Fantasy Football Injuries: Key Updates on Daniel Jones, De'Von Achane & More

Nothing can wreck a fantasy season like injuries.

But injuries also present opportunity. We can gain an edge over our competition by having a better understanding of injuries, how long they’ll keep players out, and how they’ll impact performance upon return.

That’s why we’re bringing in Tyler Smola -- a Doctor of Physical Therapy with more than a decade of sports medicine experience -- to break down what these injuries really mean for fantasy managers.

Each week, Tyler will separate rumor from reality, explain timelines, and give you the performance outlook you need to make sharper fantasy decisions.

Fantasy Football Injuries: QBs

Daniel Jones, Colts

Injury: Achilles rupture
Expected Games Missed: Season ending
Performance Impact Upon Return: High next season

Jones was battling through a left fibula fracture when he ruptured his right Achilles. 

Could the left-sided injury have forced more stress through the right side over the past several weeks? Yes. 

Can we say with certainty that this caused the right Achilles rupture? No. 

This is a devastating and potentially career-altering injury. Recently, Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins struggled in their first year back from Achilles repair. Deshaun Watson even re-tore his Achilles during his return.

For Jones, every aspect of recovery would need to go perfectly for him to be ready by Week 1 next season, and the odds of that are under 50%. If he does return next season, expect a significant reduction in rushing output. The two-year outlook is much better.

Jayden Daniels, Commanders

Injury: Left Elbow
Expected Games Missed: 0 - Season ending
Performance Impact Upon Return: Low

All signs indicate that Daniels did not re-dislocate the left elbow. However, we can’t ignore that this is his fourth significant injury of the season. 

In Week 2 he sprained his knee and missed two games; in Week 7 he strained his hamstring and missed one; in Week 9 he dislocated his elbow and missed four; and now he has re-injured the elbow.

The direct impact likely caused significant pain and possibly a minor subluxation, which led to Daniels exiting and not returning. If next week were a playoff-deciding game, this situation might be different and we might expect him to play. But given the scope of his injuries this season and the Commanders’ current position, don’t be surprised if they make a business decision and hold Daniels out this week – or even for the remainder of the season.

Daniels will remain at risk of aggravating or re-dislocating the elbow for the rest of the year, but there is no concern that any of these injuries will have a lasting effect heading into next season. 

Tyrod Taylor, Jets

Injury: Groin strain
Expected Games Missed: 0-4
Performance Impact Upon Return: High - rushing, Low - passing

Taylor left the game and did not return after sustaining a groin strain. 

If he were a RB or WR, we could almost guarantee he’d miss next week. However, the QB position places far less demand on sprinting and change of direction, giving Taylor a chance to play next week if this is a Grade 1 strain.

We haven’t received any update on severity out of New York yet. If Tyrod does return this year, expect reduced rushing output but minimal impact on his passing performance.

Geno Smith, Raiders

Injury: Right shoulder
Expected Games Missed: TBD
Performance Impact Upon Return: Medium-High

We don’t have specifics on the injury yet, but there is legitimate cause for concern. Any injury to a throwing shoulder can affect velocity and the ability to push the ball downfield. 

This may lead to another late-season business decision for a QB who isn’t in the playoff picture. Keep a close eye on Smith’s practice participation this week.

Fantasy Football Injuries: RBs

De’Von Achane, Dolphins

Injury: Rib
Expected Games Missed: 0-1
Performance Impact Upon Return: Low

Great news for Achane, as imaging on Monday confirmed no rib fractures or significant damage. Reports had already indicated that he could have returned on Sunday if needed, and this helps confirm that.

We should expect minimal performance impact, as this will primarily be a pain-management situation. The only real risk is if Achane takes another direct hit to the injured area that causes irritation.

Keaton Mitchell, Ravens

Injury: Knee
Expected Games Missed: TBD
Performance Impact Upon Return: TBD

We don’t yet have a specific diagnosis for Mitchell, but we do know he avoided a major injury. 

He’s currently listed as day-to-day, and we can expect him to return this season. Whether that happens this coming week is still up in the air.

Nick Chubb, Texans

Injury: Rib
Expected Games Missed: 0-6
Performance Impact Upon Return: Low 

Unlike the Achane situation, we have not yet received an update on whether Chubb suffered a rib fracture. 

If he did sustain a fracture, he would likely miss the remainder of the fantasy football season but be able to return for the NFL playoffs. 

Similar to Achane, the performance impact is minimal, but pain management and the risk of further injury remain the primary concerns.

Fantasy Football Injuries: TEs

Zach Ertz, Commanders

Injury: ACL tear
Expected Games Missed: Season Ending
Performance Impact Upon Return: High next season

Ertz tore his right ACL in Week 14. 

There are several variables to consider for next year and for whether his career is over. His age does not work in his favor, and he has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career. Any secondary damage – such as a meniscus tear – could further extend an already lengthy recovery timeline, which typically ranges from 9-12 months.

As it stands, we should expect Ertz to have difficulty returning by Week 1 next season and to face a significant performance impact even when he does return.

What Do These Injuries Mean For Your Fantasy Team?

The smartest managers don’t just track injuries ... they act on them faster than the rest of the league.

Our fantasy football projections update around the clock and feed directly into Team Intel, Free Agent Finder, and the rest of our fully customized tools.

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Tyler Smola, Injury Analyst

Tyler brings over a decade of sports medicine knowledge to Draft Sharks. He will be writing weekly injury analysis articles this season and will bring an expertise in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and sports performance to Draft Sharks.