Week 2 of the NFL season was one of the worst in recent memory for major injuries. A number of teams were forced to turn to backups and will continue to rely on them this week. Jamaal Charles, the Kansas City Chiefs' star running back and top overall pick of many fantasy football leagues, left last week's loss to the Broncos after suffering a high ankle sprain and didn't return to action. The fact that he is even listed as questionable on this week's injury report is a surprise; a high ankle sprain often requires multiple weeks for recovery.
NFL Week 3 injury report: Will Jamaal Charles and DeSean Jackson play?
In his weekly column, SB Nation Medical Expert Dr. Ali Mohamadi gives insight into the most notable injuries in the fantasy landscape and how they might affect your roster decisions for Week 3.
Doug Pensinger
The term “high ankle sprain” is usually used to describe an injury to the syndesmotic ligaments of the ankle, which hold the lower ends of the tibia and fibula (lower leg bones) together. Injuries to these ligaments are usually more serious than to other areas of the ankle, causing significant pain and difficulty bearing weight. The severity of and prognosis for recovery for ankle sprains are often a source of confusion, primarily due to misunderstanding over what exactly the different “grades” of sprains actually mean. (You can find an explainer for the different grades of sprain here).
A Grade 1 sprain, which appears to be the case for Charles, typically requires anywhere from one to four weeks of recovery time. A Grade 2 or 3 sprain, in which there is some degree of looseness of the ankle joint, could take longer and even require surgery if the tear is complete.
Charles is going to be a game-time decision, and even if he is able to play, it is quite possible he would cede some carries to backup Knile Davis, who fared well as a replacement last week against Denver.
All times listed in Eastern.
Raiders (0-2) at New England (1-1), 1 p.m.
Jones-Drew left the Raiders' Week 1 contest after suffering a right hand injury, causing him to sit out last week's loss to the Texans. He is officially listed as questionable on the team's injury report. With his hand heavily bandaged for much of the week early indications are that Jones-Drew is likely to sit again Sunday afternoon against the Patriots. Keep a close eye on pregame warmups; if he is a late scratch, Darren McFadden would once again get the start for Oakland.
Bernard Pierce, Baltimore Ravens, thigh
Baltimore (1-1) at Cleveland (1-1), 1 p.m.
Pierce was added to the team's injury report this week, and is listed as questionable for today's divisional matchup with Cleveland due to a thigh injury. All indications Friday were that Pierce would be able to suit up, but he will test the injury in pregame before his status is decided. If Pierce can't play, or if he is limited, Justin Forsett will get the majority of the carries out of the Ravens' backfield.
DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers, thigh
Carolina (2-0) vs. Pittsburgh (1-1), 8:25 p.m.
Williams missed last week's win over Detroit with a thigh injury, but returned to practice for the first time Friday. Even so, he is listed as questionable on the team's injury report. The high likelihood of aggravation with muscle injuries of the lower extremity make it unlikely that he would start or see significant action if the ailment isn't at or near 100 percent by kickoff. If Williams is unable to go, Jonathan Stewart would earn the starting nod for the second straight week.
Wide receivers
Eric Decker, New York Jets, hamstring
New York Jets (1-1) vs. Chicago (1-1), Monday night
The first of three wide receiver injuries for Monday night's game, Decker has missed practice this week due to a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable for the game against the Bears. Decker suffered the injury during New York's loss to the Packers last Sunday. Rex Ryan was confident earlier this week that his status would not be in jeopardy, it doesn't appear there has been much improvement since. If Decker can't play, Jeremy Kerley, Greg Salas, and David Nelson would likely see more Geno Smith passes coming their way.
DeSean Jackson, Washington, shoulder
Washington (1-1) at Philadelphia (2-0), 1 p.m.
Many had Jackson’s return to Philadelphia circled as one of the most intriguing games of the regular season, but the Washington wideout is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest after spraining the AC joint in his left shoulder last week.
The AC joint is where the clavicle (collarbone) meets the shoulder blade, and a sprain technically involves tearing of the fibers holding the shoulder joint in place, with the degree of the tear graded from 1 (least severe) to 3 (most severe). Although the team has classified it as a mild sprain, pain control is a significant concern with this type of injury. For his part, Jackson has made it clear he expects to play against his former teammates, but stay tuned for pregame warmups to see if the Washington training staff feels the same.
Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears, hamstring
Chicago (1-1) at New York Jets (1-1), Monday night
Jeffery toughed it out in last Sunday night’s thrilling win over San Francisco, playing despite a pulled hamstring. Still, for a second straight week he has been listed as questionable on the team’s injury report and appears to be a game-time decision for Monday’s contest against the Jets. Even if Jeffery starts, his injury is one to keep a close eye on, as hamstring strains are slow to recover and prone to aggravation.
Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears, ankle
Chicago (1-1) at New York Jets (1-1), Monday night
Marshall put together an incredible three-touchdown performance - including an early candidate for catch of the year - despite playing through an ankle injury sustained in Week 1 against the Bills. For the second straight week, his practice time has been limited, as the ankle continues to cause him some discomfort. Marshall plans to test the injury before the game to see if he is able to play. It's easy enough to assume if he was able to play at such a high level last Sunday night, he'll be ready for tomorrow's game with the Jets, but the injury is enough to keep Bears fans, and Marshall fantasy owners, a bit nervous heading into the contest.
Tight ends
Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns, shoulder
Cleveland (1-1) vs. Baltimore (1-1), 1 p.m.
Cameron aggravated a sprain of the AC joint of his right shoulder in Week 1 and was held out of last week's win over New Orleans. He has been limited in practice this week, and he once again is questionable on the team's injury report. If Cameron can't play, the Browns will turn to Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray.
Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers, ankle
San Francisco (1-1) at Arizona (2-0), 4:05 p.m.
The 49ers tight end was on crutches most of the week after spraining his ankle last Sunday night when the joint bent awkwardly on a hit by Bears linebacker Jon Bostic. He is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game with Arizona, but it appears unlikely he will suit up. Third-string tight end Derek Carrier saw the majority of the action following Davis's injury, as backup Vance McDonald had already left the game in the first half with a knee ailment, and might be in line for the start.
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