The Training Room: Week 1 Injury Recap

A new year brings new injuries, and I have you covered. My name is Jeff Mueller and I have you covered as your 4for4 Injury Analyst for the 2023 season. Week 1 was an odd one, starting out with several odd games and matchups, and included some key injuries that are destined to ruin your week. I am personally very bummed for J.K. Dobbins, who went through extensive training to get back up to presumably 100%, held in an attempt to earn long-term financial security, and now he has suffered another severe injury that will impact his future. It is always a bummer to see that happen. Obviously, there were many more injuries other than his, so let's dive in and discuss.

Anthony Richardson, QB Indianapolis Colts

Injury: Knee Bruise

Projected Timetable: Week 2

Initial Thoughts:

Richardson took a pretty brutal shot towards the end of the game and it looked like his left knee slammed into the turf. After the game, he stated that he had a little knee bruise and felt fine. Considering he continued to play without any noticeable issues, I will trust that this is mild and assume that he winds up playing in week two, and he should not have any production dip due to a mild bruise/contusion. Keep an eye on his status as the week progresses but do not worry too much on this one.

J.K. Dobbins, RB Baltimore Ravens

Injury: Achilles Tear

Projected Timetable: Out for the Season

Initial Thoughts:

Absolutely brutal news for the young man who had already gone through some tough seasons after dealing with an ACL tear and setbacks last season. Oddly enough, this marks yet another player who has now suffered an ACL tear and then an Achilles rupture (or vice versa), a seemingly increasing trend. I am not fully certain about the advice to give you here for dynasty purposes. I have seen some people say to simply drop him, sell for a fourth-round pick, or essentially whatever you can get for him. This is certainly not good news and will mark an even more difficult injury to return from than his ACL tear. The worst part for him is that he most definitely will not be getting the contract extension that he was hoping for, which was the entire reason why he was “holding in” and hoping to avoid injury. Of note, the Ravens already plan to elevate Melvin Gordon to the active roster. I would assume that this will turn into a committee that will be tough to predict on a weekly basis.

Trending Up: Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Melvin Gordon

Aaron Jones, RB Green Bay Packers

Injury: Left Hamstring Strain

Projected Timetable: Week 2-3

Initial Thoughts:

Jones told reporters after the game that he simply felt his hamstring tighten up, and that while he has felt a bad strain before, this felt more like tightness that he wanted to be cautious with. It does not sound like a serious injury, and a mild strain would allow him to recover and play in week two with low reinjury risk with no to low production dip. I am assuming the best best-case scenario on this one and planning on him playing for Week 2.

Evan Hull, RB Indianapolis Colts

Injury: Knee Sprain

Projected Timetable: Week 2-5

Initial Thoughts:

While there have been no specifics provided about the severity of his injury, it was at least reported that the Colts do not anticipate this being a serious one. It sounds like a multi-week absence that they will reassess with imaging tomorrow, so hopefully we hear more information soon. If this does wind up being a multi-week absence, I could see the Colts placing him on IR, especially if Zack Moss is able to suit up for Week 2 (he was close to suiting up this past week). Anticipate another big volume week from Deon Jackson, but I still do not expect big numbers out of him.

Cooper Kupp, WR Los Angeles Rams

Injury: Hamstring strain, placed on IR

Projected Timetable: Week 5

Initial Thoughts:

Kupp suffered a reported mild hamstring strain on August 1 and was on track for a return prior to Week 1. However, he suffered a setback two weeks ago and is now seeing a specialist to determine the extent of his injury and underlying factors. Kupp has been placed on IR and will miss the first four weeks, but it sounds like the Rams are anticipating the issue to be resolved by Week 5. For now, Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell filled in admirably, though they face a much tougher test against the 49ers next week.

Jerry Jeudy, WR Denver Broncos

Injury: Hamstring Strain

Projected Timetable: Week 2-3

Initial Thoughts:

Jeudy suffered a moderate-grade hamstring strain on August 24, only 2.5 weeks out from Week 1. He missed Week 1 but did practice limited all week, and several reports have been optimistic about his ability to return for Week 2. It still is on the early side for a return to play, so understand that he will enter the week with a 15-20% reinjury risk if he plays along with a production dip expectation. Especially after seeing how the Broncos played against the low-graded Raiders secondary, I am not sure I would feel comfortable starting Jeudy until closer to Week 3 or 4 upon return.

Diontae Johnson, WR Pittsburgh Steelers

Injury: Right Hamstring Strain

Projected Timetable: Week 3-5

Initial Thoughts:

Johnson suffered a right hamstring strain when he took a long stride with his right leg in an attempt to change direction and his leg buckled underneath him. He immediately grasped for his hamstring, suggesting a moderate grade. I would anticipate a multi-week absence with a likely return closer to Week 4 or 5, which would also come with a ~15% reinjury risk along with a 10-15% production dip upon return.

Trending Up: George Pickens, Allen Robinson

Mike Williams, WR Los Angeles Chargers

Injury: Head/Concussion Screening

Projected Timetable: Week 2-3

Initial Thoughts:

Williams was able to return to the game out of halftime, but I still watch these injuries closely for if any symptoms present the next day and if the team winds up placing the player into concussion protocol. My guess is that he will clear and play in Week 2, but keep an eye on his status.

Tyler Lockett, WR Seattle Seahawks

Injury: Head/Concussion Screening

Projected Timetable: Week 2-3

Initial Thoughts:

Same thoughts here with Lockett, more of a monitor situation to see if the team reports any latent symptoms that present. He also returned to his game, so my guess is that he will play in Week 2.

Jakobi Meyers, WR Las Vegas Raiders

Injury: Head/Concussion Screening

Projected Timetable: Week 2-3

Initial Thoughts:

Meyers is not necessarily in the same category as Lockett or Williams for me. He took a brutal shot and was helped off of the field. I would anticipate him being placed in the concussion protocol this week, having to go through all five phases to clear and be able to play in Week 2. It is tough predicting availability coming off of a concussion, so keep an eye on his status as the week goes on.

Chris Olave, WR New Orleans Saints

Injury: Leg (Possible mild calf symptoms or cramps)

Projected Timetable: Week 2

Initial Thoughts:

Olave returned to the game after being out for several snaps and continued to play well. I have yet to see further reports on his status, but I would assume that he will be available for Week 2 and be able to fully practice throughout the week. He had two more receptions after being held out and was moving well. No concern.

Greg Dulcich, TE Denver Broncos

Injury: Leg/Hamstring Strain

Projected Timetable: Week 3-5

Initial Thoughts:

I have seen multiple reports stating leg injury and one report from a key Broncos beat writer Mike Klis stating hamstring injury. He notably came off of the field after running a deep route, and we have seen those kinds of mechanisms/injury behaviors wind up being hamstring injuries. He has had hamstring injuries in the past, as well. My guess is that they are getting imaging done Sunday night or Monday. Keep an eye on his status and availability early in the week for practice.

Pat Freiermuth, TE Pittsburgh Steelers

Injury: Chest

Projected Timetable: Week 2-3

Initial Thoughts:

Freiermuth took a massive shot to his ribs but was able to return to the field and quickly scored a touchdown before then being unable to return to the game. He likely began swelling and hurting from the hit and was listed with a Chest injury. Assume bruised ribs on this one, but hopefully, no rib cartilage injury occurred, which would put his status in more doubt. He could likely play in Week 2 or return for Week 3 if bruised ribs, but if rib cartilage is involved then this may wind up being a multi-week absence.

Injury Tracker, 2023

Player	Position	Team	Injury	Week of Injury	Projected Return
Anthony Richardson	QB	IND	Knee Bruise	Week 1	Week 2
J.K. Dobbins	RB	BAL	Achilles	Week 1	Season Ending
Cooper Kupp	WR	LAR	Hamstring Strain	8/1 & 8/30	Week 5
Jerry Jeudy	WR	DEN	Hamstring Strain	8/24	Week 2-3
Christian Watson	WR	GB	Hamstring Strain	9/5	Week 2-3
Zack Moss	RB	IND	Forearm Fracture (surgery)	7/31	Week 2-3
Devon Achane	RB	MIA	AC Sprain	8/19	Week 2
Kendre Miller	RB	NO	Hamstring Sprain	8/31	Week 2-3
Diontae Johnson	WR	PIT	Hamstring Sprain	Week 1	Week 3-5
Travis Kelce	TE	KC	Bone Bruise	9/5	Week 2-3
Jakobi Meyers	WR	LV	Concussion	Week 1	Week 2-3
Pat Freiermuth	TE	PIT	Chest/Ribs	Week 1	Week 2-3
Greg Dulcich	TE	DEN	Leg/Hamstring	Week 1	Week 3-5
Aaron Jones	RB	GP	Leg/Hamstring	Week 1	Week 2-3