This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
McCaffrey's disappointing season continued in Week 14, as the Panthers running back missed his 10th game of the year. McCaffrey has endured multiple injuries this year including a high ankle sprain, an acromioclavicular (AC) sprain in his shoulder and now a quadriceps injury. Specifics regarding the nature of the problem are limited, but any injury to the quad can very limiting. The quadriceps is a muscle group comprising four different muscles. Collectively, they extend from the hip to the lower leg. This positioning makes the quad a "two-joint" muscle as it plays a role in both hip and knee motion, specifically flexion of the hip and extension (straightening) of the knee. Both quad strains and quad contusions can result in a functional limitation, preventing the injured individual from moving fluidly. The fact that McCaffrey has already missed one game suggests the injury is more moderate in nature.
Under normal circumstances, it would seem that he has a realistic shot to play in Week 15, especially if he can log a few practice reps. However, the Panthers could opt to call it a year for their franchise running back and shift their focus to the 2021 season. McCaffrey has tried to dismiss any possibility of being shut down for the season and admitted he wants to play if healthy. Leery fantasy managers will obviously be hesitant to trust in McCaffrey's availability, but he remains a must-play if he does suit up. Mike Davis will remain the feature back if
McCaffrey's disappointing season continued in Week 14, as the Panthers running back missed his 10th game of the year. McCaffrey has endured multiple injuries this year including a high ankle sprain, an acromioclavicular (AC) sprain in his shoulder and now a quadriceps injury. Specifics regarding the nature of the problem are limited, but any injury to the quad can very limiting. The quadriceps is a muscle group comprising four different muscles. Collectively, they extend from the hip to the lower leg. This positioning makes the quad a "two-joint" muscle as it plays a role in both hip and knee motion, specifically flexion of the hip and extension (straightening) of the knee. Both quad strains and quad contusions can result in a functional limitation, preventing the injured individual from moving fluidly. The fact that McCaffrey has already missed one game suggests the injury is more moderate in nature.
Under normal circumstances, it would seem that he has a realistic shot to play in Week 15, especially if he can log a few practice reps. However, the Panthers could opt to call it a year for their franchise running back and shift their focus to the 2021 season. McCaffrey has tried to dismiss any possibility of being shut down for the season and admitted he wants to play if healthy. Leery fantasy managers will obviously be hesitant to trust in McCaffrey's availability, but he remains a must-play if he does suit up. Mike Davis will remain the feature back if McCaffrey is ruled out or shut down for the remainder of the season.
The Lions quarterback is unlikely to play in Week 15 after suffering a rib injury. Stafford's exact injury involves the cartilage of the rib. The 12 pairs of ribs connect with the sternum and the thoracic vertebrae of the spine to form the rib cage. The ribs are connected to the sternum by a specialized type of connective tissue known as costal cartilage.
The cartilage of the first seven ribs attach directly to the sternum, while ribs 8 through 10 anchor to the costal cartilage of the ribs directly above them. Most costal cartilage injuries occur to the upper ribs, generally closer to the chest. For example, quarterback Michael Vick missed multiple weeks while with the Eagles after he sustained fractures to the costal cartilages of ribs 2 and 3.
Stafford has made a history of playing through injuries, but this one could prove difficult. Cartilage injuries can be slow to heal and very painful. Even with extra padding or a flak jacket, Stafford's ribs would remain vulnerable to direct contact. With the team no longer in the playoff picture, it would make sense if Detroit opted to place Stafford on the injured reserve and protect his long-term health. Chase Daniel will take over at quarterback if Stafford is unable to play.
Turf Burns
Mike Gesicki: The Dolphins injury woes are not limited to their running backs, as their top tight end is expected to miss time with a shoulder injury. Gesicki's mechanism of injury suggests an AC sprain, and he appears questionable at best for Week 15. Furthermore, he may be lost for the year if the injury is graded as a more moderate or severe sprain.
Antonio Gibson: Gibson is still recovering from his turf toe injury and is a question mark entering the week. I hinted last week that this could be a multiweek injury, even with a stabilizing tape job or modifications to his cleats. Turf toe is painful, functionally limiting and, even worse, easily aggravated. Gibson will need to take part in some sort of practice over the next few days to have even the slightest chance of playing against the Seahawks. Fantasy managers invested in Gibson should have other options readily available.
Daniel Jones: The Giants quarterback was clearly not himself in the team's loss to the Cardinals. The hamstring he strained in Week 12 remained an issue, limiting Jones' mobility. The results weren't pretty, as Jones was sacked six times, fumbling three times and losing one. He was replaced by Colt McCoy late in the game and seemed to indicate the hamstring was bothering him. If he aggravated the old injury, then he basically has pressed restart on the entire healing process setting up another absence. Based on his performance that might not be a bad idea anyway. Jones will remain a high-risk option with limited upside even if he is cleared to play in Week 15 against the Browns. McCoy will become New York's starting quarterback if Jones is out.
Ronald Jones: Tampa Bay's lead running back recently underwent surgery to repair a fractured pinkie finger. Jones had a surgical pin put into the bone to help stabilize the fracture site and insure a proper union of the bone pieces. Jones has not been ruled out yet and a final decision won't likely be made until the end of the week. There have been incidents in the past where a player has required hand or finger surgery and not missed any time. For example, former Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray underwent surgery to repair a fractured fourth metacarpal but was back in action the following game. The injury could impact his ability to protect the ball, but it wouldn't be a major downgrade if he is able to play.
Alex Smith: The leading candidate for the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year is dealing with a new injury that could force him back to the sidelines. Smith was forced out of action Sunday with a right lower leg injury, a particularly concerning situation as this is the same leg that Smith fractured in 2018. Smith's gruesome and life-threatening injury has been well-documented and any issue in the area is worrisome. Fortunately, the injury is being described as a mild calf strain and nothing more. Look for Smith to receive treatment throughout the week ahead and have an outside shot at playing against the Seahawks. Dwayne Haskins would start at quarterback if Smith is unable to play.
Deebo Samuel: Like discussed with Jones, multiple studies have shown hamstring injuries have a high risk of re-injury or secondary injury. These findings are playing out in San Francisco were Samuel has sustained his second significant hamstring strain of the season. The speedy receiver missed three games earlier in the season and is now poised to miss more time. Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the injury is severe enough that he will not return during the regular season, effectively ending his 2020 campaign. Brandon Aiyuk, Kendrick Bourne and Richie James all move up the San Francisco depth chart.
Julio Jones: The Atlanta receiver is another player suffering the long-term effects of a lingering hamstring strain. He has missed two of the Falcons' last three contest and is no guarantee to play moving forward. Even if he is cleared, anyone opting to utilize Jones is taking a calculated risk. The upside will be there, but the chances of a setback or recurrence loom large. Don't be shocked if he ends up on the IR before the year is done.
Deshaun Watson: The Texans quarterback briefly left Sunday's loss to the Bears after hitting his elbow on a defender. The injury was described by head coach Romeo Crennel as a "funny bone" issue. The funny bone isn't actually a bone-related problem but a nerve injury. Anyone who has bumped his or her elbow has felt the uncomfortable sting associated with the area. Most of the time the weakness and tingling associated with hitting the ulnar nerve is temporary, and that appears to be the case here with Watson. He remains in line to start against a the division rival Colts.
