The Infirmary Report: Post Week 14

Fantasy Football

This is the Infirmary Report: Post Week 14! The worst part of our beloved game is the frequency of injuries. It’s an unfortunate byproduct of such a fast-paced, contact-heavy sport. Luckily for the NFL players, they have access to some of the best doctors in the world and can usually return to form at least by the next season. Unfortunately for us, fantasy players, it’s not always easy to know when a player will get hurt. To another degree, sometimes your roster isn’t big enough to plan ahead for an injury. This series, the Infirmary Report, will give you advice on the injuries that have happened every week during the season. Without further ado, here is The Infirmary Report: Post Week 14 of regular season action.

Tyler Huntley, QB | Ravens

Injury: Huntley is in concussion protocol.

Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 15.

Key Takeaway:

It was a big hit that took Tyler Huntley out of the game.

Like all concussions- how teams handle it, and how players progress through the protocol varies. Coach Harbaugh said after the game that Huntley was fine. And backup QB Anthony Brown said that Huntley should be good to go for Saturday’s game against the Browns. So for now, we have to expect Huntley to play the next game. If not, it will be rookie QB Anthony Brown.

Tyler Boyd, WR | Bengals

Injury: Boyd dislocated his finger on Sunday.

Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 15.

Key Takeaway:

I imagine a finger injury would keep a WR out for at least one game, but David Bell did return immediately after his thumb injury. Hopefully, Tyler Boyd can do the same. However, there are reports that this is week-to-week.

If Boyd does miss time, it’s Ja’Marr Chase season in Cincinatti. Chase had half the Bengals receptions Sunday and nearly half their receiving yards. The Trents are also worth adds in deeper leagues. Trenton Irwin had two catches for 58 yards and a TD. Trent Taylor had four targets but only one catch for 34 yards.

Tee Higgins, WR | Bengals

Injury: Higgins injured his hamstring during warmups.

Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 15.

Key Takeaway:

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the weekend was Tee Higgins played one snap and then was taken out. He was removed from the injury report before the game but reinjured his hamstring in warmups. Instead of saying anything, the Bengals let him play one snap and then sat him the rest of the game. This ruined many people’s fantasy seasons as there was no indication that Higgins would not play this game prior.

And like I said in the Tyler Boyd section, it’s Ja’Marr Chase season, but the other WRs will see volume too and are worth adds in deeper leagues.

Jake Ferguson, TE | Cowboys

Injury: Ferguson suffered a head/neck injury early in the contest.

Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 15.

Key Takeaway:

The rookie back-up to Dalton Schultz has had a decent showing and has made a case to be their TE going forward after Schultz’ contract expires. This injury is a setback but only a mild one. No matter what he was still a back-up tight end. While he has two TDs so far this year, the Cowboys will be just fine. Look for Schultz to be used in the redzone and near the goal line a bit more than usual if Ferguson misses any time.

Mike Boone, RB | Broncos

Injury: Boone was carted off the field after suffering a high-ankle sprain.

Expected Return: It is likely a season-ending injury.

Key Takeaway:

In Mike Boone‘s first game back from injury, he was almost immediately reinjured. He had three carries and two catches for 29 yards before leaving.

Mike Boone Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile

His profile is excellent, so it sucks to see him leave. In his absence, Marlon Mack and Latavius Murray will keep things going. Mack in particular went for 77 yards and a TD on Sunday. He is worth adding in deeper leagues and maybe even just as a stash in case something happens to Murray.

Kendall Hinton, WR | Broncos

Injury: Hinton picked up a hamstring injury.

Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 15.

Key Takeaway:

Kendall Hinton has been a steady force for the Broncos due to the injuries that keep happening to this team. He eclipsed the 300-yard mark for the season before leaving the game, but he still hasn’t scored a TD. In terms of fantasy implications, the biggest one would be that Greg Dulcich should get another uptick in targets if Hinton misses time. Dulcich had eight targets this week and eight targets last week. He should see that amount of volume while WRs are out. Sutton may return this week, and Jeudy just had a huge game. So while Hinton being absent would hurt a little bit, the Broncos should be totally fine without him.

Russell Wilson, QB | Broncos

Injury: Wilson suffered a concussion late in the Chiefs game.

Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 15, but this one, in particular, looked bad so I expect at least one game missed.

Key Takeaway:

Russell Wilson and the Broncos were working on a comeback before he landed awkwardly on his head and a couple players landed on top of him. He clearly looked disoriented and had to leave the game. He finished as the QB3 this week, showing that he finally tapped into vintage Russ. So, of course, he had to go get injured right when he got back on track.

Brett Rypien came in to finish the game and was pretty terrible. He had a 50-percent completion rating, only 16 passing yards, one TD, and one INT. I’d like to say he’s worth the add in SuperFlex, but the Broncos have been bad with a better QB. Therefore, I can’t expect too much from Rypien.

Dameon Pierce, RB | Texans

Injury: Pierce picked up an ankle injury against the Cowboys.

Expected Return: He is likely to miss at least a week or two depending on the severity of this ankle injury.

Key Takeaway:

Perhaps the brightest spot on this Texans team is now undergoing an MRI to determine the severity of his ankle injury. He tried to play through it but couldn’t.

The Texans will likely use a committee approach going forward. Dare Ogunbowale, Rex Burkhead, and Eno Benjamin all got touches this week. I would avoid this backfield for the rest of the season.

Josh Jacobs, RB | Raiders

Injury: Jacobs injured his pinkie finger on Thursday.

Expected Return: Jacobs is a tough dude, he will play in Week 15.

Key Takeaway:

There is literally no question about it. Josh Jacobs will be playing football next week. He’s been playing through a groin injury, I’m sure he can handle some finger pain. Although it is concerning that it’s his strong hand. I’m sure he will figure it out though. He’s leading the NFL in pretty much any meaningful RB category this season. Look for him to keep those huge rushing numbers coming regardless of injury status.

Jeff Wilson, RB | Dolphins

Injury: Wilson suffered a hip injury Sunday night and had to be carted off.

Expected Return: Given the time of year, this is likely season-ending. However, the severity is still unknown.

Key Takeaway:

Unless the Dolphins bring in someone through Free Agency, it’s gonna be Raheem Mostert time in Miami. Mostert hasn’t had more than 10 carries since Week 8, and this week was his first time eclipsing a 60-percent snap share since Week 7 when he scored 20.9 points. Mostert is averaging 4.6 YPC and is attached to an explosive offense. If he’s available in your shallower leagues, pick him back up. And maybe even send some feeler trade offers for him to see what it takes. He could be a more than decent option for the fantasy playoffs in a bellcow role.

Daniel Bellinger, TE | Giants

Injury: Bellinger picked up a rib injury against the Eagles.

Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 15.

Key Takeaway:

Just two weeks after returning from his eye injury, Bellinger picks up another injury. This Giants squad cannot catch a break when it comes to injuries to their weapons.

Hopefully, he is back out there next week, but he probably misses one week since he’s a tight end. That position in particular would have a higher reinjury chance given how tight ends are used. All it takes is one big hit to the ribs and then you’re right back where you started. Lawrence Cager scored one TD when Bellinger was out with his eye injury, so he’s the tight end to pick up. But it’s probably best to just roll with the WRs- Darius Slayton and Richie James.

Mike White, QB | Jets

Injury: White injured his ribs (twice) against the Bills.

Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 15.

Key Takeaway:

Mike White is one tough son of a gun. He first hurt his ribs in the second quarter, so he had to go to the sideline. He came back in two plays later and continued to play until he hurt his ribs again in the third quarter when he had to go get x-rays. The story does not stop there. He returned in the fourth quarter and almost led the Jets to a comeback. After the game, White went to the hospital to see if there was anything internal. There wasn’t, so he flew back home with the team.

He shouldn’t play next week, as again- all it takes is one big hit to really hurt yourself. And he’s a QB, so he gets those big hits often. However, White has proven his toughness and wants to play ball. With the playoffs on the line, the Jets may let him hone that toughness and continue to play.

Corey Davis, WR | Jets

Injury: Davis picked up a concussion after hitting his head on the ground.

Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 15.

Key Takeaway:

Again, concussions vary wildly from one player and organization to the next. I assume that because the playoffs are still on the line, the Jets will do whatever they can to let Corey Davis play next week. If not, Garrett Wilson will continue his excellent pace the last few games and Elijah Moore and Denzel Mims will also see an uptick in volume.

Kenny Pickett, QB | Steelers

Injury: Pickett got concussed after being slammed to the ground by Roquan Smith.

Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 15.

Key Takeaway:

Again, concussions vary from team to team and player to player. Given how Mitchell Trubisky played in Pickett’s absence, I’m sure the Steelers want Pickett to play next week. It was a pretty nasty hit, so we will see. It’ll be hard to trust a Steelers player if Trubisky is at the helm.

Brock Purdy, QB | 49ers

Injury: Purdy picked up an Oblique injury but was able to play through it.

Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 15.

Key Takeaway:

I have to imagine that since he picked up the injury so early in the game and was able to not only play through it, but excel through it, that Brock Purdy will be playing in Week 15. He led all QBs this week in passer rating while battling the injury against a fairly tough Buccaneers defense. Look for veteran QB Josh Johnson to play if Purdy misses, but I doubt he does.

Deebo Samuel, WR | 49ers

Injury: Samuel picked up an ankle injury against the Bucs, and it appears to be a high ankle sprain.

Expected Return: The exact severity is still unknown, but he is likely at least out for the remainder of the regular season.

Key Takeaway:

Deebo Samuel is one of the most exciting players in the NFL, so him getting hurt leaves a real bad taste in everyone’s mouth. Fantasy managers will be scrambling to replace him, but it just won’t happen. The player this affects the most will likely be Christian McCaffrey who takes on a similar role in this offense. Brandon Aiyuk may also see a couple more targets, but it’s more likely that Deebo’s target share is spread evenly among the 49ers weapons.

Dontrell Hilliard, RB | Titans

Injury: Hilliard was carted off after suffering a neck injury.

Expected Return: He will likely miss at least one week, but the true severity is still unknown.

Key Takeaway:

Believe it or not, it was RB Julius Chestnut who took on the RB2 duties behind Henry after Hilliard left the game. But, that was probably because Hassan Haskins was out again. Haskins is clearly the RB to pick up, especially in dynasty formats. But Chestnut is also worth a stash in deeper leagues if Haskins continues to miss time. Chestnut handled kick return duties as well, so if you play in a league that counts those yards then he could be decent to own. Keep your eye on Hilliard’s injury status this week, as well as Haskins’.