Fantasy News & Analysis

Week 1 NFL Injury Recap & Analysis: Jerry Jeudy suffers high-ankle sprain; Michael Gallup out several weeks

East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) is taken off the field after being injured in the game against the New York Giants during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

A player's injury status can have a significant effect on both real-life and fantasy football. Maybe most importantly at this time of year — at least for some — is that injuries have a major impact on fantasy football rankings and fantasy football free agent strategy.

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Each week, PFF injury analyst Mario Pilato will comb through the official injury reports for each game and give updates and analysis for fantasy-relevant players. Injuries are fluid, so be sure to stay up to date by following @PFF_Mario on Twitter.

DALLAS COWBOYS @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 

CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Knee)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: N/A

Murphy-Bunting suffered a dislocated elbow late in the first quarter during Thursday Night Football. Luckily, he did not suffer any other damage besides the dislocation. I expect him to be placed on IR and miss the next three to four weeks.

WR Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys (Calf)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: WR46

Gallup left in the third quarter with what was first reported as an ankle injury. Further information has come out revealing he suffered a calf injury. I believe he suffered a Grade 2 calf strain — RTP (return to play) is 3-6 weeks. 

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PHILADELPHIA EAGLES @ ATLANTA FALCONS 

N/A

PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ BUFFALO BILLS 

N/A

NEW YORK JETS @ CAROLINA PANTHERS 

OT Mekhi Becton, New York Jets (Knee)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: N/A

Becton went down with a serious knee injury in the third quarter. His foot got stuck in the ground and his knee was rolled up on. Betcon suffered a dislocated kneecap, sprained MCL, and will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery to clean up the joint.  He will miss six to eight weeks but will be effective when he returns.

S Lamarcus Joyner, New York Jets (Elbow)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: N/A

Joyner injured his elbow early in the first half. The injury and severity is unclear. He will undergo further evaluations in the coming days.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ CINCINNATI BENGALS

N/A

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS @ DETROIT LIONS

CB Jeffrey Okudah, Detroit Lions (Achilles)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: N/A

Okudah left the Week 1 game in the second half with an apparent Achilles injury. A Monday MRI confirmed the worst: The second-year cornerback suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the 2021 NFL season.

WR BRANDON AIYUK, SAN FRANCISCO 49ers (hamstring)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: WR21

Aiyuk did not receive a target all game. There are whispers that this was due to injury and not performance. His hamstring could have been bothering him, but it is not smart to play someone on a lame hamstring. Hopefully he didn’t do more damage to it — his participation in practice needs to be monitored this week.

Sep 12, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
CB Jason Verrett, San Francisco 49ers (Knee)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: N/A

Verrett tore his ACL in the fourth quarter of his Week 1 matchup with the Detroit Lions. He will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.

RB Raheem Mostert, SAN FRANCISCO 49ers (Knee)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: RB11

Mostert injured his knee in the first quarter and did not return to the game. He was dealing with a knee sprain during camp, and I believe this was just an aggravation of the injury. Typically, the term “knee sprain” refers to an MCL sprain. Depending on severity, it can be a week or two or up to eight weeks.

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JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS @ HOUSTON TEXANS

N/A

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

C Ethan Pocic, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (Knee)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: N/A

Pocic sprained his knee in the fourth quarter. As with Mostert, this could be an MCL sprain that will cost him a week or two or up to eight weeks.

WR D'Wayne Eskridge, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (Head)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: WR79

Eskridge suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter. He will enter the five-step protocol and will have to clear the protocol in order to play in Week 2.

RB Rashaad Penny, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (Calf)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: RB59

Penny aggravated his calf injury on Sunday. I believe he is suffering from a Grade 1 strain, RTP 7 to 10 days.

ARIZONA CARDINALS @ TENNESSEE TITANS 

N/A

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS @ WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

S Nasir Adderley, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (Shoulder)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: N/A

OT Bryan Bulaga, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (Back)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: N/A

Adderley (shoulder) and Bulaga (back) suffered injuries early in Sunday’s game. The severity and specific injuries are unclear. Further tests will be done in the upcoming days.

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington Football Team (Hip)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: QB18

Fitzpatrick hurt his hip in the second quarter, suffering a hip subluxation. Reports suggest he not suffer any fractures, which is great news. Typically when the hip dislocates, it will damage the labrum. If he needs his labrum repaired, he will be out anywhere from four to six months. There is also a risk of Avascular Necrosis (AVN), which basically means death of the bone tissue due to lack of blood supply from trauma. If Fitzpatrick is lucky enough to of escaped other damage he can comeback this season.

Sep 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) is helped off the field after suffering an injury during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at FedExField. Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

CLEVELAND BROWNS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 

OT Jedrick Wills Jr., CLEVELAND BROWNS (Ankle)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: N/A

Wills exited the second quarter with an ankle injury. I believe he is suffering from a Grade 1 ankle sprain, RTP 1 to 3 weeks.

MIAMI DOLPHINS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 

OT Trent Brown, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (Calf)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: N/A

Brown suffered a calf injury in the first quarter. I believe he suffered a Grade 1 strain, RTP 7 to 10 days.

GREEN BAY PACKERS @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

S Darnell Savage, GREEN BAY PACKERS (Shoulder)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: N/A

Savage injured his shoulder during Sunday’s game. It is unclear the type and severity of the injury. He will undergo tests in the coming days.

CB Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints (Thumb)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: N/A

I believe Lattimore tore the UCL in his thumb. He will undergo surgery to repair it. I do not expect him to miss much time — maybe a couple of weeks.

DENVER BRONCOS @ NEW YORK GIANTS

WR Jerry Jeudy, DENVER BRONCOS (Ankle)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: WR35

Jeudy was carted off of the field in the third quarter. It is remarkable he didn’t suffer a dislocated ankle. The reports suggest he escaped with a high-ankle sprain. RTP for Grade 1 sprain = 2 to 4 weeks, Grade 2 sprain = 4 to 6 weeks, and Grade 3 sprain means surgery. There are two different types of surgery, which are the tightrope procedure (Tua) or screws (MT). Tightrope RTP is 3-6 weeks and screws average RTP is 4.7 months. Regardless of the severity, he won’t be the same player until next season.

PFF’s Fantasy Football Rankings include ranks from our experts, projections and our Strength of Schedule metric. Subscribe today for access…

CHICAGO BEARS @ LOS ANGELES RAMS

OT Jason Peters, CHICAGO BEARS (Quad)

Consensus Fantasy Rank: N/A

Peters injured his quad and did not return to the game. I do not believe he will be out for an extended amount of time.

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