Every week players across the NFL suffer injuries. This weekly article will explore the injuries that affect your dynasty squads. We will briefly discuss both the injured players themselves and the players who stand to benefit or suffer as a result. Be sure to make your plans early for Week 3 action and keep your eyes peeled for Johnny Goode’s Weekend Injury Update which tells you how these players are progressing and other last-minute injury news.
AFC East Injury News
Tua suffered a traumatic brain injury on this play, no question. His right arm shows the “fencing posture” indicating loss of consciousness & is on the severe end on the #concussion spectrum. He is done for the night and must miss the next game.pic.twitter.com/3Ur62QfBLH
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) September 13, 2024
Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Miami Dolphins | Concussion
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was knocked out of his team’s Week 2 loss with another brutal concussion. This is becoming far too regular for the former Alabama signal caller. After a series of vicious head injuries two years ago, Tagovailoa appeared to have moved on from the concussion issue. However, this latest injury looked as bad as any of the previous shots. Some have indicated that Tua lost consciousness on the field.
Tagovailoa wants to continue his career but it is becoming a serious point of conversation as to whether or not the talented QB could, and should, continue to play. Until he is able to clear the league’s concussion protocols, the Dolphins will look to Skyler Thompson. They have also brought in former Pro Bowl QB Tyler Huntley. Neither player will offer much fantasy appeal and each represents a massive blow to the fantasy output of Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and the other Miami skill players. Look for the talented stable of running backs in Miami to get all the work they can handle.
Jacoby Brissett | QB | New England Patriots | Leg
Jacoby Brissett appeared to have his leg rolled up on awkwardly late in his team’s Week 2 loss. The Patriots quarterback was able to finish the game and further delay the debut of 1st-round pick Drake Maye. At this point, Brissett appears to have avoided serious injury. However, this could be a situation to monitor as the week progresses. If he does miss game action, the Patriots would turn to their talented rookie. Maye would be a lateral move for the Patriots’ skill players, at worst.
AFC South Injury News
Joe Mixon –
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 16, 2024
Right foot/ankle.
Increased concern due to his past Lisfranc injury on the right side in 2020 (missed 10 games).
Concern here for high ankle sprain, deltoid ligament injury, midfoot sprain.
I expect him to miss time. pic.twitter.com/WfCa1o2bwH
Joe Mixon | RB | Houston Texans | Ankle
Houston starting RB Joe Mixon suffered a painful-looking ankle injury during his team’s Sunday Night victory. Coming off of a stellar game, Mixon was largely bottled up against the Bears defense before having his ankle trapped beneath him in a hip-drop tackle. Mixon exited the game to be checked out before briefly coming back into the game. The team ordered an MRI on his injured ankle. If Mixon is forced to miss games the Texans would look to Cam Akers and potentially Dameon Pierce if he can get back from his own current hamstring injury. Akers would be an interesting plug-and-play if Mixon and Pierce are forced to sit.
Tank Bigsby | RB | Jacksonville Jaguars | Shoulder
Jaguars backup RB Tank Bigsby departed his team’s Week 2 loss with a shoulder injury. The emerging second-year player looked like he had earned a noteworthy role on the offensive side of the ball after Week 1. The former Auburn runner exited the game after taking a nasty shot on a kick return which you can see above. Updates have been scarce at this point. If he does miss game action the Jags would lean more heavily on starter Travis Etienne. Former Cleveland Browns fan favorite D’Earnest Johnson would move up the depth chart behind Etienne in Bigsby’s absence. Etienne is already a must and Johnson would not be a recommended play.
Tyjae Spears | RB | Tennessee Titans | Ankle
Titans RB Tyjae Spears sustained an ankle injury in his team’s Week 2 loss. The talented runner has played second fiddle to newly acquired Tony Pollard through the season’s first two games. Head Coach Brian Callahan has indicated that he does not believe the injury to be serious. He said that the sophomore RB was day-to-day. If Spears did miss game action Pollard would be in line for a significant workload. Julius Chestnut would back up Pollard if Spears sits. He would not be a recommended play under any circumstance other than if both Pollard and Spears were out.
Evan Engram | TE | Jacksonville Jaguars | Hamstring
Jacksonville TE Evan Engram never made it onto the field during his team’s Week 2 loss. The former 1st round pick suffered a hamstring injury during warmups. Head Coach Doug Pederson was coy about the extent of the injury following the game. He simply said they would need to wait and see. At this point Engram is week-to-week. Sophomore 2nd-round pick Brenton Strange would fill the starting spot if Engram misses time. Despite putting up a career-high 6/65/0 stat line Strange would be hard to trust as anything more than a desperation TE play. Expect Christian Kirk to be a focal point in the intermediate zones of Engram sits. The former 1,000-yard receiver is off to a slow start but traditionally operates in the same areas as Engram.
AFC North Injury News
David Bell –
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 15, 2024
Concern for a Tua-like hip injury here.
Hip Dislocation with concern of fracture.
pic.twitter.com/tXCLy5n48M
Pierre Strong Jr | RB | Cleveland Browns | Hamstring
David Bell |WR| Cleveland Browns| Leg
The Cleveland Browns lost a pair of reserve players during their Week 2 victory. Running back Pierre Strong Jr. left the game with a hamstring injury. His absence will help solidify a 1-2 backfield of Jerome Ford and D’Onta Foreman. The latter seemed to take on a bigger role while the team played from a lead. Wide receiver David Bell suffered a significant leg injury which you can see above. He will absolutely miss a number of games moving forward. He is far from a fantasy-relevant player, but his absence, much like Strong’s, will clear things up ahead of him on the depth chart. Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, and Elijah Moore will continue to occupy the top three WR spots.
AFC West Injury News
This appears to be the moment of injury for Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. Andy Reid said Pacheco is undergoing tests. The back was seen leaving Arrowhead in a walking boot and crutches. pic.twitter.com/aPZpRe629X
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) September 16, 2024
Isiah Pacheco | RB | Kansas City Chiefs | Ankle
Kansas City lost its 3-down workhorse Isiah Pacheco to a painful-looking leg injury. Subsequent testing revealed that the former Rutgers star actually broke his fibula. Pacheco will be heading for a stint on IR. The only question is how long will he be out? Early reports indicate that his anticipated absence is around 6-8 weeks. In his place, the Chiefs will turn to rookie Carson Steele and the recently acquired Samaje Perine. The former will likely handle early downs with the veteran, Perine, taking over the passing game work as a result of his pass protection chops. The team is also looking into a potential reunion with former running back Kareem Hunt. This would further muddy the waters. Some are bullish on Steele, but I would personally take the opportunity to shop the youngster as it will almost certainly be a short run on the top of the depth chart.
Justin Herbert | QB | Los Angelas Chargers | Leg
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert briefly exited his team’s Week 2 victory with what appears to be an ankle injury. He was examined in the blue tent after being swallowed up on the previous play by the Panther’s defense. I say appears because details have been sparing at best. Herbert was able to return to the game and finish up the contest. The team revealed that he would have X-rays on the ankle in question. At this point, it’s more of a file away, and cross your fingers. If Herbert does have to miss time, the Bolts will look to Easton Stick or Taylor Heinicke to steer the ship. It would be a downgrade for the Chargers’ skill players who are living on efficiency over opportunity in Jim Harbaugh’s run-heavy scheme.
NFC East Injury News
The NFC East squads avoided any major fantasy-relevant injuries in Week 2.
NFC South Injury News
Taysom Hill goes to hospital after suffering chest injury
— Deseret News Sports (@desnewssports) September 15, 2024
Story by @ryanwmcdonald https://t.co/kEIth12XMO
Taysom Hill | QB | New Orleans Saints | Chest
New Orleans’ swiss-army-knife Taysom Hill suffered a scary chest injury during his team’s impressive Week 2 victory. Hill is one of the most unique players in fantasy football. A player who can line up anywhere on the offensive side of the ball, he is always an interesting fantasy play. Hill was forced to go to a Dallas area hospital after exiting the game. Head Coach Dennis Allen has said that Hill avoided a major injury, but he may still miss time. This is a unique situation as his absence is hard to define in terms of the next man up. No man on any team fills all the roles that Hill does. However, just know that if he misses time, he will not vulture touches from the other offensive players giving a slight boost across the board.
Rachaad White | RB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Groin
Tampa Bay starting running back Rachaad White briefly exited his team’s Week 2 victory with a groin injury. White was able to come back into the game but struggled once again in the running department. His efficiency numbers are down significantly at the moment, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see the team give talented rookie Bucky Irving a bigger look while White deals with this injury. Be sure to keep track of practice reports out of Tampa as this will be a fluid situation to monitor. White appears to be all right, but his status as the top RB could be on shaky ground. Irving was a great receiving back in college, and if he can get a hold of the early down role in Tampa, it could lead to a true breakout situation.
NFC North Injury News
I’m about to retire…
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 15, 2024
Nick Bosa, Justin Jefferson, Fred Warner injured on one play.
Bosa: concern for left high ankle
Jefferson: concern for right quad contusion, limped off w/ help, not overly concerned for now
Warner: right knee slammed into Jefferson. Likely non-issue pic.twitter.com/3mkBcVoaJY
Justin Jefferson | WR | Minnesota Vikings | Quad
The Vikings lost All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson during their improbable Week 2 victory over San Francisco. The stud playmaker was having a dynamite game before having to leave in what appeared to be a decent amount of pain. Following the game, Jefferson indicated that he was fine. He indicated he was dealing with a healthy bruise after taking the shot you see above. At this point, I do not anticipate Jefferson to miss any game action. But you should still keep you ears open for news out of Vikings camp. If Jefferson does sit, Minnesota will be exceedingly thin at the position with Jordan Addison already dealing with an injury of his own. Sam Darnold and company would be forced to rely on Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, and Trent Sherfield. Of the three, Nailor would offer some desperation appeal.
Amon-Ra St. Brown | WR | Detroit Lions | Lower Body
Detroit WR Amon-Ra St. Brown was in and out of his team’s Week 2 contest with what has been called a lower-body injury. The stud playmaker appeared to be in a good bit of pain at one point as he couldn’t get off of the field. Team officials have indicated they feel their top pass catcher is okay. Team sources say he was dealing with a contusion and cramping. Keep an eye on his practice reps as the week continues. If “ARSB” were to miss time, emerging star Jameson Williams would get a boost, along with star tight end Sam LaPorta. Kalif Raymond would get a slight boost as well. The team would likely call up one of their practice squad WRs such as Allen Robinson, Donovan Peoples-Jones, or Tim Patrick. I would not trust any of these three recognizable names.
Marshawn Lloyd | RB | Green Bay Packers | Ankle
Green Bay running back Marshawn Lloyd exited his team’s Week 2 victory early with an ankle injury. Details on the injury are not clear at this point. The talented rookie said after the game that he was frustrated with the injury and wasn’t sure if the ailment would linger into next week or beyond. Keep an eye out for news about his practice reps throughout the week. If he sits, the Packers would turn to Emanuel Wilson to spell their starting RB Josh Jacobs.
NFC West Injury News
Assuming the Cooper Kupp injury occurred here.
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 15, 2024
Could be Left high ankle mechanism as the defender rolls through his planted ankle. He limped off, but eventually returned to the game. Something to monitor. pic.twitter.com/pigTs9rPlR
Cooper Kupp | WR | Los Angelas Rams | Ankle
Los Angelas Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp was forced from his team’s Week 2 loss with a major ankle injury. In a true gut punch to the Rams and their season hopes, Kupp appears set for a lengthy absence. Head Coach Sean McVay indicated that IR is a very real possibility for the star wideout. With teammate Puka Nacua already on IR, the Rams are quickly running out of WRs. The team will be forced to rely on Tyler Johnson, Demarcus Robinson, and Jordan Wittington as their top pass catchers. The train is coming off the rails for the Rams as their season appears to be spiraling out of control with injuries. The only pass catcher I would trust to play until Kupp and Nacua return would be the tight end, Colby Parkinson, who could provide some low-end TE1 appeal.
George Kittle | TE | San Francisco 49ers | Cramps
San Francisco tight end George Kittle briefly exited his team’s Week 2 loss. Fantasy managers held their breath when news broke that the star TE was being carted to the locker room. However, the best-case scenario presented itself as Kittle simply needed an IV to deal with cramping issues. With injuries to multiple 49ers playmakers, the wheels are up for Kittle moving forward.
Deebo Samuel | WR | San Francisco 49ers | Calf
San Francisco star wide receiver Deebo Samuel suffered a calf injury during his team’s Week 2 loss. Early indications are that this injury will cost Deebo some time. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan said that Deebo would likely miss a couple of games. With star RB Christian McCaffrey already on IR, the pass-catching pecking order is clearing out in San Francisco. Look for Jauan Jennings and Ronnie Bell to take over Deebo’s snaps at WR. The main ramifications will be Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle getting peppered with targets until Samuel and (potentially) rookie 1st-round pick Ricky Pearsall can get into the lineup.
