Fantasy Football Week 2 Injury Report: Kupp Half Empty
Justin Herbert, QB Los Angeles Chargers
Injury: Right Ankle
Projected Timetable: Week 3-4
Initial Thoughts:
By video, there appears concern for a right high ankle sprain and/or MCL sprain after getting rolled up on and then bent backward awkwardly. He told reporters after the game that he would know more about the severity of his leg injury in the next few days. Monitor closely, and hope he did not reinjure what he was dealing with prior in camp in his right foot. As of right now, I lean towards him playing Week 3.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB Miami Dolphins
Injury: Concussion
Projected Timetable: TBD
Initial Thoughts:
This was his fourth concussion since 2022. I have no idea when, or if, Tua will return to play. Early reports indicate that he will not decide to retire but will likely miss at least one month. I think this situation is highly volatile and the decisions can change as each week passes. Very scary situation for the young man. This will also likely be a huge hit to the Miami offense with Skylar Thompson set to start at quarterback indefinitely.
Christian McCaffrey, RB San Francisco 49ers
Injury: Calf/Achilles Tendinitis
Projected Timetable: 6-8 weeks
Initial Thoughts:
After officially being placed on IR, I do believe this will require more than the minimum 4 weeks for his Achilles to fully heal, go through a workload ramp-up without setback or reinjury, and return to high-level return to play. I will not be surprised if we do not see McCaffrey return until close to week 10, after SF's bye week 9, especially with Jordan Mason running well. I also believe that this timeframe will allow him to fully or near-fully recover and return to his elite-per-touch self, though there is a risk that he returns to a 60/40 or 50/50 timeshare with Mason as SF preserves their elite back for NFL playoffs. Both ends of the debate are valid: if you have him you should consider selling at the right price, but not panic sell, and if you do not have him you should consider acquiring, especially if a manager is panic selling.
Isiah Pacheco, RB Kansas City Chiefs
Injury: Right Fibula Fracture
Projected Timetable: 6-12+ Weeks
Initial Thoughts:
Pacheco limped off of the field late in the fourth quarter and was seen laying on the sideline in a lot of pain, with trainers possibly looking at his right ankle or lower leg. Reports just surfaced that Pacheco did suffer a fibula fracture which will require surgery. His timeframe for return varies from 6 up to 12 weeks, dependent on what exactly is required once they are in for surgery. I lean towards closer to 8 weeks if not longer for his return, but hopefully the outcome is good. Given the update from his surgery details, I am currently planning on close to a week 9-10 return with a 20% production dip for his first few games back, meaning he may be close to 90% by week 13-14. This would cut it very close to fantasy playoffs, but there's a chance he could be a key contributor for contenders. Hopefully we get updates close to his anticipated return.
Joe Mixon, RB Houston Texans
Injury: Right Ankle
Projected Timetable: Week 4-5
Initial Thoughts:
By video, he appeared to have suffered a high ankle sprain with some concern about a deltoid ligament injury. He did attempt to return to the game with his ankle heavily taped, but only played 2 snaps and was clearly limited, unable to push off of his right foot. He then left the game and never returned, missing the last three drives. If high ankle is confirmed, anticipate him missing several weeks. One other concerning variable: this is the same foot that he had suffered a Lisfranc sprain in 2020, which cost him 10 weeks due to a misdiagnosed midfoot injury. Recent reports have indicated it is not a long term issue, so I am currently planning on him missing week 3 with a chance to return week 4.
Rachaad White, RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Injury: Groin Strain
Projected Timetable: Week 3-4
Initial Thoughts:
White continued to play in the game but was highly inefficient and ineffective. Monitor his practice status, as sometimes these groin injuries tighten up and limit more after the game and limit weekly practice ability. Initial reports have updated this as a mild injury that should not keep him out in week 3.
Tank Bigsby, RB Jacksonville Jaguars
Injury: Right Shoulder
Projected Timetable: Week 3-4
Initial Thoughts:
Return to play will depend on the grade of injury, but Bigsby got absolutely rocked in the right shoulder on a kick return. By video, concern for a right AC sprain or shoulder subluxation/dislocation, which could certainly limit him over the next few weeks. Monitor his status in the next few days. Update: he has been listed as Day to Day with a mild injury, with a decent chance to play in week 3.
Tyjae Spears, RB Tennessee Titans
Injury: Ankle Sprain
Projected Timetable: Week 3-4
Initial Thoughts:
Have yet to see the video, but he did not return after being listed as questionable. Early reports indicate a mild ankle sprain and listed as Day to Day for Spears, so he likely has a decent chance of playing this coming week. He recently told reporters he intends to play, but we will find out if the Titans staff holds him out or not.
https://x.com/jmthrivept/status/1835394308259926341
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR Detroit Lions
Injury: Left Knee Contusion, Cramping
Projected Timetable: Week 3
Initial Thoughts:
By video, concern for MCL sprain with secondary concern of possible ACL injury. Dan Campbell indicated to the media that they do not believe this is a long-term injury concern, so the best case scenario would be solely an MCL sprain that costs him 2-3 weeks. He was limping pretty badly and had difficulty weight-bearing and bending his knee. He will likely get an MRI soon, but early word is that he suffered a contusion and cramping. By video, it appeared to be worse than this so continue monitoring for updates, but he may have escaped worst case scenario with a decent chance to play in week 3.
https://x.com/jmthrivept/status/1835429600350105748https://x.com/jmthriv...
Cooper Kupp, WR Los Angeles Rams
Injury: Left High Ankle
Projected Timetable: Week 7-10
Initial Thoughts:
By video, concern for a left high ankle sprain, which seemingly was confirmed as he was listed as Doubtful with an ankle sprain and limped back into the locker room with help from staff. The Rams' Week 6 bye may make his return complicated if this is a high ankle, as it could require a minimum of 2-3 weeks to return or possibly longer if the severity is moderate. Prepare to be without him for some time. Update: reports indicate that Kupp is expected to miss significant time but unsure if he will land on IR at this time. The Rams already have 9 players on IR, and only 8 players can return from IR during the season each year. His timeline may allow him to return for week 7 after their bye week, but if Kupp were to be placed on IR he would be a lock to miss week 7, so this plus the total volume currently on IR already are likely the key factors in him avoiding IR at this time. I do not anticipate seeing him on the field until week 7 at the soonest.
Justin Jefferson, WR Minnesota Vikings
Injury: Right Quad Contusion
Projected Timetable: Week 3
Initial Thoughts:
Official designation matched with what video concern appeared to be a right quadriceps contusion after Fred Warner's knee drove directly into Jefferson's quad. Low concerns about this one. Once swelling and pain go down, which should occur by Friday at the latest, he should be full go for week 3. He has officially been listed as Day to Day.
AJ Brown, WR Philadelphia Eagles
Injury: Hamstring
Projected Timetable: Week 3-4
Initial Thoughts:
Initially reported as tightness in his hamstring, he was downgraded to DNP on Saturday and then ruled out. This will be a similar situation to Evan Engram, given the timeframe from now to week 3, he may miss another week. Monitor his status in practice, but wide receivers can often return within 1-2 weeks if mild severity.
Evan Engram, TE Jacksonville Jaguars
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Projected Timetable: Week 4-5
Initial Thoughts:
Engram suffered a hamstring strain in pregame warmups and was ruled out for week 2. I believe this will also put his Week 3 status in jeopardy given the timeframe of occurrence and a typical 2-week return to play timeline. Monitor his status closely in practice, but I anticipate him missing more time. He has officially been listed as Week to Week. Update: he has been reported as a long-shot to play week 3. Jacksonville plays on Monday night, so I would avoid Engram and play another safe starter this week.
Taysom Hill, TE New Orleans Saints
Injury: Chest Sprain
Projected Timetable: Week 3-4
Initial Thoughts:
He was reportedly taken to the hospital as a precaution, likely to ensure this was not an SC joint sprain with organ involvement. He has an extensive history of chest injuries, so it would not surprise me if this actually took multiple weeks, but typically as long as medically cleared from more complex pathology, players can often return the following week depending on pain. He has not been involved nearly as much as beatwriters indicated during the preseason.
| Player | Position | Team | Injury | Week of Injury | Projected Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.J. Dillon | RB | GB | Neck, Stinger | IR | Season-Ending |
| Elijah Mitchell | RB | SF | Hamstring Surgery | IR | Season Ending |
| J.J. McCarthy | QB | MIN | Right Meniscus Repair | IR | Season Ending |
| Nick Chubb | RB | CLE | ACLR | PUP | Week 5-7 |
| T.J. Hockenson | TE | MIN | ACLR | PUP | Week 7 |
| Jonathon Brooks | RB | CAR | ACLR | PUP | Week 5-8 |
| Keaton Mitchell | RB | BAL | ACLR | PUP | Week 8-12 |
| Odell Beckham | WR | MIA | Soft Tissue Related | PUP | Week 5-8 |
| Kendrick Bourne | WR | NE | ACLR | PUP | Week 5-8 |
| Kendre Miller | RB | NO | Hamstring | PUP | Week 5-8 |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB | SF | Calf | IR | Week 7-10 |
| Hollywood Brown | WR | KC | Left SC Posterior Sprain | IR | Week 16-18 |
| Jordan Love | QB | GB | Left MCL Sprain | Week 1 | Week 3-4 |
| Kenneth Walker | RB | SEA | Oblique Strain | Week 1 | Week 4-6 |
| Jordan Addison | WR | MIN | Right High Ankle Sprain | Week 1 | Week 4-5 |
| Keenan Allen | WR | CHI | Heel Bruise reinjury | Week 1 | Week 3-4 |
| David Njoku | TE | CLE | Right High Ankle Sprain | Week 1 | Week 4-6 |
| Jake Ferguson | TE | DAL | Left MCL, Bone Bruise | Week 1 | Week 3-4 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | WR | DET | Left MCL, Contusion | Week 2 | Week 3 |
| Justin Jefferson | WR | MIN | Right Quad Contusion | Week 2 | Week 3 |
| A.J. Brown | WR | PHI | Hamstring | Week 2 | Week 3-4 |
| Puka Nacua | WR | LAR | Right Knee PCL | Week 1 | Week 7-9 |
| Evan Engram | TE | JAC | Hamstring | Week 2 | Week 4-5 |
| Tua Tagovailoa | QB | MIA | Concussion | Week 2 | TBD |
| Cooper Kupp | WR | LAR | Left High Ankle Sprain | Week 2 | Week 7-10 |
| Justin Herbert | QB | LAC | Right Leg/Knee | Week 2 | Week 3-4 |
| Rachaad White | RB | TB | Groin Strain | Week 2 | Week 3-4 |
| Tank Bigsby | RB | JAC | Right Shoulder | Week 2 | Week 3-4 |
| Tyjae Spears | RB | TEN | Ankle Sprain | Week 2 | Week 3-4 |
| Isiah Pacheco | RB | KC | Right Fibula Fx, Surgery | Week 2 | 6-12 weeks |
| Joe Mixon | RB | HOU | Right Ankle | Week 2 | Week 4-6 |
