This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
Giants Wide Receivers
Week 5 was a devastating week for the Giants receiving corps as three players sustained season-ending injuries.
It starts at the top with Pro Bowl wide out Odell Beckham expected to miss the remainder of the year following surgery for an ankle injury. Beckham suffered a fractured fibula late in the fourth quarter and was carted off the field. Surgery will be performed in the near future.
The lower leg comprises of two bones, the tibia (the shinbone) and the fibula. Both bones are involved in the knee and the ankle with their distal ends forming the ankle mortise. The fibula is the smaller of the two and extends down the outside aspect of the leg. The positioning of the fibula also makes it vulnerable to fractures. Last season, quarterbacks Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota sustained similar injuries in Week 17.
One of the complicating factors with fibula fractures is the associated ligament damage. The fibula acts as an attachment site for multiple ligaments of the ankle, including those that stabilize the area between it and the tibia. This syndesmosis is often damaged in conjunction with fibula fractures, as the force of the injury breaks the bone and disrupts the ligaments. The damage is generally fixed using a surgical plate and screws. Recovery time following surgery is dependent on the amount of ligament damage but generally takes months, not weeks.
Beckham's fantasy value is dashed in one-year formats but shouldn't take a sizable hit in keeper leagues.
Giants Wide Receivers
Week 5 was a devastating week for the Giants receiving corps as three players sustained season-ending injuries.
It starts at the top with Pro Bowl wide out Odell Beckham expected to miss the remainder of the year following surgery for an ankle injury. Beckham suffered a fractured fibula late in the fourth quarter and was carted off the field. Surgery will be performed in the near future.
The lower leg comprises of two bones, the tibia (the shinbone) and the fibula. Both bones are involved in the knee and the ankle with their distal ends forming the ankle mortise. The fibula is the smaller of the two and extends down the outside aspect of the leg. The positioning of the fibula also makes it vulnerable to fractures. Last season, quarterbacks Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota sustained similar injuries in Week 17.
One of the complicating factors with fibula fractures is the associated ligament damage. The fibula acts as an attachment site for multiple ligaments of the ankle, including those that stabilize the area between it and the tibia. This syndesmosis is often damaged in conjunction with fibula fractures, as the force of the injury breaks the bone and disrupts the ligaments. The damage is generally fixed using a surgical plate and screws. Recovery time following surgery is dependent on the amount of ligament damage but generally takes months, not weeks.
Beckham's fantasy value is dashed in one-year formats but shouldn't take a sizable hit in keeper leagues. The success rate of surgery is high, and other receivers including Dez Bryant have bounced back nicely from similar procedures.
Next on the depth chart and injury report is veteran Brandon Marshall. Like Beckham, Marshall will undergo surgery to repair an ankle injury sustained in the same game. Specifics regarding the exact nature of the injury remain limited, but an Instagram Post from the five-time Pro Bowl receiver confirmed he will not play again this season. Marshall's long-term status is a bit more difficult to ascertain as he is a 12-year veteran with a lengthy history of injuries.
Receiver and return specialist Dwayne Harris will join Marshall and Beckham on the injured reserve. Harris suffered a fifth metatarsal fracture on Sunday and is slated for surgery on Tuesday. Fifth metatarsal fractures have become an increasingly common injury amongst wide receivers, as multiple players including Dez Bryant, Julio Jones, Julian Edelman and others have sustained the injury. Carolina tight end Greg Olsen is currently recovering from his own fifth metatarsal fracture.
Sterling Shepard would be the obvious beneficiary from these extended absences, but he too is nursing an injury. Shepard suffered a sprained ankle and is considered day-to-day. Even if he sits for Week 6, Shepard is worth a speculative add given the sudden scarcity of healthy New York receivers. Roger Lewis also becomes an interesting option for owners in deeper leagues in need of a wide receiver.
Houston's defense took a significant hit this weekend following Watt's season-ending knee injury. As previously discussed, the lower leg bones are a part of both the knee and ankle joints. Beckham's injury involved the distal or lower end of the fibula, while Watt's injury involves the proximal or upper end of the tibia. Here the shinbone flattens and widens forming the tibial plateau. This is the site of Watt's injury. Fractures of the area are relatively uncommon and usually occur in car accidents or falls from a significant height. Watt's injury occurred in a similar fashion, as the femur was violently jammed into the tibia, breaking the bony tissue.
Watt's injury required surgery, suggesting the fractured bit of bone became displaced. Fortunately, reports have indicated no major ligament damage was discovered during the procedure. Watt should be fine by the start of the 2018 season, though his risk for long-term issues like osteoarthritis will increase.
Turf Burns
Matt Forte and Bilal Powell: The Jets backfield is hobbled with Forte and Powell both limited by injury. Forte hasn't played in either of New York's last two games due to a lingering case of turf toe. Turf toe, a sprain of the big toe of the foot, is a painful and limiting injury. Forte was unable to actively participate in warmups prior to Sunday's win over the Browns, suggesting a return isn't imminent. Powell strained his calf filling in for Forte and is considered day-to-day. His availability will become more evident as the week progresses. The Jets would turn to rookie Eli McGuire If both backs are unable to play.
Rob Gronkowski: Gronk was a late scratch for Thursday's win over the Buccaneers due to a thigh injury. His absence likely can be attributed to the shortened week of preparation, and he is expected to return to the lineup this week against the Jets.
Julio Jones: Jones' presence at practice Monday is a good sign that Atlanta's bye week came at just the right time. Jones had picked up minor lower back and hip flexor injuries in the games leading into the break but he looks ready to play Sunday against the Dolphins.
Travis Kelce: The Chiefs tight end is currently in the league's mandated concussion protocol and must complete the various steps of the program in order to play on Sunday. Keep a close eye on his status throughout the week, but look for this to be a game-time decision.
Marcus Mariota: The Titans quarterback didn't play in Week 5 due to a hamstring strain. Mariota did make progress throughout last week but simply ran out of time to play on Sunday. He is currently listed as day-to-day and has a reasonable chance to play in Week 6 against the Colts.
DeVante Parker: Parker was diagnosed with an ankle sprain and remains a question mark for Sunday. The severity of the sprain hasn't been revealed but there has been no indication that this is a high ankle sprain. Parker has a chance to play if he can return to practice by the end of the week. If he can play, he will do so with a slightly elevated risk level.
Matthew Stafford: In Detroit, two injuries could sideline Stafford for Week 6. The Lions quarterback sustained a hamstring strain and an ankle sprain in the team's loss to Carolina. There have been grumblings that Stafford's ankle injury is a high-ankle sprain, which is more problematic than a lateral ankle sprain. Given the uncertainty surrounding the ankle and fickle nature of hamstring injuries, it seems likely that Stafford misses at least one week recovering. Lions coach Jim Caldwell remains noncommittal on Stafford's availability and said his status would be updated later in the week. Jake Rudock is the Lions' backup QB but has never taken a snap at the professional level.
