and in a 2022 class that is loaded his name might get lost in the shuffle, but he is a special talent. He is a handful when defenses play man-to-man coverage against him. In eight games, Bell has eclipsed 100 receiving yards five times, with 200+ yards vs. both Iowa and the aforementioned Michigan State. So there’s your early rookie scouting report for next year’s fantasy draft. Okay enough of me bragging about my team, let’s get to the injuries.

Mike White, QB New York Jets

Injury: ulnar nerve contusion

Timetable for recovery: 0-1 week

Potential Replacement(s): Josh Johnson

Initial Thoughts:

Right when Mike White started and showed no signs of cooling off, the Jets’ QB injured his right forearm Thursday while throwing a touchdown pass. The Thursday Night broadcast showed that White was visibly upset as he struggled to grip the ball. After the game, we learned that White sustained a nerve contusion (likely ulnar), explaining the difficulty he had gripping the ball. Typically, these injuries do not last long, and recent reports suggest that White felt better later in the game, but the Jets were out of the game by that point. Rookie QB Zach Wilson is projected to return to practice this week although he is likely still a week or two away.

DeVante Parker, WR Miami Dolphins

Injury: hamstring strain (re-injury)

Timetable for recovery: 3 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Will Fuller, Mack Hollins

Initial Thoughts:

DeVante Parker, who had sustained a hamstring injury earlier this season, suffered a setback and was promptly placed on IR this week. Parker is no stranger to hamstring strains over his career, and the typical recurrence rate of hamstring injuries for WRs is 20%. Parker’s IR stint should be enough time for him to recover and return to action in Week 12.

Tua Tagovailoa, QB Miami Dolphins

Injury: finger fracture

Timetable for recovery: 2-4 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Jacoby Brissett

Initial Thoughts:

Tua Tagovailoa is dealing with a small fracture in his middle finger that prevented him from suiting up on Sunday. Although Tagovailoa practiced this week, he was limited and ultimately unable to go. It’s possible that the Miami quarterback is able to return sooner rather than later, but the Dolphins play on Thursday night in Week 10, meaning it’s possible that Tua misses at least one more game.

D.J. Moore, WR Carolina Panthers

Injury: rib contusion

Timetable for recovery: 0-1 week

Potential Replacement(s): Robby Anderson, Terrace Marshall

Initial Thoughts:

D.J. Moore injured his ribs Sunday and missed some time due to a poorly thrown pass from Sam Darnold that left Moore exposed while running a shallow crossing route. Moore was able to return to the game and even made a few plays, but we have seen rib injuries get worse as the week progresses and cause injured players to miss the following week. It is unlikely that Moore has a fracture since he was cleared to play, but if he is unable to log a limited practice (LP) by Friday his chances of missing Week 10 increase.

Zack Moss, RB Buffalo Bills

Injury: concussion

Timetable for recovery: 1-2 weels

Potential Replacement(s): Devin Singletary

Initial Thoughts:

Zack Moss was ruled out of Sunday’s game vs. Jacksonville with a concussion. Moss will have to clear the league’s concussion protocol before he is able to return. His practice participation this week will shed light on where he is at in his recovery.

Chase Edmonds, RB Arizona Cardinals

Injury: left ankle sprain

Timetable for recovery: 2-4 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): James Conner, Eno Benjamin

Initial Thoughts:

Chase Edmonds was injured on Arizona’s opening drive with a left ankle injury and he did not return. The video angle of the injury was not clear, but based on how he was tackled I think there is some concern about a high ankle sprain, but we need to wait for further clarification. James Conner had himself a day with Edmonds out. Conner has struggled with injuries himself, therefore Eno Benjamin (who looked good in limited action) might be worth a stash if Edmonds is expected to miss extended time.

Kyler Murray, QB Arizona Cardinals

Injury: high ankle sprain

Timetable for recovery: 2-3 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Colt McCoy

Initial Thoughts:

This is not a new injury for Kyler Murray but I am writing about it here because during the game against the San Francisco 49ers the FOX sideline reporter relayed that Kyler Murray was dealing with a high ankle sprain. This shifts his timeline and would explain why he did not practice this week. Based on this news I am worried about Murray’s Week 10 chances and question his effectiveness running while he is nursing this injury.

Passed Injuries Discussed: