Fantasy Football Week 4 Injury Report: Check on Your Nabers

Anthony Richardson, QB Indianapolis Colts

Injury: Right Hip

Projected Timetable: Week 5-6

Initial Thoughts:

Early reports indicate that Anthony Richardson is not expected to miss much if any, time at all due to this hip injury. It has officially been designated as a hip pointer, which fits the mechanism after a defender hit him directly in the front of his right hip during a tackle. Monitor his practice status this week, but he has a chance to play in Week 5.

Travis Etienne, RB Jacksonville Jaguars

Injury: Shoulder Strain

Projected Timetable: Returned to Game

Initial Thoughts:

After being designated as questionable to return, Travis Etienne returned to the game and played fairly well. Given the fact that he played the rest of the game, this will not likely cost him time but keep an eye on his status. It seems like Jacksonville wants to work Tank Bigsby in more now that he is healthy.

Jonathan Taylor, RB Indianapolis Colts

Injury: Right High Ankle Sprain

Projected Timetable: Week 6-7

Initial Thoughts:

By video, Jonathan Taylor's right ankle sprain appears to be a high ankle mechanism, though mild in nature. He did have his ankle taped up and was standing on the sideline with the team, but did not return to the game. He also spoke to the media after the game and stated he felt pretty good, but this season has taught us to take what a player says with a grain of salt. It seems that he has a great chance to play in Week 5 but monitor his practice status. It will likely be dependent on whether his ankle swells or is painful tomorrow.

Update: it has been reported as a "mild high ankle" sprain. I am projecting him to miss 0-2 weeks, and still believe he has a chance to play in Week 5. It truly depends on his pain levels, mobility, and cutting ability. Most likely returns Week 6 or 7.

Cordarrelle Patterson, RB Pittsburgh Steelers

Injury: Ankle Sprain

Projected Timetable: Week 5-7

Initial Thoughts:

There is still a chance that Jaylen Warren will miss next week, so Cordarrellle Patterson's status will be key as the backup running back. He did not play much after his injury, so there is a chance this costs him playing time.

Tyler Badie, RB Denver Broncos

Injury: Back/Spine

Projected Timetable: TBD

Initial Thoughts:

Badie, unfortunately, collapsed while on the sideline well after a play where his back was twisted around while he fell to the ground. Most likely, this was a spinal cord shock injury, explaining the latent response of why he had the incident several minutes after the incident actually occurred. His return will be fully dependent on severity of the injury, which I would prefer not to speculate on at this point without further information. Prayers up for Tyler Badie.

Rashee Rice, WR Kansas City Chiefs

Injury: Right Knee Hyperextension, ACL Concern

Projected Timetable: Season-Ending

Initial Thoughts:

By video, primary concern involves an ACL/LCL injury after his knee was hit into hyperextension and rotation while his foot was planted. Some hope involves the fact that his cleat slightly lifted up off of the turf, which could have prevented more serious damage, but Andy Reid has already told media that Rice's knee injury is not good. I am preparing for worst case scenario here. Best case, this is simply a hyperextension sprain and bone bruise, but it does not seem to be trending that way.

Update: there is a lot of speculation that Rice has avoided an ACL tear due to no news dropping that the MRI confirmed ACL, as well as his teammates speaking hope of having him return this season. Keys that I am keeping in mind: 1) There has also been no news confirming that his ACL was not torn, 2) he is set to undergo a scope procedure to evaluate total ligament damage, and 3) it has been reported that the team remains concerned about ACL and PCL damage. A lot of people, including some injury analysts, read the news about a scope and immediately associate it with a meniscus surgery, but this is not the case in this situation. It is a common association, however a scope procedure in this incident winds up being a gold standard for evaluating ACL injuries and other ligamentous injuries such as PCL or MCL damage. Assessing all of the objective information that we currently have on this situation, I would continue to assume the worst for Rashee Rice until it has officially been reported otherwise.

Malik Nabers, WR New York Giants

Injury: Concussion

Projected Timetable: Week 6

Initial Thoughts:

Thankfully Malik Nabers' concussion came on Thursday night, giving him closer to 10 days to clear protocol. On average, nearly all wide receivers clear within eight days, but Nabers was unable to clear for week 5. He will likely return for week 6.

Christian Watson, WR Green Bay Packers

Injury: Left High Ankle Sprain

Projected Timetable: 3-6 weeks

Initial Thoughts:

Initial concern is a left high ankle sprain, at least moderate grade, with concern of potential fracture. Christian Watson was carted to the locker room and will likely get imaging to rule out fracture. I am anticipating him missing anywhere from 3-6 weeks depending on severity. Update: he was not placed on IR, so his return within 4 weeks is more likely.

Taysom Hill, TE New Orleans Saints

Injury: Fractured Ribs

Projected Timetable: Week 6-7

Initial Thoughts:

Entering this week with a chest sprain, Taysom Hill now exits the week with multiple fractured ribs. This will likely take close to two weeks for him to heal enough to return to football action. The hope is that it only takes a few weeks.