Fantasy football buzz: Injuries to Jayden Daniels, Deshaun Watson and Aidan O’Connell

Everything that happens in the NFL has additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and more, the news cycle will constantly influence player values ​​in fantasy football.

Our fantasy football buzz file, featuring contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to give fantasy managers the information they need as NFL news breaks.

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Oct. 21: Jayden Daniels suffers a rib injury and is awaiting test results

Stephanie Bell: Daniels left Sunday’s game against the Panthers in the first quarter and did not return due to a rib injury. Since there are no specific details regarding his injury (e.g. fracture, cartilage injury, etc.), it is difficult to say how much time, if any, the injury could cost Daniels. On the positive side, he returned to the sidelines in the second half and talked and laughed with his teammates. The biggest challenge with any chest injury is pain with movement, whether it’s arm movements or rotations when throwing a quarterback. Even deep breathing can be painful at first. Contact is also a concern, but depending on the location of the injury, there are measures to pad and protect the ribs. It is hoped that more details will emerge early this week to provide a better insight into Daniels’ status.

Marcus Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft, contributed admirably in Sunday’s win, passing for 205 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 34 yards on 11 carries.

Oct. 21: Deshaun Watson suffers a season-ending Achilles tendon injury

Stephanie Bell: The Cleveland Browns confirmed that an MRI revealed a ruptured right Achilles tendon, meaning Watson will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. He will likely undergo surgical repair in the near future. Last year, two quarterbacks similarly suffered ruptured Achilles tendons (a prestressed position in which the Achilles tendon was severely stretched before kickoff when it failed), although Watson had no contact whatsoever, which is also not uncommon with these injuries. Both quarterbacks who suffered the injury in 2023 – Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins ​​- are starting in the NFL this season, evidence of the ability to return to previous levels of performance.

The Browns will turn to either Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who served as a backup in Sunday’s game but left because of a finger injury, or Jameis Winston, who served as a backup in the first six games of this season.

Oct. 21: Aidan O’Connell is out 4-6 weeks with a broken thumb

O’Connell broke the thumb on his right (throwing) hand in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Rams and is expected to miss four to six weeks. Gardner Minshew, who started the first five games of the season until being subbed in favor of O’Connell in Week 6, is expected to return to the Raiders’ starting role for this week’s game against the Chiefs.