Fantasy Football Injury Update: Judkins and Skattebo Injuries Reshape Backfields

Quinshon Judkins (RB - Cleveland Browns)

(Ed: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Judkins was out for the season, which is incorrect.) Browns running back Quinshon Judkins has been diagnosed with an AC joint sprain sustained during Sunday's loss to the Patriots and is currently listed as day-to-day heading into the bye week. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Judkins is dealing with a shoulder injury but expects him to be ready when Cleveland faces the Jets after their bye week.

Cam Skattebo (RB - New York Giants)

The Giants lost their dynamic rookie sensation when Skattebo suffered a dislocated ankle during Sunday's matchup against Philadelphia, requiring immediate surgery and ending what had been a remarkable debut campaign. The fourth-round pick out of Arizona State was carted off the field with an air cast after being rolled up on during a tackle, and subsequent reports confirmed the season-ending nature of the injury. Skattebo's impact extended well beyond traditional rushing metrics, as his 24 receptions on 32 targets for 207 yards had made him a crucial component of New York's passing attack alongside rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. His 16 PPR points per game average ranked him as a legitimate RB1 option, and his versatility had positioned him as a legitimate Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate. Tyrone Tracy Jr. immediately becomes a priority waiver wire addition as he returns to the starting role he held earlier in the season, while the Giants must now rebuild their offensive identity around the remaining pieces of their rookie core.

Carson Wentz (QB - Minnesota Vikings)

Minnesota's veteran signal-caller has also been ruled out for the season after shoulder surgery, marking the end of an unexpectedly significant chapter in the Vikings' 2025 campaign. Wentz had stepped into the starting role following J.J. McCarthy's ankle injury and compiled a 2-3 record across five starts while completing 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards with six touchdowns against five interceptions. The shoulder injury that ultimately sidelined him occurred during Week 5's victory over Cleveland in London, but Wentz courageously continued playing through the pain for weeks before the situation became untenable during Thursday night's loss to the Chargers. His season-ending surgery clears the path for McCarthy's return in Week 9, assuming the second-year quarterback can finally overcome the ankle issues that have limited him to just two games across his first two NFL seasons. Fantasy managers in superflex formats lose a streaming option who had shown flashes of competence, particularly in his game-winning performance against the Browns.

Puka Nacua (WR - Los Angeles Rams)

The Rams received encouraging news regarding their star receiver, as Puka Nacua is expected to return from his ankle injury in Week 9 against New Orleans after missing the team's Week 7 London contest against Jacksonville. Nacua had been dominating the NFL receiving landscape through six games with 54 catches for 616 yards, leading the league in receptions before his ankle sprain against Baltimore temporarily derailed his record-setting pace. Head coach Sean McVay expressed optimism about Nacua's availability following the team's Week 8 bye, and the extra recovery time appears to have been exactly what the second-year receiver needed. His return provides a massive boost to both the Rams' offensive potential and fantasy managers who have been waiting for their WR1 to reclaim his dominant role alongside Davante Adams in Los Angeles' revamped passing attack.

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