Jimmy Garappolo’s injury has the Patriots down to their third-string QB
Watching the Week 2 games was kind of like watching Suicide Squad: days of pent-up excitement slowly gave way to crippling depression and regret. But unlike Suicide Squad, you have a chance to mitigate the damage somewhat. Let’s take a look at who’s okay, who might be okay, who’s going to miss some time, and who you should target as a replacement.
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Quarterbacks
Josh McCown (CLE): AC sprain in non-throwing shoulder
This has not been a great year for non-throwing shoulders in Cleveland. The Browns briefly looked like they had some semblance of an offense with McCown, and we can’t have that, can we? The football gods threw a thunderbolt at McCown’s left arm, but he managed to finish the game. He’ll miss some time, but he won’t like it.
Next up: Cody Kessler
If you’re seriously considering the Browns’ third-string quarterback, you might be better served leaving that roster spot empty to protest shoulder injustice in Cleveland. The football gods work in mysterious ways, and could reward your sacrifice with karma points for the rest of your team.
Jimmy Garoppolo (NE): AC sprain in throwing shoulder
The Patriots play Houston on Thursday this week, so it would be very surprising to see Garoppolo suit up after not being able to finish the game on Sunday. It’s a shame since he already had 234 yards and three touchdowns when he left in the second quarter. There’s a decent chance we won’t see him again this season since Tom Brady will be back by the time Jimmy is 100% again.
Next up: Jacoby Brissett
The Patriots haven’t been affected by injuries ever since Bill Belichick presumably made some sort of unholy pact with The Anti-Monitor. Conventional wisdom would say you don’t start third-string quarterbacks against Houston’s defense, but the Patriots will probably make it work somehow. Take a shot if you’re desperate.
Running Backs
Adrian Peterson (MIN): Torn meniscus
It was thought Peterson might have a torn ACL but apparently his knee “calmed down,” whatever that means. It’s a torn meniscus, and he’ll probably miss a few weeks at least.
Next up: Jerick McKinnon, Matt Asiata
Those of us who drafted Peterson in 2014 and handcuffed McKinnon to him remember how this went down. McKinnon looked like the clearly better player, but the Vikings repeatedly gave Asiata the ball for some reason. This could be the infuriating sequel, as Asiata got seven touches to McKinnon’s three. It was somewhat excusable in 2014 since McKinnon was a rookie and played quarterback in college. That’s no longer the case, but early returns say the Vikings’ opinion of him hasn’t changed. Target McKinnon if you think the Vikings will be rational, Asiata if you think they won’t, or avoid the situation entirely and sleep like a baby.
Doug Martin (TB): Hamstring strain
Martin’s injury was given the dreaded “tweak” label, meaning Martin owners have some nervous game-time decisions in their future. I know my favorite part of fantasy football is analyzing pre-game warmups like the Zapruder film.
Next up: Charles Sims
Unlike most of the other teams on this list, the Bucs have a clear backup in place. Sims has RB1 potential as long as Martin is out. Let’s hope Minnesota’s coaching staff doesn’t spend all week in Tampa convincing Dirk Koetter to give Errict Rhett most of the carries.
Jonathan Stewart (CAR): Hamstring strain
Stewart’s going to miss time because that’s what Stewart does. And if you thought Minnesota’s backfield was a quagmire, this one’s really going to blow your mind.
Next up: Fozzy Whittaker, Mike Tolbert, Cameron Artis-Payne
That’s right; three guys will compete for Stewart’s touches. On Sunday, Whittaker got 19 touches to Tolbert’s nine while Artis-Payne was inactive. Whittaker looks to be the top waiver wire target of the group, but there’s no way of knowing what will happen until all three are active together. Make Fozzy the priority, but Tolbert and Artis-Payne could be worth a look if you’re trying to recover from RB Armageddon.
Thomas Rawls (SEA): Leg bruise
The good news is this injury isn’t related to Rawls’s formerly broken ankle. The bad news is Seattle’s offensive line is getting pushed around like DJ Qualls in a sumo wrestling match. This entire backfield could be a stay-away until one of them proves he belongs in your lineup.
Next up: Christine Michael
Michael continued to show good burst that allowed him to escape the backfield before the Rams crushed him. Unfortunately, his biggest contribution was losing a fumble when Seattle was driving for the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. Again, these guys just don’t look trustworthy right now. Seattle running back owners will have some soul-searching to do before Sunday’s game against San Francisco.
Arian Foster (MIA): Groin strain
If you had Week 2 in the Arian Foster Soft Tissue Injury Office Pool, collect your winnings. We’ve all seen this song and dance before. You’ll probably need a backup plan for at least a week or two.
Next up: Jay Ajayi, Kenyan Drake
Ajayi is the one you want, seeing as he’s not a rookie and got more touches than Drake once Foster left. Granted, the Dolphins were behind most of the game, so that may not have been an indication of what will happen going forward. Ajayi was the starter before Foster came to town, though, so he should get that job back for now.
Danny Woodhead (SD): Torn ACL
First Keenan Allen, now Woodhead. He’s obviously out for the year.
Next up: N/A
Branden Oliver might have gotten some run, but he tore his Achilles tendon in the preseason. It’s Melvin Gordon or bust now.
Ameer Abdullah (DET): Possible foot sprain
He’s headed to North Carolina to see a specialist. We’ll have to wait and see what the damage is.
Next up: N/A
Theo Riddick already saw more touches than Abdullah, so he’s not exactly a replacement. Dwayne Washington could see more action, but Riddick is the primary beneficiary for now.
Wide Receivers
Brandon Marshall (NYJ): MCL sprain
Marshall owners dodged a bullet on Thursday. That injury looked way, way worse than it apparently was. He returned to the game and should be ready for Week 3.
Next up: N/A
Maybe Quincy Enunwa gets more targets if Marshall sits, but that probably won’t happen.
Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett (SEA): Undisclosed knee injuries
Both missed some time but were able to return later in the game. An MRI awaits both of them.
Next up: Jermaine Kearse, Paul Richardson
Nothing to see here until things improve in Seattle.
Donte Moncrief (IND): Undisclosed shoulder injury
He’s scheduled for an MRI. Again, we’ll have to wait for the results.
Next up: Phillip Dorsett
He’s a T.Y. Hilton clone, so it’s possible another receiver could get the nod if Moncrief misses time. Dorsett would be the favorite, though.
Reexaminations
Quarterbacks
Russell Wilson (SEA)
Wilson played but wasn’t himself. He may not be 100% until after Seattle’s bye in Week 5.
Tony Romo (DAL)
Romo threw some warmup passes, but he’s still out until the second half of the season.
Running Backs
Jamaal Charles (KC)
Charles could make his debut in Week 3.
Chris Ivory (JAX)
Ivory didn’t play in Week 2. He could debut in Week 3.
Wide Receivers
Sammy Watkins (BUF)
Watkins played but didn’t do much in Week 2. Bills coach Rex Ryan thinks he’ll suit up in Week 3.
Demaryius Thomas (DEN)
Thomas seemed fine against the Colts. He caught five passes for 90 yards.
Tight Ends
Rob Gronkowski (NE)
You know the drill by now. Check the Thursday inactives and start him if he plays.
Zach Ertz (PHI)
Ertz didn’t will not play Monday night as he recovers from a displaced rib.
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Derek Norton is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Derek, visit his archive or follow him on Twitter @mdereknorton.
