The combination of bye weeks and injuries could make the fantasy landscape tricky. Hopefully, this article will help you navigate the weeks to come.
Key: Position Player, Team | Injury | Projected Return to Play
RB Aaron Jones, Minnesota | Hip Injury | Projecting Week 8 Return
Aaron Jones did not make it out of the first half of Sunday morning's game in London. Shortly after Jones was injured, Minnesota ruled him out with a hip injury. Currently, we do not have any specifics on what kind of hip injury Jones sustained. Until we hear more, here are possible scenarios for Jones managers.
- Non-specific hip injuries average 1.7 weeks missed with a high risk of re-injury.
- Groin strains average 1.5 weeks missed with a low re-injury rate.
Minnesota has a bye next week, so I would not make Jones' backup, Ty Chandler, a major priority on the waiver wire. However, that data suggests Chandler could be the Vikings' RB1 even with the extra week for Jones to recover.
Update: When asked about Aaron Jones hip injury on Tuesday, Kevin O'Connell said that he [Jones] avoided a long-term injury, but was still week-to-week. Those two statements do not align. I am projecting Jones to miss time even after the bye week. If your roster can afford it, stash Ty Chandler.
RB De'Von Achane, Miami | Concussion | Projecting Week 7 Return
De'Von Achane was pulled early from Sunday's game in New England with a concussion. On average NFL RBs miss 1.6 weeks with a concussion, with 70% of the sample missing at least 1 week. Miami has a bye in Week 6, just in the nick of time, so Achane managers might only be without the RB during his planned absence.
QB Josh Allen, Buffalo | Possibility to Enter Concussion Protocol
Josh Allen finished Sunday's game, but late in the 4th quarter, the quarterback was hit while making a throw and his head slammed into the turf. Allen was cleared to return, but by video, it looked concerning to me...and I was not the only one.
wow Josh Allen hit his head hard pic.twitter.com/jZINDo15vD
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 6, 2024
Josh Allen looked unconscious on the field but returned just a few minutes later https://t.co/PNND1ucpj9
— Brian Sutterer MD (@BrianSuttererMD) October 6, 2024
Unfortunately, we have seen NFL players cleared to return to game action after a blow to the head and then enter the concussion protocol after the game. It's possible that we see the same with Allen. I'm speculating on this situation, but it raised enough of a concern with me that I think Josh Allen managers should be aware.
I'll also mention that even if Allen enters the concussion protocol, he could still clear it with enough time to return in Week 6. Amongst WRs, RBs, and TEs, QBs miss average the least time missed with concussions with the largest portion of their sample missing 0 weeks (40%).
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