Week 4 resulted in some significant fantasy football injuries in what is becoming somewhat of a trend we have more QBs banged up. This article will help you deal with these injuries from this past week and prepare you to navigate the waiver wire.
Key:
(Position) Player | Injury | My Projection for Return to Play
RB Javonte Williams Denver Broncos | Hip Flexor Strain | Projecting Week 7 Return
After five total touches, Javonte Williams exited early in the game at Chicago and did not return. After the game, the Broncos released that Williams was dealing with a hip flexor injury, which is not believed to be overly serious. It is good news that Williams' injury is overall minor, but just because it is not perceived as "serious" does not mean he will not miss time. Hip flexor strains, like most soft tissue injuries, can linger and typically can result in 2-4 weeks missed. With the primitive information we have on Williams' injury, combined with my data, I am projecting Williams to miss the next two weeks.
Tuesday Update: The early word regarding the severity of Williams' injury is not very clear. It sounds like Williams could play in Week 5 but the practice reports will be more telling. I still don't think he plays this week.
WR Tee Higgins Cincinnati Bengals | Rib Fracture | Projecting Week 8 Return
Tee Higgins left Sunday's game with a rib injury, later diagnosed as a fracture. Depending on the severity and location of the fracture, players can play through these injuries with pain management. Very few players in my injury data set have not missed any time following a rib fracture (7%), so first impressions tell me that Week 5 is unlikely. We have approached the part of the season where bye weeks are starting, and the Bengals have a bye in Week 7. On average, rib fractures can take anywhere from 2-5 weeks to heal, and considering Cincinnati's upcoming bye, Week 8 seems most likely for Higgins' return.
Tuesday Update: Higgins is not ruling out a Week 5 return as he told reporters that he "doesn't envision his fracture rubs keeping him out for an extended period." Reading between the lines it would appear that his fractured ribs are not in an area that could cause further complication. Depending on the area sometimes a player can be at a heightened risk of puncturing a lung. At this point it really comes down to pain management and players can be given an injection pre-game to play through the injury (although that does not come without complication - remember Tyrod Taylor's from a few years prior). I still think Week 5 is unlikely but this does make Week 6 a possibility. The Bengals have a bye in Week 7.
QB Justin Herbert Los Angeles Chargers | Left Hand Injury (Non-Throwing Hand) | Projecting Week 6 Return
Justin Herbert sustained an injury to his non-throwing hand in Sunday's win over the Raiders. The injury broke the skin, as blood was visible via the broadcast, and Herbert had a splint put over his middle finger.
Because this is not his right/throwing hand, it should not cause Herbert to miss any time, and fortunately, the Chargers have a bye next week.
Adam Schefter confirmed Monday morning that Herbert did have a finger fracture but he is not expected to miss any time. Fantasy managers, breathe a sigh of relief.
WR Mike Evans Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Hamstring Injury | Projecting Week 6 Return
No stranger to hamstring injuries, Mike Evans sustained his 5th recorded hamstring injury. On average, NFL WRs miss 2.5 weeks with a hamstring injury, and Evans only missed more than that period of time once in his previous three hamstring injuries. Although we have had evidence of older players struggling with hamstring injuries (Cooper Kupp and Darren Waller), there is nothing to suggest that older players miss more time with a hamstring injury. However, there is evidence that they have a higher risk of re-injury. Luckily, Tampa Bay has a bye next week, allotting Evans some time to get right. I think there is a decent chance he will be able to return to action after the Buccaneer's Week 5 bye.
Tuesday Update: Mike Evan's hamstring strain is believed to be "mild" and he is set to have an MRI to confirm. An MRI is not a great sigh but likely precautionary. The Week 6 timeline I originally provided might bee too optimistic but we will have to see how Evans progresses through the bye week. He is another player with a timely bye in Week 5.
WR Davante Adams | Shoulder Injury | Projecting Week 5 Return
Davante Adams injured his shoulder Sunday, which looked like an AC joint sprain on video. Adams returned later in the game and was a solid contributor for fantasy teams, finishing in the top 20 among WRs in PPR leagues as of Sunday night. Although Adams was able to return, if you remember, this is a similar situation to Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers' WR also suffered an AC joint sprain, finished the game, and then missed the following week. The only difference is Aiyuk, and the 49ers' next game was on Thursday night. Expect limited practice sessions from Adams, but I think he should play next week.
QB Kenny Pickett Pittsburgh Steelers | Knee Injury | Projecting Week 7 Return
By video, it does look like Kenny Pickett sustained an MCL sprain. Pittsburgh ruled Pickett out following the injury, and he is scheduled to get an MRI on Monday. Assuming it is just an MCL sprain, the MRI will help to determine the severity of the injury and, in turn, the time missed. The Steelers are another team with a bye upcoming, and if we do get word that he is dealing with an MCL sprain, I would not expect to see him prior to Pittsburgh's bye week.
Tuesday Update: Pickett has a knee bone bruise. The timeline for this injury is very similar to an MCL sprain. Week 5 seems very unlikely. Pittsburgh's bye could be coming at the perfect time. With rest and a knee brace I think Pickett could still return in Week 7.
TE Pat Freiermuth Pittsburgh Steelers | Hamstring Injury | Projecting Week 7 Return
Another Steeler who was pulled from the game Sunday is Pat Freiermuth. TEs tend to miss 3 weeks with hamstring strains. Amongst the sample of injured TEs, 50% missed 0-2 weeks, while the other 50% missed> 2 weeks. Freiermuth is another player I could see coming back after the bye.
Tuesday Update: The Steelers expect Freiermuth to miss 2-3 weeks with his hamstring injury, confirming the my initial projected timeline.
QB Matthew Stafford Los Angeles Rams | Knee Injury | Projecting Week 5 Return
The Matthew Stafford knee injury sounds minor, but it is one that Footballguy subscribers should be aware of in order to avoid panic, as I would expect him to be limited all week. On Fox's NFL Sunday Post-Game Report, insider Jay Glazer said that Stafford will start in Week 5.
The latest from @JayGlazer:
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 2, 2023
â–«ï¸ Matthew Stafford has hip pointer injury but will play next week
â–«ï¸ Mike Tomlin says Steelers will "make changes"
â–«ï¸ Bears looking to trade Chase Claypool pic.twitter.com/n9lyirb3pc
QB Geno Smith Seattle Seahawks | Knee Injury | Projecting Week 6 Return
Geno Smith briefly missed time with a knee injury after being tackled out of bounce while scrambling. It could have been much worse for the Seattle QB, but he appears to have avoided disaster. Smith was able to return and finish the game. He is another QB who benefits from an upcoming bye as the Seahawks have a Week 5 bye. I would expect to see Smith under center in Week 6.
