Fantasy Football Injuries: Key Updates on Josh Jacobs, Drake London, and More

Nothing can wreck a fantasy season like injuries.

But injuries also present opportunity. We can gain an edge over our competition by having a better understanding of injuries, how long they’ll keep players out, and how they’ll impact performance upon return.

That’s why we’re bringing in Tyler Smola -- a Doctor of Physical Therapy with more than a decade of sports medicine experience -- to break down what these injuries really mean for fantasy managers.

Each week, Tyler will separate rumor from reality, explain timelines, and give you the performance outlook you need to make sharper fantasy decisions.

Fantasy Football Injuries: QBs

Aaron Rodgers, Steelers

Aaron Rodgers

PIT QB32 Sun 1:00 PM @ CHI

Bye5

3D PPR Proj271.1

3D Value-6.5

Injury: Wrist fracture
Expected Games Missed: 0-2
Performance Impact Upon Return: Low

Rodgers sustained a small fracture to his left wrist late in the first half of his Week 11 matchup. 

The key here is that the injury is to his non-throwing side. As we’ve discussed several times this season, position is one of the most important factors in regards to return timeline. If a WR had the same injury, it would likely cost him a month. But the demand to the left wrist is small for a QB. 

Rodgers has already signaled that he is pushing the play this coming week. If so, he will have a significant brace to the left wrist which will likely immobilize the joint. The greatest performance impact will be on ball security.

Michael Penix, Falcons

Michael Penix Jr.

ATL QB42 Sun 4:25 PM @ NO

Bye5

3D PPR Proj135.1

3D Value-94.2

Injury: Knee
Expected Games Missed: 4-Season ending
Performance Impact Upon Return: Low - Passing, High - rushing

The Falcons have stated that they will perform more testing this week before announcing the extent of Penix’s injury. This leads me to believe there is a significant intra-articular injury (in the knee joint) to the meniscus; or worse, a ligament. This is the same knee Penix injuried earlier in the season.

Penix will be placed on IR, and we can expect him to miss the remainder of the season. Don’t be surprised if it is announced that Penix will undergo a surgery soon.

Fantasy Football Injuries: RBs

Josh Jacobs, Packers

Josh Jacobs

GB RB74 Sun 1:00 PM vs MIN

Bye5

3D PPR Proj275.6

3D Value36.5

Injury: Knee
Expected Games Missed: 0-4
Performance Impact Upon Return: Medium

We do not have specifics on the pathology of injury, but we do know that the knee is structurally intact. This means Jacobs avoided a season-ending injury to the four stabilizing ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL) and meniscus. However, this does not rule out a bone bruise, which can be limiting upon return. 

As of now we can assume Jacobs may miss a week or two and have a moderate performance impact upon return. Keep an eye out over the next few days for an update on the true nature of the injury.

Jaylen Warren, Steelers

Jaylen Warren

PIT RB25 Sun 1:00 PM @ CHI

Bye5

3D PPR Proj213.6

3D Value28.2

Injury: Ankle sprain
Expected Games Missed: 0-2
Performance Impact Upon Return: Low

Warren hobbled off the field following an ankle sprain and did not return. 

Encouraging news came from Warren himself after the game, stating that he could have returned but medical staff held him out. 

The most important detail we do not have is whether the injury is a high or low ankle sprain. As of now we can assume it to be a low ankle sprain, especially after HC Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he’s “optimistic” about Warren’s availability for Week 12.

Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars

Bhayshul Tuten

JAC RB66 Sun 4:05 PM @ ARI

Bye8

3D PPR Proj124

3D Value16.6

Injury: High-ankle sprain
Expected Games Missed: 1-4
Performance Impact Upon Return: Medium

We’ve heard no specifics from the team on pathology, so we are going solely on video analysis here to determine a high-ankle injury.  

Unless we hear otherwise from the Jags, we should expect Tuten to miss a few weeks.

We also expect a significant performance impact upon return to change of direction and burst.

Fantasy Football Injuries: WRs

Drake London, Falcons

Drake London

ATL WR174 Sun 4:25 PM @ NO

Bye5

3D PPR Proj248.7

3D Value34.7

Injury: PCL sprain
Expected Games Missed: 0-4
Performance Impact Upon Return: Medium

London has been confirmed to have suffered a PCL sprain. The big question now is what degree. 

A Grade 1 sprain will cost London 0-2 weeks, but a Grade 2 or 3 will cost him up to a month. 

There is also concern here for a significant performance impact and a high risk of re-injury or further injury upon return. 

If London is back at practice this week, we can assume it to be a low grade strain and for him to not miss any extended time.

Calvin Ridley, Titans

Calvin Ridley

TEN WR148 Sun 1:00 PM vs SEA

Bye10

3D PPR Proj91.8

3D Value-72.8

Injury: Fibula fracture
Expected Games Missed: Season-ending
Performance Impact Upon Return: Low next season

This, in some ways, sounds worse than it is. 

Yes, Ridley broke his leg. But he fractured the much less important bone in the lower leg. And, relative to an injury to the ankle ligaments and joint such as the Chris Godwin situation, Ridley’s healing is simple. 

Expect Ridley to be ready for Week 1 next season and to have no performance impact.

What Do These Injuries Mean For Your Fantasy Team?

The smartest managers don’t just track injuries ... they act on them faster than the rest of the league.

Our fantasy football projections update around the clock and feed directly into Team Intel, Free Agent Finder, and the rest of our fully customized tools.

Sync your league now to get your unfair advantage.

Next Up

Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups: RB Help Headlines the Week

Next Article  

Tyler Smola, Injury Analyst

Tyler brings over a decade of sports medicine knowledge to Draft Sharks. He will be writing weekly injury analysis articles this season and will bring an expertise in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and sports performance to Draft Sharks.