Hopefully, you were able to refuel and recharge over Thanksgiving this past week because we have officially reached the home stretch of the 2022 fantasy football season. As the calendar shifts to December, we had some significant injuries that bear discussing. I do so below...
Najee Harris, RB Pittsburgh Steelers
Injury: core injury
Projected Timetable: 2-8 weeks
Potential Replacement(s): Anthony McFarland, Benny Snell
Initial Thoughts:
Prior to halftime, Steelers’ RB Najee Harris exited with an abdominal/core injury and did not return. As I am writing this Monday night, there are no more specifics, but by observing Harris on the sideline, I think there is a high possibility of a sports hernia - common in football and other contact sports where a player is being hit or tackled while their body is contorted. Sports hernias can be managed conservatively with rest, and players return in ~four weeks. Should surgery be required, the timeline would likely end his season.
Before injuring his hamstring, Jaylen Warren was impressing. The rookie is likely another week or two away, meaning there could be a committee in Pittsburgh with Anthony McFarland and Benny Snell.
Aaron Rodgers, QB Green Bay Packers
Injury: rib injury
Projected Timetable: 0-3 weeks
Potential Replacement(s): Joran Love
Initial Thoughts:
Aaron Rodgers is dealing with a rib injury, although it is unclear if a fracture is present. A rib fracture would likely cost Rodgers 2-3 weeks, but if the Packer QB was fortunate enough to avoid breaking anything, then he could return in Week 13. It’s possible the best insight into Rodger’s available will come straight from the horse’s mouth as he appears every Tuesday on the Pat McAfee Show.
Damien Harris, RB New England Patriots
Injury: thigh injury (likely quadriceps)
Projected Timetable: 2 weeks
Potential Replacement(s): Rhamondre Stevenson
Initial Thoughts:
Damien Harris is dealing with yet another soft tissue injury, this time a quadriceps injury. The typical return-to-play timeline is two weeks, so Rhamondre Stevenson should be the primary back in New England for a short period of time. New England plays on Thursday, and Harris is not expected to play in Week 13.
Michael Carter, RB New York Jets
Injury: ankle sprain (likely high ankle sprain)
Projected Timetable: 4 weeks
Potential Replacement(s): Zonovan Knight, James Robinson
Initial Thoughts:
By video, it appears that Michael Carter sustained a high ankle sprain. There is no clear footage, but the mechanism of injury fits. The average time missed is four weeks, but considering Carter had the same injury to the same ankle last season, it could be longer.
Zonovan Knight was heavily involved when Carter exited, but James Robinson was a healthy scratch. Both should be in
Allen Robinson, WR Los Angeles Rams
Injury: foot injury
Projected Timetable: season-ending
Potential Replacement(s): Ben Skowronek, Van Jefferson
Initial Thoughts:
Allen Robinson will require season-ending foot surgery, and if he was not already, he is droppable in all formats. The wheels have completely fallen off at this point with injuries to Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and potentially a serious injury to Aaron Donald.
If you're curious what the long-term outlook is for an aging WR dealing with a serious foot injury, take a look at Michael Thomas.
Darnell Mooney, WR Chicago Bears
Injury: ankle fracture
Projected Timetable: season-ending
Potential Replacement(s): Byron Pringle, Dante Pettis
Initial Thoughts:
Unfortunately, there is another season-ending injury to discuss this week. Darnell Mooney fractured his ankle Sunday against the New York Jets. Chicago acquired Chase Claypool at the deadline, but in most deep leagues, he is rostered. Byron Pringle scored a touchdown this weekend, but he is more interesting if/when Justin Fields is under center.
Christian McCaffrey, RB San Francisco 49ers
Injury: knee injury
Projected Timetable: 0-2 weeks
Potential Replacement(s): Jordan Mason, Tyrion Davis-Price
Initial Thoughts:
There could be some explanation to why the 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey and then put him in an RB committee. Sunday, we learned that McCaffrey was nursing some knee issue. McCaffrey is slated to play in Week 13, but we should monitor this situation. On average, RBs miss 2.9 weeks with a knee injury and can see an 18% dip in fantasy production over the next three games following a knee injury. Some of the dips in production can be explained by fewer touches - look for one or both of Jordan Mason and Tyrion Davis-Price to get some work in the weeks to come.
Elijah Mitchell, RB San Francisco 49ers
Injury: MCL sprain
Projected Timetable: 6-8 weeks
Potential Replacement(s): Jordan Mason, Tyrion Davis-Price
Initial Thoughts:
Elijah Mitchell sustained another MCL sprain on Sunday, and based on the timeline provided to the media on Monday; it will likely end his season. If you remember, Mitchell missed seven games earlier this year with the exact same injury. Given these details, I think it’s fair to drop the second-year back, as his returning in 2022 is a long shot.
With Christian McCaffrey also dealing with knee irritation (discussed above), Jodan Mason and Tyrion Davis-Price are worth stashing.
Injury Tracker - 2022
