WR, Deebo Samuel, San Fransisco 49ers:
Although Samuel will be back sooner than later, he has been diagnosed with pneumonia. For a world-class athlete like Samuel, who relies on his speed and stamina, being diminished by not being able to breathe at full capacity is a huge detriment. His status this week is currently up in the air; hopefully, he’ll be back in a couple of weeks.
WR, Brandon Aiyuk, San Fransisco 49ers:
Newly minted Aiyuk is now out for the season, suffering a torn ACL. These injuries keep piling up for the Niners. If Christian McCaffrey cannot come back, having both players out will make it tough for HC Kyle Shanahan to make another Super Bowl run…even the playoffs are a long shot at this point.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns passes during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Titans 27-3. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
QB, Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns:
Watson has been awful, and the Browns have been mediocre at best. His contract has been an albatross, and with this year-ending achilles injury, maybe insurance will cover this season’s tab. It’s desperation time in Cleveland; they just signed former Patriots and current Chiefs practice squad QB Bailey Zappe. Get ready for Zappe-time in Cleveland.
WR, Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Injuries are always tough…injuries during garbage time are senseless and avoidable. With less than a minute to go in the Bucs game against the Ravens and the team down by 10 points, Godwin caught a pass over the middle and was tackled awkwardly (and possibly illegally). Godwin has suffered a dislocated ankle that requires surgery, and he will be out for the rest of the season. This is a huge blow to their playoff chances.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JUNE 13: Kyle Trask #2 throws a pass to Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a mandatory Minicamp at AdventHealth Training Center on June 13, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
WR, Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Godwin’s counterpart and WR1, Mike Evans, suffered a right hamstring injury. Although hamstrings don’t usually take someone out for an entire season, they can hamper a player for multiple weeks. Losing both Godwin and Evans for any considerable time is catastrophic.
WR, DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks:
In an earlier article, I stated that Geno Smith is the most under-appreciated QB in the NFL. His stats are sneaky great, and he’s a borderline top-10 talent. It doesn’t hurt that one of his targets over the last few years has been DK Metcalf. He may miss Metcalf for a week or more. He is dealing with an MCL sprain…thankfully for him, Smith, and Seahawk fans everywhere, it’s only a sprain and not a tear.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 31: DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lumen Field on December 31, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
QB, Aiden O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders:
O’Connell is out for four to six weeks with a broken thumb. This is a tough injury for a young quarterback trying to make his bones and find a foothold in the league. The Raiders don’t stand to be going anywhere this season, but if they can find a viable quarterback option while O’Connell is on the mend, they are apt to stick with the guy who produces.
QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders:
Daniels couldn’t finish the game last week, leaving with bruised ribs. His mom, a very reliable source, said he’s fine. Whether or not the medical staff agrees is yet to be determined. He is listed as week to week, but this upcoming week is so vital for him and the league. The Commanders are facing off against the Bears and Caleb Williams. Each team is currently in the playoffs and is over 500. It is a matchup between no.1 and no.2. He has to play.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 06: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders rushes against the Cleveland Browns at Northwest Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
On a Positive Note:
I say it’s a positive note, but I have my doubts and my fears. QB Tua Tagovailoa is practicing this week and could be on the field against the Cardinals this week. He stated that he loves this game and would die for it. Usually, that is a throwaway line, but for Tua, who’s now had multiple concussions with terrible results, this is seriously life and death…with no hyperbole. I’ve been on the side of retirement, and I fear for his safety. I hope I am proven wrong, but watching Dolphin games will be the same as watching Nascar…for the wrecks.
It’s not an injury, But:
Breakout star for the Detroit Lions, WR Jamison Williams, has been suspended for two weeks for PED usage. Thankfully for the team, they are stacked on offense, and they certainly have enough in his absence. Expect WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and TE Sam Laporta’s stats to increase in Williams’ absence.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
More Flexxing:
The week 9 matchup between the Colts and Vikings has been flexed to the Sunday Night game of the week, replacing the Jaguars/Eagles tilt, which has been moved to 4 pm. I’m sure either game is worthy of the 8 pm slot, especially now that the Vikings have lost their first game of the season. It’s a QB league, and Anthony Richardson against Sam Darnold is actually worse than Trevor Lawrence against Jalen Hurts…I probably would have kept it the way it was, but the NFL and networks have hundreds of millions of dollars in these decisions, and I presume they know more than I do.
