This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
The Cowboys Pro-Bowl receiver left fantasy owners reeling Sunday after he made a quick exit in the team's loss to the Jets. Cooper aggravated a quadriceps contusion on the team's first drive and finished the day with one reception for three yards. The injury has been diagnosed as a quadriceps contusion, and Dallas is already speculating he will not be available for Week 7.
The quadriceps is a complex muscle group located on the front of the thigh. This powerful unit is made up of four muscles that share a conjoined tendon. The quad is a two-joint muscle and is responsible for both hip flexion and knee extension. While a contusion of the muscle doesn't sound as serious as a sprain or strain, the injury should not be taken lightly. Soft tissue damage to the quad is often very painful and limits the functional capabilities of the muscle group. As a result, the aforementioned motions carried out by the quad become difficult, and more stressful activities like running or jumping can become nearly impossible to complete without eliciting pain. Clearly a limitation here would be detrimental to a receiver who must make sudden starts and stops to complete their various routes.
Recurring quad contusions also run the risk of developing into a more significant condition known as myositis ossificans (MO). MO is marked by the build up of tiny calcified formations within the damaged area of the muscle, most often if the same area is repeatedly damaged or
The Cowboys Pro-Bowl receiver left fantasy owners reeling Sunday after he made a quick exit in the team's loss to the Jets. Cooper aggravated a quadriceps contusion on the team's first drive and finished the day with one reception for three yards. The injury has been diagnosed as a quadriceps contusion, and Dallas is already speculating he will not be available for Week 7.
The quadriceps is a complex muscle group located on the front of the thigh. This powerful unit is made up of four muscles that share a conjoined tendon. The quad is a two-joint muscle and is responsible for both hip flexion and knee extension. While a contusion of the muscle doesn't sound as serious as a sprain or strain, the injury should not be taken lightly. Soft tissue damage to the quad is often very painful and limits the functional capabilities of the muscle group. As a result, the aforementioned motions carried out by the quad become difficult, and more stressful activities like running or jumping can become nearly impossible to complete without eliciting pain. Clearly a limitation here would be detrimental to a receiver who must make sudden starts and stops to complete their various routes.
Recurring quad contusions also run the risk of developing into a more significant condition known as myositis ossificans (MO). MO is marked by the build up of tiny calcified formations within the damaged area of the muscle, most often if the same area is repeatedly damaged or if the muscle is denied the appropriate amount of time to heal. These formations further increase the functional limitation and associated pain in the area and, in some extreme cases, require surgical intervention.
Cooper is not believed to be dealing with MO but will still need ample time to recuperate, especially since the injury has been lingering for at least two weeks. If he is able to improve as the week progresses, Cooper will likely remain a game-time decision. This could put fantasy owners in a bind, as the Cowboys don't play until late Sunday night. Consider other healthier options for the week ahead. Michael Gallup will see an increase in value if Cooper is unable to play. Slot receiver Randall Cobb remains limited by a back injury that sidelined him for Week 6. The move was deemed precautionary, suggesting he could be ready to play against the Eagles.
Turf Burns
Saquon Barkley: The top overall pick in most fantasy drafts this season is nearing a return. Barkley, out since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 3, participated in team drills on Monday and should return ahead of schedule. He was able to partake in limited practice last week and should increase his workload throughout the week ahead. The Giants may want to ease Barkley back into things, but a lack of depth in the backfield may force their hand. Wayne Gallman remains in the concussion protocol and Javorius Allen only recently joined the team after the Giants opted to waive rookie Jon Hilliman following his uninspiring performance in Week 6. Plug Barkley back into your lineups if he is cleared to return.
Will Dissly: It appears as though Dissly's breakout season is over after the Seattle tight end suffered what is believed to be a torn Achilles. The injury is the second significant ailment of his career after Dissly missed a majority of his rookie season with a patellar tendon rupture. Luke Willson and Jacob Hollister both move up the depth chart, but neither has shown much fantasy value so far this season as the two have a combined five catches for 52 yards.
Evan Engram: The Giants tight end is progressing nicely from the sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee and is "optimistic" about playing in Week 7 against the Cardinals and their fantasy-friendly defense. Monitor his workload throughout the week, but all signs point to him returning after a one-game absence.
Green Bay Packers WRs: The Green Bay receiving corps is in shambles following Monday night's win over the Lions. Davante Adams did not dress for the game due to a lingering case of turf toe, while Geronimo Allison was sent to the locker room early after suffering a concussion and a chest injury. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was briefly sidelined in the game but did manage to return for the second half. The availability of Adams and Allison seems likely to be a question mark entering Week 7. I've previously discussed Adams' turf toe issues and warned it would not improve quickly. Even if Adams is able to suit up, expectations should be curtailed due to the the risk of re-injury and a potential decrease in productivity. Allison will need to complete the league's mandated concussion protocol before he can return. The injuries will up the usage of Valdes-Scantling and makes Monday night's hero Allen Lazard an intriguing waiver wire pick up. Lazard was impressive in the win over Detroit, hauling in four of his five targets for 65 receiving yards and a touchdown while earning the praise of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Baker Mayfield: A hip injury briefly forced the Browns quarterback out of Sunday's loss to the Seahawks but did not cost him any time. The undisclosed injury isn't expected to keep him out of any practice in the week ahead, and a well-timed bye week should give him additional time to rest and recuperate.
Cam Newton: Like Mayfield, Newton is expected to take advantage of the bye and be ready to return to practice in preparation for Week 8. Newton has not played since aggravating a Lisfranc sprain in his foot in Week 2. Kyle Allen has exceled in Newton's absence, throwing seven touchdowns and zero interceptions as the team has rattled off four consecutive wins. Carolina will have an interesting dilemma when Newton is cleared to return, but don't expect much clarity to the situation until Week 8.
Emmanuel Sanders: A short week will cut into Sanders' recovery time and could prevent him from suiting up Thursday against the Chiefs. The Broncos have downplayed the severity of the injury, but he will be a risky play in Week 8.
