This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
The Colts quarterback will not practice for the second straight week after a setback in his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery. While there were many (myself included) who believed Luck would return to start the season, his status moving forward remains grim. Part of the delay is linked to the type of labrum tear Luck suffered. After months of ambiguous details, Luck recently revealed his injury involved the posterior aspect of the cartilage rim. Injuries to this area are far less common than an anterior tear and often require longer rehab stints. It shouldn't drastically alter his long-term outlook, but will obviously impact the rest of the season. Even if Luck does return in late November, his fantasy value remains low considering he likely will require an adjustment period to shake off any rust. Fantasy owners clinging to hope should, at long last, look elsewhere.
The Arizona Cardinals continue to lose key position players to bone-related injuries. Running back David Johnson suffered a dislocated wrist in Week 1 and isn't expected back until late November at the earliest. Now their quarterback will miss an extended period of time after suffered a fractured arm in Sunday's loss to the Rams. Initial reports suggested surgery would be required on Palmer, and the former Heisman Trophy winner would miss at least eight weeks. However, Palmer is seeking a second opinion and feels he can return ahead of the estimated recovery timeline. Still, surgery remains a possibility in order to
The Colts quarterback will not practice for the second straight week after a setback in his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery. While there were many (myself included) who believed Luck would return to start the season, his status moving forward remains grim. Part of the delay is linked to the type of labrum tear Luck suffered. After months of ambiguous details, Luck recently revealed his injury involved the posterior aspect of the cartilage rim. Injuries to this area are far less common than an anterior tear and often require longer rehab stints. It shouldn't drastically alter his long-term outlook, but will obviously impact the rest of the season. Even if Luck does return in late November, his fantasy value remains low considering he likely will require an adjustment period to shake off any rust. Fantasy owners clinging to hope should, at long last, look elsewhere.
The Arizona Cardinals continue to lose key position players to bone-related injuries. Running back David Johnson suffered a dislocated wrist in Week 1 and isn't expected back until late November at the earliest. Now their quarterback will miss an extended period of time after suffered a fractured arm in Sunday's loss to the Rams. Initial reports suggested surgery would be required on Palmer, and the former Heisman Trophy winner would miss at least eight weeks. However, Palmer is seeking a second opinion and feels he can return ahead of the estimated recovery timeline. Still, surgery remains a possibility in order to stabilize the fracture site and a six-week absence seems like a best-case scenario. Arizona will hand the primary quarterback responsibilities over to Drew Stanton.
Turf Burns
Dan Bailey: Injuries to kickers are rare or are so impactful that their teams have no other choice but to release them. That won't be the case in Dallas even though their Pro Bowl kicker is expected to miss multiple weeks with a groin injury. Bailey strained his groin in the team's blowout win over the 49ers and was unable to finish the game. The groin muscle group is responsible for adduction, a motion in which the leg moves toward the midline of the body. Kickers rely on these muscles to generate power in both their kicking and plant legs and any limitation here would be very detrimental. Even when he returns, it will be interesting to see how effective the normally sure-footed Bailey is. The Cowboys are expected to sign a new kicker in the coming days, and fantasy owners should move on as well.
Jay Cutler: While Cutler successfully returned from his labral tear, he's back in the training room with a new injury. The Dolphins quarterback suffered multiple rib fractures in the team's win over the Jets. Injuries of this magnitude are a bigger issue than an isolated rib injury, as the risk for internal damage must be ruled out and managed. Pain management is also vital to recovery. Cutler is unlikely to play Thursday against the Ravens, and it wouldn't be shocking to see this force him out for multiple weeks. Matt Moore takes over as Miami's starting quarterback and has a chance to keep the job if he performs well.
Greg Olsen: The Panthers tight end is slowly working his way back from a Jones fracture in his right foot. Olsen required surgery to stabilize the broken fifth metatarsal and has begun running on an underwater treadmill, a device that allows an injured athlete to resume activity without placing excessive stress on the injury site. While the progress is encouraging, Olsen isn't eligible to return until Week 12 and even then he may not be ready to resume a full workload. Furthermore, it's important to remember Jones fractures have routinely required a secondary procedure. Players like Dez Bryant, Julian Edelman and Sammy Watkins all underwent multiple surgeries after sustaining similar injuries. Olsen remains a risky hold for now.
Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers' surgery to repair his fractured collarbone went well, and there is speculation that he could resume throwing in six weeks. However, the Packers ruled out an early return by placing the former MVP on the injured reserve. As a result, Rodgers will not be eligible to return until Week 15. The decision drastically reduces any lingering fantasy value for Rodgers, as even teams with an IR spot may have trouble rostering him. The assumed risk is further raised when you consider Green Bay's rank in the standings could influence whether the team opts to bring him back at all this season. Brett Hundley struggled in Week 7, finishing with 87 passing yards and an interception.
Emmanuel Sanders: After missing out on Sunday's loss to the Chargers, Sanders' status for Week 8 has been upgraded to day-to-day. His high ankle sprain was initially expected to keep him out multiple weeks, but it appears that he is progressing quicker than anticipated. Monitor his workload throughout the week and look for this to be a gametime decision.
Golden Tate: Tate's sprained acromioclavicular (AC) joint remains an issue and kept him out of practice on Monday. It was initially believed that the injury would keep out Tate for multiple weeks, and Monday's absence further reinforces these fears. Kenny Golladay was able to practice after suffering a hamstring strain and could be worth a speculative add.
Delanie Walker: The Titans' bye week comes at the perfect time for Walker, who suffered a right ankle injury on Sunday. Reports have referred to the injury as a sprain, although Titans head coach Mike Mularkey deemed it a bone bruise during Monday's press conference. Bone bruises are common when an ankle is forced inward. This often violent motion forces the bones to impact one another, damaging the outer periosteum of the bony tissue. The body's natural healing response repairs the damage just as it would a fracture, laying down new bone tissue at the injury site. As a result, bone bruises can carry a prolonged recovery window. Walker will spend the next week receiving treatment and enter Week 9 as questionable.
