Welcome to your Pro Football Network Week 10 QB and TE fantasy football injury report. As always, it’s hard to find a team that doesn’t have an injured player. What is their status heading into Sunday and Monday, and can we trust their fantasy projections if they are active?
Fantasy QB Injury Report
The following QBs either have notable injuries or are coming off notable injuries. How will this impact their fantasy value going forward and the value of their potential replacements?
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray was a game-time decision last week with an ankle injury. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury had said Murray didn’t need to practice to play, but he was unable to suit up.
Earlier today he was declared inactive. A healthy Murray would have given fantasy managers reliable QB1 production. Instead, backup Colt McCoy will be a decent bet for 12-16 points, but his ceiling is muted with DeAndre Hopkins also out.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
On Thursday night, Russell Wilson declared that he’s “not 100% yet, but I’m pretty dang close. I would say 90th percentile, if not higher. I’ve got great conviction about what I’m doing, how I’m doing it. My mindset is better than ever. I’m ready to roll and ready to go.” Sure enough, Wilson is active for today’s game against the Packers with Seattle’s season nearly on the brink.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers is active today, though snowy conditions at Lambeau Field could make things difficult. Jordan Love did not look NFL-ready against the lowly Chiefs defense last weekend. If the Packers have any chance this season, Rodgers has to be out there.
Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers
Remember when Sam Darnold was a locked-in QB1 through Week 4? Admittedly, I was cheering him on from afar, as I never felt he got a fair shake with the Jets. But facts are facts, and the fact is that Darnold was going to be replaced with or without an injury.
Now, he’ll be out at least four weeks with a non-displaced fracture of his right scapula. By then, it’s quite likely that the newly-signed Cam Newton will be entrenched as Carolina’s starting QB. Only a late-season emergency start could keep Darnold relevant in 2QB leagues.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Head coach Urban Meyer has assured fans, doubters, and everyone in between that Trevor Lawrence will start this weekend. This season’s QB26 will be locked in as a must-start in non-existent 3QB leagues.
Fantasy TE Injury Report
Looking at the injury report for fantasy tight ends in Week 10, what is the value for those impacted? And what is the fantasy value of their potential replacements?
Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I’ve said this many times and will keep saying it — back injuries are like no other injury, and projected recovery timeframes are often imprecise. On Thursday, head coach Bruce Arians acknowledged that Rob Gronkowski (back spasms) would be “back to normal” in 2-3 weeks.
As always, the Buccaneers need him more for the postseason than they do against the Jets in Week 17. So continue to stash him and hope he returns to his TE1 self during this fantasy season. In the meantime, O.J. Howard has a higher ceiling than Cameron Brate.
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
A broken hand kept Dawson Knox out of Weeks 8 and 9, and he entered Week 10 in day-to-day mode. Fortunately, he’s been practicing, and barring a setback, should be out there on Sunday against the overmatched Jets.
But before you start him with reckless abandon, consider that 37% of his fantasy points have come through touchdowns. Fringe starters like Dan Arnold and Tyler Conklin are actually averaging more catches and yards per game. Knox is one of the most overvalued TEs in fantasy.
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team
Head coach Ron Rivera shared on Friday that Logan Thomas is “just not ready to be put on the football field.” Thomas has been on injured reserve since early October. The way this season is going for Washington, we realistically might not see Thomas for weeks — and perhaps not until 2022 — since there’s no reason to rush him back. Ricky Seals-Jones will remain an intriguing streamer.
Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
Speaking of overvalued, Noah Fant has done most of his damage this year with Jerry Jeudy on the shelf. Now, he’ll find himself as Denver’s No. 4, No. 5, or perhaps even No. 6 offensive option. He missed last week after landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but was activated earlier this week and should be fine for Sunday. That said, keep an eye on the health status of talented backup Albert Okwuegbunam, who has been cutting into Fant’s upside.