My children are all in the process of fine-tuning their Halloween costumes, with the holiday right around the corner. Our 12-year-old daughter has elected to go with a traditional angel costume (complete with wings and halo), while our nine- and five-year-old boys are going as astronauts — clearly, whatever frick had to do, frack had to follow in his footsteps.
Although my wife asked to play off their theme and dress up as a rocket ship or alien, I might just go as the blue sideline injury tent instead — it seems appropriate given my responsibility as the constant bearer of bad news from this column, coupled with the dramatic uptick we’ve experienced since the start of the season.
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Like every other week, Sunday had its fair share of fantasy-relevant injuries that will impact your lineup. Which players should you watch and how long will they be sidelined for? Let’s dive in.
Fantasy Football Injuries to Know: Week 9
Quarterbacks
Jordan Love initially left with what was feared to be a knee injury (given his limping movement off to the sidelines before collapsing in a heap), but it was later revealed that the root cause was a groin strain instead. Updated reports from Ian Rapoport suggest that an MRI confirmed no other issues, and the team is currently labeling him “day to day”. Early expectations have Green Bay taking it slow with Love throughout the week while he receives treatment, with the hope he starts in Week 9.
Drake Maye was removed from Sunday’s game against New York in the second quarter after sustaining a blow to the head by a defender’s forearm when beginning his slide. After being examined on the sidelines, it was confirmed he suffered a concussion and was immediately ruled out and placed into the league’s protocol. In his absence, veteran Jacoby Brissett played admirably enough (passing for 132 yards and rushing for another 11), leading the Patriots to an upset win over Gang Green. Most players who progress through the protocol system miss at least one week before being cleared. Maye managers should make alternative plans from the waiver wire for Week 9.
Running Backs
Right before Sunday afternoon’s contest against San Francisco, news broke that Rico Dowdle was feeling under the weather and experiencing symptoms that downgraded his status to “questionable.” Further evaluation by the team’s medical staff eventually ruled him out.
At least, that is what they are telling us.
Dowdle was spotted on the sidelines signing autographs for fans with a pronounced scowl on his face directly before kickoff. I’ll not try to play too much into conspiracy theories, but since the Cowboys had planned on promoting veteran Dalvin Cook from the practice squad and activating him, the timing of all of this is quite fishy. It almost feels like Dowdle was simply deactivated instead, and the team used this as a convenient excuse to cover things up and save face (a theory longtime Cowboys beat reporter Mike Fish shared).
If Dallas was hoping either Cook or Ezekiel Elliott would give them a spark in the running game, they were sorely mistaken. Both players combined for 46 yards rushing on 16 attempts. The team would be better off committing to the running game and sticking with Dowdle once he fully recovers from whatever illness the team thinks he has.
Jordan Mason managed to aggravate his sprained AC shoulder joint in the first half of Sunday’s contest against Dallas, gingerly walking off the sidelines before ushering away the team’s medical staff. He attempted to play through the pain later on but was instead finally taken to the locker room before never returning to the game.
Initially ruled questionable to return, rookie Isaac Guerendo took over lead duties in his absence and played admirably well. Guerendo’s speed and the one-cut zone running scheme in San Francisco allowed him to pick up several chunk plays as San Francisco sealed away the second half.
The timing for Mason’s injury is somewhat fortunate, given that San Francisco was already heading into a bye this upcoming week and all-Pro Christian McCaffrey is expected to return in Week 10, barring any setbacks with his Achilles tendinitis issues. As soon as McCaffrey makes his season debut, Mason will be relegated to being a handcuff.
Wide Receivers
Everyone is waiting for this shoe to drop for the most significant potential impact of the weekend. Stefon Diggs suffered a non-contact knee injury when it buckled underneath him when running an otherwise innocuous route against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Able to leave the field under his own power and walk back to the locker room, Diggs is in line for further testing to determine the extent of the injury, be it anywhere from a simple sprain and/or hyperextension to a full-blown damaged ligament or meniscus issue.
No further information is currently available, but Houston has already ruled him out for Thursday Night Football in Week 9.
With Houston already without Nico Collins until Week 10, the Texans will rely upon Tank Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz and possibly opt to explore the trade market for someone like Dionate Johnson, should the price fit.
Forced to leave Sunday’s game with what was initially described as a “shoulder injury” after falling on his left side after a leaping catch, it was later revealed Christian Kick had unfortunately fractured his clavicle (collarbone). He will now miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
A popular name on the trading block over the last week with the Jaguars wallowing in mediocrity, Kirk will now instead focus on rest and rehabilitation rather than greener pastures elsewhere. His absence opens up additional targets for tight end Evan Engram and wideout Parker Washington, with veteran Gabe Davis still nursing his own shoulder issues.
Standout rookie Brian Thomas Jr. left Sunday’s contest in the third quarter with a chest injury after catching a 14-yard touchdown when landing awkwardly in the end zone. Initially, it was feared that this could cost Thomas 2-4 weeks (as reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler), but further testing thankfully revealed just a bruise instead. Head coach Doug Pederson has labeled him as “day to day” instead.
Bruised ribs are immeasurably painful, but it sounds like Thomas Jr. will attempt to play against Philadelphia this upcoming week. If he can take the field, he would be in line for an uptick in targets, following the injury news that we received regarding Kirk.
Sterling Shepard suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter against Atlanta and was unable to return to the game at full effectiveness. A popular waiver wire addition following the injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin the week prior, Shepard was initially in line to crack standard-size lineups as a streaming Flex option. That is no longer the case.
Given his lengthy injury history and age, it would be surprising to see Shepard quickly return from this pull, and it might require additional conditioning. Jaguars beat reporter Rick Stroud had no immediate updates from the coaching staff on his long-term status.
Tight Ends
Thankfully, there were no impactful injuries this week at the tight end position.
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