The Training Room: Week 6 Injury Recap
Justin Fields, QB Chicago Bears
Injury: Right Thumb Dislocation
Projected Timetable: Week 7-TBD
Initial Thoughts:
Another week, another high-end fantasy quarterback down with an injury. Justin Fields suffered a thumb dislocation that likely came with ligament damage. He attempted to return to the field but had trouble gripping the ball. His return depends on pain levels and function, in particular holding on to the ball. The most important variable is obviously his ability to throw accurately, as well. If mild, he could play next week with a splint or taped up, but if more serious then this will likely be a multi-week absence. Stay tuned.
Josh Allen, QB Buffalo Bills
Injury: Right Shoulder
Projected Timetable: Week 7
Initial Thoughts:
After Sunday night, Josh Allen stated he had X-rays done on his throwing shoulder to determine the extent of the injury. He suffered the injury in the second quarter but was able to keep playing through it. It is likely an AC sprain, but if it is mild then it should not keep him from playing. There is a risk that intermediate to deep throws will be less accurate for a few weeks.
Ryan Tannehill, QB Tennessee Titans
Injury: Right Ankle
Projected Timetable: TBD
Initial Thoughts:
The reason that I will not be putting a firm projected timetable on his return is that this is very concerning considering the variables. Ryan Tannehill had suffered a significant right high ankle sprain last year that led to a Tightrope procedure. He appeared to have suffered a re-injury to the same ankle and in a mechanism of another high ankle sprain. The hope is that this is a mild sprain for him, but at worst this incident could have impacted his prior repair, which would require a second surgery. He is likely undergoing extensive diagnostic testing to determine the extent of his injury. I think we need to be concerned about our Titans fantasy producers for the time being, but this may be the injury to send them into a full rebuild and to trade DeAndre Hopkins and Derrick Henry as the trade deadline approaches. Consider acquiring Tyjae Spears while you can, because if Henry is traded then he could get a gigantic boost.
Baker Mayfield, QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Injury: Left Hand
Projected Timetable: Week 7-8
Initial Thoughts:
Baker Mayfield suffered a left-hand injury after taking a helmet to it, though X-rays were negative. He is likely dealing with a bruise, which should not limit his ability to play. Plan for him to play next week.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB Las Vegas Raiders
Injury: Back Injury
Projected Timetable: Week 8-10
Initial Thoughts:
He was in obvious pain after taking a hard hit and was unable to return to the game. In fact, Jimmy Garoppolo was taken in an ambulance to a local hospital, likely for screening for any visceral injuries such as his spleen or kidney, likely precautionary. If this is a disc injury, it could be a multi-week absence.
David Montgomery, RB Detroit Lions
Injury: Left Rib(s)
Projected Timetable: Week 7-10
Initial Thoughts:
His return to play is all dependent on his level of pain and bruising. X-rays came back negative, so we know there is no fracture. One variable that cannot be predicted is that if his pain persists, the Lions could be conservative with David Montgomery and keep him out until their Week 9 bye, leading to a Week 10 return. One to monitor.
Christian McCaffrey, RB San Francisco 49ers
Injury: Right Rib, Oblique
Projected Timetable: Week 7-8
Initial Thoughts:
While the injury knocked Christian McCaffrey out of the game, he was notably moving quickly, jumping up and down, and twisting trying to work it out. The challenge for us is that the 49ers play on Monday night, so hopefully we hear about his status by Saturday or Sunday for Week 7. Otherwise, we will have to guess on his availability. I will not be surprised if he is able to suit up.
Kyren Williams, RB Los Angeles Rams
Injury: Ankle Sprain
Projected Timetable: Week 7-8
Initial Thoughts:
Williams was able to finish the game so I do not think that this injury will keep him out. He has been able to sustain a massive workload so hopefully, he does not start to break down. Monitor his status throughout the week in practice.
Deebo Samuel, WR San Francisco 49ers
Injury: Shoulder Sprain
Projected Timetable: Week 8-10
Initial Thoughts:
Deebo Samuel suffered an AC sprain after landing hard on his side and was ruled out. Given the fact that he was not able to return paired with his playstyle, I do believe he will miss one game, with the risk of missing two due to the 49ers bye in Week 9. Monitor his status.
Garrett Wilson, WR New York Jets
Injury: Right Ankle
Projected Timetable: Week 8
Initial Thoughts:
Garrett Wilson suffered an ankle sprain after rolling it into inversion, a common mechanism for low ankle sprain. He was able to play through it for the majority of the game but wound up suffering a slight tweak late in the game. Robert Saleh stated that he could have returned but the game was under control by that time. The Jets bye comes at a great time for him to heal up.
Tyreek Hill, WR Miami Dolphins
Injury: Left Hamstring/Cramping
Projected Timetable: Week 7
Initial Thoughts:
I do not think we need to be concerned about this, as Tyreek Hill was listed with cramping and was able to return to the game and play the remainder of snaps. Low concern.
DK Metcalf, WR Seattle Seahawks
Injury: Hip
Projected Timetable: Week 7
Initial Thoughts:
He is now working through a hip injury and a rib injury, though the rib injury is likely mostly behind DK Metcalf after getting rest during the bye week. He was able to return to the game and make several plays so I do not think the hip injury will keep him from suiting up, but monitor his status closely.
Laviska Shenault, WR Carolina Panthers
Injury: Ankle Injury
Projected Timetable: Week 9-11
Initial Thoughts:
Shenault was ruled out quickly, and listed with a Fibula injury. X-rays were negative but this is likely a high ankle sprain that will keep him out for several weeks.
Joshua Palmer, WR Los Angeles Chargers
Injury: Groin Strain
Projected Timetable: Week 7
Initial Thoughts:
Of note, Palmer was a late addition to the injury report on Sunday. I do not believe he will suit up for Monday night football, so plan to have another option for the game.
| Player | Position | Team | Injury | Week of Injury | Projected Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Herbert | QB | LAC | Left Finger | Week 4 | Week 6 |
| Saquon Barkley | RB | NYG | Ankle sprain | Week 2 | Week 6 |
| Daniel Jones | QB | NYG | Neck | Week 5 | Week 7-TBD |
| Justin Fields | QB | CHI | Right Thumb Dislocation | Week 6 | Week 9-10 |
| Anthony Richardson | QB | IND | Right AC Sprain | Week 5 | Week 12-Season Ending |
| James Conner | RB | ARI | Knee | Week 5 | Week 11 |
| Josh Allen | QB | BUF | Right Shoulder | Week 6 | Week 7 |
| De'Von Achane | RB | MIA | Ankle | Week 5 | Week 11 |
| Khalil Herbert | RB | CHI | Right High Ankle | Week 5 | Week 10 |
| Roschon Johnson | RB | CHI | Concussion | Week 5 | Week 7 |
| DK Metcalf | WR | SEA | Hip | Week 6 | Week 7 |
| Justin Jefferson | WR | MIN | Right Hamstring | Week 5 | Week 10-12 |
| Ryan Tannehill | QB | TEN | Right Ankle | Week 6 | Week 9-12 |
| Diontae Johnson | WR | PIT | Hamstring strain | Week 1 | Week 7 |
| Pat Freiermuth | TE | PIT | Right Hamstring | Week 4 | Week 7-8 |
| Baker Mayfield | QB | TB | Left Hand | Week 6 | Week 7 |
| Zay Jones | WR | JAC | Knee | Week 5 | Week 7 |
| Tank Dell | WR | HOU | Concussion | Week 5 | Week 8 |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | QB | LV | Back | Week 6 | Week 8-10 |
| Deshaun Watson | QB | CLE | Right Shoulder | Week 3 | Week 8-10 |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB | SF | Oblique, Rib | Week 6 | Week 7-8 |
| Deebo Samuel | WR | SF | Shoulder | Week 6 | Week 8-10 |
| Garrett Wilson | WR | NYJ | Right Ankle | Week 6 | Week 7 |
| Kyren Williams | RB | LAR | Ankle | Week 6 | Week 7 |
| Joshua Palmer | WR | LAC | Groin | Week 6 | Week 7-8 |
