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When it comes to injuries, Week 12 was relatively quiet. Even with four early games on Thursday/Friday, most teams were able to stay healthy - good news for fantasy managers. We now have time to let our stomachs recover from Thanksgiving and prepare for a deep fantasy football playoff run.
Key:
(Position) Player | Injury | My Projection for Return to Play
WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints | Concussion | Projecting Week 14 Return
Chris Olave was unable to finish Sunday's game after being ruled out with a concussion. Unfortunately, fantasy managers have seen a plethora of concussions this season, and as we are aware, most players do not play the following week.
On average, NFL WRs miss 1.4 weeks due to a concussion, with 76% missing at least one game. Make plans now for Olave to miss Week 13.
RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts | Thumb | Projecting Week 15 Return
Jonathan Taylor had surgery on this thumb and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks (although it could be longer). We do not have any specifics but it sounds like that since Taylor had surgery there was some ligament damage in his thumb. Unlike QBs who sustained thumb injuries this season, Taylor does not need to have great grip strength to throw the ball, but a thumb ligament injury could have posed some ball security issues.
A study from 2019 found that RBs were able to return to play in ~4 weeks post-UCL repair surgery. There is currently no word that Taylor suffered a UCL tear but it is one of the most common thumb injuries in football and provides us with some baseline on his timeline. I think there is a decent chance Taylor is able to return right before most fantasy football playoffs (Week 15) and should have minimal performance limitations upon his return since it is an injury to his thumb. In the meantime, Zack Moss becomes the #1 waiver target this week.
RB Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars | Chest Injury | Projecting Week 13 Return
Travis Etienne Jr. missed time Sunday for a chest injury that required him to briefly visit the locker room during the game.
Travis Etienne is headed to the locker room with an injury
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) November 26, 2023
Etienne was able to return eventually and had a decent fantasy game with 86 total yards, but it could have been more if not for the mid-game exit. Managers who roster Etienne should expect him to be limited for most, if not all, of the week heading into Week 13, but assuming that he does not have a fracture in his ribs or sternum, he should play next week.
WR Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints | Thigh Injury | Projecting Week 15 Return
The Saints' receiving corp continues to get thinner. Prior to Chris Olave getting knocked out of the game, Rashid Shaheed exited with a thigh injury and did not return. By video, it appeared to be a quadriceps/hip flexor strain, typically resulting in a multi-week absence.
The data reinforces this time. Since 2017, the average time that NFL WRs missed with a quadriceps strain is 2.3 weeks. As often happens with soft tissue injuries, they can be limiting when the player returns. On average, fantasy points decline by 23% for WRs upon return from a quadriceps strain. All of this suggests that Shaheed could miss some time and leave New Orleans with very few receivers.
Tuesday Update: As expected, Shaheed is unlikely to play in Week 13.
Rahsid Shaheed is likely unavailable this week with his quad injury
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) November 27, 2023
WR Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns | Rib Injury | Projecting Week 14 Return
Late in Sunday's game, Amari Cooper took a hit to his midsection and did not return to play.
PJ Locke demolishing Amari Cooper pic.twitter.com/rtCWXitvJX
— Denver Broncos 365 (@DailyBroncos) November 27, 2023
By video, Cooper may be dealing with a rib fracture or rib contusion. Cooper could possibly be active next week, but his practice reports will provide a lot of insight. If he does not get in at least a limited season, his chances of playing are not likely. I am projecting one game missed for Cooper, but this could change once we get more information.
QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Cleveland Browns | Concussion | Projecting Week 14 Return
Another Browns player on the wrong of a punishing hit was Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Dorian Thompson Robinson got CRUSHED but this seems to be a clean hit…
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) November 26, 2023
4th and 12 stop wiped away by roughing the passer… wow.pic.twitter.com/3k1blLYK5A
The rookie QB was ruled out with a concussion, and as discussed above in Chris Olave's injury breakdown, most players miss at least one game. P.J. Walker will likely be under center in Week 13.