In this mailbag: Virginia Zakas speaks to how much trust for Week 13 should be given to Ja’Marr Chase, Leonard Fournette, Justin Fields, and much more!

Inside Injuries was founded by an orthopedic radiologist, Dr. Anand Lalaji (aka Dr. A), who contributes to all of the injury writeups. Dr. A put together a team of doctors and data scientists to create an algorithm to evaluate the impact that injuries have on a player. This algorithm powers all of Inside Injuries’ analysis and determines each player’s Injury Risk, Health Performance Factor (the level a player is expected to perform at if they return too soon, for example) and Optimal Recovery Time. This information is based on years of medical experience and historical injury research and has proven to be incredibly accurate in determining how injuries will impact a player’s performance and risk of future injuries.

Ja’Marr Chase update again — apparently he told reporters it was a hairline fracture and leg hypertension, so does that change your previous prognosis? — Timothy F.

Leg hyperextension is more a description of how an injury occurs than a diagnosis. It means the leg excessively straightens, and this can put stress on surrounding muscles and ligaments in the leg. In Chase’s case the initial hip injury occurred when his knee hyperextended, putting too much stress near the hip and causing a stress fracture. Chase didn’t mention the torn labrum, but this is likely part of what he is dealing with as well.

Advertisement

Chase is trending in the right direction after being sidelined for the past six weeks. He continues to be limited at practice but clearly isn’t 100% yet. I stand by my initial belief that it will take eight-plus weeks to fully heal, and offseason surgery may still be needed to repair the labrum damage. Chase is such a good player that even if he is on a snap count he can be effective enough to start in fantasy lineups, but don’t expect him to be the same player for at least a few more weeks.

Outlook for J.K. Dobbins’ return, plus any ongoing concerns for Gus Edwards? — Jason B.

Dobbins missed the entire 2021 season recovering from a torn ACL with additional damage. He recently revealed that the injury included a torn LCL, meniscus and hamstring, a horrible combination. Dobbins was fortunate to be cleared to play by Week 3, and it wasn’t a surprise that he had ongoing issues. Six weeks ago Dobbins underwent a follow-up procedure to clean up the knee. His initial recovery time was 4-6 weeks, which seemed very quick. Our algorithm gave him an eight-week Optimal Recovery Time. It’s been six weeks since the surgery, and the Ravens have just designated him to return from IR so he can return to practice. While his numbers have improved, according to our algorithm, Dobbins still comes with a High Injury Risk and a Below Average HPF. I don’t see him consistently performing at a high level again in 2023. He could be back in Week 14 or 15.

Gus Edwards started the season on the PUP list as he recovered from ACL surgery, and then he missed a few games recently with a hamstring strain. When active Edwards hasn’t been the most effective. Going forward, he comes with a High Injury Risk and will be a touchdown-dependent fantasy option. As we predicted at the start of the season, this is a messy backfield that’s going to be unpredictable from week to week.

Do you think Darren Waller will be a significant fantasy contributor when/if he returns this year? — David F.

Waller has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring strain in Week 5. He was close to a return last month but aggravated the injury at practice, which led to him landing on the IR. Waller also previously suffered two hamstring strains in his NFL career, so this is an ongoing issue. He is eligible to return in Week 14. Reports are already coming out that he may not be ready then, which is concerning. He’s not worth rostering at this point unless you have an open IR spot to stash him. It’s not like Waller was a stud in the four complete games before going down, totaling just 175 yards and scoring one touchdown.

Advertisement

Is Travis Etienne going to be back or should I pick up JaMycal Hasty? — Lex S.

Etienne gave us a scare in Week 12 when he limped off the field with a left foot injury, the same one that sidelined him his entire rookie season. Last year it was a significant Lisfranc injury. Fortunately, this time it seems like a very mild foot injury. Etienne was limited at practice on Wednesday and Thursday, putting him on track to suit up on Sunday. According to the Inside Injuries algorithm, he now comes with an Elevated Injury Risk (18%) and a Below Average HPF (54%). That HPF should improve significantly next week if he avoids an aggravation.

Any updates on Leonard Fournette, and will his injury likely have a negative impact if he returns this week? — Jason B.

Fournette suffered a hip pointer in Week 10. This means there is a deep bruise to the iliac crest at the top of the hip near the rim of the pelvis. While it can be very painful, a majority of players are able to return within a few weeks. Fournette was expected to return following the Bucs’ Week 11 bye but was inactive in Week 12 despite three limited practices.

This week the Bucs play on Monday night. Even if he is trending in the right direction, I don’t think you can rely on Fournette to handle enough touches to be worth starting. Rachaad White has put up back-to-back performances of over 100 total yards. White and Fournette could split touches, or Fournette may even end up being the backup if active. He will reach his Optimal Recovery Time by Week 14 but still comes with a High Injury Risk and an Above Average HPF. The hip pointer may not significantly hurt his performance, but the injury opened the door for White to earn more snaps.

When does Justin Fields come back, if he does at all? Is after the bye the most likely scenario? — Robby P.

There’s a decent chance Fields will be back this weekend. Fields suffered a separated (not dislocated) left shoulder two weeks ago, meaning he sprained the AC (acromioclavicular) joint in his non-throwing shoulder. This injury occurs at the top of the shoulder where the collarbone and scapula meet. It can be very painful, and the ligament damage leads to instability. Because it is to Fields’ non-throwing shoulder he may be able to play through it. According to the Inside Injuries algorithm this is at least a grade 2 sprain, indicating some tearing to the ligaments.

Fields is likely to receive an injection to help with the pain if he does suit up. With a 3-9 record and an upcoming bye, the Bears may decide to sit their QB to prevent further injury. It is possible to make this injury worse and cause enough ligament damage that surgery is needed. As of right now, it should be able to heal on its own, but it will take more than a few weeks. Fields went from a limited practice Wednesday to a full practice Thursday, so he is trending in the right direction to suit up. This is a big decision that will have to be made between Fields, the coaching staff and his doctors.

Advertisement

(Top photo: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports)