Week 11 was one of the most brutal weeks for injuries. Just as fantasy football managers are making their playoff push, we lost Drake London for several weeks, Josh Jacobs may miss some time, and Michael Penix's season is over. For players like London, Jacobs, and Achane, whose injuries are not season-ending, the week 12 NFL recap & fantasy impact article below provides all the insight fantasy managers need to make the playoff run.
Quarterbacks
Michael Penix
Injury: ACL Sprain and Bone Bruise
Analysis: As of this writing, Penix and the Falcons are still gathering opinions on how to move forward with his injury. He is out for the season, but the exact route he goes medically is unclear. Reports say this is a bone bruise, a knee sprain, and damage to the ACL. The wording around the ACL is unusual, and this means it is not a full-blown tear. While it is good that the ACL is likely at least partially intact, it makes the decision on how to proceed much more difficult.
The degree of instability in the knee will usually drive the decision to undergo surgery or conservatively manage the condition. When the ACL is fully torn, stability is lost. A partial tear may still have some stability present, which can help restore function without surgery; however, this comes at risk for eventually fully tearing the ACL as well as increased risk for cartilage damage and arthritis. It is also interesting that the reports say he aggravated a prior sprain (and bone bruise). A bone bruise is less likely to be aggravated, as the bruising from his week 7 injury is likely gone, but a pre-existing sprain is almost definitely to the PCL, and the mechanism of injury on Sunday also fits a PCL pattern (though not confirmed).
As a left-handed passer, stability in his left knee is critical for his ability to quickly plant and power off the left leg to throw. It will be interesting to see what route the Falcons and Penix go with his care, and if he undergoes surgery to repair the ACL or conservatively manages his injury. With over nine months until week one next season, either route can have him ready to play, though a full reconstruction of the ACL would likely mean he is limited to start camp and potentially miss the beginning of the season.
Jordan Love
Injury: Left Shoulder Injury
Analysis: Love took a big shot to the lateral portion of the left shoulder on Sunday and went back to the locker room for a period of time. The shot he took can often lead to an AC joint injury, and they likely took precautionary X-rays to ensure no fracture was present. He returned and finished the game without looking any different. Quarterbacks injuring their non-throwing shoulder is usually not an issue, and Love should be fine going forward.