While rankings and projections are beneficial, few things are more important in fantasy football than following injury updates. Injuries not only impact the player in question but the teammates and the offenses around them. Here’s an update on some critical injury reports to watch and their fantasy football impact.
Update 11/12/2021: For the most recent news on fantasy-relevant players, make sure to check out our up-to-date Week 10 Fantasy Injury Report.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB update
Let’s go through the injuries currently impacting quarterbacks. Monitor these situations throughout the week and have contingency plans, if necessary.
Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers
Tests revealed Sam Darnold has a fractured scapula. He will go on injured reserve (IR) and miss 4-6 weeks. P.J. Walker will start this week. The Panthers also signed Matt Barkley, who could potentially make starts down the road if Walker struggles.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence was limited at Wednesday’s practice with his ankle injury. The team is just being careful with him. He will play this week.
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray remains out of Arizona’s practices due to his sprained ankle. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury knows his team can beat P.J. Walker with Colt McCoy and its defense.
Murray will likely not play this week as the Cardinals focus on making sure he’s 100% for a crucial divisional showdown in Seattle next week.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
I will keep Aaron Rodgers’ name on the injury report all week, but we won’t have any news until Saturday. Rodgers can return from the COVID-19 list after his mandatory 10-day quarantine, but he needs to get cleared by Green Bay’s medical staff. Nothing can happen between now and Saturday.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers held Ben Roethlisberger out of Wednesday’s walkthrough with pectoral and right shoulder injuries. Big Ben has been banged up all season, but he’s at zero risk of missing Sunday’s game against the Titans.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are currently preparing as if Jacoby Brissett will start Thursday night. Tua Tagovailoa is making progress, but he’s still having issues gripping the football due to his fractured middle finger. Tua seems likely to play Week 11, but it looks like he’s going to be out this week against the Ravens. He’s listed as questionable for Thursday night.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson is not wearing any protective glove on his throwing hand. His finger is fully healed and he is back this week.
Zach Wilson and Mike White, New York Jets
Whatever malady befell Mike White last Thursday appears to be a non-issue. Head coach Robert Saleh announced that White will start Sunday. Zach Wilson continues to rehab his knee injury and will not start until 100% healthy.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: RB update
Which running backs are dealing with injuries that may affect their game status? Let’s see which RB committees are hobbled heading into Week 10.
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks
On Wednesday, Chris Carson was cleared to return to practice. He’s currently on IR with a neck injury. The nature of neck injuries makes this still an uncertain situation. The Seahawks now have three weeks to activate Carson from IR, but the expectation is he will rejoin the team sooner rather than later. Pete Carroll did not rule out Carson playing Sunday against the Packers.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
On Tuesday, Nick Chubb tested positive for COVID-19. He is vaccinated so there is no mandatory quarantine period. He just needs to record consecutive negative tests. His first negative test would have to occur no later than Saturday for him to play this week. It’s an extremely unlikely scenario. D’Ernest Johnson is almost certainly going to start this week.
Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks
Coming out of the bye, Alex Collins is still limited due to his groin injury. With Chris Carson on the mend, Collins’ fantasy value is waning quickly. If Carson returns, Collins will be a cut candidate.
Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals
Chase Edmonds sustained a high ankle sprain last week. This injury typically costs players 4-6 weeks. If Edmonds is not on IR by the time you read this, he will be soon. James Conner will operate as the Cardinals’ lead back for the foreseeable future with Eno Benjamin as the backup.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire returned to practice on Wednesday, starting the three-week clock on his activation from IR. This falls right in line with the original timeline when CEH was placed on IR a month ago. He’s not going to play this week, but a Week 11 return is very much in play.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys’ lead running back was limited at Wednesday’s practice after banging his knee during last week’s game. Head coach Mike McCarthy described it as a “veteran’s day off.” Ezekiel Elliott should be fine to play this week.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team
Antonio Gibson was listed as limited on Wednesday’s practice report with his shin injury. He’s going to play this week, but his usage has been trending downward. We’ll need to wait and see how Washington uses him Sunday.
Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Both of the Patriots’ running backs sustained concussions last week. Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson will work through the protocol. If neither can get cleared by Sunday, Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor are the only two healthy backs on New England’s roster.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara missed practice Wednesday with a knee issue. Saints beat reporter Nick Underhill described it as a day-to-day situation but cast doubt on Kamara’s availability to play this week. The Saints also signed Josh Adams to the practice squad.
It’s still early, but fantasy managers should prepare for Kamara to miss this Sunday’s matchup against the Titans. Fortunately, this does not sound like a long-term situation, but Kamara could be out a week or two.
Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills
Zack Moss did not practice Wednesday as he goes through the concussion protocol. If Moss cannot get cleared to play, Devin Singletary would be Buffalo’s primary back.
Latavius Murray, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens listed Latavius Murray as doubtful for Thursday Night Football due to his sprained ankle. Murray is out this week. Devonta Freeman will start and share work with Le’Veon Bell and Ty’Son Williams.
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
James Robinson did not practice Wednesday. He was close to playing last week and seems more likely than not to return this week, but he will need to return to practice Thursday or Friday for that to happen.
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
Miles Sanders made an appearance at Eagles practice on Wednesday. He is not yet eligible to return from IR, but the expectation was always that his sprained ankle would only cost him the minimum three games. Sanders doing anything at all at practice suggests he’s on track to return in Week 11.
Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
Prior to the Lions’ bye, Jamaal Williams missed their game with a thigh injury. He is still dealing with the issue two weeks later and did not practice Wednesday. It’s not a great sign for his availability this week.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: WR update
How are the fantasy-relevant wide receivers dealing with injuries? Let’s see which pass catchers may require a Plan B for Week 10’s action.
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Keenan Allen missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury. It’s unclear when it happened as he played the entirety of last week’s game. Hopefully, he returns to practice Thursday or Friday and this is just the team being cautious.
Cole Beasley, Buffalo Bills
Cole Beasley did not practice Wednesday due to a combination of maintenance on his ribs and veteran rest. Beasley should return to practice Thursday or Friday and play this week.
A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans
A.J. Brown was limited at Wednesday’s practice with his ongoing knee issue. He’s played through it all season and will continue to do so. The team is just managing his reps.
Antonio Brown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Antonio Brown did not practice Wednesday. Prior to the bye, Bruce Arians said he expected Brown to return after the bye week. Arians has a long and storied history of not telling the truth regarding player usage and injuries.
Related | Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Early Week 10: Rashod Bateman, Devin Singletary must starts?
AB was in a walking boot earlier this week and does not appear remotely close to returning.
Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers held a walkthrough practice on Wednesday, so participation levels should be taken with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, Chase Claypool was listed as DNP with his toe issue. He also had an MRI on the toe Tuesday.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the injury is not season-ending. While that’s obviously good news, the fact that it needed to be said at all puts his status for Sunday’s game very much in question.
Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys
Just like Elliott, Amari Cooper was limited at Wednesday’s practice with a veteran’s day off. It’s just routine maintenance due to Cooper’s ongoing hamstring issue. He will be ready to go Sunday.
Corey Davis, New York Jets
Corey Davis returned to a limited practice Wednesday. Jets head coach Robert Saleh previously indicated Davis will play this week. Davis’ participation this early in the week lends credence to Saleh’s comments. Expect Davis to be back in action Sunday.
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bruce Arians said Chris Godwin’s status for Sunday is uncertain. That is extremely concerning given the Bucs are coming out of their bye week. Godwin is dealing with a foot injury and this is the first we’re hearing of it. If Godwin can’t play, Tyler Johnson could be looking at a near every-down workload and would be an instant WR3.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
T.Y. Hilton returned to practice Wednesday. He is working his way through the concussion protocol. This is a positive sign towards his return to action this week.
DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green, and Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
The situation with DeAndre Hopkins is identical to that of Kyler Murray, except Hopkins’ injury is a strained hamstring. Hopkins didn’t practice Wednesday and likely won’t all week. Expect the Cardinals to hold out Hopkins another week to ensure he’s ready to return in Week 11.
A.J. Green remains on the COVID-19 list but should be able to get cleared by Sunday. Rondale Moore popped up on the injury report Wednesday with a concussion. The Cardinals are razor-thin at wide receiver right now.
Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns
Jarvis Landry did not practice Wednesday due to his recurring knee injury. That’s been his routine the past few weeks. Expect Landry to return to a limited practice on Thursday. If that doesn’t happen, then fantasy managers can begin to worry. For now, this seems like routine veteran maintenance.
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos
Tim Patrick missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury. If he can’t play, targets would consolidate even more around Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy.
Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders
Hunter Renfrow was limited at Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury. He tweaked the ankle in the first half of last week’s game against the Giants, but only missed a handful of plays before returning. The Raiders will be careful with him at practice, but he will play this week.
DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ rookie WR was limited at Wednesday’s practice with an elbow issue. DeVonta Smith is not at risk of missing this week’s game. He’s fine.
Sammy Watkins, Baltimore Ravens
Although the Ravens listed Sammy Watkins as questionable for Thursday Night Football, Watkins practiced fully on Wednesday and is expected to play.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: TE update
Are there any tight end injuries we need to be concerned about? The TE market is already thin, so if you have a TE on this injury report, your alternatives will be grim in all likelihood.
Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
The Broncos activated Noah Fant off the COVID-19 list. He will return Sunday against the Eagles.
Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rob Gronkowski remained out of practice Wednesday due to back spasms. I do not expect him to play this week. Fantasy managers cannot drop Gronk, but they should prepare to be without him for the remainder of the season.
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
Dawson Knox was limited at Wednesday’s practice as he works his way back from a broken bone in his hand. This tentatively puts Knox on track to return Sunday.
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team
Head coach Ron Rivera said Logan Thomas was quite sore after Monday’s practice. Rivera intended to evaluate how Thomas’ injured hamstring responded to the workout. He will make a final decision on whether to activate Thomas from IR on Friday. Early signs suggest Thomas will miss another week, which leaves Ricky Seals-Jones as the every-down tight end.