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.
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New Injuries
Calvin Ridley (WR – ATL)
On Thursday night, Calvin Ridley hurt his ankle and missed a large portion of the game. Tests were all negative and there’s optimism he could return as soon as next week. Be sure to monitor practice reports throughout the week. Even if Ridley doesn’t play, it does not appear that any absence will be overly lengthy.
Fantasy Value Impact: Julio Jones ⬆️
Darrell Henderson (RB – LAR)
The Rams backfield has been extremely frustrating this season, but last week was not Sean McVay just playing games – Darrell Henderson took a shot to the thigh and was unable to continue. Malcolm Brown led a committee with Cam Akers after Henderson was ruled out, but neither was particularly effective as the Rams are not good on the road. Henderson’s injury looks like a bruise, which means he’s very likely to return following the bye.
Fantasy Value Impact: N/A
Kenny Golladay (WR – DET)
After missing the first two weeks of the season with a lingering hamstring injury, Kenny Golladay has been mostly healthy. Unfortunately, Golladay sustained a hip injury in the Lions’ loss to the Colts. I imagine the Lions will be cautious with Golladay, but he’s by no means a lock to miss this week’s game. If Golladay can’t go, Marvin Jones will once again be thrust into the WR1 role, which does not suit him well. T.J. Hockenson could also take on an increased role.
Fantasy Value Impact: T.J. Hockenson ⬆️, Marvin Jones ⬆️, Matthew Stafford ⬇️
T.Y. Hilton (WR – IND)
The most recent ailment to befall T.Y. Hilton is a groin injury. Given his history of soft tissue injuries and the lingering nature of groin strains, expect Hilton to miss a couple of weeks. Hilton was barely a WR4 before the injuries and looks pretty much cooked. He can be let go if you don’t have the ability to hang onto him.
Fantasy Value Impact: Michael Pittman ⬆️
Tevin Coleman (RB – SF)
It was a short-lived return to action after missing over a month with a knee injury for Tevin Coleman who suffered yet another knee injury. I really don’t care how serious it is. Jerick McKinnon looks fine and they like JaMycal Hasty. Raheem Mostert will be back in a couple of weeks. You can drop Coleman if you picked him up.
Fantasy Value Impact: N/A
George Kittle (TE – SF)
With the 49ers trailing by such a large amount, it is unclear whether George Kittle was held out of the end of the game due to the score or his injury. He limped off after a nice sideline grab, but it didn’t look too serious. Ross Dwelley played in place of Kittle and caught a touchdown from Nick Mullens, but he’s not a fantasy option if Kittle is out.
Fantasy Value Impact: Jimmy Garoppolo ⬇️
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF)
For the second time in three weeks, Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t make it through the entire game. After a dominant win over the Patriots, Garoppolo responded with a clunker in Seattle. He apparently tweaked his ankle, but I surmise that was just an excuse for a legitimate benching. I think Jimmy G plays next week, but if he doesn’t, Nick Mullens is a clear downgrade for the offense.
Fantasy Value Impact: Brandon Aiyuk ⬇️, George Kittle ⬇️, Nick Mullens ⬆️
Injury Updates
Devonta Freeman (RB – NYG)
With the Giants playing Monday night after this is published, I don’t have the benefit of knowing how the Giants backfield played out. Devonta Freeman was ruled out due to an ankle injury and it is presumed that Wayne Gallman will pick up most of the slack. Even if Freeman returns next week, he’s not a recommended play against the Football Team’s strong front four.
Estimated Return Time: 1-2 weeks
Course of Action: Hold/Drop
Deebo Samuel (WR – SF)
Kyle Shanahan expected Deebo Samuel to miss two or three games so he’s not to play this week. Brandon Aiyuk will be a potential target hog if George Kittle can’t play either.
Estimated Return Time: 1-2 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
Chris Carson (RB – SEA)
The best running back on the Seahawks was very close to playing last week so I tentatively expect Chris Carson back this week. DeeJay Dallas led the backfield in touches but wasn’t particularly effective. Carson will return to his usual role when he’s ready, which should be this week.
Estimated Return Time: This week
Course of Action: Return to starting lineup
Kenyan Drake (RB – ARI)
With the Cardinals on a bye last week, we have no actionable news on Kenyan Drake. He does not appear likely to play this week, which should allow Chase Edmonds a chance to secure the primary back role.
Estimated Return Time: 2-4 weeks
Course of Action: Hold/Trade if you can get anything of value
Sammy Watkins (WR – KC)
Sammy Watkins missed another game last week with his hamstring strain. It doesn’t matter. Mecole Hardman is better than him. Byron Pringle is, too. Watkins is not fantasy relevant.
Estimated Return Time: 1-2 weeks
Course of Action: Drop
Austin Ekeler (RB – LAC)
It’s the status quo for Austin Ekeler. He is not close to returning and if the Chargers keep losing, there won’t ever be a reason for him to return. Troymane Pope appeared to jump Joshua Kelley in the pecking order, but he got hurt as well. Justin Jackson remains the primary back.
Estimated Return Time: 3-4 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
Nick Chubb (RB – CLE)
Similar to Ekeler, Nick Chubb also does not appear close to returning. He’s eligible to come off I.R. any week now, but it’s not going to happen just yet. Kareem Hunt remains an every-week RB1 and there’s no guarantee that changes upon Chubb’s eventual return.
Estimated Return Time: 2-3 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
Christian McCaffrey (RB – CAR)
With the Panthers coming off an extended rest due to having a Thursday night game, Christian McCaffrey is expected to return from his high ankle sprain this week. The good news is the team gave him more time to recover than most teams do with high ankle sprains. The bad news is it’s still a high ankle sprain, which won’t truly be 100% for another few months. Obviously, if CMC returns, you put him right back in your lineup.
Estimated Return Time: This week
Course of Action: Return to starting lineup
Joe Mixon (RB – CLE)
With the Bengals on bye this week, Joe Mixon is expected to return in Week 10. He will resume his role as the primary back, but Giovani Bernard’s performance likely garnered him some more usage, which was already frustrating for Mixon managers.
Estimated Return Time: Week 10
Course of Action: Hold/Trade if you can get near full value
Miles Sanders (RB – PHI)
Just like Mixon, Miles Sanders was held out last week so he could rest through the bye. He will be back Week 10 and will resume his role as the primary back, sending Boston Scott to the bench.
Estimated Return Time: Week 10
Course of Action: Hold
Mark Ingram (RB – BAL)
I think Mark Ingram has a high ankle sprain and he is not close to returning, but the Ravens are keeping this information close to the vest. J.K. Dobbins is exponentially better than Ingram and Gus Edwards is better than him as well. The Ravens have no use for Ingram and shouldn’t even bother activating him upon his return, but they probably will. Either way, Dobbins and Edwards’ play have surely earned them more work. Ingram has no fantasy value.
Estimated Return Time: 2-4 weeks.
Course of Action: Drop
Raheem Mostert (RB – SF)
Raheem Mostert it out at least two more weeks on IR. As soon as he’s healthy, there is a 100% chance he is restored to his primary back role. Until then, it will be Jerick McKinnon and JaMycal Hasty splitting the work.
Estimated Return Time: 2-4 weeks.
Course of Action: Hold or trade for if you’re locked into the playoffs
Andy Dalton (QB – DAL)
After Ben DiNucci put on one of the worst quarterbacking displays you will ever see, there is zero doubt that Andy Dalton will start as soon as he can. Mike McCarthy said Dalton was doing much better on Sunday, which is promising for his odds of suiting up in Week 9. Dalton was awful against the Cardinals, but he can’t possibly be worse than DiNucci. Expect Dalton to return to action this week in a brutal matchup against a familiar foe in the Steelers.
Estimated Return Time: This week
Course of Action: Leave on waivers
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Jason Katz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive or follow him @jasonkatz13.
