Dealing with injuries is easily the most frustrating part of fantasy football. Typically, the QB position is healthier than the others. This year, there are a handful of guys dealing with injuries. What is the latest injury information on Deshaun Watson, Daniel Jones, and Dak Prescott?
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Injury Updates for Top Fantasy Football QBs
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
Analysis last updated at 6:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 12.
Three weeks ago, Deshaun Watson suffered a shoulder injury. Two weeks ago, Watson was cleared to play by team doctors, but he did not play.
According to Kevin Stefanski, it was Watson’s decision to hold himself out, as he did not feel ready. Since that game, the Browns have had their bye week. Strangely, Watson still isn’t healthy.
Deshaun Watson's right shoulder contusion (which has been reported since Sept. 27) is in his rotator cuff, a source confirms. He's still day-to-day with the 5-0 #49ers coming to town Sunday https://t.co/cnooKQnof0
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 10, 2023
This is a tough situation to get a read on. Watson will likely get in at least a couple of limited practices this week. The term “limited” is very broad as it pertains to practice reports. Watson could throw all of five passes at practice and still be classified as limited.
The extent to which Watson practices over the next three days may not give us much insight into whether he plays Sunday. A full practice would all but guarantee it. However, reading the tea leaves coming out of Browns’ camp, I don’t expect him to get in a full practice ahead of Sunday’s game, and he did not practice on Wednesday.
Update: Watson did not practice on Thursday, either. At this point, he is very clearly trending toward not starting. Fantasy managers should expect it to be P.J. Walker against the 49ers on Sunday.
Second Update: According to Josina Anderson, Watson will be out this week. The only Browns fantasy managers should even consider starting are Amari Cooper and Jerome Ford.
Cleveland has already stated that former XFL and Carolina Panthers QB P.J. Walker will start over rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson if Watson cannot go. At this point, it’s too early to make any definitive predictions, but my guess is Watson remains sidelined for another week.
MORE: Fantasy Injury Update — Tee Higgins, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Tank Dell Impacting Week 6 Rankings
Fantasy managers weren’t starting Watson against the best team in the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers, anyway.
The real issue is what his absence means for the likes of Amari Cooper, David Njoku, and Jerome Ford. All three become far less desirable starts if Watson can’t go. Njoku is firmly a sit this week, while Cooper and Ford get downgraded from twos to threes at their respective positions.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Analysis last updated at 1:20 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 12.
Two years ago, Daniel Jones missed the end of the season due to a neck injury. After a healthy 2022, he suffered another neck injury last week.
Neck injuries are as scary as they get for anyone. We’ve seen them end multiple careers very early, including that of a former Giant, David Wilson. Teams and players can and will take no chances with neck injuries.
With that said, the term “neck injury” could mean a wide array of things, ranging from the most serious to the most insignificant. By the sounds of it, Jones’ injury is on the far more mild side.
@heykayadams told Daniel Jones that Brian Daboll expressed optimism he would be available to play in Buffalo. Jones' response: "Yeah, that's the goal. I'm gonna do everything I can to be out there."
Here's the update from Jones on @UpAndAdamsShow: https://t.co/4rDGHc7rKY
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) October 10, 2023
There seemed to be a sense of optimism surrounding Jones’ availability for Sunday Night Football against the Bills. Jones didn’t practice on Wednesday, but head coach Brian Daboll said he’s more sore than anything else. However, on Thursday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that Jones is trending in the wrong direction to play. Then Jones was absent from practice again Thursday, with NYDN reporting he likely will not play.
Jones is nowhere near being a fantasy option. Despite his poor play, though, he’s still better for Giants receivers than Tyrod Taylor would be at this point in his career. Regardless, Darren Waller remains the only Giants pass catcher worth starting.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
At this point, it’s unclear if Dak Prescott will even be listed on the practice report ahead of Week 6. In last week’s blowout loss to the 49ers, Prescott had his hand stepped on, resulting in his right middle finger having a wrap around it.
Per NBC broadcast: Dak Prescott got his right hand (throwing hand) checked out by the Cowboys training staff and got his middle finger tapped up. pic.twitter.com/LFr8i7KKSS
— Jess Nevarez (@JessNevarez_) October 9, 2023
Prescott didn’t miss a single snap and did not seem affected by the injury at all. He did not play particularly well, but I wouldn’t attribute that to this seemingly minor finger injury.
This looks like a nothing burger to me. Perhaps Prescott is listed on the injury report with a finger issue, but expect to see him practice fully all week. He’s not at any risk of missing Monday night’s potential shootout with the Chargers. And it’s great news for fantasy managers, as this is a fantastic get-right spot for Prescott and the entire Cowboys offense.