Author: Special from InsideInjuries.com
Join AccuScore now using the code SALE50 for $50 off an annual All-Sports premium membership. For all others this is $349, but as you are reading this article, it is only $299... Join Today
zone and hyperextended his leg, causing an extreme dislocation of his knee. It looked like he made the grab, but the touchdown call was later overturned. The team’s medical staff rushed to the field when Miller went down. He was taken to the hospital and vascular surgeons were brought in to perform emergency surgery in an effort to save his leg.
Zach Miller needed an arterial graft to save his leg. Photo Credit: AP/Butch Dill
The most common injuries when the knee dislocates are ligament damage or a tibia fracture, but nerve and artery damage are worst-case scenarios. Miller damaged his artery on the play, so he is facing the worst-case scenario. There is almost certainly other damage to the knee, but the artery is the biggest concern. During surgery, tissue was grafted from Miller’s other leg to repair the damaged artery.
Chris Hogan WR, Patriots: right shoulder injury
Hogan was tackled late in the game and took a helmet to his right shoulder. He was later seen with his arm in a sling. Hogan will undergo an MRI on Monday, but there is some early optimism that he avoided a serious injury. Inside Injuries has calculated a two week Optimal Recovery Time for a grade 2 shoulder injury (moderate sprain). The Patriots have a bye in Week 9, so if Hogan avoided a more significant injury he could be back on the field and should put up a relatively strong performance.
Entering the week, Hogan was an Elevated Injury Risk. With his new injury, he is now a High Risk Player and is a Risky Fantasy Start. This could improve after the bye week, but it’s an injury that needs to be watched closely.
Jameis Winston QB, Buccaneers: AC sprain + new right shoulder injury
This is more of an update than a new Week 8 injury. Winston suffered an AC sprain to his throwing shoulder in Week 6 but played well in Week 7, which our algorithm indicated would happen. Now, Buccaneers Coach Dirk Koetter made some comments that are somewhat misleading, but there is an explanation. He said Winston did not suffer a setback in Week 7, but “kind of re-injured it.”
While confusing, this does make sense. Initially, Winston was dealing with an AC sprain, but there was a play in Week 7 when his arm was hit mid-throw. This type of play is consistent with a shoulder strain (possibly to the rotator cuff) but not an AC sprain. It also explains why Winston followed the same practice schedule ahead of Week 8 that he did before Week 7. Winston did not throw at all on Wednesday or Thursday but did on Friday. Had Winston’s shoulder been feeling ok after Week 7, he likely would have thrown at least a little bit on Thursday. Winston didn’t look very comfortable on a lot of his passes, especially deeper throws on which he had to get his body behind the ball. Winston’s Health Performance Factor remains Below Average, so it was no surprise that his numbers on Sunday were not what many expected.
Beasley suffered a concussion on Sunday and is now in the concussion protocol. He appeared to get hurt on a four-yard reception in the middle of the field when he was tackled by Redskins linebacker Martrell Spaight. With a week until their next game, Beasley has a chance to get cleared in time to suit up next Sunday, but it’s no guarantee. He will need to be symptom-free, then return to practice and get cleared by an independent neurologist.
Jordan Reed TE, Redskins: hamstring strain
It seems like Jordan Reed makes our list of injured players every single week. This time it’s his hamstring that is a problem, an injury he last faced in 2015. Reed entered the season a High Injury Risk and never improved much. First, it was a foot/toe injury that lingered since the 2016 season, then it was an SC joint sprain. Reed has the talent to be the league’s best tight end, but he can’t stay on the field. It’s always something with him.
Reed was hurt while running a route. He pulled up lame and left the game. Reed tried to test out his leg on the sideline but wasn’t feeling well enough to return. Now he is looking at a multi-week recovery. Even if he is out three weeks, he will remain a High Injury Risk. Part of Reed’s problem is that he tries to play through injuries when he shouldn’t. He’s very tough, but he compounds the problem and it results in new injuries or re-aggravations of previous problems.
Joe Flacco QB, Ravens: concussion
A late hit on Joe Flacco resulted in a concussion for the Ravens QB, and it may also lead to a suspension for Kiko Alonso. Flacco ran downfield and started to slide as Alonso came flying in, hitting him in the head. Flacco was clearly dazed after the hit and was evaluated for a concussion. He is now in concussion protocol, but with 10 days to clear, he has a decent shot at playing in Week 9. Keep an eye on his practice participation later in the week for a better idea of where he is in the concussion protocol.
Download the Inside Injuries app for more injury advice and fantasy analysis on every player in the NFL!
Listen to the only FREE 24/7 Fantasy Sports Radio channel on the go! Get the FNTSY Sports Radio Network app now in the iTunes store or on Google Play. Listen to Fantasy Football Frenzy, the RotoExperts in the Morning, Fantasy Best Friends Forever and the award-winning On Target. Plus a whole lot more from all of your Fantasy favorites for FREE!
