Some weeks have a theme, and Week 2 was all about quarterback injuries. Six starters were hurt, three are expected to miss time, and one entered the concussion protocol. The fantasy impact is significant for managers with Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, and for superflex teams relying on JJ McCarthy. Below, we break down each key injury, expected return timelines, and how performance may be affected.

Quarterbacks

Joe Burrow

Injury: Left grade 3 turf toe injury

Analysis: Burrow will undergo surgery to repair a grade 3 turf toe injury on his left big toe. Only 2% of turf toe injuries need surgery, which tells you just how severe his injury is. Turf toe is an injury to the plantar plate and ligaments on the bottom of the big toe. These tissues are critical for providing stability to the big toe during walking, running, jumping, throwing, and all other athletic movements. The big toe is the last part of the foot to contact the ground, and loss of stability leads to loss of force generation.

The Bengals are giving a three-month return to play timeline. This is extremely aggressive but not impossible. The average return to play timeline is 14.7 weeks; however, most protocols call for return to sport at 16-20 weeks post-op. The ONLY reason Burrow has a shot to return in three months is because of his positional demands and this being his LEFT big toe. As a quarterback, he does not need to sprint the way other positions do. Of course, he needs mobility to escape the pocket, but he will not be routinely sprinting like other positions do and can afford to be less mobile. Since this is his left toe, it is not the toe that is powering his throws, a major advantage.

All together, for fantasy purposes stash Burrow on your IR, but don't be surprised if he does not play again during the fantasy season. It would be extremely quick if he can return in three months; four months is much more reasonable. Burrow can realistically be ready for the NFL playoffs if Cincinnati makes it

Primary beneficiary if time missed: Jake Browning

Jayden Daniels

Injury: Knee sprain

Analysis: Daniels is dealing with what appears to be a mild PCL injury. Daniels' knee was flexed while slamming into the ground shin-first, a common PCL injury mechanism. Players can rehab and play through a PCL injury, but often struggle to plant and cut off the injured knee for a few weeks. A running quarterback like Daniels may have a hard time gaining fantasy points on the ground for a few weeks after he returns, but throwing should be good. His status for week three is uncertain.

Primary beneficiary if time missed: Marcus Mariota

Josh Allen

Injury: Nose injury

Analysis: Allen got punched in the nose early in Sunday's game, but was able to finish the game. This will not be a problem going forward.

JJ McCarthy

Injury: Right high ankle sprain

Analysis: McCarthy suffered a right high ankle sprain while scrambling on Sunday night and is expected to miss 2-4 weeks, indicating a grade 2 injury with some tissue damage and instability. High ankle sprains cause instability where the lower leg meets the foot, which can make it difficult to plant and power off the injured ankle. For a right-handed quarterback, this can impact his throwing power as well as mobility.

Quarterbacks average missing 1.6 games; McCarthy is expected to exceed this. The good news is that historically, quarterbacks average no drop-off in fantasy points after a high ankle sprain.

Primary beneficiary if time missed: Carson Wentz

Justin Fields

Injury: Concussion

Analysis: Fields is in the concussion protocol. Fields will have to pass through the NFL's concussion protocol before playing. Most players miss at least one game with a concussion.

Primary beneficiary if time missed: Tyrod Taylor

Baker Mayfield

Injury: Left knee injury

Analysis: Baker appeared to have a defender land on the outside of his left knee, creating a mild valgus force. Baker grabbed at his knee after this play, but did not miss any time. This force puts stress on the MCL, but video review shows only a mild valgus moment and likely minimal injury at worst. This is one to monitor throughout practice, but it is certainly possible that this will be a non-factor.

Primary beneficiary if time missed: Teddy Bridgewater

Running Backs

Austin Ekeler

Injury: Achilles tear

Analysis: Ekeler tore his Achilles tendon on Thursday night. The Achilles is the single most difficult injury to return from, especially for a 30-year-old running back. To date, the ONLY running back to resume a productive career after an Achilles tear is JK Dobbins. The Achilles tendon must take on 10x the body weight in force with sprinting. For Ekeler, that's 2,000 pounds of force! Studies routinely show that strength testing on the affected calf/achilles complex is 10-30% weaker compared to the non-injured side at one and two years post-op.

For Ekeler to return to play at the same level he was before injury would be absolutely miraculous.

Primary beneficiary if time missed: Bill Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez.

Aaron Jones

Injury: Hamstring injury

Analysis: Jones injured his hamstring Sunday night and has been placed on the injured reserve, keeping him out at least four weeks. The hamstrings are strong muscles that power a runner while sprinting, and when injured, they will affect a player's ability to hit top speed. Hamstrings have a 20-30% recurrence rate, the highest of any soft tissue, and for Jones, who is 30 years old and has three prior hamstring injuries, his re-injury risk is very high. The silver lining is that running backs average no drop-off in fantasy points after a hamstring injury.

Primary beneficiary if time missed: Jordan Mason

Wide Receivers

Jayden Reed

Injury: Clavicle (collarbone) fracture

Analysis: Reed broke his collarbone Thursday night and had surgery to stabilize the fracture. Green Bay states he will be back in 6-8 weeks, which is possible; however average timeline to return to play is 9-10 weeks. Re-injury rates are below 7% which is extremely low, and fantasy managers can be comfortable knowing that Reed can be productive for them later in the season. The time he will spend rehabbing will also allow his foot to fully heal.

Primary beneficiary if time missed: Matthew Golden, Dontayvian Wicks

Jauan Jennings

Injury: Ankle injury

Analysis: Jennings is day-to-day with an ankle injury. Jennings cannot catch a break this season, but luckily, this one is mild. Ankle injuries impact a receiver's ability to get in and out of his cuts and have a high (29%) recurrence rate. Receivers average missing less than one game, making it likely Jennings is able to play in week three, but they do average a 14% dip in fantasy points.

Primary beneficiary if time missed: Kendrick Bourne

Emeka Egbuka

Injury: Left thigh

Analysis: Egbuka finished out the game and may end up being fine, but was observed having his left hip and thigh wrapped during Monday night's game. This will be one to monitor for a potential groin, quad, or hamstring injury.

Primary beneficiary if time missed: Sterling Shepard

Marquise Brown

Injury: Ankle injury

Analysis: Brown appeared to aggravate his right ankle injury on Sunday but was able to finish the game. Brown played on 75% of snaps in week 2 versus 93% in week 1, which may be related. It will be important to look out for practice reports to see if Brown is limited.

Primary beneficiary if time missed: Tyquon Thornton

Tight Ends

No reported tight end injuries this week.