This is the Infirmary Report: Post Week 12! The worst part of our beloved game is the frequency of injuries. It’s an unfortunate byproduct of such a fast-paced, contact-heavy sport. Luckily for the NFL players, they have access to some of the best doctors in the world and can usually return to form at least by the next season. Unfortunately for us, fantasy players, it’s not always easy to know when a player will get hurt. To another degree, sometimes your roster isn’t big enough to plan ahead for an injury. This series, the Infirmary Report, will give you advice on the injuries that have happened every week during the season. Without further ado, here is the Infirmary Report: Post Week 12 of regular season action.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Bears
Injury: Mooney suffered an ankle injury in the loss to the Jets.
Expected Return: It is expected to be season-ending.
Key Takeaway:
The last thing the Bears needed was a season-ending injury to their No. 1 wide receiver. It’s a good thing they traded for Chase Claypool as the corps will likely be led by him now.
Darnell Mooney likely needs season-ending surgery to repair torn ligaments, sources say. A tough end to the season for the promising receiver. https://t.co/OATNCIYQmb
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2022
It’s Claypool, Byron Pringle, and Dante Pettis now as the Bears receivers. Cole Kmet will likely receive a good bit of extra volume also. As long as Justin Fields is out though, I wouldn’t feel comfortable starting a Bear. However, he should be back this week unless they decide to rest him one more time as the Bears have a Week 14 bye.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
Injury: Rodgers broke his thumb and picked up a rib injury against the Eagles.
Expected Return: The exact timeline and severity are still unknown. However, given the Packers’ record and Rodgers’ age, it could end up being season-ending.
Key Takeaway:
Aaron Rodgers is a tough guy and said himself he expects to play next weekend. I will believe it when I see it. If he does miss time, Jordan Love looked decent in Rodgers’ absence. He threw nine passes and completed six of them for 113 yards and a TD. That’s pretty solid and Christian Watson was the main recipient of those, scoring a 63 yard touchdown. Cobb was Rodgers’ favorite target, and there’s a chance that Watson could end up as Love’s. I highly doubt we’ve seen the end of Rodgers though even if it ends up being next year.
Rex Burkhead, RB, Texans
Injury: Burkhead took a huge and landed awkwardly on his head and neck and is being evaluated for a concussion.
Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 13.
Key Takeaway:
Rex Burkhead walked off on his own accord so hopefully, he is fine. You’d hate to see someone’s career end in that way. Eno Benjamin would be the main benefactor if Burkhead misses any time. But, it’s not like a Texans RB holds any value outside of Dameon Pierce. Dare Ogunbowale also holds some value as a handcuff.
Travis Etienne, RB, Jaguars
Injury: Etienne picked up a foot injury in the win over the Ravens.
Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 13 while the severity and timeline are still unknown.
Key Takeaway:
This injury is being downplayed, and Etienne wasn’t in a cast or on crutches after the game, so hopefully, he’s fine. JaMycal Hasty looked really solid in Etienne’s absence, so it’s likely the Jaguars play it safe and at least rest him for one week.
Travis Etienne Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Hasty had 12 carries for 28 yards and five catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. He should be rostered as he could be a decent flex while Etienne is out. Darrell Henderson may end up being activated as well as he has still yet to make his Jaguars debut.
Allen Robinson, WR, Rams
Injury: Robinson injured his foot in Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs.
Expected Return: He will miss the rest of the season, and his career is potentially over.
Key Takeaway:
If there was still any question about the Rams’ chances this season, they are officially out of the window. There is nothing going for this team and the injuries continue to pile up. Ben Skowronek, Van Jefferson, and Tyler Higbee now run the show as the Rams’ targets. They don’t inspire any confidence as Stafford has been inconsistent at best and the offensive line isn’t doing the team any favors. Fade the Rams.
Damien Harris, RB, Patriots
Injury: Harris picked up a thigh injury in the loss to the Vikings.
Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 13.
Key Takeaway:
Damien Harris can’t seem to stay healthy and the Patriots’ backfield continues to be the Rhamondre Stevenson show.
If Damien Harris lands on IR, Rhamondre Stevenson is officially THE league winner for 2022, we can call the race
— K Ivy (@Ivyman_FF) November 25, 2022
If you drafted Stevenson, you are beyond thrilled with his season and now can potentially look forward to a full bell-cow role. This is just in time for the late-season fantasy playoff push. He has league-winner written all over him- mostly due to his receiving prowess. Stevenson is top five in targets (59) and receptions (50) while also sporting 359 receiving yards and five total TDs.
Michael Carter, RB, Jets
Injury: Carter sprained his ankle in the win over the Bears.
Expected Return: The exact severity and timeline are still unknown. He should miss at least one week.
Key Takeaway:
What was expected to be a huge game for Michael Carter with Mike White behind center ended up being a huge disappointment as he left the game with an injury. James Robinson was a healthy scratch, leading the way for Zonovan White to have 103 yards off of 17(!) touches. Ty Johnson also had 78 yards and a TD. It’s unclear whether or not Robinson will be activated if Carter misses time. But Knight and Johnson seem entirely serviceable, and Knight is a sneaky add in deep dynasty leagues.
Elijah Mitchell, RB, 49ers
Injury: Mitchell appears to have sprained his MCL again.
Expected Return: This injury would be season-ending with the possibility of returning for the NFL Playoffs.
Key Takeaway:
I think the “injury-prone” tag can officially be applied to Elijah Mitchell if it wasn’t already. This is now his sixth injury in two years.
Kyle Shanahan says it’s possible that Elijah Mitchell has sprained his MCL again.
Christian McCaffrey also left the game at one point with what Shanahan called knee irritation.
— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) November 28, 2022
He is a solid running back when healthy but just can’t stay healthy. The 49ers will lean on Christian McCaffrey again, and Tyrion Davis-Price will get a small bump in usage as well. McCaffrey had 149 yards and two TDs last time he was used as the true featured back on this offense.
