Week Seven is upon us and the impending return of some key players is yet again in play. Last week hopefully you took my advice and beat the crowd to using Tyreek Hill while avoiding Alvin Kamara. In this iteration of the DFS Week Seven Injury Report I’ll once again touch on several players and their respective injuries.
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DeSean Jackson
In the middle of last week Jackson’s injury on the report changed from “groin” to “abdomen” which was unexpected but makes some sense. A muscle injury like Jackson’s can involve any of the muscles that attach to the pelvis from the leg or abdomen. Typically these can take anywhere from four to six weeks to heal, so I do not expect Jackson to play this week, but check with me again later this week. If he made some quick improvements over the weekend, I may be wrong.
Update: Jackson did not practice on Wednesday and in my estimation still seems a week or two away from returning. This abdomen injury is much more serious than the Eagles want to admit. Check back later this week to confirm he has not made unexpected improvements.
Patrick Mahomes
This one is driving me a bit batty as the general public has come together and decided as a unit that Mahomes’ ankle is damaged. The bottom line is that it was not taped on Sunday, his lateral mobility looked excellent, and he said himself after the game that it was not re-injured. Is the ankle bothering him some? It very well could be, but he is the exception to the rule when it comes to injury (as he is for most other things). His arm strength is so incredible that he does not need to step into his throws onto that ankle to be accurate. In fact, he’s made his mark in the league for more than a year now by doing exactly the opposite.The guy has thrown for 300 yards in all but one game this year and in Week Four Rushed for 54 yards. What else do you want from him to prove that he’s healthy? Confidently use in in the Showdown slates this Thursday as this offense continues to hum despite two consecutive losses.
Update: Talking heads continue to make a mess of Mahomes’ health. I suppose there aren’t enough news stories to fill all of the hours in a day. Below is a thread with former Chiefs Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer, Aaron Borgmann. He and I remain in lock step on the severity (or lack thereof) of Mahomes’ injury. Most importantly, Monday’s estimated practice report listed Mahomes as a full participant. If Mahomes does not perform well tonight, it will not be because of a “bad ankle”.
Saquon Barkley
Week Seven marks Barkley’s first legitimate chance at playing on Sunday, as he hits the four week mark since his high ankle sprain. He’ll still have to practice in full at least once this week for me to be confident in his recovery, but if he suits up, expect the Saquon we all know and love. Don’t worry about re-injury.
Update: Barkley was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. I have no reservations about firing him up this week.
Evan Engram
Engram sprained his MCL in Week Five and was not able to play against the Patriots in Week Six. Typically these injuries take anywhere from one to three weeks to heal, but it all depends on his ability to stabilize the knee while cutting and running. If I report that Engram is able to practice this week, he has a shot at playing on Sunday.
Update: Barkley’s teammate also practiced in full on Wednesday. The only reservation I have on Engram is his history of MCL sprains. Given his specific circumstances, I would not be shocked if a re-injury occurs. However, he’s a fine play this week given the matchup.
Josh Gordon
According to the Patriots, Gordon avoided serious injury to his knee on Thursday, but was unable to return. This tells us quite a bit about the pain he was experiencing, as you would think he would do all he can to bolster that constantly thinning receiving corps. As such, I wouldn’t expect Gordon to suit up this week if we’re treating this as a traditional MCL sprain.
Update: The Patriots notoriously give reporters and writers alike headaches with their secretive style as it relates to team related issues. As a result, injuries are especially difficult to project. However, it is of note that Gordon did not practice on Tuesday. I’m not optimistic he plays this week.
Davante Adams
Next on the DFS Week Seven Injury Report is Davante Adams. Adams’ injury is much worse than the Packers let on a few weeks ago. Adams himself came out recently and told the media that there is ligament damage to his toe on MRI, automatically staging it as a grade II. A grade II turf toe problem can take anywhere from three to six weeks to heal, and with the Packers sitting pretty with only one loss this season, I don’t expect them to rush Adams back just 24 days after the sprain. Unless he practices in full this week, don’t expect Adams back until Week Eight at the earliest.
Update: Adams continues to be sidelined. Do not expect him back until Week Eight at the earliest.
Amari Cooper
Cooper suffered a thigh contusion on Sunday and did not return to the game. To make matters worse the contusion is of his quadriceps, which are responsible for extending the knee and bending the hip. Well, receivers need to do these motions repeatedly with no pain or limitations, which is exactly what a contusion causes. Contusions are much more painful than they are given credit for and I would not be surprised if Cooper misses Week Seven. Check back with me on his practice reports to confirm this.
Update: Cooper was out of practice Wednesday and I would not expect him to play this week.
Mid Week Additions
Todd Gurley and Malcom Brown
Gurley was not at practice again on Wednesday. Given his absence and the report of a contusion to the knee, I would not expect him to play this week unless he manages to get in at least a limited a practice this week. His teammate, Malcom Brown, missed practice on Wednesday, so check back with me later this week for further details. It may finally be Darrell Henderson SZN.
Geronimo Allison and Marquez Valdes-Scantling
With a quick turnaround, Allison may not clear the concussion protocol before Sunday. That leaves his teammate, Valdes-Scantling as the lone starter remaining available if he is able to give it a go after a knee and ankle injury on Monday night. MVS returned in the fourth quarter for a big play, so that gives me guarded optimism he’ll suit up Sunday despite missing practice on Thursday.
That will do it for the DFS Week Seven Injury Report. Make sure to check back in with me as updates begin to roll in today and as always, follow me on Twitter @FFStudentDoc.
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Featured image courtesy of Keith Allison.
