The Training Room: Week 13 Injury Updates

This week I want to start the injury column with a brief PSA about fantasy football league setup. I was inspired to touch on this after reading a Paul Charchian tweet that talked about reserving the last playoff spot for teams who had the most points who wouldn’t otherwise make the playoffs. I personally think this is one of my favorite fantasy football rules and one that I have been implementing in all the leagues where I am the commissioner.

Fantasy football is a weekly game, and the matchups are what make it fun, but let’s be real there is a lot of luck involved, some of which can be bad. There is nothing worse than leading the league in points only to miss the playoffs because you happened to face off against juggernauts each week, which for the record is totally happening to me. I have a fantasy team spearheaded by Austin Ekeler and Ja’Marr Chase that legitimately is leading the league in scoring but after this week will be 3-10. I am going to miss the playoffs. I know none of you care about my fantasy teams (nor should you) but I think a rule like this helps mitigate some of the bad luck and makes sure the best teams make the playoffs. It might be worth bringing up in your leagues for the 2022 season. Injury time.

Taysom Hill, QB New Orleans

Injury: mallet finger

Timetable for recovery: 0-4 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Trevor Siemian

Initial Thoughts:

Likely before this season most of you did not know what a mallet finger injury was. It is not very common amongst QBs but in 2021 we have not only seen one but already have our second mallet injury. This is nearly identical to the Russell Wilson finger injury that sidelined him for four weeks, the only difference is that NOLA is not opting for surgery for their QB. Hill was able to finish Thursday’s game, but this could be a tricky situation moving forward.

Even after Russell Wilson missed four weeks, it took him some time to return to form. Prior to this week against San Francisco, Wilson was completing 55% of his passing, where historically his completion percentage was >65%. In his NFL career, Hill has never been known for his passing accuracy so this could hurt his overall fantasy production, although most of it comes from his rushing abilities.

Daniel Jones, QB New York Giants

Injury: neck injury

Timetable for recovery: unknown

Potential Replacement(s): Mike Glennon (concussion), Jake Fromm

Initial Thoughts:

Daniel Jones is dealing with some sore neck injury, but with the lack of information, it is hard to decipher the extent of the injury and therefore speculate on his return. The Giants have not provided a lot of information on the injury, which worries me that there is more to the story. The good news is Jones has not been placed on IR so there does appear to be a path to him returning, but until we get more information it is difficult for me to make a determination.

Kenny Golladay, WR New York Giants

Injury: rib injury

Timetable for recovery: 0-3 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Darius Slayton, Kadarius Toney

Initial Thoughts:

Kenny Golladay briefly missed time Sunday with a rib injury but was able to return to action. New York has said that x-rays are negative but we have seen time and time again that further testing via an MRI does reveal fractures. Additionally, the pain and swelling with rib injuries can get worse later in the week. Follow Golladay’s practice reports this week.

Miles Sanders, RB Philadelphia Eagles

Injury: right ankle inversion sprain (re-injury)

Timetable for recovery: 2-4 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell

Initial Thoughts:

Miles Sanders re-injured his right ankle late Sunday. It appeared by video to be the same injury - inversion ankle sprain. This is not ideal, but Philly does have a bye in Week 14 giving Sanders some extra time to heal up. The fact that this is a re-injury means that Sanders could miss a couple of weeks, so if you can afford to stash either Boston Scott or Kenneth Gainwell through their bye it could pay off in Week 15 and beyond.

Joe Burrow, QB Cincinnati Bengals

Injury: pinky finger injury (possible fracture).

Timetable for recovery: 0-4 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Brandon Allen

Initial Thoughts:

Joe Burrow injured his fifth metacarpal (pinky finger) during the second quarter Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Burrow was able to finish the game, but it was obvious that his finger was not right. A picture from the game showed the progression of swelling. Although his passing attempts were double post-injury, Burrow started the game completing 73% of his passes, only to drop to 55% after he injured his finger. The Bengals are in the playoff hunt and every game matters, Burrow could play through this injury but given the swelling in his finger, it’s possible there is a fracture. Additionally, his swelling could progress throughout the week and make gripping and throwing difficult. Following this situation closely as it unfolds this week.

Kenyan Drake, RB Las Vegas Raiders

Injury: right ankle injury fracture

Timetable for recovery: season-ending

Potential Replacement(s): Peyton Barber

Initial Thoughts:

Similar to Jerry Jeudy and Adam Thielen’s ankle injuries this season, Kenyan Drake also had his right ankle rolled up on with his toes pointing outward (mechanism for high ankle sprain). However, when enough force is applied these high ankle sprains can be pushed beyond the sprain threshold and result in fractures. This happened to be the case for Kenyan Drake, as the Raiders announced that Drake’s 2021 season is over. Josh Jacobs has struggled with injuries all year and was hobbled coming into Week 13, meaning Peyton Barber is a worthy pick up this week in all leagues.

Adam Thielen, WR Minnesota Vikings

Injury: left high ankle sprain

Timetable for recovery: 3-5 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): K.J. Osborn, Dede Westbrook

Initial Thoughts:

Adam Thielen is also dealing with a high ankle sprain, an injury that since 2019 on average results in 4-5 weeks missed for NFL wide receivers. There are some rare instances where the high ankle sprain is minor and the player is able to return after a minimal absence, but typically these can be lengthy absences for WRs, Jerry Jeudy missed six weeks with his ankle sprain. Now we know not all injuries are created equally, and if there is a silver lining, it’s that Thielen was originally listed as questionable to return (not immediately ruled out) and unlike Drake and even Jeudy, Thielen did not need to be carted to the locker room. This could indicate that Thielen’s high ankle sprain is less severe. This is all speculation of course but hopefully helps you prepare for the last few weeks of your fantasy season. It’s important to note that Minnesota plays on Thursday night in Week 14, meaning they will very likely be doing it without Adam Thielen.

Logan Thomas, TE Washington

Injury: left knee injury (possible ACL tear)

Timetable for recovery: possible season-ending

Potential Replacement(s): Ricky Seals-Jones, John Bates

Initial Thoughts:

In the fourth quarter, Logan Thomas injured his left knee when a Raider defender took his legs out while Thomas was blocking on an Antonio Gibson run. By video, Thomas’ left knee buckled when the defender applied a valgus (outside of knee inward) force to his knee. This is a common mechanism of injury for an ACL and possible MCL tear, which would mean the end of Thomas’ season. Sunday evening, Adam Schefter tweeted that Washington was concerned about this very injury. Monday we will have an official word, but unfortunately, it does not look good for Thomas. Ricky Seals-Jones has been nursing a hip injury but should be close to returning. If he cannot, rookie John Bates will step into the TE1 role. Update on 12/6/21: Thomas does not have an ACL tear but that does not mean he is out of the woods. He likley has an ACL/MCL sprain which would leave his knee unstable. It's still possible he misses 3+ weeks with this injury.

Past Injuries Discussed: