This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
The last few days have been hectic when it comes to injury news in the NFL. The onslaught began when it was revealed the Titans running back suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal that required surgery to fix.
The metatarsals are the long bones located between the tarsal bones of the midfoot and the bones of the toes. They are named based on their location, meaning the fifth metatarsal is situated at the base of the fifth (pinkie) toe. Here it serves as an anchor point for multiple muscles of the foot and ankle.
Fractures of the fifth metatarsal are commonplace in professional sports. Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is currently sidelined with a fifth metatarsal fracture, and other NBA talents like Kevin Durant, Julius Randle and Brook Lopez have sustained the injury. In the NFL, fifth metatarsal fractures have become increasingly common in wide receivers. Pro-Bowl wideouts like Dez Bryant, Julio Jones, Deebo Samuel and Julian Edelman have all suffered the injury in recent seasons. Henry's teammate, quarterback Ryan Tannehill, endured the injury in college as well.
Treatment and recovery for fifth metatarsal injuries are often dictated by two factors: the nature of the break and the location of the break. Fifth metatarsal fractures can be classified as avulsion fractures, acute fractures or stress fractures. Once the how has been determined, the where is considered. The bone is divided into various zones with each area treated uniquely. A fifth metatarsal fracture at or near the base
The last few days have been hectic when it comes to injury news in the NFL. The onslaught began when it was revealed the Titans running back suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal that required surgery to fix.
The metatarsals are the long bones located between the tarsal bones of the midfoot and the bones of the toes. They are named based on their location, meaning the fifth metatarsal is situated at the base of the fifth (pinkie) toe. Here it serves as an anchor point for multiple muscles of the foot and ankle.
Fractures of the fifth metatarsal are commonplace in professional sports. Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is currently sidelined with a fifth metatarsal fracture, and other NBA talents like Kevin Durant, Julius Randle and Brook Lopez have sustained the injury. In the NFL, fifth metatarsal fractures have become increasingly common in wide receivers. Pro-Bowl wideouts like Dez Bryant, Julio Jones, Deebo Samuel and Julian Edelman have all suffered the injury in recent seasons. Henry's teammate, quarterback Ryan Tannehill, endured the injury in college as well.
Treatment and recovery for fifth metatarsal injuries are often dictated by two factors: the nature of the break and the location of the break. Fifth metatarsal fractures can be classified as avulsion fractures, acute fractures or stress fractures. Once the how has been determined, the where is considered. The bone is divided into various zones with each area treated uniquely. A fifth metatarsal fracture at or near the base of the bone is categorized as a Jones fracture. These types of injuries are particularly problematic as they are often slow to heal due to a limited blood supply to the area. Jones fractures are generally fixed surgically to help stabilize the bone and reduce the chances of a delayed union or nonunion.
Unfortunately, reports suggest Henry's injury is in fact a Jones fracture. He underwent surgery Tuesday and is slated to miss at least six weeks. However, given the timing of the injury, Henry's physical attributes, and the demands of his position, fantasy managers should make plans for him to miss the remainder of the regular season. Furthermore, the odds of a refracture in fifth metatarsal fractures are high. Additional complications are also possible and usually associated with surgical hardware issues. In some cases, the surgical screws have bent or failed, though that has happened less frequently in recent seasons as the equipment and approach has improved. For now, Jeremy McNichols appears to be the feature back with the recently signed Adrian Peterson and Dontrell Hilliard also competing for carries.
The Arizona signal-caller did not practice Thursday and remains hampered by an ankle sprain suffered last week against the Packers. Murray's injury is not a "normal" ankle sprain but is being described as a medial ankle sprain. Most ankle sprains occur on the lateral or outside aspect of the foot when the joint is forced inward in a direction known as inversion. However, the ligaments on the medial or inside area of the foot can be sprained as well. The connective tissue here is designed differently with multiple ligaments fibers combining to create the triangular deltoid ligament. This design increases the strength of the ligament, making it more durable and harder to sprain. In fact, bone tissue in the medial aspect of the ankle often fails before the ligament tears. Fortunately, Murray doesn't appear to have suffered any sort of avulsion injury, giving him a chance to play in Week 9. Still, the injury, even a mild one, could negatively impact Murray's mobility, and fantasy managers will want to scale back their expectations even if he is cleared to play. Colt McCoy would get the nod should Murray be ruled out.
The Packers quarterback is slated to miss at least one game and maybe more after testing positive for COVID-19. Earlier in the year, Rodgers stated he "was immunized," but the NFL revealed his request to have an alternative treatment classified as an immunization failed. As a result, Rodgers will be treated as an unvaccinated individual and will miss a minimum of 10 days. He must be asymptomatic and test negative before he can play again. The earliest he can return is November 13, the day before Green Bay is scheduled to host Seattle in Week 10. Jordan Love will start Sunday against the Chiefs and is an intriguing waiver wire addition. Love will not have Robert Tonyan to throw to after the tight end suffered a season-ending ACL tear but is expected to get Davante Adams back. Adams is planning on returning to practice Thursday, but that will depend on if he can successfully complete the COVID-19 protocols after testing positive last week.
Turf Burns
Saquon Barkley: The Giants running back will miss a fourth consecutive game, but it won't be his ailing ankle that keeps him in street clothes. Barkley tested positive for the coronavirus and has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. There is a chance he completes the protocol in time for Sunday's contest, but for now it appears Devontae Booker will get to build on last week's impressive performance. Booker totaled 125 yards from scrimmage against the Chiefs, including 60 rushing yards and 65 receiving yards on five receptions.
Christian McCaffrey: McCaffrey is eligible to return to action Sunday against the Patriots but was still limited in Wednesday's return to practice. McCaffrey has five straight DNPs after suffering a strained hamstring in Week 3. I would feel more confident about McCaffrey's availability and probable production if he had returned without limitation. Even if he is cleared to play, it seems likely the Panthers ease him back into his normal workload, limiting his fantasy ceiling. Chuba Hubbard remains a hold for now.
Dak Prescott: The Cowboys expect Prescott back in uniform Sunday against the Broncos. The Dallas quarterback missed the team's Week 8 win over Minnesota, as the team took a conservative approach with his mild calf strain. All signs indicate Prescott has progressed as expected, and he is slated to return to practice Thursday. Still, calf injuries are prone to aggravation, and Prescott will carry an elevated level of injury risk into the game. Cooper Rush will serve as Dak's backup and could be called upon should Prescott suffer some sort of setback. Dallas receivers CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and Amari Cooper (hamstring) have both been limited in practice throughout the week but are expected to play in Week 10.
Deebo Samuel: Samuel is proof that calf injuries can be fickle. The 49ers receiver was limited in practice last week but managed to play against the Bears, totaling an impressive 171 receiving yards on six catches. However, he aggravated the calf strain during the game and has once again been held out of practice. San Francisco remains optimistic he will play, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him sit out against the Cardinals. Sitting him now may hurt for the short term but could be a necessary step to insure his long-term availability. Fantasy managers will want to consider all their options before instantly plugging Samuel into the lineup.
Jameis Winston and the New Orleans QBs: The Saints quarterback will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a complex knee injury that included a torn ACL and a sprained MCL. Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian will compete for the starting quarterback position, but Hill will need to complete the league's mandated concussion protocol before he returns to action. He was limited in practice Wednesday, meaning he is progressing.
