Don’t you guys just love football? Week two has come and gone with intense games and surprising results. As exciting as it is for the NFL season to start, when there is football, there are injuries. Unfortunately, there were a lot of injuries this week and I am here to decipher them. Here is your Week 2 fantasy injury report.
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Jarvis Landry, Wide Receiver for Cleveland Browns
Landry, Baker Mayfield’s most reliable pass catcher, suffered an MCL sprain early on in Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans. The injury has been deemed to be a minor sprain and given a 2-3 week prognosis on returning back to the field. However, the Browns haven’t officially ruled Landry out of next week’s game. I believe the likelihood of Landry playing on his injury is fairly low, however, it isn’t out of the question. I expect Landry to be back sooner rather than later.
Most fantasy managers aren’t relying on Landry to lead their fantasy teams. So if Landry misses time, fantasy managers won’t be too upset. However, if Landry is out along with his running mate Odell Beckham Jr, who is still trying to nurse his ACL injury from last year, it limits Baker’s ability to be a streamable quarterback. Without his arguably first two receiving options, Baker Mayfield becomes unplayable. The player that benefits the most from Landry’s absence would be Kareem Hunt. There were reports in the offseason that Hunt would participate in wide receiver meetings. He is a great pass catching back and I would expect him to line up as a wide receiver more often with Landry out.
Tua Tagovailoa, Quarterback, Miami Dolphins
Tua took a big hit this weekend that knocked him out of the game along with carting him off to the locker room. He was later diagnosed with bruised ribs and didn’t necessarily have a timetable on his return to the field. It was good news to hear the diagnosis as it brings optimism to a quick return. There is a strong chance Tua will be back out onto the field this upcoming week. It all depends on pain management and how well he is able to deal with the pain while running and throwing.
If Tua misses this upcoming game, it means Jacoby Brissett plays and we all saw how that went against the Bills. Granted, the Bills have a solid defense and the Raiders defense can be suspect. I’m sure if you ask any Dolphins fan they would not be pleased to have to start Brissett. Brissett starting limits the upside of the pass catchers in the Dolphins offense. Will Fuller is expected to make his Dolphins debut and if Brissett starts, Fuller should have to wait another week to make his debut in fantasy lineups this year. If Tua plays, then I am comfortable starting DeVante Parker as a flex option along with a dart throw at Fuller playing a key role in the Dolphins offense. Make sure to read injury reports throughout the week to see Tua’s status to make a decision on the Dolphins playmakers.
Trey Sermon/JaMycal Hasty, Running Backs, San Francisco 49ers
When will this ever end? More 49ers injuries and specifically 49er running backs on this injury report. Trey Sermon left Sunday’s game with a concussion while JaMycal Hasty left with an ankle injury. Hasty’s injury was officially announced as a high ankle sprain leaving him “out for a while” according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. I expect around a 6 week time table for Hasty’s return. As for Sermon, it is all about how he progresses through the concussion protocol. I wouldn’t expect Sermon to play this week. However, if everything goes perfect, he does have a chance to play.
With Hasty for sure out this upcoming week and Sermon likely out, if there were ever doubts about Elijah Mitchell they are gone now. Mitchell will be the top back in an offense who running backs can have huge games in. Mitchell is a high upside RB2 play with a safe floor as long as these running backs are out. When Sermon returns, Mitchell will continue to be a safe option at the running back position due to the offense he is in. If Mitchell was somehow still on your waivers, scoop him up before it’s too late.
Carson Wentz, Quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts
Carson Wentz’s start to his Colts career has been a rollercoaster ride already. There was hype around him and the team when he first was traded because of the weapons around him. He then injured his foot in training camp, leaving him sidelined for most of the camp. A rapid recovery made it so he returned to week one. Week two comes around and he shows back up on the injury report. Initially it was reported it was an ankle sprain, however, later it came out he was dealing with both ankles sprained. Depending on the severity of the ankle sprains, I wouldn’t rule out him playing this upcoming week. As long as swelling is managed and the pain is tolerable, Wentz can have both of his ankles taped and should be good to go next game.
Jacob Eason would be the teams starting quarterback in the case Wentz misses the game. Though he is not a rookie, Eason only has five career passes in the NFL, one in which was intercepted. The matchup in week three against the Titans is really nice for the Colts offensive weapons. Eason complicates things for Colts fantasy relevant players. Jonathan Taylor is still a must start, I don’t see that changing regardless of who is under center. The pass catchers are all risky even against a great matchup with Eason playing. Due to the risk, I am hands off pass catchers for the Colts if Eason plays. If Wentz plays, Micheal Pittman Jr is a flex worthy option on fantasy teams.
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