NFL Injury Updates & Fantasy Football Impact (Week 2)

Week 2 of the NFL season has been a true reminder of just how violent and taxing the game of football can be. Numerous significant injuries impacted both real-life franchises and fantasy teams alike, and we will touch on some of the bigger ones today. You cannot help but feel for some players who put in immense work this offseason just to see themselves go down to a freak injury or incident before the autumn season has even rolled around.

For fantasy purposes, it is important to monitor injuries for many reasons, given the implications of losing certain players for periods of time throughout a season. When a starting fantasy option goes down, oftentimes times, there will at least be a reasonable option to pick up as a replacement. Part of this article’s intent will be to identify those fill-in guys for managers that are needing to navigate the waters of the dreaded injury bug. Let’s see what we are working with following Week 2.

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NFL Injury Updates & Fantasy Football Impact

David Montgomery (RB – DET)

The early window kicked off with a blow to the Detroit running game, as incumbent starter David Montgomery went down with a quad injury late in the second half. Montgomery got twisted up while pushing for extra yards and eventually had to be taken off via cart with a wrap over his leg. It sounds like the 26-year-old avoided the worst-case scenario, but it has also become apparent that he will likely miss some time. Any Montgomery absence becomes critical for the Detroit run game, as he was the clear-cut top backfield option in one of the NFL’s most run-heavy offenses.

Fantasy Impact:

Should Montgomery miss extended time, and with it looking like he will, rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs could be thrust into a more prominent role earlier than expected. The explosive 12^th overall pick from this year’s NFL draft, Gibbs has tantalizing upside behind the fierce Lions’ offensive line. The main question is whether or not head coach Dan Campbell and company will feel comfortable utilizing Gibbs as a true three-down feature back this early in his career. Following the initial Montgomery injury, sixth-year back Craig Reynolds was inserted into the game and ended up logging three carries and one reception across the final frame. Reynolds needs to be considered as a priority add in fantasy leagues this week under the premise that he may see more-than-expected run opportunities in a committee with Gibbs moving forward.

Anthony Richardson (QB – IND)

Anthony Richardson is frighteningly on this list for the second week in a row, but for a different injury than the one he suffered against Jacksonville in the opener. The rookie was looking absolutely electric against Houston before he slammed his head against the turf while absorbing a hit on his second rushing touchdown of the day. He was subsequently removed and placed in the concussion protocols before being ruled out shortly thereafter.

Fantasy Impact:

Richardson will now have a week to recover and pass the protocols if he plans to suit up against Baltimore in Week 3. He will need to be monitored tightly throughout the week, as there is no guarantee he will be ready by next Sunday. One alerting takeaway to note here is the rookie’s recklessness when it comes to his style of play, which has already gotten him in trouble in back-to-back weeks. He will need to be a bit more cautious in regards to protecting himself upon his return to the starting lineup. If Richardson is to miss the Colts’ Week 3 tilt with the Ravens, QB Gardner Minshew will pull the start as nothing more than a desperation streaming option in nothing but the deepest of fantasy formats.

Saquon Barkley (RB – NYG)

This is certainly the biggest injury of the week, and it happened during the Giants’ impressive comeback victory against the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. Saquon Barkley ended up with a massive fantasy day in the second half of the affair, but it came at a major cost when he went down with a late-game ankle injury. There is initial optimism that Barkley may have avoided the dreaded high-ankle sprain but also concern that there could be a fracture following his leg getting rolled up on in a dogpile. The injury certainly did not look good, and Barkley himself was seen showing true frustration on the bench following the incident.

Fantasy Impact:

The Giants head to San Francisco to face the 49ers on a short week this Thursday night, so it is likely safe to assume that Barkley will almost surely miss that contest. Matt Breida figures to fill in as the nominal starter for as long as Barkley remains out, but he will barely be worth streaming in a matchup with one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses (and despite the revenge-game narrative). Right now, Barkley owners simply need to hold their breath and pray that their stud RB avoided any serious damage. The Giants could be in for a long, depressing campaign if he did.

Davante Adams (WR – LV)

Another superstar to go down on Sunday afternoon, Davante Adams, was removed from the game against Buffalo to be evaluated for a concussion. The stud receiver did not return and concluded his day with a touchdown and 84 receiving yards on six catches. The injury marks concussions in consecutive weeks for Raiders’ receivers between Adams and Jakobi Meyers, and now the former’s status will need to be closely monitored throughout the week. Adams and the Raiders are set to face the Steelers in primetime next Sunday night, so the 30-year-old will be doing what he can to pass the protocols ahead of that matchup.

Fantasy Impact:

There is no replacement for a talent as good as Adams, and fantasy managers must scramble to the waiver wires to find a potential replacement. That option is unlikely to come from Las Vegas’ roster, who currently only have Hunter Renfrow, DeAndre Carter, and Tre Tucker as realistic starting options. There is definitely a chance Adams could heal up in time for Sunday night, and that is certainly what fantasy managers (and most of America) will undoubtedly be hoping for.

Quick Hitters:

• D.K. Metcalf left against the Lions early with a rib injury but returned to finish out the game in Week 2. He will likely deal with some soreness this week but should be good to go against Carolina in Week 3.
• Joe Burrow reinjured his calf strain against the Ravens on Sunday. His status is worth monitoring, but all signs point to him being able to play going forward. Were he to miss time, the entire Bengals’ skill-position group would see a major downgrade.
• Jaylen Waddle‘s status needs to be monitored ahead of Week 3 – he took a big hit against the Patriots on Sunday night and was subsequently ruled out with concussion-like symptoms. He will now have just a week to heal up for the Dolphins’ next matchup.