A player's injury status can have a significant effect on fantasy football — it can alter draft strategy, roster construction and, most importantly, start-or-sit decisions for your fantasy team.
Each week, I will review the positional players’ injuries from Thursday's and Sunday’s games. Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @mario_pilato on Twitter.
Thursday, Oct. 29
Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers
Atlanta Falcons:
WR Calvin Ridley, PFF Week 8 Consensus Rank: WR7 — Foot injury
Ridley suffered a mild mid-foot sprain in the second quarter of Thursday Night Football. A typical return-to-play timeline for a Grade 1, mild mid-foot sprain is around one week. I expect Ridley to miss Week 9 and return after the Falcons' Week 10 bye.
Carolina Panthers: N/A
Sunday, Nov. 1
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
Pittsburgh Steelers:
WR Diontae Johnson, PFF Week 8 Consensus Rank: WR26 — Hamstring injury
Johnson left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury but returned in the third quarter to finish the game. I believe it will be tender and sore this week, but I do not expect him to miss Week 9.
Baltimore Ravens: N/A
Los Angeles Rams @ Miami Dolphins
Los Angeles Rams:
RB Darrell Henderson Jr., PFF Week 8 Consensus Rank: RB17 — Thigh/Hip injury
Henderson left the game in the second quarter after reinjuring his thigh/hip. Heading into the game, Henderson was bothered by a thigh/hip issue. I expect he is suffering from Grade 1 strain and will miss 1-2 weeks. The Rams' Week 9 bye couldn’t have come at a better time.
WR Cooper Kupp, PFF Week 8 Consensus Rank: WR15 — Wrist/Hand injury
Kupp injured his wrist/hand in the second half. He fell on his wrist in a dorsiflex position. He did play the rest of the game, but that does not mean he didn’t suffer a wrist sprain or a scaphoid fracture (hand by your thumb). He would have to get surgery if it is a scaphoid fracture, but I believe it’s likely just a sprain.
He will get post-game X-rays to determine the severity. I expect him to be back after his Week 9 bye. Some athletes have returned to play immediately after surgery with a cast. Due to Kupp’s position, I believe he would fall under the 4-6 week return-to-play category.
Miami Dolphins: N/A
New York Jets @ Kansas City Chiefs
New York Jets:
QB Sam Darnold, PFF Week 8 Consensus Rank: QB28 — Shoulder injury
Darnold seemed to reinjure his shoulder in the fourth quarter. Just like in Week 4 when he initially injured his A/C joint, he battled through the rest of the game. I imagine the Jets will protect Darnold by sitting him until after their Week 10 bye.
Kansas City Chiefs: N/A
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings: N/A
Green Bay Packers: N/A
Indianapolis Colts @ Detroit Lions
Indianapolis Colts:
WR T.Y. Hilton, PFF Week 8 Consensus Rank: WR41 — Groin injury
Hilton left the game in the third quarter with a groin strain. I believe he suffered either a Grade 1 or Grade 2 groin strain. A Grade 1 strain would cost him 1-2 weeks, and a Grade 2 strain would cost him 3-6 weeks.
Detroit Lions:
WR Kenny Golladay, PFF Week 8 Consensus Rank: WR8 — Hip injury
Golladay injured his hip in the third quarter. I believe he suffered either a Grade 1 or Grade 2 groin strain. A Grade 1 strain would cost him 1-2 weeks, and a Grade 2 strain would cost him 3-6 weeks.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Cleveland Browns
Las Vegas Raiders: N/A
Cleveland Browns: N/A
Tennessee Titans @ Cincinnati Bengals
Tennessee Titans:
WR Adam Humphries, PFF Week 8 Consensus Rank: WR61 — Head injury
Humphries suffered a concussion after a scary hit at the end of the first half. He will enter the five-step concussion protocol, and I do not expect him to play in Week 9.
Cincinnati Bengals: N/A
New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills
New England Patriots: N/A
Buffalo Bills: N/A
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos
Los Angeles Chargers: N/A
Denver Broncos: N/A
San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
San Francisco 49ers:
TE George Kittle, PFF Week 8 Consensus Rank: TE1 — Ankle injury
Kittle left the game in the fourth quarter after making a well-contested catch. He looked like he suffered a inversion ankle sprain but x-rays revealed a small fracture in his foot. He will miss the next eight weeks.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo, PFF Week 8 Consensus Rank: QB16 — Ankle injury
Garoppolo reinjured his high ankle sprain in the third quarter. He missed multiple games the first time around with this injury. I believe he is suffering from a Grade III high ankle sprain and will miss the next six to eight weeks.
RB Tevin Coleman, PFF Week 8 Consensus Rank: RB35 — Knee injury
In his first outing back from injured reserve, Coleman exited the game with a knee sprain — the same injury that caused him to initially go on injured reserve. It is unclear how severe the injury is, but I expect him to miss some time.
Seattle Seahawks: N/A
New Orleans Saints @ Chicago Bears
New Orleans Saints: N/A
Chicago Bears: N/A
Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Cowboys: N/A
Philadelphia Eagles: N/A
Mario Pilato has a master's degree in Kinesiology and a bachelor's degree in Exercise Sports Science, along with eight years of experience in the strength and conditioning industry, including at the collegiate and NFL level. His injury analysis articles will appear weekly.
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