2 min read • September 15, 2022
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This week, Dr. David Chao joined Ross Tucker to breakdown the top injuries affecting Week 2, including Dak Prescott, Chris Godwin and J.K. Dobbins.
Dak Prescott is going to need at least six weeks to recover, according to Dr. David Chao. Dr. Chao, Pro Football Doc, was the first person to tweet out that Dak would need this much time due to SIC’s advantage over other reporters and viewers. Their team of doctors give you an edge on injuries in the NFL.
Dr. Chao believes that Dak has suffered a fracture at the base of the thumb reaching almost to the wrist. This injury affects his ability to grip the ball and his overall play if he attempts to return before 6 weeks. The GM on the Cowboys said that Dak would be back in 4-6 weeks, but we do not think that this short recovery time will allow the thumb to heal, and it won’t help avoid a re-fracture.
Chris Godwin does not have a specific date where he can say he will be 100% by that day. PUP list decisions have a huge impact on players and their confidence, so their ability to somewhat practice with the team can make or break their entire season.
Godwin had been working his way through training camp in a boot as a wide receiver, which you do not see often for someone who will be a factor in an offense. The team did get the green light to play Godwin though week 1 which eventually led to his second injury during that game.
Once you give the keys of your car to your kid you know what’s going to happen. Godwin was not supposed to play that many plays but once they get him active on the roster, the coaches are going to use him like he is at 100% if he is playing like it.
A player like J.K. Dobbins is not going to play until October, but he is not listed on a PUP list because the Ravens feel that he is healthy enough to run through drills with the team. Although some do see this as hurtful to these players long term health, we understand the importance of these missed games to NFL players.
Each game is another chance for these players to prove themselves and sometimes this fact clouds any outstanding injuries a player might have. We have been capitalizing on player props for players that we know are still dealing with injury or just coming back from injury. We are 7-1 on injury player props after Week 1 and hope to continue this streak into week 2.
T.J. Watt tore his pec muscle which does not require surgery and will be lucky to be returning late October but more certainly November.
Najee Harris is a bigger worry than most people think. This injury being unrelated to his Lisfranc injury makes it even more worrisome because it could be a completely different injury and recovery process. It looked as if he suffered a high ankle sprain in the game which put the Steelers in a tough position without their young star running back who is dying to play this season.
Elijah Mitchell has an MCL sprain which is at least grade 2, and we expect him to miss at least 4 games on IR. Beat reporters are saying he could be out for 8 weeks which is a possibility, but we won’t have a clear answer until he is opened to practicing again. We do expect him to be fine once he returns to full health with no lingering injury issues.
The Offensive Line for the Packers is a huge worry for Rodgers and this young team. David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins are not 100%, Jenkins is still recovering from an ACL tear last year and Bakhtiari is still rehabbing his surgery repaired left knee. At this point the Packers have a variety of injuries and issues at many positions but their focus should be their offensive line and tight end who is also recovering from injury.
Donovan Smith suffered a hyperextended elbow in the season opener against the Cowboys. It is possible to return to play with this type of injury, but Smith did not end up doing so. Head coach Todd Bowles said that it is a pain tolerance issue right now, leaving Smith in an awkward situation where he can either risk his own health to play for his team or wait until he is fully recovered so he can perform at his full capability.
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