Fantasy Football Week 12 Injury Report: Commanders in Need of a Foot Soldier

Gardner Minshew, QB Las Vegas Raiders

Injury: Left Clavicle Fracture

Projected Timetable: Season Ending

Initial Thoughts:

The Raiders find themselves swapping quarterbacks again after Minshew was slammed into the ground on his left side and fractured his clavicle. Aidan O'Connell is eligible to return from IR on Tuesday, but it is unknown if they will go back to him or Desmond Ridder.

Baker Mayfield, QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Injury: Stinger

Projected Timetable: Week 13

Initial Thoughts:

These are often minor irritations that resolve quickly. He was able to return to the game and continue playing at a high level. No concern for week 13.

Austin Ekeler, RB Washington Commanders

Injury: Concussion

Projected Timetable: Week 15-16

Initial Thoughts:

With a week 14 bye plus the rarity of a player clearing protocol within 7 days, Ekeler will likely be seen again at some point after the bye week. The other complicating factor is that he suffered a concussion earlier this season in week 3, but being this far apart does not mean he will wind up on IR. Monitor his status, but be prepared for him to be out Week 13.

Brian Robinson, RB Washington Commanders

Injury: Right Ankle Sprain

Projected Timetable: Week 13-15

Initial Thoughts:

I will be curious to see the overall snaps played but he did not have any touches in the second half, and only a handful after his injury occurred. There is a real risk that this injury will keep him out Week 13, but he has been one of the toughest running backs who has a tendency to play through injuries, so I will not rule him out yet. With waivers upcoming, it may be a good idea to keep tabs on Jeremy McNichols in case Robinson cannot play and with Ekeler very likely out.

David Montgomery, RB Detroit Lions

Injury: Left Shoulder

Projected Timetable: Week 13

Initial Thoughts:

Montgomery appeared ready to go back into the game but was held out, ceding the majority of touches to Jahmyr Gibbs and then running the clock out with a few Craig Reynolds touches. The team has spoken optimism that he will be able to play Thursday and the mechanism seen on video appeared to be minor, with the other factors being he appeared ready to return to the game with his helmet in hand and Dan Campbell has been one of the more reliable coaches to speak on injury intel. For now, I would plan on Montgomery being available in close to his normal role on Thanksgiving.

Romeo Doubs, WR Green Bay Packers

Injury: Concussion

Projected Timetable: Week 14

Initial Thoughts:

The Packers play on Thanksgiving, so Doubs will undoubtedly be ruled out with his concussion with a chance to return in Week 14. This should provide a boost to Dontayvion Wicks, yet again.

Josh Downs, WR Indianapolis Colts

Injury: Right Shoulder, AC Sprain

Projected Timetable: Week 15

Initial Thoughts:

Downs was able to return to the game after the video of his mechanism appeared to be worse than it actually was. He was spotted getting his right shoulder and chest worked on. The mechanism fits a potential AC sprain and/or right shoulder labral injury as he fell with his arm outstretched across his body. He made several catches but then was spotted taking snaps off and getting worked on. His availability for week 13 will likely depend on how painful and stiff it becomes after the game. The Colts do have a week 14 bye, so there is a chance the team will give him extra time to recover and return Week 15. Monitor his status in practice. It may be a good idea to snag AD Mitchell if he is available. UPDATE: Downs has been labeled as Week-to-Week and is a long-shot to play in week 13, which makes sense given mechanism and the week 14 bye. Plan to be without Downs week 13, with a decent chance to return for week 15.

Michael Pittman Jr, WR Indianapolis Colts

Injury: Shoulder

Projected Timetable: Week 13

Initial Thoughts:

I have not seen a video of his mechanism, but he was able to return to the game and made the biggest impact out of the receiver room. He will most likely be fine for week 13, but monitor his practice status. As of now with the information that I have, I am more concerned about Downs availability than I am about Pittman Jr's.

Cedric Tillman, WR Cleveland Browns

Injury: Concussion

Projected Timetable: Week 13-14

Initial Thoughts:

Tillman suffered his concussion on Thursday night so in theory he should have enough time to clear by Week 13. The average missed time for wide receivers is 1.6 weeks. Monitor his practice status and hopefully, he can get an LP in by Thursday and an FP by Friday.

Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE Carolina Panthers

Injury: Neck

Projected Timetable: TBD

Initial Thoughts:

We never like seeing these kinds of injuries where a player gets spun around in mid-air and lands directly on their head. By video, he appeared to sustain a high load and compression directly through his neck, which can often cause damage to the cervical spine discs and ligaments, as well as potentially nerve irritation depending on the severity of the trauma. Thankfully, he was released from the hospital fairly quickly and reported to be headed back to the team facility shortly after the game ended, an indication that he has full movement in all extremities and no significant trauma was initially found. He will likely be hurting tomorrow and for the next few days, so it will not surprise me if he is out for a game or two.