Week 9 around the NFL delivered another wave of fantasy-shifting injuries, highlighted by a gruesome elbow dislocation suffered by Jayden Daniels and several key skill-position players now trending toward missed time. From non-throwing-arm ligament damage to multiple high ankle sprains, clavicle fractures, rib trauma, and new concussions entering the protocol, fantasy managers are once again forced to scramble as playoff pushes tighten. Below, we break down timelines, return-to-play expectations, and how each injury should influence your weekly fantasy decisions.
Quarterbacks
Jayden Daniels
Injury: Left elbow dislocation
Analysis: Daniels suffered a gruesome elbow dislocation on Sunday night and is going to miss significant time. Miraculously, no fracture occurred, but no doubt there is significant ligament damage. Some of the most common ligaments that can be damaged are the Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL), Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL), and the Annular Ligament, as well as the joint capsule. It remains to be seen which of these ligaments are damaged and if they will require surgery, either now or during the offseason.
The good news is that Daniels is a right-handed passer. If this injury were to his right elbow, the prognosis would be season-ending for sure, but, being his non-throwing arm, there is a chance he can return later this season. The timeline is tricky; we recently saw Khalil Mack return from an elbow dislocation in just four weeks. Mack, as a defensive end, arguably needs his elbow more stable than a quarterback's non-throwing arm. Most cases will take longer than four weeks, but it is again extremely dependent on the level of tissue damage.
Fantasy managers also need to consider that Washington is trending poorly this season, even if Daniels "could" return in 5-6 weeks, will they want him to if they are say, 5-9? In short, fantasy managers need to make plans to be without Daniels for the majority of the remaining fantasy season, and if you need the roster space, cut him.
CJ Stroud
Injury: Concussion
Analysis: Stroud's head bounced off the turf while attempting to slide, and a concussion knocked him out for the rest of the day. CJ will have to pass through the NFL's concussion protocol before returning to play.