Injury Recap: Week 12

While no one wants it to happen, each week players are bound to go down with injuries. In each weekly Injury Recap article, we will go over the fantasy relevant players that got injured, how significant each injury is, and which players will benefit/suffer from this injury.

Andy Dalton (QB, Cincinnati Bengals)

Injury: Hand, Right Thumb UCL Sprain

Andy Dalton has been placed on IR with what is being referred to a right thumb injury. While he wasn’t startable in fantasy, this loss should impact how the rest of the team performs. Even though Jeff Driskel played well in Dalton’s absence, it’s hard to expect a backup quarterback to play well enough to support fantasy relevant options to the level that Dalton has. Don’t be surprised if Joe Mixon, Tyler Boyd, and A.J. Green (if healthy) see a slight dip in production.

Melvin Gordon (RB, San Diego Chargers)

Injury: Knee, MCL Sprain

Melvin Gordon was questionable coming into this week and decided to play. Unfortunately, that may have been the wrong decision, as he left the game early with a MCL Sprain. He will definitely not play next week, and will likely miss multiple weeks due to this injury. Both Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson need to be picked up in fantasy leagues, as both should be legitimate flex options while Gordon is out.

Kenyan Drake (RB, Miami Dolphins)

Injury: Shoulder, undisclosed

Kenyan Drake injured his shoulder during the Dolphins-Colts game, and was seen icing it after the game. He had a good fantasy day thanks to a long touchdown reception, but his status for next week is hazy at best. Easily one of the most frustrating fantasy players this year, Drake’s injury should give owners another reason to stay away from playing him next week.

Marlon Mack (RB, Indianapolis Colts)

Injury: Head, Concussion

Like Kenyan Drake, Marlon Mack also sustained an injury in the 4th quarter of the Dolphins-Colts contest, leaving the game with a concussion. His status should be closely monitored this week, as he will likely be questionable going into Week 13’s game vs the Jaguars. If Mack doesn’t play, Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines should be scooped off waivers, but only started if your team is seriously depleted with injuries.

A.J. Green (WR, Cincinnati Bengals)

Injury: Foot, Toe injury

While A.J. Green didn’t play this week, it was a surprise to see him miss Week 12 based on his progress earlier in the week. He was listed as doubtful for Week 12’s game against the Browns, so we’d expect him to be at least questionable for Week 13. What could be even more concerning is the fact that Andy Dalton will miss the rest of the year after getting injured. Green’s production will likely be significantly lower once he returns to the field, and shouldn’t be seen as a WR1 upon returning.

Marvin Jones Jr. (WR, Detroit Lions)

Injury: Knee, undisclosed

Marvin Jones Jr. has been placed on IR with an undisclosed knee injury. This news should immediately increase the value of Kenny Golladay, who is now the unquestioned WR1 for the Detroit Lions. Golladay should be seen as a mid to high-end WR2 for the rest of the season.

Keke Coutee (WR, Houston Texans)

Injury: Hamstring, Strained Hamstring

Keke Coutee was a good start a few weeks this season, but will miss the next couple weeks due to a strained hamstring. This is the same injury that forced him to miss games earlier in the year. While Coutee hasn’t been great the past couple weeks, his absence from the field should solidify the newly-signed Demaryius Thomas as the 2nd option in the Texans’ passing attack.

Evan Engram (TE, New York Giants)

Injury: Hamstring, Strained Hamstring

Evan Engram trolled fantasy owners this week, injuring his hamstring during pregame warmups. It is unknown how severe this hamstring injury is, but hamstring injuries normally force players to miss at least a week of action. He was replaced by Rhett Ellison in the lineup against the Eagles, but Ellison should not be considered startable even if Engram misses time.

Jack Doyle (TE, Indianapolis Colts)

Injury: Kidney, Injured kidney

Jack Doyle got a not-so-common kidney injury after he was hit in the lower back during the Colts game this week. This injury will force Doyle to miss the rest of the season, as the Colts placed him on IR. Doyle severely limited the number of snaps Eric Ebron saw, so now that Doyle is out for the year, consider Ebron startable for the rest of the season.