This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
It's almost time for the fantasy playoffs, so let's dive right into the injuries of the week in an all-Turf Burns version of NFL injury analysis.
Keenan Allen: Allen is at risk of not playing in Week 14 after testing positive for COVID-19. It appears the Chargers receiver is vaccinated, meaning he has an outside shot at returning in time. However, those odds are slim, and fantasy managers need to have a reliable insurance policy readily available.
Joe Burrow: The second-year quarterback suffered a dislocated pinkie finger Sunday, but he should be ready to go against the 49ers. When a dislocation occurs, the primary concern is the involved bone and any damage to the surrounding soft tissue structures. It sounds like Burrow suffered a closed dislocation that did not result in a fracture. The team may opt to limit his practice reps for him to address any associated symptoms, but look for him to be active on Sunday. However, the pinkie is a key component of grip and could negatively impact Burrow's ability to deliver an accurate pass with velocity. Scale back your expectations.
Dalvin Cook: In Minnesota, the Vikings continue to take a cryptic approach with Cook's potential availability. Last week I detailed Cook's dislocated shoulder and the potential issues it could cause. Despite the complexity of the injury, Minnesota continues to list him as day-to-day. However, the Vikings are facing a short turnaround, and Cook was a nonparticipant in practice Monday. For now, Alexander Mattison
It's almost time for the fantasy playoffs, so let's dive right into the injuries of the week in an all-Turf Burns version of NFL injury analysis.
Keenan Allen: Allen is at risk of not playing in Week 14 after testing positive for COVID-19. It appears the Chargers receiver is vaccinated, meaning he has an outside shot at returning in time. However, those odds are slim, and fantasy managers need to have a reliable insurance policy readily available.
Joe Burrow: The second-year quarterback suffered a dislocated pinkie finger Sunday, but he should be ready to go against the 49ers. When a dislocation occurs, the primary concern is the involved bone and any damage to the surrounding soft tissue structures. It sounds like Burrow suffered a closed dislocation that did not result in a fracture. The team may opt to limit his practice reps for him to address any associated symptoms, but look for him to be active on Sunday. However, the pinkie is a key component of grip and could negatively impact Burrow's ability to deliver an accurate pass with velocity. Scale back your expectations.
Dalvin Cook: In Minnesota, the Vikings continue to take a cryptic approach with Cook's potential availability. Last week I detailed Cook's dislocated shoulder and the potential issues it could cause. Despite the complexity of the injury, Minnesota continues to list him as day-to-day. However, the Vikings are facing a short turnaround, and Cook was a nonparticipant in practice Monday. For now, Alexander Mattison seems like the safer bet to play against the Steelers.
Corey Davis: The Jets receiver is done for the year after it was determined he will need surgery to address a core muscle injury. Formerly known as a sports hernia repair, core muscle surgery is utilized to address a multitude of muscle injuries in the abdominal area that may or may not include a true herniation. The newer term is more accurate, as it eliminates the deceptive hernia tag. The success rate is high, and players are usually back in action in eight to 10 weeks. Davis should be an active participant for offseason work and training camp. Elijah Moore and Jamison Crowder should see an increase in targets.
Kenyan Drake: The Raiders running back suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the team's loss to Washington. Drake suffered a broken ankle when his right leg was caught behind him and underneath a Washington defender. He will undergo surgery in the coming days and spend his offseason recovering. Josh Jacobs assumed a larger workload in the passing game during the loss to the Football Team, hauling in nine passes for 38 yards. He added 13 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown. The uptick in usage should continue with Peyton Barber and Jalen Richard also seeing an increase in responsibilities.
Damien Harris: The Pats relied on their running game to outlast Buffalo and take the top seed in the AFC. However, their leading rusher was unable to finish the game after straining his hamstring. Harris will now enter the bye week limited and could miss time if the injury is a more moderate strain. New England is notoriously tight-lipped regarding injury information, but keep an eye out for some sort of update in the week ahead. Rhamondre Stevenson and Brandon Bolden will move up the depth chart should Harris miss time.
Taysom Hill: After the team lost Jameis Winston for the season, Hill is the latest Saints quarterback to sustain an injury. Hill suffered a mallet finger injury during New Orleans' loss to Dallas. Mallet finger often occurs after an athlete strikes the tip of a finger on the ground or an object. The ailment gained notoriety earlier this season when Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson sustained the injury. In mallet finger, one of the extensor tendons of the involved finger is torn away from its anchor site, preventing the tip of the finger from straightening. Hill had the finger taped and splinted versus the Cowboys but was clearly limited throughout the remainder of the game. Unlike Wilson, Hill will avoid surgery and is set to remain the primary signal caller for the Saints. However, his four interceptions against Dallas don't inspire much confidence in his passing ability or his health. His primary value will still come from his legs, though Hill remains a volatile option moving forward.
Jalen Hurts and Miles Sanders: The Eagles have ankle issues, as both Hurts and Sanders are nursing ailments to the area. Hurts is nursing a high ankle sprain that forced him out of the team's Week 13 win over the Jets. Sanders did play against New York but aggravated the sprain that kept him out of three games earlier this season. Both players will get the opportunity to rest during Philadelphia's Week 14 bye and have a realistic shot at returning in Week 15 against Washington.
Joe Mixon: Burrow isn't the only Bengals player named Joe to come out of Week 13 with an injury. Mixon suffered an undisclosed neck injury in the loss but missed just nine plays after the injury occurred. The specifics surrounding the nature of the injury have been vague, but it does appear to be muscular in nature. Mixon should be available to play if the team can minimize the associated symptoms and help him retain full range of motion at the neck. Like Burrow, a lighter week of practice seems probable, and it wouldn't be shocking to see Samaje Perine see a few extra reps out of the backfield.
D'Andre Swift: The Lions earned their first win of the season without Swift in the lineup. The Detroit running back is managing a sprained acromioclavicular (AC) joint and is likely to miss at least one more week rehabbing. The AC joint is located where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade and acts as a strut for the arm. While the joint can be braced, and modifications to the shoulder pads can assist in stability, AC sprains can still be functionally limiting. Jamaal Williams will likely get a second straight start and look to build on his Week 13 performance in which he rushed 17 times for 71 yards.
Adam Thielen: The Vikings wideout is poised to miss time after suffering an ankle injury against the Lions. The team continues to evaluate the injury but have been calling it a high ankle sprain. Given the complexity of the injury, it's hard to imagine he will be available when the Vikings take the field Thursday. Broncos wideout Jerry Jeudy suffered a high ankle sprain earlier this season and missed Denver's next six games.
Darren Waller: The Las Vegas tight end has made improvement in his recovery from a knee injury and is now considered "day-to-day." Waller's injury involves the iliotibial (IT) band, a band of connective tissue that runs from the top of the hip to the outside aspect of the lower leg bone (the tibia). The IT band is considered supportive fascia, similar to the plantar fascia in the foot. It is active with knee motion, adding stability at the joint. Injuries to the area are usually more chronic in nature, but acute trauma is possible. A complete recovery is critical to insuring long-term stability of the knee. While Waller's knee is improving, interim head coach Rich Bisaccia revealed the tight end is also nursing an oblique strain. A return to practice would be a solid indicator that Waller could play against the Chiefs.
