Inside the Tent - Week 2 NFL Injury Insight

At RotoBaller, we can't stress enough the importance of keeping up with injuries and playing your best lineup week after week. Players are going to get injured, that's an unavoidable fact. What's avoidable though is making the wrong roster decisions based on the injuries surrounding your fantasy squad. If you want to dominate your leagues and win some dough in daily contests, you have to be proactive with injury research.

That's where I come in to serve you, the readers! I'm Aaron Burger, a Doctor of Physical Therapy in Pittsburgh, PA. About three years ago, I decided to combine my love, fantasy football, with what I've been learning for years now: injuries and the human body. Each week, I'll be checking in on fantasy's biggest injuries to keep you informed.

Be sure you also have RotoBaller bookmarked and follow us on social media to catch all the latest NFL news and updates. Feel free to reach out on Twitter (@aaronburgerPT) for any injury questions!

Week 1 Injury Updates

James Conner, RB - Pittsburgh Steelers

• Injury: James Conner is unfortunately a player I find myself writing about far too often given his history of knee, shoulder, and quadriceps injuries. In Week 1 though, it was Conner’s ankle which failed him and caused him to miss about three quarters of the Steelers’ Week 1 win against the Giants. Thankfully though for Conner, it seems as if his ankle sprain is of the “low” variety compared to the notorious high ankle sprain. When a player experiences a low ankle sprain, a ligament is stretched beyond its anatomical limits resulting in pain and laxity within the joint. The most common ligament affected during lateral ankle sprains is the anterior talofibular ligament. As with all soft tissue injuries, there is a risk of re-injury if a player returns too soon.
• News: Conner was able to practice in full on Thursday and Friday after not practicing on Wednesday. When a player is able to practice fully for two consecutive days, this is a good sign that said player will play that week.
• Outlook: The Pittsburgh backfield is tough to decipher at the moment given the success Benny Snell Jr. had on Monday night and Conner’s extensive injury history. Throughout the offseason though, Mike Tomlin reiterated that James Conner is the bell-cow back so one must assume that until there's a significant change in snap counts and opportunities when both Conner and Snell are healthy, Conner will be the “guy” in Pittsburgh.

Phillip Lindsay, RB - Denver Broncos

• Injury: Phillip Lindsay suffered an instance of “turf toe” Monday night against the Titans. Turf toe involves the metatarsophalangeal joint which is the big toe joint in the foot. This injury occurs as a result of the big toe bending too far upwards and stretching the ligaments and tendons that run along the bottom of the toe. The severity and how long a player will be out depends on how far the ligaments and tendons are stretched as well as pain tolerance.
• News: Lindsay did not practice at all this week and has been ruled out for Week 2’s matchup against the Steelers.
• Outlook: With Lindsay likely sidelined for multiple weeks, Melvin Gordon will lead the Broncos’ backfield in carries and try to stay healthy himself. With the Broncos being seven point underdogs, Gordon may return on value in PPR formats as the Broncos try to keep pace with the Steelers. Those with Lindsay on their roster should look elsewhere and prepare for a multi-week absence.

Marlon Mack, RB - Indianapolis Colts

• Injury: Marlon Mack unfortunately suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon during the second quarter of the Colts’ Week 1 matchup against the Jaguars. Mack caught a pass out of the backfield and landed on the ball of his right foot while beginning to accelerate. Upon analysis, one can see Mack’s calf musculature involving the gastrocnemius and soleus recoil into the leg following the rupture. Mack will require surgery to reattach the tendon and benefit from an extensive rehab process to regain range of motion, strength, and return to sport specific activities when appropriate.
• News: Mack was placed on the IR and will miss the remainder of the 2020 season. In 2021, we will see Mack eased back into the equation for whatever team he is on considering he will be a free agent in 2021.
• Outlook: With Mack out, this clears the way for Jonathan Taylor to carry the load as the Colt’s lead back. In Week 1, Taylor rushed nine times for 22 yards but caught all six of his targets for 67 yards. Nyheim Hines also benefited from Mack’s departure rushing seven times for 28 yards and a touchdown while catching eight passes on as many targets for 45 yards and another score. Both backs will hold season long value with Taylor being much more consistent.

Miles Sanders, RB - Philadelphia Eagles

• Injury: Miles Sanders, Philadelphia’s second-year running back, sustained a hamstring strain during Eagles’ training camp which was first reported as a lower body injury on August 19th. Hamstring strain recovery times, like all soft tissue injuries, depend on severity and how the player is progressing through rehab and football/team drills. Given the time frame, Sanders was likely dealing with a Grade I strain causing him to miss about four weeks. There are three muscles which make up the hamstrings group and they are strained when stretched beyond their anatomical limits; often during periods of acceleration or deceleration.
• News: Sanders missed Week 1 as a result of this hamstring strain and was clearly not close to playing as he didn’t make the trip to Washington. When players don’t travel for away games, it’s a clear indication said player wasn’t relied on for the game plan. This week at practice, Sanders was able to turn in full practices on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday which means Sanders will be close to or fully recovered for Week 2.
• Outlook: Sanders will make his 2020 debut in Week 2 against a Rams team which allowed 127 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown to Ezekiel Elliott on Sunday night. Boston Scott was injured in Week 1 against The Washington Football Team but hasn’t been listed in the Eagles’ injury reports. One could expect Sanders to be on the field early and often against the Rams in what should be a close game.

Le'Veon Bell, RB - New York Jets

• Injury: Le’Veon Bell sustained a hamstring strain in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. As stated above, the hamstrings group is made of three muscles and they are often injured during moments of acceleration or deceleration. Bell likely sustained a Grade I strain but this will keep him out for anywhere from three to five weeks.
• News: Bell was placed on IR which means he will miss at least three weeks thanks to the new IR protocols for the 2020 season. Based on the severity, Bell will be back anywhere from Week 4 to Week 6 with a significant risk of re-injury if he comes back too soon. 
• Outlook: Already lacking weapons on offense, the Jets are now without their dynamic, three-down back in Le’Veon Bell. Kalen Ballage was signed by the Jets to provide depth behind Frank Gore but this is an offense that should be avoided if possible. When Bell returns from IR, he will once again be startable but expectations must be tempered under Adam Gase.

DeVante Parker, WR - Miami Dolphins

• Injury: DeVante Parker, like Le’Veon Bell and Miles Sanders, is battling a hamstring injury. As stated before, hamstring strains often occur during moments of acceleration or deceleration and tend to linger even after an athlete returns to play. Soft tissue injuries such as hamstring strains are vulnerable to re-injury if they are not rehabbed properly or the athlete comes back too soon.
• News: Parker was able to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday which is a step in the right direction. Head coach Brian Flores said that Parker will be a game-time decision so in lineups he should certainly be avoided.
• Outlook: With Parker possibly sidelined or acting as a decoy, Preston Williams will likely see an uptick in targets in a game where the Dolphins will likely play from behind. If Parker sits this week, depending on the severity, he should be able to return for Week 3.

Michael Thomas, WR - New Orleans Saints

• Injury: Michael Thomas, New Orlean’s star WR, suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 and is likely to be out for multiple weeks. High ankle sprains often occur when the foot is rotated outward while planted or flexed too far upwards. A high ankle sprain is different from a low ankle sprain in that it involves the connection (syndesmosis) between the tibia and fibula. These are the two lower leg bones and there is a sheet of connective tissue between them. With a high ankle sprain, this tissue is stretched and the joint becomes unstable.
• News: NFL Network's Tom Pelissero has reported that Thomas is expected to miss “several weeks” but more recent reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter shine a more positive light saying Thomas has surprised at practice and there is “a little hope” he can play on Monday night. Officially though, Thomas hasn’t practiced this week and remains doubtful for Week 2.
• Outlook: Ultimately, the Saints are likely to be without Thomas on Monday night when they face the Las Vegas Raiders. High ankle sprains are injuries that require multiple weeks of rehab and a process of easing back into game speed. Saquon Barkley and Alvin Kamara both dealt with high ankle sprains last year with Barkley missing four weeks and Kamara missing three games. With Thomas sidelined, expect the Saints to lean on Kamara out of the backfield as well as Emmanuel Sanders and Jared Cook over the middle of the field.

Chris Godwin, WR - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Injury: Chris Godwin sustained a concussion in Week 1. A concussion is the result of blunt force trauma to the head and the resultant chemical cascade that occurs within the brain. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headaches, confusion, drowsiness, and difficulty remembering things. Symptoms and how a player responds to increased activity during the week will indicate how soon that player can return to action.
• News: Godwin was not able to practice Wednesday or Thursday but was limited on Friday. Unfortunately, any time a player isn’t able to get consecutive limited practices in during the week, this often means their availability will be in serious question. Godwin is doubtful this week but may be a game-time decision.
• Outlook: With Godwin likely sidelined, look for the Buccaneers to pound the rock with Ronald Jones II and Leonard Fournette, as needed, against a soft Carolina run defense. Carolina was gashed by Josh Jacobs last week allowing him to rush for 93 yards and three touchdowns while catching four of six passes for an additional 46 yards. For a team with such high expectations coming into the season, they may try to look to the running game and establish a lead to lighten the load on Tom Brady. Godwin should be back next week and the Buccaneers will have all their weapons.

Kenny Golladay, WR - Detroit Lions

• Injury: Kenny Golladay suffered a strained hamstring before Week 1 and missed the Lions’ opener as a result. Strained hamstrings, like other soft tissue injuries, can linger for multiple weeks and re-injure if a player tries to come back too soon. These hamstring strains specifically happen during moments of acceleration or deceleration and result from the muscle and tendon being stretched beyond their anatomical limits. 
• News: Golladay was not able to practice at all this week and will be OUT for Week 2 against the Packers.
• Outlook: With Golladay sidelined, expect the Lions to lean on Marvin Jones and T.J. Hockenson to stretch the field with D’Andre Swift seeing targets out of the backfield. Keep an eye out to see if Gollday travels with the team to Green Bay, as well as Wednesday’s practice report.

Henry Ruggs III, WR - Las Vegas Raiders

• Injury: Henry Ruggs III was tackled in Week 1 after catching a pass and his left ankle got caught in the turf and rotated outwards. His knee, upon further review, actually collapses inward a bit as well putting stress on his MCL, or medial collateral ligament. His injury is being listed as a knee but I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s also dealing with a high ankle sprain. A high ankle sprain, much more serious than a low ankle sprain, involves the connection between the tibia and fibula being stretched beyond its anatomical limits causing severe pain and instability. The MCL sprain, depending on the grade, could keep Ruggs out anywhere from two to six weeks but the high ankle sprain is more concerning.
• News: Ruggs was not able to practice Thursday or Friday and based on such will be doubtful for the Monday night game against the Saints. 
• Outlook: Without Ruggs, the Raiders will have to funnel targets to Darren Waller and their other rookie wide receiver, Bryan Edwards. Hunter Renfrow will be patrolling the middle of the field and is a sneaky PPR play with Ruggs out of the equation for the time being.

Jamison Crowder, WR - New York Jets

• Injury: Jamison Crowder is unfortunately another player who sustained a strained hamstring, likely because of the lack of preseason games and ramp up period this season. As stated above, the hamstring group consists of three muscles along the back of the thigh that are strained when they are stretched beyond their anatomical limits; most often during periods of acceleration or deceleration. Crowder is likely dealing with a Grade I strain, which is the least serious but often causes a player to miss at least one or two weeks.
• News: Crowder was not able to practice this week and has been ruled OUT for New York’s Week 2 game against the 49ers.
• Outlook: Crowder was a bright spot for an otherwise stagnant Jets offense catching seven of 13 targets for 115 yards and a touchdown. Without him, the Jets are lacking serious receiving threats and will likely struggle to move the ball against a stout 49ers defense. Chris Herndon is the beneficiary of this injury as we should see his targets increase without Crowder on the field.

George Kittle, TE - San Fransisco 49ers

• Injury: George Kittle suffered a scary hit on Sunday resulting in his knee hyperextending while still planted in the turf. This is a common mechanism of injury for a MCL sprain and with the news coming from practice this week, that appears to be what Kittle is dealing with. The MCL, or medial collateral ligament, is on the inner part of the knee and adds stability to the joint. Based on reports and the overall concern from the 49ers, we are likely looking at a Grade I sprain which still can keep Kittle out for two to four weeks.
• News: Kittle wasn’t able to  practice Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday this week and has been ruled OUT against the Jets.
• Outlook: In the grand scheme of things, the 49ers are smart to keep Kittle out and let him continue to rehab his knee. This increases the likelihood that he will be ready for Week 4 against the Eagles or possibly Week 3 against the Giants. The 49ers signed Mohammed Sanu to reunite with Kyle Shanahan and provide another target across the middle. The 49ers will rely on their running attack this game as they should be able to handle the New York Jets.

Blake Jarwin, TE - Dallas Cowboys

• Injury: Blake Jarwin unfortunately tore his right ACL when he planted and attempted to make a cut towards the middle of the field on Sunday night against the Rams. His knee collapsed inward, which is a classic mechanism of injury for an ACL rupture.
• News: Jarwin was placed on IR and his 2020 season is over. He should be fully recovered for 2021 based on how early in the season this injury occurred.
• Outlook: Without Jarwin, the Cowboys will look to Dalton Schultz to provide stability from the tight end position and will rely more on Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb down the field and across the middle.

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