Some weeks have a theme, and Week 2 was all about quarterback injuries. Six starters were hurt, three are expected to miss time, and one entered the concussion protocol. The fantasy impact is significant for managers with Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, and for superflex teams relying on JJ McCarthy. Below, we break down each key injury, expected return timelines, and how performance may be affected.
Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow
Injury: Left grade 3 turf toe injury
Analysis: Burrow will undergo surgery to repair a grade 3 turf toe injury on his left big toe. Only 2% of turf toe injuries need surgery, which tells you just how severe his injury is. Turf toe is an injury to the plantar plate and ligaments on the bottom of the big toe. These tissues are critical for providing stability to the big toe during walking, running, jumping, throwing, and all other athletic movements. The big toe is the last part of the foot to contact the ground, and loss of stability leads to loss of force generation.
The Bengals are giving a three-month return to play timeline. This is extremely aggressive but not impossible. The average return to play timeline is 14.7 weeks; however, most protocols call for return to sport at 16-20 weeks post-op. The ONLY reason Burrow has a shot to return in three months is because of his positional demands and this being his LEFT big toe. As a quarterback, he does not need to sprint the way other positions do. Of course, he needs mobility to escape the pocket, but he will not be routinely sprinting like other positions do and can afford to be less mobile. Since this is his left toe, it is not the toe that is powering his throws, a major advantage.
All together, for fantasy purposes stash Burrow on your IR, but don't be surprised if he does not play again during the fantasy season. It would be extremely quick if he can return in three months; four months is much more reasonable. Burrow can realistically be ready for the NFL playoffs if Cincinnati makes it
Primary beneficiary if time missed: Jake Browning
Jayden Daniels
Injury: Knee sprain
Analysis: Daniels is dealing with what appears to be a mild PCL injury. Daniels' knee was flexed while slamming into the ground shin-first, a common PCL injury mechanism. Players can rehab and play through a PCL injury, but often struggle to plant and cut off the injured knee for a few weeks. A running quarterback like Daniels may have a hard time gaining fantasy points on the ground for a few weeks after he returns, but throwing should be good. His status for week three is uncertain.
Primary beneficiary if time missed: Marcus Mariota
Josh Allen
Injury: Nose injury
Analysis: Allen got punched in the nose early in Sunday's game, but was able to finish the game. This will not be a problem going forward.
JJ McCarthy
Injury: Right high ankle sprain
Analysis: McCarthy suffered a right high ankle sprain while scrambling on Sunday night and is expected to miss 2-4 weeks, indicating a grade 2 injury with some tissue damage and instability. High ankle sprains cause instability where the lower leg meets the foot, which can make it difficult to plant and power off the injured ankle. For a right-handed quarterback, this can impact his throwing power as well as mobility.
Quarterbacks average missing 1.6 games; McCarthy is expected to exceed this. The good news is that historically, quarterbacks average no drop-off in fantasy points after a high ankle sprain.
Primary beneficiary if time missed: Carson Wentz