Welcome to the 2023 Fantasy Football Week 2 Injury Impact article.
Week 1 was rough. Let's recap.
Before the games even started, fantasy owners were without Cooper Kupp, Jonathan Taylor, Travis Kelce, and Mark Andrews (just to name a few). This led to panic among the fantasy community. Unfortunately, the panic would not subside. We had an attack on the hamstrings (Diontae Johnson, Aaron Jones, Greg Dulcichv, Christian Watson), Austin Ekeler came up limping with an ankle injury, and Jakobi Meyers came down with a concussion.
All those hamstring injuries forced them all to miss Week 2.
Diontae Johnson was placed on IR and will miss four games (including MNF). Meanwhile, Greg Dulcich was put on IR (will miss 5+ weeks). The tight end position saw one target on Sunday for this Broncos offense. What I'm saying here is, to leave Adam Trautman on the waiver wire. Austin Ekeler (high-ankle sprain) has a shot at Week 3, but I'm expecting a couple of weeks missed for Ekeler. With that being said, Joshua Kelley should be rostered (averaging 14.5 carries- 65 yards - 0.5 TD, and 9 FPTS in two games).
Christian Watson has missed two games now, he is losing time to make a connection with Jordan Love. This is something to keep an eye on for the rest of the season.
That's just the repercussions from Week 1. Do you think Week 2 was more kind to us?
Keep scrolling down to find out as we continue the 2023 Fantasy Football Week 2 Injury Impact article.
2023 Fantasy Football Week 2 Injury Impact
To answer the question above, the fantasy gods were not kind to us (again) in Week 2.
Before we get into the injuries that occurred, let's touch on the Cam Akers situation. Right before the noon games, Akers was ruled a healthy inactive (brutal) and is being shopped for a trade (again). It looks like the Rams made the right choice.
The new RB, Kyren Williams, had another good fantasy day. He rushed the ball 14 times for 52 yards and scored a TD. Williams also garnered 10 targets, in which he caught six of those for 48 yards and another score (27 fantasy points). Safe to say, Cam Akers isn't winning the job back.
Anyways, let's jump into the injuries (finally).
MAJOR UPDATE
This one hurts the fantasy community, tremendously.
Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns (Knee)
In terrible news, Nick Chubb went down with a brutal injury. To say how brutal it was, the telecasts don't want to show it. This just goes to show how bad of an injury this is. I saw the video, it's disgusting.
This is only speculation but it seems like we have lost Nick Chubb for the 2023 season (what a shame).
He is a freak of nature, so let's hope it's nothing serious or he recovers from this injury quickly.
With all that being said, Jerome Ford (currently) will be the starter. I don't expect him to light the world on fire with his running, so I expect the Browns to go out and get a free-agent RB. Kareem Hunt is the first name that comes to mind, be sure to make him a top waiver priority. Other possible options include Leonard Fournette, but other than that, it's a baron wasteland.
Again, I can't stress this enough, this is a catastrophic blow to the Fantasy community.
Concussions Strike Again
Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Can we just call him the next Cam Newton already?
When healthy, Anthony Richardson is a dangerous man (6/10 - 56 yards - 0, 3-35-2).
Unfortunately, the keyword in that sentence is 'when healthy'. For the second week in a row, Richardson had to leave the game with an injury. Let's get this out of the way now, the Week 1 injury was very minor and nothing to worry about.
However, his Week 2 injury is more troublesome. Anthony Richardson was taken out of the game (did not return) with a concussion. I fully expect him to miss a week, at minimum. With that being said, Gardner Minshew would be the starter. In Richardson's stead, Minshew went 19/23 for 171 yards and one touchdown.
Let's be honest, this is a boost for the pass catchers in this offense (for at least one week). There should be more targets available, mainly in the red zone. In Week 3, Michael Pittman (12/8-56-0) should see even more work. Put him in those lineups and forget about it.
Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
A concussion is what took Davante Adams out of the game on Sunday. Before exiting, Adams caught six of eight targets for 84 yards and a touchdown. For those who drafted Adams, this is the type of stat line you can expect with Garoppolo at the helm (give or take on the TD every week). This is good, but not that top-5 WR production we wanted.
If he were to miss time, which I am leaning towards a one-week absence, don't expect the other WRs to pick up the slack. Their combined stat line was an alarming 3/1-23-0. It is in your best interest to leave them all on the waiver wire.
Boston Scott, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Nobody and I mean absolutely nobody, started Boston Scott on TNF. You may be wondering why he is here then, right? Well, Scott finds himself here because his concussion opened the door for D'Andre Swift to win this RB job.
Swift went bonkers on TNF, as he rushed the ball 28 times for 175 yards and one score (26 FPTS). He also added three catches for six yards on three targets.
Sure, Kenneth Gainwell (14-54-0, 4/4-20 in Week 1) missed the game because of a rib injury but it's not like he won the job with his performance in Week 1. So, what I expect is for Swift to be the main guy (hopefully). Meanwhile, Kenneth Gainwell will serve as the change of pace back.
The Oft-Injured Bug is Back
Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants (Ankle)
Thank the fantasy gods! We avoided a serious injury with Barkley. Let me tell you this, it was a close call. That could've been a season-ending injury but it wasn't, so we rejoice.
Will he miss time? Yes! Their next game is on TNF, so plan accordingly. Don't be surprised if he misses a few weeks on top of that.
Before getting injured, Barkley was enjoying a fantastic fantasy day. He ran for 63 yards (17 carries) and one score, while adding six catches (seven targets) for 29 yards and another score (26 FPTS).
Don't expect this production from his replacement (Matt Breida). He could be used as a waiver claim, I just wouldn't want to be starting him anytime soon.
Odell Beckham, WR, Baltimore Ravens (Ankle)
What a shame. Before getting injured, OBJ was targeted four times. He caught three of those for 29 yards.
The severity of Beckham's ankle injury is unknown at this time, but with his injury history, I don't like it. More than likely, it's just an ankle sprain. Either way, I expect him to miss a week or two (given his injury history).
In his place, Nelson Agholor (6/5-63-1, 17 FPTS) looked impressive. He should be a top-10 waiver wire option this week. Mark Andrews is still the number one option (obviously), but Zay Flowers (5/4-62) will see more work and must be started. As for Bateman (3/3-18-0), he is bordering on being a drop (10-team leagues).
Monitor During the Week
These are considered to be not serious, but should still be monitored throughout the week.
David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions (Thigh)
In what is considered a thigh contusion, David Montgomery (16-67-1, 13 FPTS) was not able to return to the game. The severity of this injury is unknown at this time, so he must be monitored. At first glance, leaving on a cart isn't great. The possibility of missing a week or two is highly likely at this point. Anyways, just monitor his situation during the week.
This opens the door wide open for Jahmyr Gibbs to break out. On Sunday, he touched the ball 14 times (seven rushes, seven catches on nine targets) for 56 yards (11 FPTS). Do what you can now to try and buy low on him.
Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (Calf)
This is the same injury that happened to him during camp (he missed time during that injury). Let's not assume the worst (missing time), but it is on the table. The Bengals' backup is Jake Browning. DO NOT pick him up.
In fact, I would be scared to start everyone from this offense if Burrow is out. Even with that being said, we are (reluctantly) starting the three musketeers (Chase, Higgins, Mixon).
D.K. Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks (Ribs)
D.K. Metcalf took a shot in the ribs and went to the locker room. He ended up returning. In his return, he made a slight impact in the Seahawks' win over the Lions (6/6-75-0). I expect Metcalf to be fine in Week 3, but it is worth a monitoring session in the week.
No matter the case, he is still a solid WR2.
That should do it for the 2023 Fantasy Football Week 2 Injury Impact article. Check out more Fantasy Football content!
