Inside the Tent - Week 7 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

Sam Darnold, QB - New York Jets

• Darnold was sacked in the first quarter of the Jets' Week 4 game and was thrown onto his right shoulder. He was diagnosed with an AC joint sprain and missed Weeks 5 and 6 as a result. He was able to practice in a limited fashion this week and will start for the Jets in Week 7. Although the Jets have struggled to this point, this should be an upgrade for Jamison Crowder.

Dalvin Cook, RB - Minnesota Vikings

• The Vikings have a bye in Week 7, which should give Cook the necessary rest and rehabilitation to return from his adductor strain. Alexander Mattison was quite the disappointment for fantasy managers in Week 6 as he rushed 10 times for 26 yards while adding one catch for four yards. Expect Cook to play in Week 8 as he is likely dealing with a Grade I strain.

Keenan Allen, WR - Los Angeles Chargers

• Coming off their Week 6 bye, Allen was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice. He was dealing with back spasms in Week 5 against the Saints and should be back on the field in Week 7 against the Jaguars. This is an advantageous matchup for Allen, especially with Justin Herbert's recent success and the Jaguars' defense which ranks last in defensive DVOA according to Football Outsiders.

Diontae Johnson, WR - Pittsburgh Steelers

• Johnson should return for the Steelers in Week 7 after missing Week 6 with a back injury. Specifics were never released but he was likely dealing with back spasms like Keenan Allen. Johnson's return leaves QB Ben Roethlisberger with his full arsenal of wide receivers against a Tennessee defense which ranks 22nd in defensive DVOA according to Football Outsiders.

Noah Fant, TE - Denver Broncos

• Fant suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 4 and would have missed Week 5 if the Broncos had played. These often cause players to miss three or more games and Fant was not able to suit up in Week 6. He was able to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday followed by full practices on Thursday and Friday. Fant will play in Week 7 when the Broncos face the Chiefs and his presence will certainly be important if the Broncos want to keep pace with the Chiefs' high flying offense.

Last Week's Injury Updates

Miles Sanders, RB - Philadelphia Eagles

• Injury: Sanders twisted his knee in an awkward fashion in Week 6 and left the game as a result. Based on the video, he is likely dealing with an MCL sprain or a minor meniscus tear. The MCL, or medial collateral ligament, runs along the inside of the knee and helps to provide stability to the joint. The menisci, lateral and medial, help to increase the surface area of the tibia, or shin bone, and allow for optimal movement within the joint. If Sanders sprained his MCL, he likely is dealing with a Grade I sprain which is the least severe. If he tore his meniscus, he could have an arthroscopic surgery done to clean up the joint and frayed meniscus.
• News: He obviously did not play in Week 7 against the Giants. For Week 8, he will be doubtful or a game-time decision at best. Of note, the Eagles have a Week 9 bye so they may hold him out until after that.
• Outlook: Without Sanders, Boston Scott was able to rush for 46 yards on 12 rushes while adding three receptions for 46 yards and a TD. With a Week 8 matchup against a Dallas defense that ranks 28th in defensive DVOA per Football Outsiders, Scott is a must start if Sanders sits.

Aaron Jones, RB - Green Bay Packers

• Injury: Jones was not able to practice on Friday after sustaining a mild calf strain. He is dealing with a Grade I strain and is a game-time decision as a result. The calf muscle group is made up of two muscles: the gastrocnemius and soleus.
• News: It was announced on Friday that Jones will be a game-time decision in Week 7.
• Outlook: If Jones isn't able to suit up, Jamaal Williams should handle the bulk of carries for the Packers with A.J. Dillion spelling him. The Packers have an advantageous matchup against a Texans Defense ranked 27th in defensive DVOA according to Football Outsiders.

Raheem Mostert, RB - San Francisco 49ers

• Injury: Mostert sustained a high ankle sprain in Week 6 against the Rams. High ankle sprains involve the connection between the two lower leg bones, the tibia and fibula. These two bones are connected by a sheath, or syndesmosis. When the foot is dorsiflexed while planted and externally rotates, this is commonly the mechanism of injury for high ankle sprains.
• News: He was placed on injured reserve on October 23rd. With this being said, he will sidelined for at least three weeks.
• Outlook: With Mostert out for the foreseeable future and Tevin Coleman already on IR, the 49ers will turn to undrafted free agency, JaMycal Hasty and Jerick McKinnon to lead the backfield. Hasty was able to rush for 37 yards on nine carries against the Rams while showing some good burst. For fantasy managers willing to take a risk, Hasty should see an increase in volume against the Patriots.

Joe Mixon, RB - Cincinnati Bengals

• Injury: Mixon suffered a foot injury in Week 6 and the details have not yet surfaced. A common injury in the foot is turf toe which is the result of the big toe being flexed too far upwards. When this occurs, the ligaments and tendons on the bottom of the toe are stretched beyond their anatomical limits.
• News: Mixon has been ruled out for Week 7 and will likely be questionable for Week 8.
• Outlook: With Mixon sidelined, Giovani Bernard is in line to handle the majority of running back snaps for the Bengals in a game where they should be behind. With this being said, Bernard hold significant value in PPR formats.

Jonnu Smith, TE - Tennessee Titans

• Injury: Smith suffered a minor, lateral ankle sprain in his left foot in Week 6. This is best case scenario versus a high ankle sprain which takes weeks to come back from. The anterior talofibular ligament is the most commonly sprained ligament in lateral ankle sprains.
• News: He was able to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday, in full on Thursday, and dropped his I hurt designation by Friday.
• Outlook: With the Steelers missing Devin Bush due to a torn ACL, the defensive unit may find some trouble guarding an athletic tight end such as Smith. Overall though, the Steelers Defense has been one of the best in the league ranking second in defensive DVOA per Football Outsiders.

Zach Ertz, TE - Philadelphia Eagles

• Injury: Ertz suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 6. High ankle sprains often result from excessive dorsiflexion or upward flexion of the ankle accompanied by external rotation. This torque causes stress on the connection, or syndesmosis between the tibia and fibula, the two lower leg bones.
• News: Expect Ertz to miss anywhere from 4-6 weeks. He was placed on injured reserve on Thursday.
• Outlook: With Ertz sidelined, Richard Rodgers caught 6 of 8 targets for 85 yards, proving to be one of Carson Wentz' more reliable targets on the night. Expect to see Dallas Goedert back next week as he has taken time off to heal from a broken fibula. Goedert is cemented as a TE1 when he returns.

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