Over the past few days, we have learned that Week 1 of the NFL season had more casualties than we had originally thought. It has been reported that Hunter Henry, Sam Darnold, Le’Veon Bell, and Derrius Guice have all gone down with injuries or illnesses. The seriousness of the injuries vary, but if you have them in your fantasy rosters you should probably look elsewhere!
Another injury for the Chargers
After missing last season with a knee injury, Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry has gone down for a second straight year with a fractured knee. The team claims that the fracture in Henry’s knee should keep him out about four to six weeks. Pro Football Network’s own injury expert, doctor Duane Scotti, believes the injury might be more substantial than the team is letting on.
earliest I could see him coming back is mid December unless for some reason it's a minor hairline fracture of the tibia plateau then he would be back a lot sooner if he didn't need to be nonweightbearing for six weeks to start" (2/2)
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 12, 2019
He joins a long list of Chargers already injured which include cornerback Trevor Williams, defensive end Isaac Rochell, and Denzel Perryman. Wide receiver Mike Williams is also suffering a knee injury but has yet to be ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions.
Henry tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during off-season workouts last year but returned for the playoffs. This past week, the tight end fractured the upper part of his left tibia during Sunday’s 30-24 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts. He was injured during the fourth quarter, but returned to the game and played in overtime.
Henry has been one of Philip Rivers’ favourite targets when healthy. He led the league in touchdowns by a tight end with eight during his rookie season in 2016 and was third on Los Angeles in receptions the following season. He will be missed for what would have been an interesting matchup against the Lions. Virgil Green will step in to try and recoup some of the losses left by Henry’s absence.
Chaos for the Gang Green
After a disappointing loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, the New York Jets have received more bad news this morning. Sophomore quarterback Sam Darnold will not play in their primetime Week 2 Monday night matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Darnold has been diagnosed with mononucleosis, a virus that causes fatigue among other symptoms.
#Jets coach Adam Gase tells reporters that QB Sam Darnold will miss Monday’s game with mono. That is unexpected.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2019
The news came as a surprise to many. Head coach Adam Gase said that Darnold could miss multiple weeks. Backup Trevor Siemian will be center stage Monday night.
Siemian will have to try to defeat the Browns potentially down their star running back Le’Veon Bell. According to reports, Bell did not practice Thursday with shoulder soreness. The team decided to be as cautious as possible and are going to be doing an MRI. That should lead to more clarity, though Gase told reporters he is hoping Bell can play in Week 2.
There have also been reports that a number of other central pieces for the Jets still haven’t practiced. These players include C.J. Mosley, Quinnen Williams, and John-Franklin Myers.
In other injury news: Le'Veon Bell (shoulder), C.J. Mosley (groin), Quinnen Williams (ankle), John-Franklin Myers (foot) won't practice.
Demaryius Thomas won't practice until Saturday.
Gase said for Bell it could just be soreness.
— Ethan B. Greenberg (@EGreenbergJets) September 12, 2019
Redskins running back woes continue
The Washington Redskins mounted an impressive performance against the Eagles this past week. Unfortunately, they have lost one of their best pieces once again this year. Running back Derrius Guice is dealing with a meniscus injury. Reports indicate he will likely be out indefinitely due to a surgery to trim the meniscus.
Redskins RB Derrius Guice out indefinitely after undergoing knee surgery. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/WC8Ropwhqk
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2019
The Redskins had made running back Adrian Peterson a surprise inactive last week, making Guice the number on option. When asked why Peterson wouldn’t play, head coach Jay Gruden gave a somewhat questionable response.
”If we have a game where we think we can run the ball 55 times in a game in an I-formation, then sure, I’ll get him up”
According to reports, a number of senior players on the team felt like Gruden’s actions were a slap in the face.
Any time you’ve got a Hall of Fame guy that doesn’t dress, man, it’s a slap in the face,” Washington tackle Morgan Moses told 106.7 the Fan in D.C. on Monday. “And obviously, we’ve gotta figure out what the reason is. And it’s my job as one of the older guys on the offensive line to speak up and say, ‘Hey, we need him.’ Obviously, you don’t put a Hall of Fame guy like that on the sideline. When he’s healthy, as well.”
It seems to be quite a difficult situation in Washington. This week, we will see what Peterson will bring to the field. You have to wonder what his level of commitment will be after those comments from his head coach.
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