Week 10 brought another wave of impactful injuries across the NFL, with several key offensive players going down. A few of these situations appear minor, but others could carry multi-week implications as teams begin their playoff pushes. Backfield roles could be shaken up with J.K. Dobbins, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and Terrell Jennings each suffering injuries that could alter their teams' rushing rotations. As always, understanding the nature and timeline of these injuries is critical for fantasy managers preparing for the stretch run.
Key: Position Player, Team | Injury | Projected Return to Play
QB Jaxson Dart, NY Giants | Concussion | Projecting Week 12 Return
Jaxon Dart was effective running the ball Sunday in Chicago, but it came at a cost. Late in the game, he was forced to exit after sustaining a concussion.
Most players miss at least one game while in the concussion protocol, though it's not impossible to return within a week. We've seen that happen this season. Notably, quarterbacks tend to miss less time than running backs, wide receivers, or tight ends following a concussion, suggesting that many can return to play the following week. For now, fantasy managers should plan to be without the rookie quarterback in Week 10.
RB J.K. Dobbins, Denver | Foot | Timeline TBD
J.K. Dobbins had his foot trapped under a defender late in Thursday's game and was visibly limited afterward. He briefly exited before returning, though he was largely ineffective upon his return.
The mechanism of injury appeared consistent with a midfoot sprain. Combined with reports that Dobbins is "seeking a second opinion on his foot", there's growing concern this could be a more serious Lisfranc injury.
We should learn more in the coming days, but it seems unlikely that Dobbins will be active in Week 11. A minor midfoot sprain typically results in a two-week absence, while a Lisfranc injury, especially one involving a fracture, could be season-ending.
TE Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo | Hamstring | Projecting Week 13 Return
Dalton Kincaid pulled up during Sunday's game and immediately grabbed the back of his right leg - a clear sign of a potential hamstring strain. Although he was initially listed as questionable to return, Kincaid never re-entered the game.
Hamstring strains typically sideline players for multiple weeks, depending on the severity. Fantasy managers should plan for Kincaid to miss time and start exploring backup tight end options.
TE Oronde Gadsden II, LA Chargers | Knee | Projecting Week 12 Return
Oronde Gadsden II injured his left knee Sunday night after colliding with a Pittsburgh defender. The mechanism of injury appears consistent with a knee contusion, a painful but generally minor injury that typically does not cause significant time missed.
Gadsden is getting an MRI on Monday which could hint that the injury could be more serious than a contusion. Assuming imaging early this week rules out a fracture, Gadsden should have a good chance to return after only a brief absence.
Update: An MRI revealed a quadriceps contusion for Gadsden. While this gives him a chance to play in Week 11, it’s not a guarantee just yet. Quadriceps contusions can be quite painful, as blood can pool below the muscle belly, leading to stiffness and inflammation in both the thigh and knee. This often limits mobility and can prolong the recovery athletes. For that reason, I still project Gadsden to miss Week 11.