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Cooper Kupp: High Ankle
Kupp wasn’t placed on IR, and much has been made about the Rams' IR slots — or lack thereof — as a reason not to place him there. This is certainly a possibility, but at the very least, we can semi-confirm that Kupp has no fracture of the ankle, as he’s been seen with an ice/compression device.
The average amount of time for WRs off this injury is 2.5 weeks. Expect Kupp back in either Week 5, or more likely after the Week 6 bye.
Projected Return: Week 5 or 7
Advice: Target at a discount, avoid overpaying
Christian McCaffrey: Achilles
This entire situation is royally effed, but probably not as much as you’d expect. Despite his trip to Germany, McCaffrey’s risk is not much higher than it was at the start of all of this. It’s implied at this point the tendinopathy has been the concern this entire time. There was probably only mild calf soreness. What’s that mean?
McCaffrey needs time. The Niners and McCaffrey likely fear he’ll tear his Achilles due to this long-term issue, which is justified. Still, as a Power Law player, you should still be targeting CMC at a discount and absorb the risk, especially if you’re 3-0.
Projected Return: Week 7-8
Advice: Target at a discount, avoid overpaying
Let’s review the rest of the current list of injuries and projections:
Jordan Love: MCL/Kneecap
Projected Return: Week 4-5
Advice: Target Love, Target Josh Jacobs
Deebo Samuel: Calf
Projected Return: Week 5
Advice: Target Cautiously
Keenan Allen: Heel
Projected Return: Week 4-5
Advice: Target Rome Odunze/DJ Moore
Puka Nacua: Knee
Projected Return: Week 6
Advice: Target in most scenarios… if you have the roster room
David Njoku: Ankle
Projected Return: Week 4-5
Advice: Avoid
Jordan Addison: High Ankle
Projected Return: Week 4-5
Advice: Avoid
Kenneth Walker III: Core/Groin
Projected Return: Week 5-6
Advice: Avoid, Target Zach Charbonnet
Evan Engram: Hamstring
Projected Return: Week 5-6
Advice: N/A
A.J. Brown: Hamstring
Projected Return: Week 4
Advice: Avoid in cash games, hold/start in season-long
Isiah Pacheco: Ankle
Projected Return: Week 10-11
Advice: Target later in season as playoff contender
Joe Mixon: High Ankle
Projected Return: Week 5-6
Advice: Avoid
Justin Herbert: High Ankle
Herbert re-aggravated his high ankle sprain. His re-injury risk is through the roof. He tries to play through everything though so don’t count him out as of yet. Just keep in mind the prudent decision would be to hold him out the next 1-2 weeks.
Projected Return: Week 5-6
Advice: N/A
Skylar Thompson: Ribs
Kansas State’s finest Thompson sustained a ribs injury. Typically if these are severe, QBs can be sidelined as long as 3-4 weeks. If not, it's a pain tolerance issue and he can play in Week 4.
Projected Return: Week 4
Advice: N/A
DeVonta Smith: Concussion
Smith sustained a concussion and was ruled out of the game on Sunday. He has no history of these (luckily), but like we’ve seen in the past, every head injury is different. The average amount of missed time is less than a game, and 91% of pass catchers miss 0-1 games overall. Clinically speaking (AKA semi-anecdotally), players with a first-time concussion respond poorly early on, so this is something to monitor.
The rest of the season he’s at an elevated risk to sustain another concussion. In their first week back from these pass catchers see a dip in Week Winner Rate but overall still provide a good floor.
Projected Return: Week TBD
Advice: N/A
Sam Darnold: Left Knee
Sam Darnold, has a confirmed bone bruise. Monitor his practice status but he should be able to play throuigh this. At worst, this will be a 2-3 week absence like with Jordan Love. However, given he returned to the game, I wouldn’t expect him to miss time as of now.
Projected Return: Week 4
Advice: N/A
George Kittle: Hamstring
The average amount of missed time for pass catchers is 1 game but given the Niners current track record and the midweek nature, I would anticipate Kittle doesn’t go again. If he does, he’s hyper boom or bust.
Projected Return: Week 5-6
Advice: N/A
Trey McBride: Concussion
Copy/paste DeVonta Smith blurb.
Projected Return: Week TBD
Advice: N/A
Sam LaPorta: Lateral Ankle
LaPorta sustained a lateral ankle sprain and attempted to return unsuccessfully. We assume there’s no fracture as of now and as such he should be available within the next 1-2 weeks. Average amount of missed time is 1 week for these but most commonly, pass catchers miss no time at all.
When pass catchers return from lateral ankle sprains the Week Winner Rate takes a decent hit. Recurrence is relatively high at 15% so this is something to monitor but as of today, there isn’t major concern.
Projected Return: Week 4
Advice: N/A
Other Injuries to monitor
- Justin Jefferson jammed his finger but x-rays were negative.
