Inside the Tent - Week 3 NFL Injury Insight

Injury updates and analysis for Week 3 of the 2021 NFL season. Aaron Burger, PT, DPT provides analysis on fantasy football's biggest injuries during Week 2 to help make informed lineup start/sit decisions.

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 team. 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 four 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!

Inside the Tent Updates

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB - Washington Football Team

• Fitzpatrick was placed on injured reserve but should be out for five to seven more weeks. Until he returns, the Washington Football Team will be led by Taylor Heinicke who completed 34 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2.

Rashaad Penny, RB - Seattle Seahawks

• Penny sustained a calf strain in Week 1. This week, he was not able to practice and will miss Week 3 against the Vikings.

Josh Jacobs, RB - Las Vegas Raiders

• Jacobs missed Week 2 with a toe and ankle injury. This gave Peyton Barber and Kenyan Drake the opportunity to handle snaps at running back for the Raiders. This week, he is doubtful after missing practice all week. Typically, if a player can practice in a limited fashion twice before Saturday, they play more often than not.

Jerry Jeudy, WR - Denver Broncos

• Jeudy sustained a high ankle sprain in Week 1 and will be sidelined for three to five more weeks. Expect him to return in Week 7 or Week 8 but even when he comes back, his production may be a bit limited.

Michael Gallup, WR - Dallas Cowboys

• Gallup sustained a calf strain in Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve. This means he will miss at least three weeks. He will be able to return in Week 5 if he is indeed healthy enough to do so.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR - Cleveland Browns

• Beckham will make his long-awaited return after suffering a torn ACL on October 25th, 2020 and having ACL reconstruction surgery November 10th, 2020. According to Adam Schefter, Beckham still hadn't taken any contact as recently as September 12th. He may get off to a slow start and have his snaps limited but there's hope he can return to being a playmaker for the Browns.

Zach Ertz, TE - Philadelphia Eagles

• Ertz sustained a low grade hamstring strain in Week 1 but was able to play in Week 2 catching one of two targets for six yards. On Monday, Ertz was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and is at risk of missing the Eagles' Week 3 matchup against the 49ers.

Last Week's Injury Updates

Tua Tagovailoa, QB - Miami Dolphins

• Injury: Tagovailoa took a hard hit in the first quarter of Week 2 and injured his ribs. Initially, it was reported that he was dealing with bruised ribs, but on Wednesday Brain Flores told reporters Tagovailoa's ribs were actually fractured. Fractured ribs can cause a lot of pain and if severe enough, can interfere with breathing. This is a multi-week injury and for perspective, Drew Brees missed four weeks last year with fractured ribs.
• News: Tagovailoa was not able to practice this week and Jacoby Brissett will take over at quarterback for the Dolphins.
• Outlook: With Brissett under center, the Dolphins offense can still be productive but the ceiling for fantasy relevant players on the Dolphins is much lower than with Tagovailoa. If the Raiders are actually as good as they've looked through two weeks then then the veteran will be relied on to keep the Dolphins in the game. Look for the Dolphins to lean on Myles Gaskin and company to slow the game down and keep the ball out of Derek Carr's hands.

Andy Dalton, QB - Chicago Bears

• Injury: As Dalton rushed for a first down in Week 2, he scampered out of bounds and planted awkwardly on his left leg. This was a non-contact injury, which is always concerning, but it seems as if Dalton avoided major injury. When his knee collapsed inward momentarily. this puts stress on the ACL. Luckily for Dalton, his ACL was strong enough to withstand the force and he ended up with a bone bruise within his left knee joint instead. This will still cause pain and swelling but the timeline for recovery is much shorter. Expect Dalton to be out for anywhere from two to four weeks.
• News: Dalton has been ruled out for Week 3 and Justin Fields will start for the Bears.
• Outlook: The Bears will finally get to see what they have in Fields as he starts his first NFL game. Although Dalton was able to move the ball against the Rams in Week 1, the ceiling for the Bears' offense has a chance to be fulfilled with Fields under center. Consider this a significant upgrade for the likes of Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney, Cole Kmet, and David Montgomery.

Tyrod Taylor, QB - Houston Texans

• Injury: Taylor was removed from the Texans' Week 2 matchup against the Browns due to a hamstring strain. The hamstrings are on the back of the thigh and help to extend the hip and flex the knee. They also help with acceleration and deceleration. They are often injured when attempting to run faster or slow down quickly: Taylor's case being the latter. He is likely dealing with a Grade I strain, which is the least severe.
• News: With the quick turn around time to Thursday night, the Texans were forced to name rookie Davis Mills the starter for Week 3 against the Panthers. Grade I hamstring strains often keep players out anywhere from two to four weeks.
• Outlook: The Texans entered the season as the favorite to land the #1 overall pick in the 2022 draft but have looked quite spry at times early on in the season. Brandin Cooks has benefitted from Taylor's presence but the effect Mills will have on his fantasy production is to be seen. As fantasy players, there is insight to be gained from this week's Thursday night matchup.

Carson Wentz, QB - Indianapolis Colts

• Injury: Wentz did the unimaginable in Week 2 by spraining both of his ankles on the same play, a tackle from Aaron Donald. From video, it appears as if Wentz sustained a lateral ankle sprain on his right foot and a medial sprain on his left.
• News: Wentz was not able to practice on Wednesday or Thursday but is a game-time decision for the Colts. According to Ian Rapoport, he is expected to start.
• Outlook: If Wentz laces them up on Sunday, expect his mobility to be limited significantly. Head coach Frank Reich may be inclined to get the ball out quickly, which could benefit Zach Pascal. With Wentz hindered in his mobility, consider this a downgrade for the likes of Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor.

Baker Mayfield, QB - Cleveland Browns

• Injury: Mayfield appeared to injure his non-throwing shoulder in Week 2 while attempting to make a tackle after an interception. He was labored coming off the field and at the angle where he attempted the tackle, a dislocation or subluxation is certainly in play. He was able to finish the game but this will be something to keep an eye on in coming weeks.
• News: Mayfield was able to practice in full all week and will play in Week 3.
• Outlook: Injuries to a quarterback's non-throwing shoulder rarely affect performance but can limit any rushing upside to apprehensiveness to initiate contact. The Browns will continue to be a run-first team and lean on Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Darrell Henderson, RB - Los Angeles Rams

• Injury: Henderson sustained an injury to his rib cartilage in Week 2 against the Colts. Often times, these cartilage injuries can be more painful than fractured ribs so consider this an injury centered around pain tolerance and symptom control. The cartilage around the ribs help the ribs to expand during breathing so unfortunately, this simply bodily function can become painful until the cartilage is fully healed.
• News: Henderson was unable to practice this week and is officially a game-time decision for Week 3. If he is able to play, expect him to be sporting extra protection around his midsection.
• Outlook: With Henderson either out completely or playing with limited snaps, this gives Sony Michel an opportunity to see meaningful snaps and receive high value touches. Michel is not the beacon of health himself so we can also expect some touches for Jake Funk as well. It would be wise to place Henderson in the flex position for an easy swap if he's inactive.

Dalvin Cook, RB - Minnesota Vikings

• Injury: Cook exited on multiple occasions in Week 3 but is officially listed with an ankle injury. On one instance, his ankle was flexed backwards which would put him at risk for a high ankle sprain. High ankle sprains involve the ligamentous connection between the two lower leg bones. If he's indeed dealing with a high ankle sprain, it's likely a Grade I sprain.
• News: Cook was not able to practice this week and is officially questionable for Week 3. Head coach Mike Zimmer believes he will play but if his ankle is forced in the wrong direction, he has a chance to be out for a longer period of time.
• Outlook: Considering he was not able to practice this week, don't be surprised if Cook handles a lesser workload with Alexander Mattison serving as an above average backup. It would be wise to roster Cook in a flex position for an easier swap as he's playing in the later slate of games.

Elijah Mitchell, RB - San Francisco 49ers

• Injury: Mitchell was stopped short of the goal line on a run and exited the game for a short amount of time in Week 2. He's likely dealing with a stinger or AC joint sprain based on how he landed at the goal line. A stinger involves the bundle of nerves on the side of the neck and can produce burning or shooting pain down the affected arm. An AC, or acromioclavicular, joint sprain occurs at the tip of the shoulder where the shoulder girdle meets the collarbone. Considering he was able to finish the game, the injury is not assumed to be significant.
• News: Mitchell was unable to practice on Wednesday or Thursday but turned in a limited session on Friday.
• Outlook: Expect Mitchell to play on Sunday night but in a limited role. Trey Sermon is trending in the right direction and should be available as well so the 49ers would be wise to split the snaps at running back to reduce the risk of reinjury. It's a tough decision considering the 49ers play on Sunday night so proceed with caution.

JaMycal Hasty, RB - San Francisco 49ers

• Injury: Hasty sustained a high ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Eagles. A high ankle sprain is different than 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: Hasty was unable to practice this week and has been ruled OUT for Week 3.
• Outlook: It looks like the 49ers will have a mixture of Elijah Mitchell, Trey Sermon, Trenton Cannon, and Jacques Patrick in Week 3. Kyle Shanahan is comfortable rotating running backs so this lowers the ceiling of all involved and the only valuable touches may come in the form of receptions and goal line carries.

Trey Sermon, RB - San Francisco 49ers

• Injury: Sermon sustained a concussion in Week 2. A concussion is obviously 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.
• News: Sermon was able to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday and Thursday and fully on Friday. This puts him on pace to suit up in Week 3.
• Outlook: With a backfield also including Elijah Mitchell, Trenton Cannon, and Jacques Patrick the valuable touches for the 49ers offense, as far as running backs are concerned, will come in the form of receptions and goal line touches. It's difficult to project who will receive these considering the injuries in the running back room.

Jarvis Landry, WR - Cleveland Browns

• Injury: Landry sustained a MCL sprain to his left knee. The medial collateral ligament sits on the inside of the knee and helps to prevent against inward collapse of the knee. Landry likely sustained a Grade I sprain which is the least severe.
• News: Landry was placed on injured reserve and can return as early as Week 6.
• Outlook: With Landry out, the return of Odell Beckham Jr. couldn't have come at a better time for the Browns. Landry's absence will give an opportunity to Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz to receive more targets. The question is which one becomes fantasy relevant.

Laviska Shenault Jr., WR - Jacksonville Jaguars

• Injury: Shenault was injured in Week 2 with what was deemed a shoulder injury. He had an MRI which was unremarkable so that is a positive sign.
• News: Shenault practiced fully all week and will play in Week 3.
• Outlook: This season, Shenault has been used as more of a gadget player which has reduced his average depth of target to 4.13 yards. D.J. Chark and Marvin Jones Jr. have been carrying the load for routes down the field.

Diontae Johnson, WR - Pittsburgh Steelers

• Injury: Johnson went down with a left knee injury on the final play of the Steelers' Week 2 matchup with the Raiders. A diagnosis is tough to make through video but it's been reported by Mike Garafolo that Johnson avoided serious injury. If there are any ligaments involved, consider this a multi-week injury.
• News: Johnson was not able to practice this week and is OUT for Week 3.
• Outlook: With Johnson out, James Washington will start in his place. The Steelers have looked out of sorts to start 2021 but there are still valuable targets to be had in this offense. Expect JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool to garner shorter targets with a chance for yards after the catch and Washington to be the downfield threat.

Amari Cooper, WR - Dallas Cowboys

• Injury: Cooper sustained bruised ribs in Week 2 against the Chargers. Bones have blood vessels, just like the rest of our bodies, and can therefore be bruised. In these instances, the main symptom is pain so expect Cooper to be sporting extra protection around his midsection on Monday night against the Eagles.
• News: Cooper was able to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday and in full on Friday. He is likely to play in Week 3.
• Outlook: He had a great Week 1 catching 13 of 16 targets for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper remains to be a staple in the Cowboys' offense despite CeeDee Lamb's emergence.

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