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Fantasy Football Injuries: Key Updates on Puka Nacua, Emeka Egbuka, and 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: RBs

Emari Demercado, Cardinals

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

Demercado left his Week 6 matchup and did not return. As of Monday night, there have been no further updates or specifics regarding the ankle injury. Look for an update out of Arizona, along with his practice participation, for a better indication of his Week 7 availability.

Fantasy Football Injuries: WRs

Puka Nacua, Rams

Injury: Ankle sprain
Expected Games Missed: 0-2
Performance Impact Upon Return: Medium

A funky play led to an ankle injury for Nacua, who had to be helped off the field in the first half. He eventually returned to the game, but appeared to be used primarily as a decoy. 

On Monday, HC Sean McVay labeled Nacua “day to day,” adding that the injury isn’t considered long term. Signs point to a low-ankle sprain -- good news for Puka, with minimal expected long-term impact.

However, in the short term, the Rams have to travel across the Atlantic to face the Jaguars in Week 7. The long flight and disrupted rehab schedule could make it more difficult for Puka to suit up, but his return is definitely not off the table.

Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers

Injury: Hamstring strain
Expected Games Missed: 1-4
Performance Impact Upon Return: Medium

And another WR goes down with a hamstring strain. 

Remember, muscle strains are graded from 1 to 3: Grade 1 involves stretched muscle fibers, Grade 2 is a partial tear, and Grade 3 is a complete tear. 

Early reports suggest Egbuka’s injury falls in the Grade 1-2 range. He’s likely to miss less time than teammate Mike Evans. Expect reduced sprint performance and a high risk of re-injury upon return.

Garrett Wilson, Jets

Injury: Knee hyperextension
Expected Games Missed: 2-6
Performance Impact Upon Return: Medium

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday that Wilson hyperextended his knee and is expected to miss some time. 

Hyperextension injuries often result in a bone bruise to the tibia or femur within the knee joint. These injuries can be painful and limiting, even if there’s no ligament damage, which appears to be the case with Garrett. 

It looks like he’s avoided a season-ending injury, but this will likely impact him over the next couple of months.

Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals

Injury: Concussion
Expected Games Missed: 1-3
Performance Impact Upon Return: Low

This is Harrison’s third documented concussion, with the most recent occurring almost exactly one year ago. 

As we've discussed, this situation differs slightly from other injuries NFL players sustain, as an independent neurologist is involved in both the evaluation and return-to-play process. Harrison will need to successfully complete all five steps of the concussion protocol before returning to the field. 

Most often, players miss one game following a concussion. Harrison did not miss a game after his concussion in Week 6 last season, but the Cardinals had a bye in Week 7.

Calvin Ridley, Titans

Injury: Hamstring strain
Expected Games Missed: 1-6
Performance Impact Upon Return: Medium

Hamstring strain? Never heard of it. 

So far, there’s no clear indication of the severity of Ridley’s injury. Typically, low-grade hamstring strains lead to a 1-2 week absence, mid-grade strains sideline players for 3-6 weeks, and a Grade 3 (complete tear) is usually season-ending. 

Keep an eye on updates out of Tennessee to get a better sense of which path Ridley may be on.

Fantasy Football Injuries: TEs

David Njoku, Browns

Injury: Knee hyperextension
Expected Games Missed: 0-6
Performance Impact Upon Return: Medium

We don’t have as specific of an update on the Njoku injury as we do with Garrett Wilson. It does appear to be a similar situation as he has a hyperextension injury with no significant ligament damage.  

Keep an eye out for an update out of Cleveland on whether Njoku is expected to miss extended time.

Mike Gesicki, Bengals

Injury: Pectoral
Expected Games Missed: 4-season ending
Performance Impact Upon Return: Medium

There is always concern when we hear an NFL athlete has a pectoral injury. Similar to the Achilles, it often ends up being partially or fully torn.  

We do not have specifics on the severity of Gesicki’s injury other than HC Zac Taylor saying Monday that, “it’s going to be a while” before Gesicki is back. 

If the pec is fully torn, it will almost certainly result in surgery.  If partially torn, Gesicki will likely elect the rehabilitation route, which could give him a chance of returning to the field later this season.  

We should find out soon whether or not the pec is fully torn or not. 

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.