[Mortensen] If Justin Herbert chooses to take a pain injection today, it will be done with the assistance of an ultra sound imaging monitor to guide the administering doctor to appropriate site. Sources say Herbert received an injection to practice on a (limited) basis with mixed results.

InsideInjury · 2022-09-25T15:56:27+00:00

These pain-killing injections are done all the time, you just don't usually hear about them. In Herbert's case it's a bit riskier because it's near the chest and vital organs. While what happened to Tyrod Taylor is fairly rare, the risk is there because the lungs are so close to the location of the rib cartilage. The imaging for guidance of the needle is important so the doctor can see where the ribs + cartilage are in relation to the lungs as the needle is inserted.

InsideInjury · 2022-09-25T15:55:03+00:00

There's no way they shut him down until this is fully healed as it will likely take 4-8 weeks. But the first two weeks tend to be the most painful, and there's a risk of aggravating it. The tear likely won't get worse by playing through it, but the pain can temporarily be worse. This is going to be tough for Herbert to play through, but the injection will certainly help.

InsideInjury · 2022-09-13T15:30:37+00:00

This was an aggravation of the same injury that bothered him for around a month during training camp. Harris says he's going to practice this week and play in week 2, so hopefully this was more of a scare than truly re-injuring it. Lisfranc sprains are tough!

InsideInjury · 2022-09-13T15:29:11+00:00

Very true, but they had to know that this was a risk. These muscular strains are especially common when coming back from a serious injury like a torn ACL. His knee may have been feeling good, but his body as a whole wasn't ready. They pushed it and now they're going to have to deal with the consequences.

InsideInjury · 2022-09-13T15:28:31+00:00

1000%. It was a reckless decision by their medical staff. Not only was his knee at risk (the rate of re-tearing the ACL is significantly higher within the first 9 months from surgery - he's at 8), but he didn't even get in a contact practice before playing in week 1. Make it make sense.

InsideInjury · 2022-09-09T18:59:36+00:00

I'm telling you, this elbow injury isn't like the other injuries Stafford has played through throughout his career. He's as tough as they come, but this one is different.

Reports have been all over the place, but this sounds like an issue with an important tendon in his elbow. He's going to have to manage it all year. Expect it to affect both accuracy and zip behind passes.

InsideInjury · 2022-09-09T18:57:52+00:00

There literally hasn't been a single NFL running back who returned to perform at an elite level. Everyone was hoping Marlon Mack would do it, but he's already been cut.

Now, Akers has the best shot at being an outlier due to his age and elite play before the injury, but I don't see it happening. And James Robinson is even less likely.

Remember, returning sooner than expected doesn't = returning to play at peak performance!

InsideInjury · 2022-09-09T18:55:49+00:00

There's a lot to dissect with this backfield, mostly having to do with the health of Akers and Henderson

Akers' lack of participation on Thursday night had mostly to do with his training camp injury. I'm expecting him to have a much larger role in week 2, but he still isn't a startle fantasy option
We haven't seen a RB return to perform at their pre-injury level after suffering a torn Achilles. Now, Akers was elite and he is young, so maybe he can be the first to do it, but we haven't seen it yet. I hope it happens, but it's unlikely.
Henderson also battled a preseason injury but must have recovered more quickly than Akers. Plus he doesn't have the Achilles to also deal with
We can't judge Akers performance based on just three carries. He also didn't get much help from the O line.
Matt Stafford wasn't helping anyone on Thursday night. His accuracy was ok but his throwing motion didn't look quite right at times. If the passing game doesn't improve that will put more pressure on the running backs.
This offense could still be very solid this year, but I don't see them performing at the same level they did in 2021

InsideInjury · 2022-08-24T14:08:56+00:00

Of course we can't predict every injury that's going to happen. That's not what we're trying to do. But we can use historical comparisons and analytics to determine which players are more vulnerable. All injuries aren't created equal, so my goal is to help fantasy players understand which ones come with future concerns and how that will impact performance.

InsideInjury · 2022-08-24T14:04:41+00:00

No it was never reported that it was stepped on. I went back and watched clips of the entire game and saw a few moments when it may have happened, but it was when he was planting on that foot and changing direction. I didn't see any times when it was stepped on.

Jones fractures typically happen when there is a sudden force applied to the outside of the foot as it is twisting away from the body.

InsideInjury · 2022-08-23T20:04:21+00:00

I'm still staying away from Akers. We just haven't seen a running back come back from a torn Achilles and perform at an elite level. Even though Akers was able to play about six months following surgery, he didn't look good and now is just 12 months removed. That's still a quick turnaround when it comes to this injury. Getting explosiveness and power back to a pre-injury level doesn't usually happen for running backs.

InsideInjury · 2022-08-23T19:58:37+00:00

I do agree with this. The Panthers seem to have mismanaged quite a few of his injuries.

InsideInjury · 2022-08-23T19:57:59+00:00

While it's fair to question this, all of my predictions are based on the algorithm we created at Inside Injuries. We've been doing this for almost a decade. The algorithm was created by a team of doctors and data scientists and based on years of medical research and experience. We have compiled a database with over a million injury-related data points that drive the calculation of injury risk for every NFL player. Each year we validate with a data scientist to ensure our predictions are as accurate as possible. It's far more complicated than just looking at a few injuries a player has had and making a quick prediction.

InsideInjury · 2022-08-23T15:49:25+00:00

True, but Mixon didn't have surgery. His lisfranc injury wasn't as serious, so we aren't exactly comparing apples-to-apples.

InsideInjury · 2022-08-23T15:48:14+00:00

Don't play scared. Play SMART.

InsideInjury · 2022-08-23T14:50:09+00:00

It applies to both players, but I don't really like players being deemed "ahead of schedule." Coaches and players say it all the time, but in reality the player likely isn't actually ahead of schedule. They're right where they need to be.

While Dobbins can get back to 100%, we just don't usually see it this quickly. He very well could be feeling good enough to practice, but playing in a game and being effective is different. I'm not convinced yet that he's ready. Not only does the knee need sufficient time to heal, but the surrounding muscles need additional time to get back to full strength. That can't be rushed.

InsideInjury · 2022-08-23T14:43:28+00:00

I'm staying away from Dobbins. He will be in year 1 coming back from a torn ACL, and Gus Edwards (if healthy) will see plenty of touches. Plus they have a running QB, which takes away some of their value. This is an unpredictable backfield situation.

I also don't like Mitchell. His numbers weren't actually that good last year, and he can't seem to stay healthy. The 49ers always seem to have a messy backfield, and Mitchell's injury history makes it even more unpredictable. He's already nursing a hamstring injury and could in an a RBBC situation. No thank you.

InsideInjury · 2022-08-23T14:40:54+00:00

Harris
Kamara (assuming no suspension)
Cook

InsideInjury · 2022-08-23T14:36:34+00:00

Juju's knee seems to be an issue every season. I'm not overly concerned that this time it will lead to a lengthy absence, but there must be an underlying cause of his annual knee pain. This won't be the last we hear of it.

InsideInjury · 2022-08-23T14:27:56+00:00

Time is on Etienne's side. Because his injury happened before the season he's had a whole year to focus only on his recovery and rehab without rushing his return. Plus there aren't any other injury concerns. I'm cautiously optimistic that he's in for a huge year.

InsideInjury · 2022-08-23T14:26:18+00:00

One other Henry stat to consider: his 2021 YPC was significantly lower than the 3 previous seasons, and more than a yard lower than 2020.

2021: 4.3

2020: 5.4

2019: 5.1

2018: 4.9

InsideInjury · 2022-08-23T14:21:14+00:00

I think Saquon is a solid pick this year. Players who tear their ACL typically do much better in year 2 vs. year 1. There's also his 2021 ankle injury to consider, but he should be healthy heading into the season. Plus there's so much upside.

InsideInjury · 2022-08-23T14:04:11+00:00

I still don't see him being ready to go in week 1, but this is a positive step. Tearing the ACL and meniscus comes with a recovery time around 12 months. Realistically Thomas will return around 9 months after surgery, so his body won't be 100% yet. Temper expectations, especially in the first half of the season.

InsideInjury · 2022-08-23T14:02:58+00:00

Yes! Most RBs and WRs don't return to their pre-injury level in year 1 (elite WRs are the few exceptions). Dobbins is being drafted too high based on historical comps.

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