We’ve made it nine weeks through the NFL season, and it’s almost guaranteed that your roster has been shaken up. There have been tons of injuries this season, and it seems like we barely have any starting QBs left standing. Between injuries, benchings, and bye weeks, Week 10 has it all. Have no fear. I’m here to help you navigate through the week. We’re at the time of year when W’s are too precious to pass up. Welcome to the Week 10 Fantasy Football Injury Report!
Week 10 Bye Weeks: Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins
Injury news happens fast and can change quickly, so for the most up-to-date news and analysis, follow me on X @SGPNFootballDoc! Additionally, this article is updated daily until Monday Night Football, so check back in before setting your lineup!
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Week 10 Fantasy Football Injury Report
Week 10 Inactives
Justin Fields (QB) Chicago Bears
Khalil Herbert (RB) Chicago Bears
DJ Chark (WR) Carolina Panthers
Nico Collins (WR) Houston Texans
Dameon Pierce (RB) Houston Texans
Ka’imi Fairbairn (K) Houston Texans
Tee Higgins (WR) Cincinnati Bengals
Zay Jones (WR) Jacksonville Jaguars
Treylon Burks (WR) Tennessee Titans
DeVante Parker (WR) New England Patriots
Kendre Miller (RB) New Orleans Saints
Jaren Hall (QB) Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson (WR) Minnesota Vikings
KJ Osborn (WR) Minnesota Vikings
DaVante Parker (WR) New England Patriots
David Bell (WR) Cleveland Browns
Emari Demarcado (RB) Arizona Cardinals
Mack Hollins (WR) Atlanata Falcons
Kyler Murray (QB) Arizona Cardinals
Injury: ACL Tear
Injury Date: 12/12/2022
Expected Recovery Time: 10-12 months
Recovery Time to Week 10: 11 months
Tearing his ACL in Week 15 gave Murray about nine months to return by Week 1. There is a lot of evidence that discourages players from returning from an ACL tear before or at nine months due to the increased reinjury rates. Most NFL players take closer to 11 months to return to playing.
I initially expected Kyler to take his time in getting back to playing, as that is what the team is expecting. It is to no one’s surprise that the Arizona Cardinals are in a rebuilding year. They let go of their best player in WR DeAndre Hopkins and made no plans to bring in a viable QB option in the interim. The Cardinals understand this is their franchise QB and do not want to rush Murray back for a season where they’ve set themselves up to tank.
However, Kyler officially returned to practice two weeks ago. The Cardinals opened up his 21-day practice window, meaning they feel confident in his ability to return to the field in three weeks. After numerous full practices, Murray is activated off the PUP and slated to start in Week 10. His mobility will be tested in his return, but with two weeks of practice and a favorable matchup, I’m cautiously optimistic here.
Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is activated off the PUP and set to start this week – START in a pinch.
Justin Fields (QB) Chicago Bears
Injury: Thumb Dislocation
Injury Date: 10/15/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 10: 4 weeks
The Chicago Bears continue to be cursed at the QB position. After putting together two weeks of solid football, QB Justin Fields had a rough game that ended in an injury. Fields was injured on a tackle and was unable to return to the game with a thumb injury on his throwing hand. The good news is his X-rays were negative, ruling out a fracture.
The injury happening to Fields’ throwing hand really muddies the waters. At this point, the expectation is he is out for the foreseeable future. He dislocated his thumb, which means the bones of the thumb were forced out of place due to the hit. This is a painful injury that likely leads to ligament damage. The Bears are hoping he can rehab this injury, but there is a chance surgery is required, and Fields is out for a much longer time than 2-4 weeks.
Fields returned to the practice last Friday for the first time since his injury. He has also practiced twice this week, but only in a limited capacity. With the Bears playing on Thursday, he has a chance to play, but I am not as confident as I would be if they played on Sunday. With only being able to log limited practices this week, Fields is officially doubtful. Don’t expect a return this week but his return to practice makes next week likely.
QB Justin Fields dislocated his thumb on his throwing hand and is DOUBTFUL for this week – SIT.
Ryan Tannehill (QB) Tennessee Titans
Injury: High Ankle Sprain
Injury Date: 10/15/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 3-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 10: 4 weeks
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Kyler Murray (QB) Arizona Cardinals
Tennessee Titans QB Ryan Tannehill is back on the fantasy football injury report in Week 9 this year. After having his season derailed by a high ankle sprain last year, it seems lightning has struck twice. Tannehill injured his ankle two weeks ago and was expected to miss several weeks with an ankle injury. This injury timeline and lack of practice help to confirm he is dealing with a high ankle sprain.
A high ankle sprain differs from a traditional low ankle sprain in that more force is needed to cause the injury, and it requires a longer recovery time. In this injury, the ligaments holding your lower leg bones together are damaged, and in mild cases, this comes with a 3-6 week recovery. At this point, the Titans QB has not returned to practice, and he has been officially benched. Not fully healthy, and now QB2 on his own team, Tannehill is not worth a roster spot.
Titans QB Ryan Tannehill is dealing with a similar high ankle sprain injury as last year and has been BENCHED – DROP.
James Conner (RB) Arizona Cardinals
Injury: Knee Injury
Injury Date: 10/8/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 4-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 10: 5 weeks
The Arizona Cardinals have had a rough start to their season. Their star RB getting added to the injury report in Week 6 does not make anyone’s life easier, including James Connor fantasy football managers. Connor was knocked out of the game with a knee injury and was placed on IR. No specifics on the knee injury are available, but what we do know is that he will miss AT LEAST four games. I would expect more information to be out soon.
Unfortunately, we still have not learned much about the nature of Conner’s knee injury. What we do know is that the Cardinals have officially designated him to return from IR. He began the week with a limited practice. This does not guarantee that he will return, but his practice participation will give us a much better idea of how close he is. Between Murray and Conner, this is a BIG week of practice for the Cardinals.
Cardinals RB James Connor expects to return from practice this week and has a chance to play – MONITOR.
Khalil Herbert (RB) Chicago Bears
Injury: High Ankle Sprain
Injury Date: 10/5/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 3-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 10: 5 weeks
The Bears picked up their first win of the season in Week 5, but it wasn’t all good news. In the process, they unfortunately lost their starting RB for several weeks. RB1 Khalil Herbert had an awkward fall while attempting to catch a pass and suffered a high ankle sprain. He tried to return to the game, but it was clear that he was not able to cut off of his ankle, and this injury was serious.
High ankle sprains refer to damage to the ligaments connecting your lower leg bones. This injury is more serious than a typical low ankle sprain. More force is required to cause the injury, leading to more damage and a longer recovery time. The expected recovery timeline is 3-6 weeks, but a player is limited until closer to the six-week mark. Herbert was placed on the IR and will miss at least four games.
Bears RB Khalil Herbert has served his time on the IR and has made his return to practice. He has logged two full practices in a row and is on track to play for Thursday Night Football. I do expect Herbert to re-take ownership of the Chicago backfield, but it is tough to say it will happen his first week back. He is welcomed back to a nice matchup against a hurting Panthers defense where the Bears may actually find themselves with a lead.
Yeah, Bears RB Khalil Herbert is likely OUT for the game
Clearly can’t cut on that ankle
Concern for a high ankle sprain here, 3-6 week recovery 📉#DaBears RBs VERY thin with Roschon Johnson (concussion) OUT & Travis Homer (hamstring) questionable pic.twitter.com/9UYAV93jAN
— Sebastian Fearon PT, DPT, CSCS, TSAC-F, OCS (@SGPNFootballDoc) October 6, 2023
Bears RB Khalil Herbert is returning from a high ankle sprain but unlikely to play tonight – SIT.
Daniel Jones (QB) New York Giants
Injury: ACL Tear
Injury Date: 11/5/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 10-12 months
Recovery Time to Week 10: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Josh Dobbs (QB) Minnesota Vikings
The New York Giants are absolutely cursed. That is the only logical explanation for this abysmal season, and the Week 10 Fantasy Football Injury Report doesn’t bring good news. In his first game returning from a neck injury, QB Daniel Jones did not last very long. He went down awkwardly on a sack and tried to tough it out, but the next play, his knee gave out, and he was forced to leave the field.
Non-contact injuries are feared in sports, and one of the biggest reasons is the dreaded ACL tear. The ACL is a major stabilizing ligament in your knee, and when torn, it requires season-ending surgery. Jones will have a long recovery road ahead of him, as the typical return timeline is 10-12 months. He has a good chance to be ready by Week 1 of next season, but it will take him some time to get his mobility and rushing ability back.
Giants QB Daniel Jones is done for the season with an ACL tear – DROP.
Cam Akers (RB) Minnesota Vikings
Injury: Achilles Tear
Injury Date: 11/5/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 10-12 months
Recovery Time to Week 10: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Tyler Allgeier (RB) Atlanta Falcons
This next injury on the Week 10 Fantasy Football Injury Report is just brutal. RB Cam Akers was traded to the Vikings mid-season in an attempt to revitalize his career. He suffered an Achilles tear in 2021, and he famously returned in only about six months but never really looked like himself. Just as he was settling into a new home, Akers suffered ANOTHER Achilles Tear.
You have to feel sorry for the guy who has had two-plus seasons ruined by the same injury early on in his career. The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to your heel and requires surgery to repair when torn. Despite what Aaron Rodgers believes, the typical recovery timeline is 10-12 months for this injury. With having two major injuries so close to each other, it does make me wonder if we will see Cam Akers as a starting RB ever again.
Vikings RB Cam Akers has suffered another Achilles Tear, and his season is over – DROP.
Deebo Samuel (WR) San Francisco 49ers
Injury: Shoulder Hairline Fracture
Injury Date: 10/15/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 3-4 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 10: 4 weeks
The San Francisco 49ers are currently in the middle of a three game losing streak. This is NOT a coincidence that it coincides with star WR Deebo Samuel not being on the field. Samuel went down a few weeks ago against the Browns and it was discovered he has a hairline fracture in his shoulder. He is basically dealing with a small break in one of the bones in his shoulder.
The best remedy for bone injuries is simply time. These injuries need time to heal before returning to play toavoid making the injury much worse. It seems like Deebo is mostly all healed up in his three week absence as he was a full go in practice to start the week. This fits the typical recovery timeline for this injury and I have no reservations regarding Samuel this week. Both your fantasy team and the 49ers need Deebo back out on the field.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel has returned to fully practices and should be good to go this week – START.
Dallas Goedert (TE) Philadelphia Eagles
Injury: Forearm Fracture
Injury Date: 11/1/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 4-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 10: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Taysom Hill (TE) New Orleans Saints
The Philadelphia Eagles pulled off a big divisional rivalry win this week. Unfortunately, it came at a price. Starting TE Dallas Goedert was taken awkwardly by his arm by a Cowboys defender. He immediately left the field and walked off to the locker room to get X-rays. Unfortunately, the X-rays found a fracture in his forearm, and he is expected to have surgery and miss around four games.
Bones need TIME to heal, and surgery can help this process for stability, but it doesn’t speed up healing. With Goedert being a pass catcher, it’s also not a situation where he can play through this with a cast. There is a chance he ends up on the IR, but with the Eagles on bye, they may see if he can return within four weeks.
The Eagles TE is dealing with a broken bone in his forearm and will miss several weeks – IR.
Ja’Marr Chase (WR) Cincinnati Bengals
Injury: Back Injury
Injury Date: 11/5/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 1-3 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 10: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Tank Dell (WR) Houston Texans
Finally, I get to give some good news on this Week 10 Fantasy Football Injury Report. Bengals stud WR Ja’Marr Chase went up high for a ball last week, and landed hard on his low back. He was visibly shaken up and reportedly dealing with some pain and soreness the next day. This is to be expected based on how he landed, and although it hurts, I expect Chase to be much better off in a few days. At this time, I have little concern that Chase will miss a game due to his back.
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase is dealing with a mild back injury but should be able to play this week – MONITOR.
David Montgomery (RB) Detroit Lions
Injury: Rib Injury
Injury Date: 10/15/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 10: 4 weeks
Despite a great start to the season stats-wise, Lions RB David Montgomery has been beaten up this season. During the Week 6 game, Montgomery landed on the ball while being tackled and had to leave the game. X-rays were negative, but an MRI later showed a rib cartilage injury that connects the rib to the spine.
Rib cartilage damage is a very painful injury that causes pain every time you rotate, bend over, laugh, or even sneeze. The injury will not fully heal until about six weeks, but players typically return in 2-4 weeks. Playing through these injuries is painful but typically has a low reinjury risk with proper protection.
It seems Week 10 is the return time for Mr. Montgomery. He is participating in practice to start the week and is currently on track to play Sunday. Being four weeks since his injury, I feel pretty good about slotting Monty back into your lineup. Going up against a Chargers defense that struggles to stop the run, he could have a nice welcome-back party. Gibbs looked good in his absence, but let’s be honest: Dan Campbell loves David Montgomery.
Lions RB David Montgomery is back practicing in full and has a favorable matchup – START.
Justin Jefferson (WR) Minnesota Vikings
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Injury Date: 10/8/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 4-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 10: 5 weeks
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Demario Davis (WR) New England Patriots
This is one of the most devastating injuries on this Week 10 Fantasy Football Injury Report. Not only did it happen to arguably the best WR in the NFL, but it’s a brutal in-season injury. Vikings WR Justin Jefferson injured his hamstring in Week 5 while running a route. He immediately took himself out of the game and did not return. After some speculation, we quickly learned the injury was pretty serious as he was quickly placed on the IR.
Placing Jefferson on the IR guarantees he will miss AT LEAST four games, and it tells me he suffered a grade 2 strain. This refers to a moderate hamstring strain where more damage is done to the muscle than in a mild case. A grade 2 hamstring strain typically takes 4-6 weeks to recover fully. Unfortunately, hamstring strains also carry a high reinjury rate, especially in the first two weeks of a player returning to play.
The hamstrings play a BIG role in generating a player’s speed and power. The injury negatively affects his acceleration and jumping ability until fully healed. Additionally, a reinjury or setback would lead to more time lost and could easily derail Jefferson’s season. Due to this, the Vikings will be cautious with Jefferson. He is reportedly unlikely to play this week, but let’s see if he can practice at all.
#Skol Justin Jefferson Injury Thread 🤕
Medical Diagnosis: Hamstring strain
Laymen’s Terms: Damage to muscle in back of upper leg
Gameplay Affected:
1) Acceleration
2) Jumpball AbilityLevel of concern: HIGH
Takeaway: Quick IR decision tells me grade 2, poor ROS outlook 📉 pic.twitter.com/iMhxfV3MYM
— Sebastian Fearon PT, DPT, CSCS, TSAC-F, OCS (@SGPNFootballDoc) October 11, 2023
WR Justin Jefferson is back at practice but is unlikely to play this week – MONITOR.
Top Waiver Wire Targets
Tank Dell (WR) Houston Texans
Jake Ferguson (TE) Dallas Cowboys
Kyler Murray (QB) Arizona Cardinals
Taysom Hill (TE) New Orleans Saints
Tyler Allgeier (RB) Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Philips (WR) Tennessee Titans
Josh Dobss (QB) Minnesota Vikings
Demario Douglas (WR) New England Patriots
Short-Term Injured Reserve
These players will miss a minimum of 4 games.
Justin Jefferson (WR) Minnesota Vikings
James Connor (RB) Arizona Cardinals
Josh Palmer (WR) Los Angeles Chargers
Darren Waller (TE) New York Giants
De’Von Achane (RB) Miami Dolphins
Pat Freiermuth (TE) Pittsburgh Steelers
Zach Ertz (TE) Arizona Cardinals
Evan Hull (RB) Indianapolis Colts
Kenny McIntosh (RB) Seattle Seahawks
Justin Shorter (WR) Buffalo Bills
Jelani Woods (TE) Indianapolis Colts
Season Ending Injured Reserve
These players will miss the entire season.
Anthony Richardson (QB) Indianapolis Colts
Mike Williams (WR) Los Angeles Chargers
Kirk Cousins (QB) Minnesota Vikings
Kendrick Bourne (WR) New England Patriots
Daniel Jones (QB) New York Giants
Cam Akers (RB) Minnesota Vikings
Nick Chubb (RB) Cleveland Browns
JK Dobbins (RB) Baltimore Ravens
Aaron Rodgers (QB) New York Jets
Commissioner Exempt List
Players are unable to play or practice until allowed off the list.
Hassan Haskins (RB) Tennessee Titans – Aggravated Assault Charges
