Fantasy Football Week 3 Injury Report: Not Thielen Very Good

Justin Herbert, QB Los Angeles Chargers

Injury: Right High Ankle Sprain reinjury

Projected Timetable: Week 6

Initial Thoughts:

It was slightly surprising that Herbert played, and entering the game he had close to a 30% reinjury risk. Sure enough, he suffered a reinjury of his right high ankle. The key question will be how much more damage and tissue trauma occurred, or was it more so just a painful aggravation of the tissue that was already trying to heal? If the latter, I do believe he will have a decent chance at returning soon. One key variable is that the Chargers have a Week 5 bye, so the smart decision would be to keep him out Week 4, reassess his progress and healing rate during the bye week, and determine if he can return for Week 6. If the reinjury did result in more tissue damage and joint instability, the risk is that he may require a tightrope procedure to stabilize his ankle. However, I currently lean towards him resting for the next two weeks with a decent chance to return after their bye. Update: sounds like he is pushing to play week 4, but hopefully the team lets him rest to avoid further reinjury risk.

Skylar Thompson, QB Miami Dolphins

Injury: Rib Sprain

Projected Timetable: TBD

Initial Thoughts:

The only information released is that he suffered a rib injury, with no known information on whether there are any fractures or if it is rib cartilage damage. Miami has a Week 6 bye so there is a risk of him missing until Week 7, however, I do believe Miami strongly considers installing Tyler Huntley at quarterback. Thompson struggled to move the ball and took a ton of hits leading to his injury.

Sam Darnold, QB Minnesota Vikings

Injury: Left MCL Sprain

Projected Timetable: Week 4

Initial Thoughts:

Thankfully his injury seemed minor and he was able to return to the game with only a slight limp. His knee likely swells and is painful after the game. He is set to undergo an MRI on Monday to determine extent of damage, so I will be monitoring his status. Leaning towards this being a minor sprain with a decent chance to play week 4.

Alvin Kamara, RB New Orleans Saints

Injury: Rib, Hip Pointer

Projected Timetable: Day to Day, Week 4

Initial Thoughts:

Early reports indicate this is more of a pain tolerance ordeal, which fits a typical timeline of a hip pointer and mild rib bruising. My educated guess is that his DNP on Wednesday is more of a veteran rest type of day and he likely returns to practice on Thursday. I anticipate him playing week 4 with minimal reinjury risk.

Jaylen Warren, RB Pittsburgh Steelers

Injury: Knee Sprain

Projected Timetable: Week to Week

Initial Thoughts:

Warren was pulled from the game in the second half due to injury and told media after the game that he is set to undergo an MRI on his knee. Monitor for updates, but hopefully this is nothing major. Plan on him missing week 4, with potential to return week 5.

Justin Jefferson, WR Minnesota Vikings

Injury: Finger

Projected Timetable: Week 4

Initial Thoughts:

He reportedly got X-rays on his finger, which were negative, and told the media that he is fine for next week. Likely a minor sprain which should not hinder his ability to play as long as he can get the swelling down and maintain full range.

DeVonta Smith, WR Philadelphia Eagles

Injury: Concussion

Projected Timetable: Week 4-5

Initial Thoughts:

The majority of wide receivers miss 0.6 games due to concussion, but his return is fully dependent on his ability to progress through each stage in the concussion protocol. The Eagles play next Sunday, so he has the full 6 days available to get cleared by Saturday. Monitor his progress.

DJ Moore, WR Chicago Bears

Injury: Left MCL Sprain concern

Projected Timetable: Week 4

Initial Thoughts:

By video, he was lucky that his momentum carried his body forward and his cleat did not stick into the ground as the defender hit his knee inwards into the valgus, a typical sprain mechanism for the MCL. He missed one snap and then returned after a timeout without appearing to be limping or favoring his knee. I like his ability to play Week 4, but we will need to rely on his practice participation to determine his status. It seems minor and lucky to avoid a worse injury.

Tank Dell, WR Houston Texans

Injury: Hand Contusion/Ribs

Projected Timetable: Week 5-6

Initial Thoughts:

Reported as a hand contusion as well as a rib injury. He has already been deemed as unlikely to play week 4, which fits the timeline of average missed time of 1 week for rib injury for wide receivers. Anticipate him out week 4 with a chance to return week 5 or 6.

Adam Thielen, WR Carolina Panthers

Injury: Hamstring Strain

Projected Timetable: Placed on IR, out minimum 4 games

Initial Thoughts:

Wide receivers miss an average of 1.3 games due to hamstring injury, however at his age along with his necessity for an MRI indicates this is closer to a moderate sprain. He has been placed on IR and will miss a minimum of 4 games. This should give him adequate time to heal and return with slight production dip.

Sam LaPorta, TE Detroit Lions

Injury: Right Low Ankle Sprain, Inversion

Projected Timetable: Week 6

Initial Thoughts:

LaPorta's right ankle got pinned underneath a defender and rolled inwards into inversion fairly aggressively, leading to a low inversion ankle sprain. Typically these cost an average of 1.5 games for tight ends, however, this did appear to be closer to a moderate ankle sprain, would could lead to closer to 3-4 weeks depending on pain levels, swelling, and range of motion return. Reinjury becomes a high concern due to the ligament instability from trauma plus Detroit tends to be more conservative in regards to return from injury, so we will see how they approach his injury. Detroit has a bye week 5, so there is a risk that they hold him out until after the bye week.

Trey McBride, TE Arizona Cardinals

Injury: Concussion

Projected Timetable: Week 4-5

Initial Thoughts:

McBride has 6 full days to clear concussion protocol to play in Week 4. Monitor his practice status closely this week.

Injury Tracker 2024

Player	Position	Team	Injury	Week of Injury	Projected Return
A.J. Dillon	RB	GB	Neck, Stinger	IR	Season-Ending
Elijah Mitchell	RB	SF	Hamstring Surgery	IR	Season Ending
J.J. McCarthy	QB	MIN	Right Meniscus Repair	IR	Season Ending
Nick Chubb	RB	CLE	ACLR	PUP	Week 5-7
T.J. Hockenson	TE	MIN	ACLR	PUP	Week 7
Jonathon Brooks	RB	CAR	ACLR	PUP	Week 5-8
Keaton Mitchell	RB	BAL	ACLR	PUP	Week 8-12
Odell Beckham	WR	MIA	Soft Tissue Related	PUP	Week 5-8
Kendrick Bourne	WR	NE	ACLR	PUP	Week 5-8
Kendre Miller	RB	NO	Hamstring	PUP	Week 5-8
Christian McCaffrey	RB	SF	Calf	IR	Week 7-10
Hollywood Brown	WR	KC	Left SC Posterior Sprain	IR	Week 16-18
Jordan Love	QB	GB	Left MCL Sprain	Week 1	Week 4
Kenneth Walker	RB	SEA	Oblique Strain	Week 1	Week 4-5
Jordan Addison	WR	MIN	Right High Ankle Sprain	Week 1	Week 4-6
Keenan Allen	WR	CHI	Heel Bruise reinjury	Week 1	Week 4-5
David Njoku	TE	CLE	Right High Ankle Sprain	Week 1	Week 5-6
Darius Slayton	WR	NYG	Thumb Sprain	Week 3	Week 4-6
Puka Nacua	WR	LAR	Right Knee PCL	Week 1	Week 7-9
A.J. Brown	WR	PHI	Hamstring	Week 2	Week 6
Justin Jefferson	WR	MIn	Finger	Week 3	Week 4
Tank Dell	WR	HOU	Hand, Ribs	Week 3	Week 5-6
Evan Engram	TE	JAC	Hamstring	Week 2	Week 5
Tua Tagovailoa	QB	MIA	Concussion	Week 2	TBD
Cooper Kupp	WR	LAR	Left High Ankle Sprain	Week 2	Week 7-10
Justin Herbert	QB	LAC	Right High Ankle reinjury	Week 2, Week 3	Week 6
Sam Darnold	QB	MIN	Left MCL	Week 3	Week 4
Skylar Thompson	QB	MIA	Rib Injury	Week 3	Week 7-TBD
DeVonta Smith	WR	PHI	Concussion	Week 3	Week 4-5
D.J. Moore	WR	CHI	Left Knee, MCL	Week 3	Week 4
Adam Thielen	WR	CAR	Hamstring	Week 3	Week 8-9
Jaylen Warren	RB	PIT	Knee Sprain	Week 3	Week 5-6
Deebo Samuel	WR	SF	Calf Strain	Week 2	Week 5-6
Alvin Kamara	RB	NO	Rib, Hip	Week 3	Week 4