Welcome to the dreaded injury report. Professional football is a violent game, and your fantasy players are going to miss time because of it. Hopefully, you don’t have many names on this list.
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Devin Singletary (RB – BUF)
The Devin Singletary takeover is all but complete, except for the hiccup presented by Singletary’s hamstring strain. The way he limped off the field late in the Bills’ win over the Giants suggests this is a multi-week injury. If Singletary can’t go, Frank Gore would see the majority of the snaps with T.J. Yeldon mixing in a whole lot more than he has been.
David Johnson (RB – ARI)
Early in the first half, David Johnson left the game after landing on his wrist. He missed a few series but ultimately returned. He claims he is good to go. I am inclined to believe him. Chase Edmonds would be in for a three-down role if DJ had to miss any time.
Ben Roethlisberger (QB – PIT)
It was a concerning sight to see Ben Roethlisberger shake out his arm after a couple of first-half throws. He will undergo tests and it is entirely possible he is looking at an extended absence. The Steelers’ offense has looked terrible in the post-Antonio Brown era. Mason Rudolph is a competent backup and has starter potential, but he’s not Big Ben. All Steelers take a hit if Roethlisberger misses time.
James Conner (RB – PIT)
Sometime in the second half of the Steelers’ failed comeback against the Seahawks, James Conner hurt his knee and did not return. We have no details on the nature of his injury yet. If Conner misses time, Jaylen Samuels would become a three-down back and is an immediate RB2 at worst.
Michael Gallup (WR – DAL)
I didn’t see an injury in-game, but Michael Gallup was scheduled to have an MRI on his knee. This seems precautionary, but it is something to monitor throughout the week. There is no pickup if Gallup can’t go. Randall Cobb will likely see an increase in targets.
Drew Brees (QB – NO)
After following through on a pass attempt, Drew Brees’ hand collided with a defender’s hand, jamming Brees’ thumb. Brees had his thumb wrapped, and he was seen trying to flex his hand on the sideline. He tried to return, but when he went to pick up a ball, it instantly fell to the ground. Given Brees’ inability to grip a football and the nature of the injury, it sure looks like a torn UCL is possible, which would end Brees’ season. Teddy Bridgewater is one of the more capable backups in the league, but this Saints offense runs on Brees. If his season is over, it’s a significant downgrade for Michael Thomas and Jared Cook. It certainly hurts Alvin Kamara as well, but not as much as the receivers.
Tre’Quan Smith (WR – NO)
Late in the Saints’ loss to the Rams, Tre’Quan Smith had his leg rolled up on after a downfield reception. He was on the ground for a bit before exiting the field. Smith was nowhere near fantasy-relevant so whether he plays next week has no impact on any moves you should make.
Tyler Higbee (TE – LAR)
The Rams’ “other” tight end sustained a chest injury on Sunday. If Tyler Higbee is out, it would elevate Gerald Everett to someone to consider in 2TE formats.
Damien Williams and LeSean McCoy (RBs – KC)
Both of the Chiefs’ main running backs left with late-game injuries. Damien Williams has what is being reported as a right knee contusion. If it is merely a bruise, I would expect him to be limited in practice, but ultimately play. Williams was seen laughing on the sidelines with his teammates so it is reasonable to presume his failure to return was more a product of the score than his injury.
LeSean McCoy has an ankle sprain of an unknown variety. Ankle sprains are much trickier. If either Williams or McCoy sits, Darwin Thompson is back on the fantasy radar as the second guy in the timeshare. He was dropped in many leagues after the Chiefs signed McCoy and is a necessary add unless we’re sure that both “starters” are good to go.
The Entire Philadelphia Eagles Offense
What a disastrous night for the Eagles. First, Dallas Goedert departed with a calf injury. Then, Alshon Jeffery left with a calf injury of his own. Then, DeSean Jackson exited with a groin injury. Then, Carson Wentz was checked for a concussion. Nelson Agholor was also checked for a concussion. Both Wentz and Agholor returned. Goedert, Jeffery, and Jackson did not. Given that these injuries were Sunday night, we don’t yet have any information on their outlooks. Agholor, Mack Hollins, and JJ Arcega-Whiteside were the Eagles’ pass catchers in three-receiver sets. Zach Ertz would become a target magnet if Jeffery or Jackson don’t return.
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Jason Katz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive, follow him @jasonkatz13.