NFL Major Injury Updates: Joe Burrow, Nick Chubb, Jaylen Waddle and More
Week 2 was not a kind week for a lot of fantasy owners. We saw a lot of huge injuries and we are going to let you know how they'll impact your fantasy team.
Week 2 Injuries and Impacts
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (Calf)
This is a rough one that will cause a ripple effect throughout fantasy football leagues. Through two weeks Joe Burrow has been awful and now he has reaggravated the calf injury that has had him looking so bad. As much as we don't want to see it, Burrow sitting for a while to get healthy is probably the best long-term idea. Bengals' head coach Zac Taylor has already said he's not sure if Burrow will play in Week 3. It's unclear how much time he will miss if any, however, it's very clear that his calf is limiting him when he's on the field.
Fantasy Impact
If Burrow misses time it significantly downgrades Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Thanks to Burrow's struggles, neither have been great this year, but we don't want to have to deal with a backup quarterback situation. For owners relying on Burrow to be your starting QB, you need to devise a backup plan. Check out our QB Waiver Wire article and see who you should be looking to pick up this week.
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts (Concussion)
Richardson finds himself in the concussion protocol after taking a hard shot amid a monster fantasy game on Sunday. There is no way to predict anything with concussions. Either he clears the protocol or he doesn't. We will know by Friday whether he's able to play or not.
Fantasy Impact
Generally, if a player does miss time with a concussion it's for a week. The good news for the Colts is that they have one of the best backups in the league with Gardner Minshew. Minshew is a better passer than Richardson so if he was to start it is actually a slight upgrade for the Colts' pass catchers. Richardson owners can grab Minshew and plug him in if you're in a desperate situation. You won't get the same upside, but he should be safe enough against the Texans.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (Knee)
We don't have much information on Chubb's injury yet, but it looked really bad. The Browns fear he's out for the year and it looked like there was no doubt about that. They fear a knee dislocation and ligament damage. It looked like as bad of a knee injury as anyone could possibly get. This is a massive blow to the fantasy owners and the Browns.
Fantasy Impact
In Chubb's absence on Monday Night Football, Jerome Ford came in and looked great. Pierre Strong served as the change of pace back and saw some goal-line work. It's not clear if this is the plan moving forward, nevertheless, that's all we have to go on. Ford needs to be added in every league because he could be a true league winner if he becomes the starting running back in that offense behind that offensive line. Strong's value also sees a nice boost.
David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (Quad)
Montgomery injured his quad this week and it looks like he's going to miss some time. They initially said he'd probably going to miss three weeks, but now they are saying he's day-to-day. He had been the lead back in Detroit this year and has been piling up fantasy points. Fantasy owners should plan not to him for at least this week.
Fantasy Impact
This is a tough loss for fantasy owners because Monty had been so good. He was exactly what fantasy owners were hoping he'd be and more. This gives Jahmyr Gibbs a boost and a shot to earn more carries moving forward when Montgomery returns. Craig Reynolds will also now get work, but there is no chance we are starting him this week. However, if Montgomery is going to be out for longer than we expect, Reynolds could be a nice stash that you can wait and see on.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (Concussion)
Waddle took a shot to the back of the head on Sunday Night Football and is now in the concussion protocol. Again, when it comes to the concussion protocol you either clear it or you don't. We will have to monitor the situation this week and see if he can go. We will know by Friday.
Fantasy Impact
If Waddle is out, Tyreek Hill might see 18 targets. Still, this would downgrade Tua Tagovailoa. He doesn't want one of his top guys sidelined. The big question is who would slide up to WR2. It would probably be split between Braxton Berrios and River Cracraft.
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers (Shoulder)
After a monster Week 1, Aiyuk went down with a shoulder injury in Week 2 and the team is being very hush-hush about it. We don't know the severity of it, but it doesn't sound great. We will have to monitor this situation moving forward, however, we are betting he misses at least one game.
Fantasy Impact
If Aiyuk was to miss time it would upgrade both George Kittle and Deebo Samuel. Both would be getting a bigger piece of the pie. Of course, this isn't good news for Brock Purdy, nonetheless, he should be okay with the arsenal of weapons he still has left.
