Inside the Tent - Week 12 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!

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Inside the Tent Updates

Drew Brees, QB - New Orleans Saints

• Brees is dealing with fractured ribs and a collapsed lung and was placed on injured reserve on November 20th. This leaves him sidelined until at least Week 14 against the Eagles. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport though, a more realistic target is Week 15 against the Chiefs.

Joe Mixon, RB - Cincinnati Bengals

• Mixon is dealing with a midfoot sprain that has now caused him to be sidelined since Week 7. He was placed on injured reserve on November 21st and will miss at least three more games. There was optimism that his injury was initially not serious but that was unfortunately not the case. Foot injuries can be particularly tricky given the intricacy of the joints and the first game he can return for is Week 14 against the Cowboys.

Christian McCaffrey, RB - Carolina Panthers

• McCaffrey is dealing with a shoulder sprain which occurred in Week 9. He was able to practice on Wednesday in a limited fashion but Head Coach Matt Rhule is not expecting to have McCaffrey back this week.

David Johnson, RB - Houston Texans

• Johnson was placed on injured reserve due to his concussion sustained in Week 9. This indicates that the first game Johnson can return for is their Week 13 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

D'Andre Swift, RB - Detroit Lions

• Swift was not able to play on Thanksgiving against the Texans due to a concussion. Not all concussions are the same and obviously Swift's can be considered more severe given the weeks that he's missed. Expect Swift to head the Lions' rushing attack in Week 13.

Laviska Shenault Jr., WR - Jacksonville Jaguars

• Shenault missed Week 11 with a hamstring strain and now, after practicing in a limited fashion ahead of Week 12 he will make his return against the Browns.

Kenny Golladay, WR - Detroit Lions

• Golladay was not able to play on Thanksgiving and missed his fourth game in a row due to his hip injury. His practice participation leading into Week 13 will be very telling.

Last Week's Injury Updates

Joe Burrow, QB - Cincinnati Bengals

• Injury: Burrow had his knee hyperextended by a defender and unfortunately tore his ACL, MCL, and sustained other structural issues, likely involving the menisci. This will take anywhere from 9 to 12 months to return to play so there's a chance Burrow will start 2021 on the PUP.
• News: Burrow and his medical team will likely wait several weeks for the swelling within the knee to go down before performing surgery. Obviously, Burrow's 2020 season is over and he'll set his sights on 2021.
• Outlook: With Burrow sidelined, the Bengals will turn to Brandon Allen to go up against the Giants. This is obviously a downgrade but Giovani Bernard, Tyler Boyd, and Tee Higgins remain start-worthy.

Kyler Murray, QB - Arizona Cardinals

• Injury: Murray sustained an AC joint sprain to his throwing shoulder in Week 11. This is the joint where the clavicle, or collarbone, meets the shoulder blade via a bony protrusion known as the acromion. There are 3 types of sprains: Grade I, Grade II, and Grade III. Murray is dealing with a Grade I sprain based in severity and ligaments included.
• News: Murray missed practice on Tuesday but afterwards told reporters it was precautionary. He will play in Week 12 against the Patriots.
• Outlook: Murray has been a true fantasy asset this year but expect Bill Belichick to scheme in order to reduce his rushing output. The Patriots may use a spy to keep Murray in the pocket but he's more than capable to do damage from there with his arm.

Rex Burkhead, RB - New England Patriots

• Injury: Burkhead sustained an ACL tear to his right knee and will be out for the remainder of the 2020 season. The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, helps to add stability to the knee and resists excess motion between the tibia and femur.
• News: With surgery impending, Burkhead will miss you he rest of the 2020 season and set his sights on the 9-12 month recovery timetable.
• Outlook: With Burkhead out, Damien Harris will continue to see the bulk of the carries out of the backfield with James White benefitting from receiving work. Sony Michel is returning from IR but considering his knee arthritis, he is not a real threat to Harris' job.

Julio Jones, WR - Atlanta Falcons

• Injury: Jones sustained yet another hamstring strain in Week 11 and will therefore be questionable for Week 12. The hamstring muscle group is on the back of the thigh and helps athletes accelerate and decelerate. Strains are graded from Grade I to Grade III with Grade I being mild strains and Grade III being a complete tear. Jones is likely dealing with a Grade I strain.
• News: Jones has been battling hamstring issues all year and he will be questionable in Week 12. If he does play expect limited workload and/or production for the veteran from Alabama.
• Outlook: With Jones' hamstring strain, the Falcons may lean on Calvin Ridley to head their aerial assault against a Raiders defense ranked 20th in fantasy points per game against wide receivers. Of note, Todd Gurley will not play due a knee injury. Gurley has a history of arthritis in his knee which has kept him out before.

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