Every week, players across the NFL suffer injuries. This weekly article will explore the injuries that affect your dynasty squads. We will briefly discuss the injured players themselves and those who stand to benefit or suffer as a result. We will break down the injuries by division to make them easier to follow. Let’s examine the Regular Season Week 2 injuries and the next men up without further ado.
AFC East
The AFC East escaped the carnage of Week 2 without any fantasy significant injuries.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson Concussion pic.twitter.com/J6NqvWTcFI
— AkWu (@akwuchronicles) September 17, 2023
AFC South
Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson suffered a concussion in his team’s Week 2 contest against the division-rival Texans. The first-round pick took a decent shot while trying to extend a running play down by the goal line. However, his head bouncing off the turf likely caused the damage. He will need to progress through the league’s new protocols.
If he cannot gain clearance before next week, the Colts will turn to former Washington State star Gardner Minshew. From a fantasy standpoint, he would likely be a net neutral for Colt’s skill players as one of the better backups in the league.
Jacksonville wide receiver Zay Jones injured his knee in his team’s Week 2 loss to the Chiefs. Jones has enjoyed a surprisingly productive start to the season. The injury does not appear to be major, and he is currently listed as day-to-day.
If he were to miss time, you can expect Christian Kirk and Calvin Ridley to pick up some extra looks in the passing game, along with tight end Evan Engram. The Jaguars would likely turn to a platoon of Elijah Cook, Jamaal Agnew, and Parker Washington to fill Zay’s spot until he returns.
BREAKING: Nick Chubb carted off the field after going down with serious leg injury in Steelers vs Browns pic.twitter.com/dIiMuXajnh
— cedric rathey (@ced2k23) September 19, 2023
AFC North
Cleveland running back Nick Chubb was forced from his team’s Monday Night Football loss with one of the most gruesome knee injuries you will ever see. The All-Pro rusher has already been ruled out for the season, and it is fair to wonder, at his age, if he will ever be the same again. His absence will likely force the Browns into more of a pass-oriented team, benefitting Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, and David Njoku in particular.
Jerome Ford is the next man up for the Browns. He played surprisingly well after Chubb’s exit. The Browns will also almost certainly reach out to their former running back, Kareem Hunt. Both players would be priority adds if they are available in your leagues.
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow seemed to aggravate his calf injury during his team’s Week 2 contest against the Ravens. The NFL’s highest-paid man has gotten off to a sluggish start to the 2023 season. The Bengals are currently 0-2, so barring a complete flare-up of the injury, I would expect him to be a go in Week 3. However, this will certainly be a situation to monitor as the week progresses. If Burrow is forced to sit, the Bengals would turn to backup Jake Browning. This would be a drastic downgrade for all of the Bengals receiving weapons.
Baltimore wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. suffered an ankle injury against the Bengals in Week 2. OBJ signed a lucrative one-year deal with the Ravens this offseason but has been somewhat of an afterthought in the passing game. At this point, the injury does not look serious. If he does miss time, fellow starters Zay Flowers and Rashad Bateman will pick up some extra looks, along with stud tight end Mark Andrews. As for the Ravens, Nelson Agholar and Devin Duvernay would be the next men up in Baltimore. Neither would be a preferred starting option.
Raiders WR Davante Adams Will Be Evaluated For A Concussion 🙏🙏 #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/wmH0xmMhs5
— SportsTalk (@TheSportsTalk0) September 17, 2023
AFC West
Las Vegas wide receiver Davante Adams suffered a possible concussion in his team’s Week 2 loss. The All-Pro receiver has a scary history of concussions in the past. With the league’s new emphasis on head injuries, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him potentially miss a game. If that situation plays out, the Raiders could be extremely short-handed. Depending on the availability of Jakobi Meyers, who is progressing through the concussion protocol himself, Oakland would be down to Hunter Renfrow and rookie Tre Tucker as their top two options. Kristian Wilkerson and Deandre Carter would be the next men in the lineup. This is a situation to monitor moving forward.
NFC East
Saquon Barkley Injury Video
— Adam Hutchison (@TheRealAdam_H) September 17, 2023
Unsure exactly what it is but this is a textbook mechanism for a high ankle sprain
IF that is the case. Average time missed is 4 weeks for RBs with an 18% in production rest of season pic.twitter.com/KGgKjiP5UU
New York running back Saquon Barkley suffered a scary-looking ankle injury in the final moments of his team’s dramatic Week 2 victory. The dynamic playmaker was clearly in pain and had to be helped off the field. Early reports are that it is an ankle sprain and could have been much worse. Nonetheless, it is still an injury, and he could certainly miss a game or two.
The Giants are somewhat thin behind him, with Matt Breida and rookie Eric Gray attempting to fill the cavernous void left behind in any Barkley absence. Quarterback Daniel Jones could be the biggest fantasy beneficiary if he were to pick up some additional designed runs. Keep your eyes peeled for updates on Barkley.
Philadelphia running back Boston Scott was forced from his team’s Thursday Night Football contest with a concussion. The Eagles were blowing the Vikings off the line of scrimmage all night. Scott was having a nice evening with a 5/40/0 stat line. His absence led to an even bigger night for former Georgia star D’Andre Swift. Philadelphia employs a committee approach in its backfield. Scott’s potential absence would mean more looks for Swift, Kenneth Gainwell, and potentially Tre Sermon. His absence would help to clear the logjam.
Washington tight end Logan Thomas suffered an apparent concussion in his team’s dramatic Week 2 victory. The veteran pass catcher has enjoyed a decent role in new OC Eric Bienemy’s system. John Bates and Cole Turner would be next in line for snaps if Thomas is unable to gain clearance ahead of Week 3. In all likelihood, the Commanders would lean more heavily on their talented set of receivers if Thomas misses action.
NFC South
Saints RB Jamaal Williams Is Headed To The Locker Room With A Hamstring Injury #Saints #NOvsCAR
— SportsTalk (@TheSportsTalk0) September 19, 2023
Kendre Miller Is The Backup RB
We Hope For The Best🙏🙏pic.twitter.com/MqI0jiaJO2
New Orleans running back Jamaal Williams suffered a hamstring injury in his team’s Week 2 Monday Night Football victory. With Alvin Kamara suspended and rookie Kendre Miller dealing with a hamstring injury, the Saints are quickly running out of healthy bodies. If neither WIlliams nor Miller can gain clearance ahead of Week 3, look for the Saints to again rely on Tony Jones Jr. as the lead runner. The team will also surely look to scheme up some additional touches for Swiss Army Knife Taysom Hill.
Tampa Bay running back Chase Edmonds suffered a grade 2 MCL sprain in his team’s Week 2 win over the Bears. Edmonds was getting some runs early in this game before going down. His absence would mean playing time for undrafted rookie Sean Tucker. He would be the preferred add behind starter Rachaad White.
NFC North
Video of David Montgomery injury
— Adam Hutchison (@TheRealAdam_H) September 17, 2023
Right knee twisted
Possible mechanism of injury – meniscus or MCL sprain
IF that was the case could be 3-4 week injury pic.twitter.com/7BGM3EJ7NI
Detroit running back David Montgomery was forced from his team’s Week 2 loss with a leg injury. There has been some confusion as to the exact nature of Montgomery’s injury. Everything from a knee to a quad bruise has been speculated. The best information we can gather is that the Lions new running back sustained a quad bruise. Depending upon the severity of the ailment, he could miss anywhere from one to three weeks. It is also possible that he could be ready to go next week. Only time will tell.
If he does miss time, the Lions would surely expand the role of their first-round pick, Jahmyr Gibbs. Campbell is a big believer in using multiple backs. You could also potentially see some more work for Craig Reynolds, who saw a handful of touches this week after Montgomery’s exit.
Chicago wide receiver Darnell Mooney suffered a knee injury in his team’s Week 2 loss to Tampa. The former Tulane star has come out on social media and claimed that the injury is minor, and there is nothing to see. With a date at Arrowhead to play the Chiefs in Week 3, Chicago will need all the weapons they can get.
If he does miss time, the Bears would give more snaps to their speedy rookie Tyler Scott. Starters DJ Moore and Chase Claypool would get extra targets, along with tight end Cole Kmet. Keep an eye on Mooney’s practice availability this week.
NFC West
Here's a clip of the Brandon Aiyuk injury#SFvsLAR pic.twitter.com/C6ygqmUl4Y
— crunchypuddle (@crunchypuddle1) September 17, 2023
San Francisco wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a shoulder injury in his team’s Week 2 victory. The talented playmaker was absent from the team’s practice on Monday. We do not yet know the severity of the ailment, but it did not seem major at the time.
If Aiyuk does miss time, the 49ers would lean heavily on stars Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle. All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey would also pick up additional work in the passing game. Ronnie Bell and Ray-Ray McCloud would fill Aiyuk’s position until he returned.
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