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.
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New Injuries
Matthew Stafford (QB – DET)
After a second false COVID scare, Matthew Stafford played in Week 9 without practicing all week. He looked fine physically but got crunched on a second half sack. Chase Daniel finished the rest of the game as Stafford was evaluated for a concussion. He was ultimately cleared and won’t miss any time.
Fantasy Value Impact: N/A
Kyle Allen (QB – WAS)
What is it with Washington quarterbacks and gruesome leg injuries? You just feel awful for Kyle Allen after his ankle was shattered on Sunday. Allen’s season is over. Alex Smith will start the rest of the way and the team will be forced to activate Dwayne Haskins as the backup. Smith is the best quarterback on the Football Team.
Fantasy Value Impact: Terry McLaurin ⬆️, Logan Thomas ⬆️
David Montgomery (RB – CHI)
After yet another abysmal performance, David Montgomery added injury to insult. He was shaken up on a big hit and evaluated for a concussion. As of this writing, Montgomery has no official diagnosis. Montgomery is one of the least talented starting running backs of the last decade or so. His absence would be beneficial to the Bears offense as a whole, but this does not appear overly serious. It seems likely the Bears would sign someone, but if they don’t, Ryan Nall and Cordarrelle Patterson would split backfield work. Neither is a fantasy option.
Fantasy Value Impact: Bears Offense ⬆️⬆️
David Johnson (RB – HOU)
David Johnson was ineffective from a real life perspective but did find the end zone on Sunday, so his fantasy day was not terrible. Unfortunately, he sustained a concussion and will have to go through the protocol. If he can’t go next week, it’s unclear who would benefit, but rest assured it won’t be Duke Johnson.
Fantasy Value Impact: N/A
Preston Williams (WR – MIA)
The Dolphins’ WR2 had an impressive touchdown score but was then carted to the locker room with a foot injury. Preston Williams looks like he will miss multiple weeks. Jakeem Grant took over the WR2 role, but he’s not a fantasy option. Losing Williams is just a net negative for the offense.
Fantasy Value Impact: Tua Tagovailoa ⬇️
Mike Williams (WR – LAC)
On the second to last play of the game, Mike Williams almost made the game winning touchdown grab. Instead, Williams fell down without the ball and stayed down for a while. He eventually walked off the field under his own power. It is unclear what, if anything, is wrong. Williams has a history of looking like he is seriously hurt and then returning with a short absence. Jalen Guyton would play in two receiver sets if Williams misses any time.
Fantasy Value Impact: N/A
Injury Updates
Calvin Ridley (WR – ATL)
The Falcons’ WR2 missed their win over the Broncos with his ankle injury. The Falcons are off this week and Calvin Ridley is fully expected to return in Week 11. Olamide Zaccheaus had a big game with Ridley out. He will revert to his tertiary role and is nothing more than a bench stash.
Estimated Return Time: Week 11
Course of Action: Hold through bye week and return to starting lineup
Darrell Henderson (RB – LAR)
The best running back on the Rams bruised his thigh in Week 8. With the Rams on bye in Week 9, Darrell Henderson is fully expected to return in Week 10.
Estimated Return Time: This week
Course of Action: Return to starting lineup
Kenny Golladay (WR – DET)
The hip injury sustained by Kenny Golladay resulted in him being ruled out for Week 9 very quickly. It would be very surprising if he were able to return this week. Marvin Jones will continue to operate as the WR1 and Danny Amendola will maintain an increased role. T.J. Hockenson remains the best fantasy bet.
Estimated Return Time: 2-4 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
T.Y. Hilton (WR – IND)
A groin injury cost T.Y. Hilton last week’s game and with the Colts playing Thursday, there is no chance he will be ready to go. Hilton has been completely ineffective all season anyway. Michael Pittman and Zach Pascal are the best two options in his place, but neither is that enticing.
Estimated Return Time: 2-4 weeks
Course of Action: Drop
Tevin Coleman (RB – SF)
Tevin Coleman suffered yet another knee injury two weeks ago and missed last week’s game. Raheem Mostert is due back in a week or two. Coleman has no fantasy value.
Estimated Return Time: 3-5 weeks
Course of Action: Drop
George Kittle (TE – SF)
The best tight end in football broke a bone in his foot two weeks ago and was placed on IR. George Kittle is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. The best case scenario is he returns for the last week or two of the fantasy season. Ross Dwelley was the primary tight end on Thursday night.
Estimated Return Time: 6-8 weeks
Course of Action: Drop
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF)
Nick Mullens started in place of Jimmy Garoppolo on Thursday night. He did not play particularly well. Garoppolo will start as soon as he can, but it’s unclear exactly when that will be. Garoppolo’s ankle sprain is reportedly minor, so he should be back sooner than later.
Estimated Return Time: 1-2 weeks
Course of Action: Drop
Devonta Freeman (RB – NYG)
An ankle injury has now cost Devonta Freeman two straight games. He remains week to week. Wayne Gallman, Dion Lewis, and Alfred Morris will continue forming the league’s worst committee in his absence. Freeman is nothing more than a desperation start when healthy anyway.
Estimated Return Time: 1-2 weeks
Course of Action: Drop
Deebo Samuel (WR – SF)
The 49ers’ WR1 missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury. He has an outside shot to return this week, but with the 49ers on bye the following week, expect the team to play it safe with Deebo Samuel.
Estimated Return Time: Week 11
Course of Action: Hold
Chris Carson (RB – SEA) and Carlos Hyde (RB – SEA)
Both Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde missed their second consecutive game last week. DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer touched the ball equally last week and look to be in a committee. Carson has a shot to return this week, but monitor practice reports to be sure of what to do. If Hyde returns before Carson, he is worth a start.
Estimated Return Time: 1-2 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
Kenyan Drake (RB – ARI)
It did not appear as if Kenyan Drake was particularly close to returning last week. Chase Edmonds operated as the primary back with D.J. Foster as the backup. He will continue that next week. Drake appears to be a couple weeks away.
Estimated Return Time: 2-4 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
Austin Ekeler (RB – LAC)
It’s the status quo for Austin Ekeler. He is not close to returning and if the Chargers keep losing, there won’t ever be a reason for him to return. With Justin Jackson hurt as well and Joshua Kelley having fallen out of favor, Kalen Ballage was the primary back. I guess he’s worth a pickup. I can’t believe I’m saying that.
Estimated Return Time: 3-5 weeks
Course of Action: Hold/Drop if necessary
Nick Chubb (RB – CLE)
Nick Chubb is now eligible to practice, which means he is close to returning. He has to be activated within three weeks, but expect it to be sooner than that. He will likely return to a split with Kareem Hunt.
Estimated Return Time: 1-2 weeks
Course of Action: Hold
Joe Mixon (RB – CIN)
The Bengals held Joe Mixon out in Weeks 7 and 8 with the expectation of resting him through the Week 9 bye and bringing him back in Week 10. By all accounts, that is what we should expect. If Mixon does not return, Giovani Bernard remains a must-start.
Estimated Return Time: This week
Course of Action: Return to starting lineups
Miles Sanders (RB – PHI)
The Eagles did the exact same thing with Miles Sanders that the Bengals did with Joe Mixon. Sanders should return this week to his usual role.
Estimated Return Time: This week
Course of Action: Return to starting lineups
Raheem Mostert (RB – SF)
There were whispers of Raheem Mostert potentially returning in Week 10. My guess is with the bye coming up in Week 11, they hold him out one more week. Once Mostert returns, he will immediately resume his every down role and be a must start.
Estimated Return Time: Week 10 or Week 12
Course of Action: Return to starting lineups
Myles Gaskin (RB – MIA)
The Dolphins’ best running back was placed on I.R. prior to last week’s game. Myles Gaskin will miss at least two more games. Jordan Howard started but was unsurprisingly ineffective. Salvon Ahmed was far better, but it does not look like any running back is worth rostering until Gaskin returns.
Estimated Return Time: 3-4 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.