This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
The Cowboys running back has been one of the more prominent NFL players to test positive for COVID-19. Elliott tested positive in mid-June and recently revealed he suffered some mild coughing and shortness of breath during his bout with the virus. Regardless of symptoms, any player who tests positive for COVID-19 must complete the league's mandated protocol to return to action, which includes five days off after the initial positive test and two consecutive negative tests separated by 24 hours. A more in-depth screening, including a cardiac evaluation, seems likely to be necessary as well. Additionally, the NFL and the NFLPA continue to discuss the possibility of a short-term COVID-19 injury list. Fantasy owners should become familiar with these procedures as multiple COVID-19 cases among NFL players appears to be unescapable. Elliott should have no problem receiving clearance prior to the start of camp.
The partnership between Newton and New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has the potential to produce extremely fantasy friendly numbers. Newton has always been a dual threat, and McDaniels has a knack for maximizing his quarterback's skill set. However, there is one major obstacle the duo must overcome, the former league MVP's health. Newton has undergone multiple surgeries on his throwing shoulder, and a midfoot injury limited him to just two games last season. The midfoot sprain was classified as a Lisfranc injury and ultimately required surgery to mend.
The foot likely is a bigger concern than the shoulder. The Lisfranc joint
The Cowboys running back has been one of the more prominent NFL players to test positive for COVID-19. Elliott tested positive in mid-June and recently revealed he suffered some mild coughing and shortness of breath during his bout with the virus. Regardless of symptoms, any player who tests positive for COVID-19 must complete the league's mandated protocol to return to action, which includes five days off after the initial positive test and two consecutive negative tests separated by 24 hours. A more in-depth screening, including a cardiac evaluation, seems likely to be necessary as well. Additionally, the NFL and the NFLPA continue to discuss the possibility of a short-term COVID-19 injury list. Fantasy owners should become familiar with these procedures as multiple COVID-19 cases among NFL players appears to be unescapable. Elliott should have no problem receiving clearance prior to the start of camp.
The partnership between Newton and New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has the potential to produce extremely fantasy friendly numbers. Newton has always been a dual threat, and McDaniels has a knack for maximizing his quarterback's skill set. However, there is one major obstacle the duo must overcome, the former league MVP's health. Newton has undergone multiple surgeries on his throwing shoulder, and a midfoot injury limited him to just two games last season. The midfoot sprain was classified as a Lisfranc injury and ultimately required surgery to mend.
The foot likely is a bigger concern than the shoulder. The Lisfranc joint is an essential part of the overall integrity of the foot. Any lingering instability in the area could result in pain and potentially lead to reinjury. While hardware failure is a possible complication following most Lisfranc surgeries, there were reports Newton underwent a newer procedure that did not utilize surgical screws but used a type of "webbing" (likely surgical mesh) instead.
Newton's decision to sign with the Patriots will also make things a bit more difficult for fantasy owners on a week-to-week basis. New England is notoriously tight-lipped with injury information, and getting an accurate gauge of Newton's health may prove difficult.
If you can stomach the weekly uncertainty and elevated injury risk, than Newton may be worth a flier, but consider rostering a more reliable quarterback option as an insurance policy.
The 49ers wideout is on the mend after undergoing surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his left foot. If the injury sounds familiar, it should. Fractures of the fifth metatarsal are becoming an increasingly common injury among NFL wide receivers. Dez Bryant, Julio Jones, Julian Edelman and DeVante Parker are just a few of the NFL receivers who have endured the injury in recent years.
The metatarsals are the long bones of the foot that help bridge the bones of the midfoot to the bones of the toes. The fifth metatarsal sits on the outside of the foot, at the base of the pinkie or fifth toe. The bone acts as an attachment site for several muscles that aid in foot movement. Unfortunately, this makes the bone vulnerable to breaking, usually when the foot is forced inward after making a hard cut or landing on the foot of another player.
A fracture of the fifth metatarsal is classified as a Jones fracture when the break occurs near the base of the bone. These types of fractures can be difficult to manage as the amount of blood supplied to the area is limited, often slowing the healing process. As a result, surgery is the best course of treatment to ensure the bone fragments fuse.
Samuel was given a 10- to 12-week recovery window, setting up a possible return in the early portion of the regular season. However, a conservative approach to recovery is the best way to mitigate the risk of re-injury or hardware failure, common complications following a fifth metatarsal repair. As a result, don't be surprised if Samuel is in street clothes to start the season. Fantasy owners who opt to draft Samuel are assuming a fair degree of risk.
Turf Burns
Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry: The Browns top aerial weapons have both made significant progress in their respective rehabs from offseason surgery. Beckham is reportedly fully recovered following his core muscle repair, a procedure with a high success and return to play rate. While the news is encouraging, keep in mind Beckham has shown a penchant for injury throughout his career and will still come with a degree of injury risk.
Landry's injury was more complex, as he underwent a debridement on the labrum in his hip but he has begun individual workouts. Like Beckham, the success rate for Landry's surgery is high and he has a good chance to be ready to go for Week 1. Landry has been a model of health throughout his career and has yet to miss a game in his six seasons in the league. He may have a harder time keeping that streak intact this season but remains a viable fantasy option.
Kelvin Harmon: The second-year receiver will not have a chance to build on his encouraging finish to the 2019 season. The Washington wideout suffered a torn ACL in a recent workout and will miss the 2020 season. While the injury is a setback, the timing of the tear should allow him to enter the 2021 season at full strength The injury opens the door for rookie Antonio Gandy-Golden to get more reps, though he will need to receive medical clearance after contracting the coronavirus.
Alshon Jeffery: The veteran receiver appears poised to start training camp on the PUP list, raising concerns about his availability for the regular season. Jeffery underwent surgery for a Lisfranc injury in December and was expected to miss at least nine months. However, an exam of Lisfranc injuries in the NFL placed the median time from for return to play at 11 months. If Jeffery does need to start the regular season on the PUP list, he will be forced to sit the first six games.
