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The NFL has many carousels, some more entertaining than others. We all love to see the head-coaching carousel, free-agent carousels, trade carousels, and the like. But the injury carousel is something we can all agree to hate.
Some key players suffer from maladies every week. It's a never-ending reality of professional football. The two best ways of dealing with this are to pray for your players to stay healthy and stay updated on the latest news.
So, let's break down the biggest names that are dealing with injuries, what they're dealing with, and what their statuses should be come game time.
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Amon-Ra St. Brown, David Montgomery Injury Updates
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is dealing with what's been described as a minor knee issue. Lions head coach Dan Campbell indicated that it wasn't serious, and expressed confidence that he'd be able to play in the team's Thanksgiving Day game on Thursday.
#Lions HC Dan Campbell said “I feel pretty good” about David Montgomery (shoulder) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) playing this week
Campbell has a 90% reliability rating on injury coachspeak, and has a flawless record on “feel pretty good” phrasing in our database
We fully expect… pic.twitter.com/nkiaalDsnj
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) November 26, 2024
Luckily for us, Campbell is the anti-Kyle Shanahan and is quite forthcoming about players' injury statuses. Have full confidence that the Sun God will suit up when his team takes on the divisional-rival Chicago Bears on Turkey Day.
In the same vein, Lions running back David Montgomery is dealing with a shoulder issue. He picked it up in Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts. Like St. Brown's injury, it's minor. It was reported that Monty could have continued playing, but was pulled from the contest out of an abundance of caution.
As you can see from the tweet above, you can expect No. 5 to suit up as well. There aren't many worries to be had here.
Brock Purdy Injury Update
The anti-Dan Campbell is the San Francisco 49ers head coach. Kyle Shanahan lied, once again, by saying that his team's quarterback was simply suffering from "soreness" in his throwing shoulder after taking a hit during a throw in Week 11. Of course, that wasn't true. Purdy would go on to miss Week 12.
Bills vs 49ers injury updates 11/27:
◻️QB Brock Purdy is limited in practice
◻️DE Nick Bosa will not participate in practice
◻️OT Trent Williams will not participate in practiceWe could see the Bills face QB Brandon Allen on Sunday night. #BillsMafia | #GoBills pic.twitter.com/dSYmOS26Y8
— Daniel Adams (@danie1adams) November 27, 2024
He had MRIs on his throwing shoulder, the one he injured, but of course, we weren't told the results of the scan. He practiced in a limited fashion on Wednesday. Thanks to good ol' Shanny, we'll just have to wait to hear more about SF's QB1's status moving forward. Fantasy managers should pick up a backup QB in case he's not able to go.
Brian Robinson Jr. Injury Update
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. is currently dealing with an ankle injury that forced him out of the team's upset loss to the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday. He hurt his ankle one time but was cleared to return to the game, only to re-aggravate the ailment. He didn't return after that.
Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. has had some bad luck with injuries this season.
Now, BRob is dealing with an ankle injury.
On his status against the Titans, BRob said, "if all goes well, yes, I will play on Sunday...I think I'm in a great spot." pic.twitter.com/BPmcRgMZd8
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) November 27, 2024
He logged a capped practice session on Wednesday. His status for Week 13 is still very much up in the air, but he's not been ruled out at this point, which is good news. If he does miss time due to this malady, it may only be one week.
Dalton Kincaid Injury Update
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid is still dealing with a knee injury that he suffered in Week 10. He didn't play in Week 11 and had his team's bye week in Week 12 to heal up. However, he wasn't able to practice on Wednesday ahead of Week 13, even after all this rest.
Dalton Kincaid is not practicing today as he continues to rehab from what is a suspected PCL sprain.
I had thought he’d return this week but there is a wide variety of timelines for PCL sprains as I noted in my latest article. #Bills https://t.co/X9W5B4kmE7 pic.twitter.com/KkMhorZsBi
— Banged Up Bills (@BangedUpBills) November 27, 2024
Given that he's missed two weeks and seems unlikely to return for Week 13, a ligament sprain seems reasonable, as the above tweet states. A Wednesday DNP is never good news for a player's potential availability during a Sunday game, especially after he's already missed this much time.
Fantasy managers will need to monitor this situation. They may need to roll with another TE this week.
Josh Downs Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs hurt his shoulder in Week 12.
Colts WR1 Josh Downs suffered a shoulder injury against Detroit in Week 12. It is unlikely he plays in Week 13. pic.twitter.com/gB0Mz3dNpW
— The Best Ball Junkie (@BestBallJunkie) November 28, 2024
His injury hasn't been fully elaborated upon by the Colts.
Josh Downs -
Concern for Right AC/Clavicle injury and/or labral injury.
Angle + force give concern for clavicle on this one. Staff is checking on him down on the field. Not anticipating good news. pic.twitter.com/Ik8ayozbML— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) November 24, 2024
This leaves us to speculate on what it is. This team isn't coached by Kyle Shanahan, thankfully, so we're led to believe the issue is minor since Indy seems to think he's likely to miss one week but hasn't reported that he'll miss more time than that. Week 14 seems like a reasonable return date now, but keep your eyes on this one.
Trevor Lawrence Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is dealing with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. He missed Weeks 10 and 11 of NFL action, and the Jags were on bye in Week 12, affording him an extra week of recovery time. He may be playing through significant pain if he can take the field, though.
That left clavicle is sitting just a tad higher, you can barely tell….
Nice grade III AC separation for Trevor Lawrence.
Going to hurt a ton if he plays and lands on his left shoulder. Tuck and roll.Will be curious how many (how few?) deep shots are dialed up. https://t.co/5d692sUguL pic.twitter.com/zAQEb67aov
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) November 27, 2024
He participated in a limited practice bout on Wednesday. He's stated that he hopes to play again this season, but his status is truly up in the air for now. It seems that his return to practice bodes well for his availability soon, if not for Week 13. Expect him to be back surely by Week 14. Sunday's game is more questionable.
DeVonta Smith Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith attempted to play through a hamstring injury in Week 11. While he was able to finish the game, it probably wasn't a good idea to send him out there. He finished with just four catches for 29 yards, limped off the field after the game, and was declared "Out" for Week 12.
Also no Devonta Smith again to start practice. Off to the side
13 days off so far for Smith since the noticeable limp against Washington
Video Credit: @Tim_McManus
— The Philly Blitz (@ThePhillyBlitz_) November 27, 2024
It's best to err on the side of caution and have backup options available on your fantasy rosters. It's also best to be pessimistic about Smith's future status for the game. DNP designations for practice after an absence of at least one game are generally signs that the player won't be able to suit up.
Hamstring issues present high reinjury risks if not allowed to fully heal. The team shouldn't make the same mistake twice and just let him heal up.
Calvin Ridley Injury Update
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (ankle) wasn't able to participate in his team's practice session on Wednesday. He was able to play in Week 12 and logged 79% of the team's snaps. It wasn't apparent that he was hurt during the game, so this could be something that wasn't noticed or simply soreness.
Tennessee Titan WR1 Calvin Ridley missed Wednesday practice with an ankle injury. If he is out for Week 13, i would consider playing the Commanders defense against turnover prone QB Will Levis without his number 1 receiver. pic.twitter.com/yQ8uTtc9sz
— The Best Ball Junkie (@BestBallJunkie) November 28, 2024
It's not clear if he'll suit up yet. It probably won't be until much closer to game time. The Titans haven't given any statements to the press confirming his status for Sunday, so we'll just have to wait.
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