The 2020 injury report has been upgraded to include some new features. In addition to covering all of the fantasy-relevant injuries, I will update you on the previous weeks’ injuries. Also, I’ll explain the nature of the injury (if known), provide information on the expected length of each player’s absence, and offer an assessment of the impact on the injured player’s teammates.
With that, I welcome you to the revamped injury report. Football is a violent game, and, unfortunately, players are going to miss time due to injuries. I promise you I don’t want to be here just as much as you don’t, but this is a necessary evil in this game that we love. As always, I hope this list is as short as possible.
New Injuries
Mike Davis (RB – CAR)
Filling in for Christian McCaffrey, Mike Davis hurt his wrist/thumb in the second half of the Panthers’ loss to the Bucs. Davis ultimately returned to the game and appears to have escaped anything serious. If McCaffrey doesn’t return next week, Davis will once again be locked into fantasy lineups.
Fantasy Value Impact: N/A
Drew Brees (QB – NO)
When the second half started against the 49ers, it was Jameis Winston at quarterback. Drew Brees was on the sidelines with his helmet on with no noticeable injury. We later found out that Brees was basically just banged up from an accumulation of hits to his ribs to the point where he couldn’t continue playing. At first, I dismissed this as no big deal, but I’m starting to get the sense that Winston may be out there against the Falcons. Let’s see what happens this week in practice, but for what it’s worth, Saints’ fantasy options will be just fine if Winston has to make a start or two.
Fantasy Value Impact: N/A for now
Teddy Bridgewater (QB – CAR)
We got to see the uncrowned XFL MVP, P.J. Walker, play extended time in the Panthers’ loss to the Bucs after Teddy Bridgewater exited due to a knee injury. Bridgewater’s injury is not believed to be serious, so he has a chance to play this week. Be sure to monitor practice reports throughout the week. Walker is competent enough to maintain the values of the Panthers’ receivers if he needs to make a spot start.
Fantasy Value Impact: N/A
JaMycal Hasty (RB – SF)
Jerick McKinnon completely dominated touches in the 49ers backfield last week, but I’m not sure it was supposed to be that way. JaMycal Hasty broke his collarbone and will presumably miss the rest of the season. He can be dropped in all formats. With Raheem Mostert due back after the bye week, expect a 70-30 Mostert-McKinnon split for the foreseeable future.
Fantasy Value Impact: N/A
Matthew Stafford (QB – DET)
Matthew Stafford played the entirety of the Lions’ last-second win over the Football Team, but he said after the game that would be getting tests on his thumb. This sounds like nothing, but it’s worth noting that it’s an obvious downgrade for the entire offense if Stafford does miss time.
Fantasy Value Impact: N/A for now
Injury Updates
Christian McCaffrey (RB – CAR)
After a lengthy hiatus due to a high ankle sprain, Christian McCaffrey returned in Week 9 and looked like his old self, which was a welcome sight for fantasy managers. Unfortunately, that return was short-lived as McCaffrey hurt his shoulder on a fourth-quarter touchdown, which kept him out of the Panthers’ Week 10 date with the Bucs. Initially, it was reported that McCaffrey would be out multiple weeks, but further evaluation pained a much rosier picture. McCaffrey may return this week, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it likely. Mike Davis will continue to be a must-start for however long McCaffrey is out.
Estimated Return Time: 1-3 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
David Montgomery (RB – CHI)
A concussion resulted in David Montgomery being ruled out of Monday night’s contest early. Every concussion is different, but they typically don’t result in multiple weeks missed. We’re presuming some combination of Ryan Nall, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Lamar Miller tonight. Montgomery will get his job back upon his return.
Estimated Return Time: This week
Course of Action: Hold
David Johnson (RB – HOU)
Somewhat surprisingly, David Johnson was placed on IR last week. He will miss at least two more games. Duke Johnson was the clear primary back for the Texans, but, also unsurprisingly, Duke Johnson isn’t particularly good at football. He probably remains fantasy relevant based on volume, but don’t expect Duke to be David.
Estimated Return Time: 2-3 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
Calvin Ridley (WR – ATL)
The Falcons were on a bye, which should be all the time Calvin Ridley needs to get healthy. I expect him to play this week.
Estimated Return Time: This week
Course of Action: Return to lineups
Kenny Golladay (WR – DET)
A hip injury cost Kenny Golladay last week’s game, and he didn’t seem particularly close to suiting up. Marvin Jones will continue to operate as the WR1 until Golladay returns.
Estimated Return Time: 2-4 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF)
Nick Mullens started in place of Jimmy Garoppolo on Sunday, but he was eventually benched for C.J. Beathard. I fully expect Garoppolo to start when he can, but we haven’t really gotten any clarity on his ankle sprain. He’s not fantasy-relevant anyway.
Estimated Return Time: 1-3 weeks
Course of Action: Drop
Devonta Freeman (RB – NYG)
Wayne Gallman scored twice on Sunday, and I imagine that this job is his no matter what happens with Devonta Freeman. With Freeman now on IR, it’s entirely plausible his season is over. This will be the last update on Freeman.
Estimated Return Time: 2-4 weeks
Course of Action: Drop
Deebo Samuel (WR – SF)
The 49ers’ WR1 missed another game with his hamstring strain. Brandon Aiyuk operated as the WR1 with Kendrick Bourne playing in two-receiver sets. Deebo Samuel is expected back sooner rather than later. With the 49ers on bye, I would put Samuel on the probable side of questionable to return in Week 12.
Estimated Return Time: Week 12
Course of Action: Hold or add if he’s been dropped
Chris Carson (RB – SEA) and Carlos Hyde (RB – SEA)
Both Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde missed another game on Sunday. Unsurprisingly, the Seahawks had enough of the terrible DeeJay Dallas and started Alex Collins. With a quick turnaround coming on Thursday, it seems unlikely the two will be ready to go. I expect them back in Week 12, but this is getting quite frustrating each week.
Estimated Return Time: Week 12
Course of Action: Hold
Austin Ekeler (RB – LAC)
Last week I couldn’t believe I was advising Kalen Ballage as a pickup. That proved to be quite prescient, as Ballage not only started, but he also excelled. Troymane Pope was active, but it was purely a Ballage-Joshua Kelley split that heavily favored Ballage. Austin Ekeler has been tweeting videos of himself running and looks near a return. I still think he’s a week or two away, which means, again, I can’t believe I’m saying this, Ballage is a must-start until Ekeler returns.
Estimated Return Time: 2-3 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
Joe Mixon (RB – CIN)
I fully expected Joe Mixon to play last week. He did not. At this point, there’s no reason to expect Mixon to return this week or anytime soon. This is what the Bengals do with their injuries — we get no information. One of these weeks, Mixon will just show up practicing fully and play. Until then, Giovani Bernard will continue to be outplayed by Samaje Perine. I have little interest in either going forward.
Estimated Return Time: 2-3 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
Raheem Mostert (RB – SF)
The 49ers are off this week, and Raheem Mostert should be ready to go when they return in Week 12. Mostert will immediately get his job back as the primary back, ceding passing downs to Jerick McKinnon.
Estimated Return Time: Week 12
Course of Action: Hold
Myles Gaskin (RB – MIA)
It will be at least one more week until Myles Gaskin returns. In his absence, Salvon Ahmed looked like a legitimate NFL starter. I do not think the Dolphins should give Gaskin his job back once he returns, but I am not Brian Flores. Ahmed is the clear preferred option in this backfield for as long as Gaskin remains out.
Estimated Return Time: 1-3 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
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Jason Katz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive or follow him @jasonkatz13.