Matt’s Medical Tent Talks: Week 7 Recap

It’s getting to that point in the season where fantasy managers start to get bogged down by the weekly decisions of start/sit, dealing with injuries, and submitting waiver claims. Heck, I’m starting to feel it myself, but that is exactly what your league-mates are hoping for this time of year, as they are barely holding on themselves! Stick with it, continue with those weekly fantasy chores, and more times than not, you will come out victorious. Be sure to always check out my weekly injury article and podcast to make at least one of those chores a little easier to manage!

Week 7 Injuries

Andy Dalton, QB, DAL – Concussion

What a MESS. The Cowboys were already struggling with Dak Prescott, but without him, they are legitimately one of the worst teams in the NFL. Andy Dalton, who suffered a concussion in Sunday’s 25-3 blowout loss to the Football Team (always fun to say), has looked putrid and evidently cannot keep this team’s hopes afloat. Dalton, who will be in the concussion protocol this week, is likely a game-time decision at best as the Cowboys will very likely have to start a rookie seventh-rounder in a huge Sunday Night Football contest against THE NFC EAST LEADING PHILADELPHIA EAGLES. 

Prognosis: Week to week, all concussions act differently

Seattle Backfield – Lots

The Seahawks have five running backs on their roster: Chris Carson, Carlos Hyde, Travis Homer, DeeJay Dallas, and Rashaad Penny. One of those players is healthy (Dallas). I’ll go over the others one-by-one. 

After being a straight-up STUD over the first six weeks of the season, Chris Carson went down with a mid-foot sprain on Sunday. Now initial reports are that this isn’t severe, but, the same thing was said about Cam Newton in 2019, with the same injury. How did that go? Now, not saying Chris Carson owners are doomed, but foot injuries are VERY tricky, as one never quite knows how the foot will respond until it is tested, making for a truly week to week wait and see the timeline. Is it possible this is nothing more than a mild midfoot sprain? Yep. Is it possible this is a season-ending Lisfranc injury? Yep. 

Carson’s direct backup, Carlos Hyde, performed admirably in his stead racking up over 75 total yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, Hyde went down with a hamstring injury. Thankfully this injury is more straightforward. The forever optimistic Pete Carroll is saying the injury is nothing serious. Practice reports will tell a more accurate story. Hyde was a DNP on Wednesday, which is not a great start to the week. His status should be monitored the rest of the week and heading into the weekend, but if he were to play, he’d be a very risk start for me.

Hyde’s backup, Travis Homer, also went down Sunday and did not practice Wednesday. Homer is dealing with a reported knee contusion, which likely means damage to soft tissues around the knee. These injuries can be very painful, but, if managed correctly, should last no more than a week or two, therefore, Homer’s status is also in doubt. 

Prognosis: In order from most to least worried, I have – Carson, Hyde, Homer. Carson has the most variability, with the other two injuries being relatively straight forward. Regardless, I think all three will have trouble playing in week eight, which would leave rookie DeeJay Dallas to pick up the slack. 

Kenyan Drake, RB, ARI – Ankle

Kenyan Drake continued to look very…meh, before injuring his ankle in week seven. His backup, Chase Edmonds, continued to look good. Reports say a partially torn ligament in Drake’s ankle and that the Cardinals will be treating it like a high-ankle sprain, therefore, I will also treat it as such. That being said, with the organization not coming right out and saying “It’s a high-ankle sprain”, I tend to think this isn’t a super-serious injury, but regardless will likely sideline him a few weeks. We’ll see if there is any clarity on the diagnosis after the Cards return from by, but for right now, plan on Drake being out a few weeks. 

Prognosis: Out 2-4 weeks

Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, SF – Ankle

Here’s a true high-ankle sprain for ya. After being questionable all week, Wilson returned to game action, only to suffer what may be the most common injury of the season? Wilson will be out the typical 4-6 weeks before inevitably returning too soon and not being 100%. Assuming health in the 49ers backfield (HA!), Wilson will likely slot into third or fourth on the depth chart upon his return. 

Prognosis: Out 4-6 weeks

Philip Lindsay, RB, DEN – Concussion

Lindsay is another one who will be in the concussion protocol this week. As I said with Andy Dalton earlier, all concussions are different, therefore, will have to watch Lindsay’s progress through the protocol over the course of the week. 

Prognosis: Week to week

Chris Godwin, WR, TB – Finger

Gotta watch out for those old man bullets Tom Brady is throwing around out there! Brady likely lost his top target for week eight as Godwin fractured his finger after reeling in a touchdown pass from Brady on Sunday. Godwin will have surgery and likely miss no more than one game as he should be able to splint the finger going forward. The typically sure-handed Godwin may have a little more trouble catching the ball going forward, but nothing that should impact him significantly, heck, I played with a broken finger through four high school football games myself, NO BIG DEAL. 

Prognosis: Out week 8

Deebo Samuel, WR, SF – Hamstring

This team just cannot get healthy for an extended period of time as Deebo is now expected to miss multiple games with a hamstring injury. Considering Shanahan already expects Deebo to miss the next two games, tells me this more than a mild strain. With a bye in week 11, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Samuel held out of week 10 as well to ensure he is fully healed for the final stretch of the season, meaning managers may be without Deebo for another four weeks. 

Prognosis: Out 3-5 weeks, I’d lean four weeks with the week 11 bye

Thursday Night Breakdown – Atlanta vs. Carolina

In what should be a fun TNF matchup as two NFC South rivals square off, there is nothing much to talk about in regards to injuries, what a relief! The main storyline in terms of injury comes down to the eventual return of Christian McCaffrey. It’s doubtful he plays tonight, but that gives him an extra few days of rest before their week nine matchup against Kansas City. I’m honestly shocked he’s been given this much rest and I applaud Carolina for allowing him to heal (helps when Mike Davis is killing it), that being said, I still don’t expect CMC to be the same player we’re used to until about week 10.

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