Each and 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. To make them easier to follow, we will break down the injuries by division. Without further ado, let us examine the Regular Season Week 6 injuries and the next men up.
#Bills Josh Allen R shoulder
— Banged Up Bills (@BangedUpBills) October 16, 2023
1st clip, you can see Allen grab at his R arm after getting driven down onto it.
2nd clip shows another angle & him working it out.
Went for X-Rays after the game.
Mechanism consistent with AC joint sprain, missed 2 plays due to concussion check. pic.twitter.com/yEZ6xB1VDa
AFC East:
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen suffered a shoulder injury in his team’s Week 6 victory. The star quarterback got back into the game and led his team to a victory. He has likely dodged a major injury on this one. However, it is still a good idea to keep an eye on his practice reps as the week progresses. He is the engine that drives the Bill team. If he were to miss any game action, Buffalo would look to veteran Kyle Allen to take any snaps Josh would miss. He would be an immediate downgrade for the receiving weapons in Buffalo if he were to see the field. Consequently, the Bills would likely run the ball more, meaning a bump for the Buffalo running backs.
New York receiver Garrett Wilson briefly left his team’s shocking Week 6 victory with a non-contact ankle injury. Thankfully for the Jets and Wilson’s dynasty managers, he appears to have avoided a significant injury. The star receiver blamed the notorious New York field turf for his injury scare, stating that the field is ‘garbage.’ At this point, there appears to be nothing to see. However, if Wilson were to miss any time, the Jets would turn to little-used Mecole Hardman to play alongside Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.
New England running back Rhamondre Stevenson left his team’s Week 6 contest with head and ankle injuries. The former Oklahoma star has been going through a rough season along with the rest of Pats offense. Much like Garrett Wilson, Stevenson returned to the game after being evaluated by the team’s medical staff. With head injuries, it is still a good policy to monitor his weekly practice reps. If he were to miss next week’s game against the division-rival Bills, the Patriots would turn to veteran backup Ezekiel Elliott.
Buffalo running back Damien Harris suffered a significant concussion in his team’s Sunday night victory. In a scary scene, Harris had to be strapped to a stretcher and evacuated from the stadium via ambulance. The good news is that Harris had feelings in his arms and legs. The former Alabama star will need to progress through the league’s concussion mandates before he can get back on the field. While he is out, look for the Bills to turn to the veteran Latavius Murray behind starter James Cook.
#Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence grabs at his knee after getting taken down on this play.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 15, 2023
pic.twitter.com/pyhhfEQRxD
AFC South:
Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence sustained a knee injury during his team’s Week 6 contest against the division rival Colts. The Jaguars have run some tests on their star quarterback’s knee after the game and have revealed that it is minor in nature. However, when it comes to such a big name, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Jags play this one safe if there is any question about Lawrence’s knee. If he were to miss any game time, Doug Pederson would turn to C.J. Beathard. A Lawrence absence would be a downgrade for the Jags pass catchers and a slight bump for their running backs, who would likely see an uptick in their touches.
Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill suffered a severe ankle injury in his team’s Week 6 loss in London. The former Texas A&M star will likely miss some game action after revealing he suffered a high ankle sprain. Thankfully, the Titans have a Week 7 bye to figure out what they want to do moving forward. If Tannehill does miss action, the Titans will turn to either sophomore Malik Willis or rookie Will Levis. Whomever it is, the Titans may decide to go into rebuild mode depending upon the severity of Tannehill’s injury. Keep an eye out for any news regarding a potential stint on IR.
Tennessee receiver Chris Moore and tight end Josh Whyle suffered concussions in their team’s Week 6 loss in London. Both players are fortunate to have a Week 7 bye on tap to get healthy. Neither player is a fantasy factor, but it is worth noting, nonetheless.
Indianapolis receiver Alec Pierce suffered a shoulder injury against the Jaguars in Week 6. Details have been sparse to this point, but the former University of Cincinnati playmaker was sporting a heavy brace on his shoulder after exiting. Watch for any news about his condition as the week progresses. If he does miss time, the Colts will turn to Josh Downs and Isiah Mckenzie to play alongside alpha starter Michael Pittman.
AFC North:
The AFC North managed to escape Week 6 without any major fantasy-relevant injuries.
#Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo has a back injury and is doubtful to return vs. #Patriots
— sports CAST 🏈🏀⚽️ (@thesportscast1) October 15, 2023
pic.twitter.com/Z9TIMOGeOi
AFC West:
Las Vegas quarterback Jimmy Garpppolo suffered a back injury in his team’s victory over the Patriots in Week 6. Head Coach Josh McDaniels has since revealed that the Raiders dodged a bullet on this one. It is nonetheless a significant enough injury that the Raider’s quarterback is questionable for their Week 7 contest against the Bears. Keep your eyes peeled for any news out of the desert as the week progresses. If Jimmy can’t go, the Raiders will turn to either veteran Brian Hoyer or rookie Aidan O’Connell. That would be a downgrade for Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. The Bears are a bad defense, to be sure, but I would expect McDaniels and company to attempt to take the air out of the ball and run as much as possible if Jimmy doesn’t suit up.
Kansas City receiver Justin Watson suffered a dislocated elbow in his team’s Week 6 victory. The veteran deep threat hasn’t been much of a consistent fantasy asset to this point of the year. He will surely miss several games with this gruesome injury. His absence will mean some additional looks for the trio of Rashee Rice, Skyy Moore, and Kadarius Toney. Marquez Valdez Scantling will also get a slight bump. The most intriguing result will likely be the expanded role of youngster Justyn Ross. Don’t expect significant changes in fantasy output, but every little bit counts during bye weeks.
NFC East:
The NFC East emerged from Week 6 intact from a fantasy perspective.
Laviska Shenault Jr. INJURIES AND LEAVING THE FIELD pic.twitter.com/PkHwdIOJVP
— Sports US today (@Sportsustoday) October 15, 2023
NFC South:
Carolina receiver Laviska Shenault was forced from his team’s Week 6 loss with an ankle injury. The former Colorado star has turned into a gadget player for the Panthers. If Laviska misses game action, his loss would mostly be felt at the running back position. With starter Miles Sanders dealing with an injury, the team has turned to Shenault to spell Chuba Hubbard in the short term. If Sanders isn’t back following the team’s Week 7 bye, look for Head Coach Frank Reich to turn to Raheem Blackshear as the #2 rusher.
David Montgomery sternum/ribs injury video
— Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 16, 2023
-Slomo shows that injury mechanism was not from landing on ball but from Bucs defender landing on top and compressing rib cage
-May have sternum and bilateral lower ribs sprains
-May miss 2-4wks. Unlikely long-term issue.#OnePride pic.twitter.com/xjKxdXNufB
NFC North:
Detroit running back David Montgomery suffered a rib injury during his team’s Week 6 victory. Montgomery has been an absolute star for your dynasty teams all season in his new home. Head Coach Dan Campbell said that his starting running back would miss some time with the ailment. The good news for the Lions is that electric rookie Jahmyr Gibbs is eyeing a Week 7 return to the lineup. He would form a committee with Craig Reynolds, who spoiled many fantasy managers’ weeks during Montgomery’s previous missed action. Gibbs would be a must-start, and Reynolds would be a risky flex play for me in the team’s Week 7 matchup against the stout Ravens defense.
Chicago quarterback Justin Fields suffered a hand injury in his team’s Week 6 loss to the division-rival Vikings. The former Ohio State star has been feast or famine this year with extreme highs and lows. Head Coach Matt Eberflus revealed subsequently that Fields had suffered a dislocated thumb on his right throwing hand. There has been zero solid information given about how long Fields will miss. It seems to come down to how long it will take the swelling in his hand to subside and the strength to return to the thumb so he can grip a ball. If rehab doesn’t work, surgery is an option. If he does go the surgery route, he will be out indefinitely. The Bears will turn to feel-good story Tyson Bagent until their QB1 can return. The undrafted rookie unseated PJ Walker in the pre-season and seems capable enough to distribute the ball. He will, however, be a downgrade on the whole for the Bears pass catchers.
#49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is questionable to return with an oblique injury
— Sports Injury Central (@SICscore) October 15, 2023
⏩https://t.co/hEryWEWBnu pic.twitter.com/rUBDp6eiCK
NFC West:
San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey exited his team’s Week 6 loss with an oblique injury. That collective gasp was the sound of dynasty managers as the #1 overall player exited the game. CMC is currently undergoing testing to reveal the exact extent of the injury. The range of outcomes is anywhere from no missed game time to up to 5 or 6 weeks, from what I have read to this point. Watch for news about the time the All-Pro running back could miss. The 49ers would turn to a tandem of Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason in his absence. Mitchell would be a must-start if he gets the nod.
San Francisco wide receiver Deebo Samuel exited Week 6 early with a shoulder injury. The multi-purpose receiver has been banged up several times over the last couple of seasons. On Monday, head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that Deebo was day-to-day and has a chance to play in Week 7. Keep an eye on his practice availability as the week progresses. If Deebo can’t go, the 49ers would look to Ronnie Bell and Ray-Ray McCloud until they get their star receiver back in the lineup. A Deebo absence would mean a significant bump for fellow receiver Brandon Aiyuk and tight end George Kittle.
Seattle receiver DK Metcalf briefly left his team’s Week 6 contest with a hip injury. At this point, Metcalf appears to be safe going forward. However, it will be wise to monitor his practice reps throughout the week. If he were to miss any game due to injury, the Seahawks would look to Jake Bobo to fill in alongside Tyler Lockett and rookie Jackson Smith-Njigba.
Los Angeles running backs Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers both went down with injuries in their team’s Week 6 contest. Williams sustained an ankle injury, and Rivers sprained his PCL. Of the two, Rivers’ PCL strain is the more significant injury as it has been revealed to be a grade 3 strain. He will be a candidate for short-term IR as he will miss four or more weeks. Williams, for his part, looks much better and will probably only miss a single game. For however long these two are out, the Rams will turn to intriguing rookie Zach Evans and journeyman Royce Freeman. Evans appears to be in line for the short-term start and backup duties until Rivers eventually returns. Evans makes for an interesting pickup in your dynasty leagues.
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