Week 2 was a week with a lot of big name injuries. I will be using my knowledge and experience as a physical therapist to break down which injuries have waiver implications and what players we should be target on waivers today. Remember, early in the week we are working with limited info and do not have practice reports, so these are educated guesses on availability.
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Top 11 Injuries to Know for Week 3 Waiver Wire
Barkley suffered what looked to be an eversion sprain from the video. He had an MRI done which showed an “low” ankle sprain. Expect him to miss 2 or 3 weeks. Breida will likely be the incumbent RB1 for the Giants, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be a valuable fantasy asset.
Waiver considerations: Matt Breida
Aiyuk suffered a shoulder injury while making a catch. From the video, the most likely injury is an AC joint sprain. If this is the case, I expect him to miss Thursday’s game against the Giants and have a 50/50 chance for Week 4 after the long week. He did not practice Monday.
Waiver considerations: Jauan Jennings if you’re in a deep league, otherwise I wouldn’t pick anyone up.
Chubb appeared to have a gruesome injury in Monday Night’s game. From the one angle we have available, it looked like a pretty brutal leg/knee injury and he was instantly ruled out. He will likely miss an extended period of time, making Jerome Ford a smash add in all formats, although there is always the possibility of a trade or bringing in a veteran.
Waiver considerations: Add Jerome Ford
Burrow suffered a calf strain at the end of the game on Sunday. Since he had a calf strain during preseason, this is pretty concerning. We know that for a muscle strain, you’re most likely to reinjure it the first two weeks after returning, which remains true here. It will be interesting to see how cautious the Bengals will be with him after starting 0-2, but if he does play he is at an increased injury risk. Depending on the severity, a Grade 1 should be a one-week absence, whereas a Grade 2 is usually around 3-4 weeks.
Waiver considerations: None
Montgomery suffered what appeared to be a quadriceps contusion. While it doesn’t sound serious, it can pretty severely impact his muscle activation and be painful. I expect he’ll miss around two weeks, possibly three.
Waiver considerations: Craig Reynolds, monitor what his role will be without Montgomery
St. Brown appeared to have a turf toe injury on Sunday, which basically just means a sprain of one or more ligaments in the big toe. He was seen putting a steel plate in his shoe and taping his big toe, which is normal for this type of injury. If he continues to play through this injury, expect a severe production dip for a few weeks due to the big toe’s role in running and cutting. I would guess he most likely will sit out a week or two, but monitor the practice reports to see the severity.
Waiver considerations: Marvin Jones, Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond
Williams suffered a hamstring injury in Monday’s game, expect him to miss between one and four games depending on the severity. Already thin at RB with Kamara suspended for one more game (make sure he’s rostered), Tony Jones or Kendre Miller may be the back to own in the meantime, although Kendre is dealing with his own hamstring injury at the moment.
Waiver considerations: Make sure Kamara isn’t available, Tony Jones, Kendre Miller
OBJ suffered a sprained ankle, and it seems to be a minor injury not expected to impact his availability. If he were to miss time, Rashod Bateman would be the player to grab off waivers. Expect Bateman to continue to ramp up over the season coming off a Lisfranc injury.
Waiver considerations: Possibly Bateman
Concussions:
As I always say with concussions, the average time in concussion protocol is seven days, so we can assume players will miss one week, with a small percentage returning without missing a game.
Anthony Richardson entered concussion protocol Monday, there is a good chance he will miss next week. If you’re in a 2 QB league, Gardner Minshew is a must-add. In 1 QB leagues, leave him on waivers.
Waiver considerations: Minshew in 2 QB leagues
Waddle suffered a concussion on Sunday Night Football and entered concussion protocol Monday morning.
Waiver considerations: River Cracraft and Braxton Berrios in very deep leagues, Durham Smythe as a TE streamer.
Adams took a big hit at the end of the game on Sunday, coach Josh McDaniels said that he is “good” and he has not entered concussion protocol. He will play next week.
Waiver considerations: None
While there were a lot of big name injuries this week, most appear to be short-term without very significant waiver implications. As always, check your leagues to make sure guys like Puka Nacua, Ky’ren Williams, and Zack Moss aren’t available.
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