Fantasy Football Injuries: Key Updates on Lamar Jackson, Javonte Williams & 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

Lamar Jackson, Ravens

Injury: Back contusion
Expected Games Missed: 0-1
Performance Impact Upon Return: Medium

Jackson continues to be a question mark for what feels like the 12th straight week. He’s now dealing with a “painful” back contusion. HC John Harbaugh said that Jackson “improved as [last] week went on," but he was still unable to play.

This remains a fascinating situation, as it appears to be strictly about pain management. It’s unlikely Lamar is dealing with an injury that could significantly worsen by playing. By comparison, Jayden Daniels faced a high risk of re-dislocating his elbow, which could have eventually required surgery.

Even once he returns, Jackson will likely be limited in rotation, affecting his ability to push the ball downfield. He will also remain limited as a runner due to the lingering hamstring issue and could be more inclined to avoid contact because of the back injury.

Fantasy Football Injuries: RBs

Javonte Williams, Cowboys

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

Williams has reportedly been dealing with a “stinger” for several weeks. A stinger is an injury to the brachial plexus, a bundle of nerves that runs from the cervical spine to the shoulder. It’s typically caused by a stretch to the nerve complex, resulting in pain or weakness in the shoulder or arm.

As we saw last week, this type of injury is easily irritated by a secondary stretch or impact. There is typically a low performance impact but a high risk of re-irritation. 

Williams and the Cowboys’ sports medicine team will need to determine whether playing in a meaningless Week 18 game is worth the added risk.

Fantasy Football Injuries: WRs

Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins

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

Waddle left the game in the second quarter with a rib injury. Surprisingly, he returned in the third quarter but did not record another touch. It’s safe to assume the Dolphins ruled out a rib fracture, given that he was able to return.

If the Dolphins were playing for a playoff spot next week, Waddle would likely push to be available. Instead, this becomes a risk/reward situation that both Jaylen and the team will need to evaluate as the week progresses. 

If Waddle plays Sunday, the impact on performance should be minimal, but there would be a heightened risk of re-injury if he takes a hit to the same area.

Rashid Shaheed, Seahawks

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

Shaheed and the Seahawks have everything to play for in Week 18. However, this is not simply a pain-management issue. Shaheed will need to progress through the five-step concussion protocol over the next seven days.

It did not appear to be a severe concussion, but it’s difficult to predict how symptoms will evolve in the days immediately following. We likely won’t know whether Shaheed has a chance to play until Friday.

Fantasy Football Injuries: TEs

Harold Fannin, Browns

Injury: Groin strain
Expected Games Missed: 0-1
Performance Impact Upon Return: Medium-High

Fannin entered Week 17 questionable with a groin strain and quickly aggravated the injury on a TD reception early in the game. He did not return, and we may not see him in Week 18. 

Anytime a player aggravates a soft-tissue injury, it typically worsens relative to how they entered the game.

When you combine that with the Browns playing for nothing next week, it’s unlikely Fannin will suit up. There should be no impact on his performance next season.

Jake Ferguson, Cowboys

Injury: Calf strain
Expected Games Missed: 0-1
Performance Impact Upon Return: Medium

Similar to the Fannin situation, Ferguson left the Christmas Day game with a soft-tissue injury. He sustained a calf strain, which carries a greater risk of secondary injury compared to a groin strain. 

Anytime we hear “calf strain,” there is concern for a secondary Achilles injury if a player returns too quickly. This is because a compromised calf may not tolerate normal load, potentially transferring excess stress to the Achilles tendon. 

This becomes another risk-reward situation with the Cowboys having nothing to play for in Week 18. Keep an eye on early-week updates out of Dallas to determine whether Ferguson has any chance of playing.

Darnell Washington, Steelers

Injury: Forearm fracture
Expected Games Missed: Season ending
Performance Impact Upon Return: Low

Washington fractured either his radius or ulna while landing on his arm. 

He’ll miss Week 18 and the playoffs. But unless he sustained an undisclosed secondary injury, there should be no impact on his performance next season.

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.

Sync your league now to get your unfair advantage.

Next Up

Fantasy Football League Sync

Next Article  

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.