Busy Dad's Weekly Check-Up

Well, Week 1 didn't take long to give us some injuries to worry about.

Last week's report was a little different because we were mostly discussing players working to get healthy from injuries they suffered in the summer. This time around, we have some new injuries suffered in Week 1 to discuss. We’ve seen the injury reports. Now, let’s discuss who has and hasn’t practiced, and identify who managers should be worrying out heading into Sunday.

I'm going to make this report a little simpler this week. I don't really care about every player who shows up on the injury report. If they're practicing and everyone expects them to play, I'm probably not going to spend much time talking about them.  I want to focus on the guys who are actually in danger of missing the week, and more importantly, some potential replacements for these guys if they do miss time.

Here's where I stand heading into Week 2:

Nico Collins: This One Makes Me Nervous

This one came out of nowhere. Collins hurt his hamstring at practice Wednesday, and now we're left trying to figure out if he's going to play Sunday.

The good news for Nico owners is Houston doesn't seem to think this is anything serious in the long-term. That's great for the rest of the season, but it doesn't really help us this week.

Hamstring injuries for wide receivers just make me nervous. Maybe Collins plays and looks completely fine. Maybe he plays and isn't quite himself. Maybe Houston decides there's no reason to risk further injury this early in the season and sits him. That's a lot of uncertainty for one of the best receivers on your roster.

If he's active and there isn't any talk about limiting his usage, start him. Don’t bench one of your best players because of a chance of re-injury. Until a report comes through that clears him, I’d advise in having a backup option in place.  If he does sit, check your bench first. You probably drafted that WR4 for exactly this situation. Kayshon Boutte would be the Houston receiver I'd look at if he's available, and Devaughn Vele is another waiver option I like this week if you don't have better options on your bench.

Busy Dad Verdict:

Start Collins if he's active without limitations, but have another receiver ready.

Zay Flowers: Now We Actually Have a Problem

Last week, Flowers was in the Quick Hits section because he went from limited at practice to a full participant, and said he was ready to go.  If you’ll recall my wise words of wisdom: “don't invent a problem that isn't there."

Well, now there's a problem.  Flowers aggravated the hamstring that bothered him before the season and has missed practice this week. I'm much more concerned about this injury than I was seven days ago.

Maybe Baltimore is just being careful. Hopefully he practices Friday and this entire section looks like an overreaction by Sunday. I'll happily take that.  Until then, I'd prepare as if he won't be available to play.

Rashod Bateman is the obvious Baltimore receiver who benefits if Flowers sits. Mark Andrews could also see more work, and if neither helps your lineup, I'd look to fire up decent receiver already sitting on the bench than reach for some random Raven hoping he gets all of Flowers' targets.

Busy Dad Verdict:

I'm waiting on the final word, but I'm leaning toward sitting him if we don't see him back at practice.

Ladd McConkey: I'm Starting to Look Elsewhere

McConkey injured his ribs in Week 1 and hasn't given us much to feel good about since. Rib injuries are another injury I don't love for a receiver. You can play through sore ribs, but that doesn't mean catching a pass over the middle and having a linebacker land on you is going to feel particularly great.

Could he play Sunday? Absolutely.  Do I recommend waiting until the last minute to find another option? Nope.

Quentin Johnston is the guy I want if McConkey can't go. He's already a real part of this offense, and McConkey being out would open up even more opportunities. Tre' Harris is interesting in deeper leagues, but Johnston is the guy I'd actually feel comfortable putting into a normal lineup.

Busy Dad Verdict:

I'm preparing to sit McConkey. If we get good news before Sunday, throw him in your lineup. Otherwise, Johnston is the first replacement I'm looking at.

Brock Bowers: Here We Go Again

If you read last week's article, you already know this story: Bowers missed Week 1 after having a procedure on his knee and we're still waiting for him to return.  This is exactly why I said last week that Bowers owners were probably going to have to babysit the tight end position until he returned.

Apparently, that is turning into more of a reality than I’d like to admit.  I'm not saying there's no chance Bowers plays, but I’m also not waiting around for good news without another option on my roster.

Michael Mayer is still the easy answer here. He had six catches on seven targets in Week 1 and is already part of the Raiders offense. If Bowers sits again, I'm perfectly comfortable going back to Mayer.

If Mayer isn't available, Juwan Johnson is the next guy I'd look at. Brenton Strange is another option if you're digging a little deeper.

Busy Dad Verdict:

I'm preparing like Bowers is sitting again. If he surprises us and gets cleared, we'll deal with it then.

Kyler Murray: A Waiting Game

Murray is working his way through concussion protocol after getting hurt in Week 1.  He's been able to practice some, which is obviously encouraging, but this isn't really a situation where we get to play doctor: He either clears protocol or he doesn't.

If he clears, I'm starting him, plain and simple.  If he doesn't, I don't think you need to automatically start Carson Wentz just because he's the next quarterback up. In a one-QB league, there should be other options to turn to.

Tyler Shough is one I like. Baker Mayfield is another guy I'd add if he's still available, and Bryce Young is coming off a big Week 1. I'd rather take my shot with one of those guys than force Wentz into my lineup. Superflex is obviously different: If Wentz is starting an NFL game, he matters.

Busy Dad Verdict:

Start Murray if he clears protocol. If he doesn't, I'm streaming another quarterback.

Sam Darnold: At Least We Have an Answer

Finally, one that doesn't require us to spend the next two days guessing.

Darnold is out.  Drew Lock is starting for Seattle, so if you have Darnold, you can look to get a replacement now.  No need to check your phone every six minutes Sunday morning for an injury update.

I wouldn’t automatically start Lock if you play in a one QB league. Just because Seattle has to start him doesn't mean you do.

I'd look at the same group I mentioned for Murray. Shough, Mayfield and Young are all guys I'd check for before starting Drew Lock.  In Superflex, Lock is worth more of a thought. Starting quarterbacks are much more valuable in that format.

Busy Dad Verdict:

Darnold is out. Don't wait around. Find another quarterback now.

My Week 2 Injury Cheat Sheet

Starting if active with no limitations: Nico Collins.

Waiting on a final word: Zay Flowers.

Preparing to sit: Ladd McConkey, Brock Bowers.

Starting if cleared: Kyler Murray.

Out: Sam Darnold.

The Bottom Line

This is probably closer to how the Weekly Check-Up will look going forward.  I don't want this to turn into a giant list of everyone who has a boo-boo. I said that last week and I'm sticking with it.

If Joe Burrow has a sore back but everyone expects him to play, you’re starting Joe Burrow. I don't need to spend three paragraphs convincing you otherwise.  These guys, however, are different.

Collins' situation is worth monitoring because the hamstring issue came out of nowhere and we genuinely don't know if he's playing. Flowers' situation is a concern because this is the same hamstring we've already been watching. McConkey and Bowers matter because you need to start thinking about another option before Sunday. Murray matters because there's nothing we can do except wait for him to clear protocol, so a backup plan is needed in case of emergency.  Darnold is a worthwhile mention because he's already been ruled out and you need another quarterback.

Going into every week, I’m not just interested in who's hurt. I'm more interested in which injuries actually change what we're doing with our lineups.   If someone is trending towards not playing, I don't want to just tell you he's out and leave you on your own; I want to offer solutions and figure out who is going into lineups in his place.

Best of luck this week, and see you next week for the next edition of Busy Dad’s Weekly Check Up!

Be sure to follow @BusyDadFantasy on X for any last minute injury updates you may need!