Week 1 brought us a number of catastrophic injuries, as well as an unhealthy dose of hamstring strains that have been plaguing the NFL lately. Let’s dive in and look at the impact these injuries may have on these players!
Aaron Rodgers, Torn Achilles- Season Ending
Slow motion of the injury for Aaron Rodgers
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) September 12, 2023
—You can see a recoil of the Achilles up the calf
—Fear is complete rupture pic.twitter.com/z2VcmP6dHV
This was one of the most interesting NFL stories over 2023, but unfortunately, it was over before the season even began. An MRI confirmed a torn Achilles for Rodgers, ending his season. I don’t see Rodgers going out this way, so I would plant my flag on him returning for 2024.
JK Dobbins, Torn Achilles- Season Ending
It was just devastating for Dobbins, who looked good prior to going down. While Dobbins is young, he is coming off of another season-ending injury, which takes a little longer for an RB to return. You have likely started Dobbins on your fantasy roster for the last time, as he enters into 2024 rehabbing a torn Achilles without a contract. He will likely get a minimal contract to work his way back for 2025 to be a role player. These injuries have historically been career killers for running backs. I am seeing what I can get, if anything, for my Dobbins shares and am happy with any return.
Evan Hull, Knee- 1-2 Weeks
This injury is relatively unknown at this point, but it is worth noting as Indy’s RB room gets even smaller for Week 2. We can likely chalk this up as a “knee sprain” of some kind and expect him out at least in Week 2 and questionable for Week 3.
Aaron Jones, Strained Hamstring- Week-to-Week
Slow motion of the injury for Aaron Rodgers
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) September 12, 2023
—You can see a recoil of the Achilles up the calf
—Fear is complete rupture pic.twitter.com/z2VcmP6dHV
Jones came up lame on an impressive TD against the Bears and did not return to the game. He is still being evaluated and is considered Questionable for Week 2. These injuries have a high incidence of recurrence of reinjury this early in recovery. I expect Green Bay to hold their star RB out against a beatable Atlanta team.
Austin Ekeler, Ankle- Week-to-Week
Ekeler was a very bright spot for fantasy managers in Week 1 but came out of that performance with an injury to his ankle. At this time, little is known about the exact nature of his injury and what his status is for Week 2. I speculate this is likely more of a “low” ankle sprain variety and would count on him being active for Week 2. If he misses Week 2, I would expect him out in Week 3, pending further information on this injury
Dionte Johnson, Hamstring Strain- 2-4 weeks
Slow motion of the injury for Aaron Rodgers
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) September 12, 2023
—You can see a recoil of the Achilles up the calf
—Fear is complete rupture pic.twitter.com/z2VcmP6dHV
Contrast Johnson’s injury to Jones’; this one seems more like one of those “See you in 4-6 weeks” Grade 2 strain varieties. In the best-case scenario, I could see Johnson back after two weeks, but the risk of reinjury is very high in that scenario. Also, fantasy production typically dips when these wide receivers return following a strained hamstring.
Cooper Kupp, Hamstring Strain- At least three more weeks
Kupp sought a second opinion and was put on IR for his hamstring strain. This is a classic example of how easily it is to suffer a setback/aggravation to a hamstring injury in the early stages of returning. With other WRs picking up the slack, the Rams can be conservative with bringing Kupp back. Week 5 is the earliest he can return. However, this could be an additional week or two, given this was already reaggravated once.
Jakobi Meyers, Concussion- Week-to-Week
Slow motion of the injury for Aaron Rodgers
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) September 12, 2023
—You can see a recoil of the Achilles up the calf
—Fear is complete rupture pic.twitter.com/z2VcmP6dHV
Meyers enters the concussion protocol after getting hit pretty badly going over the middle of the field. Before that, he was having a fantastic day, but for now, his timeline going forward is dependent on his symptoms and ability to progress through the concussion protocol.
Mark Andrews, Quadriceps- Week-to-Week
This preseason resulted in a tough injury for Andrews, leaving him out of Week 1. The long-term analysis of this injury is favorable. Early reports leading up to Week 2 are indicative that we could count on Andrews for Week 2. The risk for reinjury is relatively low here.
Greg Dulcich, Hamstring Strain- 2-4 Weeks
Dulcich received an MRI to determine the extent of his hamstring strain, which is never a good sign. If this is more significant, he could be placed on IR. However, if not, consider him out for Week 2 and Questionable for Week 3.
Travis Kelce, Hyperextended Knee- Week-to-Week
Fantasy managers were dealt a significant scare prior to Week 1 when Kelce reportedly had his knee hyperextend on him during practice. Initially, the Chiefs were concerned about a tibial plateau fracture but lucked out with a bone bruise (albeit “deep”). Bones don’t heal quickly, so the extent of the bruise really dictates the return to play. If the pain and swelling continue to be an issue, Kelce is likely out at least in Week 2 and would be questionable for Week 3. Once he returns, as long as swelling stays low, the risk of any further injury is low.
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