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Deshaun Watson: Achilles
Watson is out for the rest of 2024.
Projected Return: Week 1 2025
Brandon Aiyuk: ACL
Watson is out for the rest of 2024.
Projected Return: Week 1 2025
Chris Godwin: Ankle Dislocation
Godwin is out for the rest of 2024.
Projected Return: Week 1 2025
Mike Evans: Hamstring
Evans aggravated his hamstring issue and is now being re-evaluated. Given his age and the factors discussed in the Week 7 Injury Preview, this could be an extended absence for Evans.
Projected Return: Week 12-13
Jayden Daniels: Ribs
Daniels is “week to week” with a rib injury. Depending on his pain tolerance (imaging was unremarkable), this injury could last 0 weeks (think Justin Herbert 2022) or up to 3 weeks (think Tua in 2021).
On average, quarterbacks miss between 0 and 1 game. If Daniels doesn’t practice all week, it's safe to say they’ll be careful with him and wait at least one week.
Projected Return: Week 9-10
Cooper Kupp: High Ankle
After a high ankle sprain WRs see a massive dip in production > 30%. Here’s the catch: a large chunk of that sample are WRs who try to return after 0-1 weeks, and none of those guys are named Cooper Kupp.
My insistence that Kupp was not washed back in July was proven correct in Week 1 when he tied his career high in catches. A not-washed guy like Kupp on an offense without any receiving threats should lead to his usual volume. Start Kupp and live with the results.
Here’s the issue: now the Rams are putting feelers out to trade him away so his workload is highly, highly volatile.
Projected Return: Week 8
DK Metcalf: MCL Sprain
Metcalf landed awkwardly and whipped his right knee into an MCL sprain. Even though these can be painful initially, it would be surprising to see him miss time for a non-contact MCL. At worst, we see DK in Week 9.
Projected Return: Week 8-9
Deebo Samuel: Pneumonia
This is a strange situation for a young, fit individual to develop pneumonia. Plan to be without Debeo until he can regain his conditioning.
Projected Return: Week 10/TBD
Projected Returns
Travis Etienne
Projected Return: Week 8
Jerome Ford
Projected Return: Week 9-10
Derek Carr: Oblique
Projected Return: Week 8-9
Advice: N/A
Devin Singletary: Groin
Projected Return: Week 7
Advice: Start Tyrone Tracy
Luke Musgrave: Ankle
Projected Return: On IR
Advice: Start Tucker Kraft
Rachaad White: Foot
Projected Return: Week 9
Advice: Start Bucky Irving
Khalil Shakir: Ankle
Projected Return: Week 7-8
Advice: N/A
Nico Collins: Hamstring
Projected Return: Week 11-12
Jonathan Taylor: High Ankle
Projected Return: Week 8-9
Advice: Target
Rashee Rice: LCL
Advice: Drop
Projected Return: 2025
Isiah Pacheco: Ankle
Projected Return: Week 12
Advice: Target later in season as playoff contender
Puka Nacua: PCL
Projected Return: Week 9-10
Advice: Target at a discount, avoid overpaying
Christian McCaffrey: Achilles/calf
Projected Return: Week 10
Advice: Target at a discount, avoid overpaying