The 2020 injury report has been upgraded to include some new features. In addition to covering all of the fantasy-relevant injuries, I will update you on the previous weeks’ injuries. Also, I’ll explain the nature of the injury (if known), provide information on the expected length of each player’s absence, and offer an assessment of the impact on the injured player’s teammates.
With that, I welcome you to the revamped injury report. Football is a violent game, and, unfortunately, players are going to miss time due to injuries. I promise you I don’t want to be here just as much as you don’t, but this is a necessary evil in this game that we love. As always, I hope this list is as short as possible.
Special Week 2 Note: This is by far the worst week for injuries I can remember by every measure: quantity, severity, and caliber of player.
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New Injuries
C.J. Uzomah (TE – CIN)
The Bengals starting TE was well on his way to a nice game, having already scored a touchdown when he tore his Achilles. Drew Sample took over and racked up receptions, but he looked incredibly slow. He could have PPR value at a weak position.
Fantasy Value Impact: Drew Sample ?
Cam Akers (RB – LAR) and Malcolm Brown (RB – LAR)
The Rams’ rookie running back came down hard on his ribs on an early carry and immediately hobbled off the field in pain. It’s being reported as a rib injury of currently unknown severity. But by the looks of it and how quickly he was ruled out, I would not expect him to play next week. Darrell Henderson was better than Malcolm Brown on Sunday, but the two will form a committee while Akers is out. That is assuming Brown can play next week, as he also was unable to complete this game due to a finger injury. Henderson will not be a three-down back even if Akers and Brown are out, and the Rams are going to sign someone. Whoever ends up behind Henderson is worth a pickup if both Akers and Brown are out.
Fantasy Value Impact: Darrell Henderson ???
Parris Campbell (WR – IND)
On an early carry, Parris Campbell hurt his knee, and the cart was immediately called out for him. Campbell could be done for the season with a torn ACL. If he misses time, Michael Pittman will take on a bigger role, and Zach Pascal will be on the field in three-receiver sets.
Fantasy Value Impact: Michael Pittman ?, Philip Rivers ?
Drew Lock (QB – DEN)
The starting quarterback for the Broncos injured his right shoulder in the team’s narrow loss to the Steelers. Drew Lock will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of his injury, but he’s going to miss games. Jeff Driskel took over and was mildly competent. I don’t think this offense takes any substantial hit going from Lock to Driskel.
Fantasy Value Impact: N/A
Saquon Barkley (RB – NYG)
Those hoping for a bounce-back week from Saquon Barkley were given something even worse when Barkley presumably tore his ACL in the Giants’ loss to the Bears. With Wayne Gallman inactive, Dion Lewis was forced to play 100 percent of the running back snaps. He will be the primary add, but it’s worth noting that Lewis was highly ineffective after taking over. But in fantasy, volume is king.
Fantasy Value Impact: Dion Lewis ??, Wayne Gallman ?
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF)
Early in the 49ers’ rout of the Jets, Jimmy Garoppolo sprained his ankle. He managed to play through it for a half, but he was noticeably hobbled. He was replaced by Nick Mullens after halftime and ruled out for the game. It was later reported that Jimmy G has a high ankle sprain. A quarterback can play through that more than a wide receiver or running back, but Garoppolo is not going to play next week. Mullens is an obvious downgrade for the entire offense.
Fantasy Value Impact: Entire 49ers offense ??
Raheem Mostert (RB – SF) and Tevin Coleman (RB – SF)
After opening the game with an 80-yard touchdown run, Raheem Mostert was on his way to another big game until it was cut short due to what’s likely a sprained MCL. If it’s true, then there’s no chance he that plays next week, as MCL sprains are typically 4-6 week injuries. If it’s very minor, he could only miss two. Tevin Coleman was the primary back following Mostert’s exit, confirming that his minimal usage in Week 1 was undoubtedly due to the air quality. Jerick McKinnon also had a significant role, particularly on passing downs, and he looked as good as he ever has. Both backs are fantasy-viable for as long as Mostert is out, and there’s no guarantee that he comes back to the same role if Coleman and McKinnon perform well. I didn’t notice this on my first watch, but apparently, Coleman also exited late with a knee injury. The 49ers will almost certainly sign someone this week if both Mostert and Coleman are out, but Jerick McKinnon is setup to absolutely smash if he is, in fact, the last man standing.
Fantasy Value Impact: Raheem Mostert ??, Jerick McKinnon ???
Sterling Shepard (WR – NYG)
Late in the Giants’ loss to the Bears, Sterling Shepard limped off and was shown having his toe looked at on the sidelines. The severity of the injury is unknown. If Shepard can’t play, it would be a slight bump to the Giants’ other three passing options.
Fantasy Value Impact: Darius Slayton ?, Evan Engram ?, Golden Tate ?
Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN)
The good news is Courtland Sutton’s injured shoulder was fine on Sunday, and he came into the game no worse for wear. The bad news is he experienced a knee/leg issue late in the game and did not return. If I had to guess, Sutton will play next week, but it’s not great that Sutton he’s already dealing with multiple ailments two weeks into the season. We saw what the Broncos offense looks like without Sutton in Week 1, so it would be more of that.
Fantasy Value Impact: Noah Fant ?, Jerry Jeudy ?
Breshad Perriman (WR – NYJ)
The Jets were already without their top two receivers, and they lost their third on Sunday when Breshad Perriman exited due to a knee injury. Whether Perriman plays or not doesn’t matter; the Jets’ offense is a dumpster fire, and you want no part of it.
Fantasy Value Impact: N/A
Julio Jones (WR – ATL)
Seemingly always banged-up, Julio Jones actually was forced out of the Falcons perplexing loss to the Cowboys with what looked like an aggravation of his hamstring injury. Knowing Julio, he’ll play next week, but Matt Ryan did all of his damage on Sunday by throwing to Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage, and Hayden Hurst. Nevertheless, Julio’s absence is a downgrade for the Falcons’ offense, but an upgrade for the other pass-catchers.
Fantasy Value Impact: Calvin Ridley ?, Russell Gage ?, Hayden Hurst ?
Davante Adams (WR – GB)
Another one of the most talented wide receivers in the NFL went down on Sunday. Davante Adams strained his hamstring late in the Packers’ win over the Lions. Hamstring injuries are tricky, but they’re not something Adams has dealt with in the past. Regardless, monitor practice reports this week to see Adams’ status. If he can’t go, the Packers might deploy a wide receiver corps that rivals the Jets in futility. Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling would start, and they’d probably use their tight ends as receivers more.
Fantasy Value Impact: Aaron Rodgers 1D, Allen Lazard ?, Marquez Valdes-Scantling ?
Christian McCaffrey (RB – CAR)
Christian McCaffrey has never missed a game in his career, but that’s firmly in doubt after he hurt his ankle bad enough to not be on the field for the Panthers’ most important drives of the game. If McCaffrey avoided a serious ankle sprain, he’ll likely play next week. If he can’t go, Mike Davis will start and certainly is worth rostering.
Fantasy Value Impact: Mike Davis ??
Will Fuller (WR – HOU)
Another year, another Will Fuller injury. The least surprising name on this list left early in the first quarter with a hamstring strain. Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb were the primary receivers with Fuller out. I still like Fuller whenever he’s healthy, but that’s not very often. I would expect Fuller to miss at least a week. There’s no move to be made here.
Fantasy Value Impact: Brandin Cooks ?, Randall Cobb ?
Tyrod Taylor (QB – LAC)
Justin Herbert started for the Chargers to the surprise of everyone, and no one knew why. It turns out Tyrod Taylor wasn’t benched, but he apparently sustained a chest injury sometime in practice. Taylor was horrendous in Week 1 and was probably on his way out regardless. Herbert looked way better than Taylor, and despite Anthony Lynn’s statement that if Taylor is healthy, he’s the starter, I don’t see how it’s not Herbert the rest of the way.
Fantasy Value Impact: Entire Chargers Offense ??
Injury Updates
Kenny Golladay (WR – DET)
That’s two weeks missed for Kenny Golladay due to his hamstring strain, and he didn’t appear particularly close to playing this week. The Lions desperately need him back, but they need to think long term here.
Estimated Return Time: 2-3 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
George Kittle (TE – SF)
A knee bruise cost George Kittle Week 2, but the 49ers held their own with Jordan Reed throwing it back to 2015. Kittle expects to return this week, but I’m not so sure. Regardless, this isn’t a long term concern.
Estimated Return Time: 1-2 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
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Jason Katz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive or follow him @jasonkatz13.
