The NFL injuries are not slowing down whatsoever. Every week it feels like another major fantasy asset goes down, and we have also seen plenty of re-injuries that make you wonder if some of these guys were rushed back a little too early.
For dynasty managers, these injuries create a completely different challenge. You are not just trying to survive the next few weeks. You have to balance competing right now with protecting the long-term value of your roster. Losing a cornerstone asset can completely change how you approach the season, but it does not necessarily mean your championship window is closed.
In case you had trouble keeping up with everything that happened, we are going to dive into some of the biggest injuries across the NFL, what they mean for these players as dynasty assets, and most importantly, how I would pivot if they were sitting on my roster. Whether that means buying a replacement, taking advantage of a new opportunity, or making a bigger trade to keep a contender alive, there are still moves to be made.
Let’s dive right into it.
De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
Injury: Torn ACL
Projected Return: 2027
This was the injury fantasy managers did not want to see. De’Von Achane suffered a torn ACL in Miami’s loss to Kansas City and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
Achane went down on just his third rushing attempt of the game after being tackled awkwardly. The good news, if there is any, is the timing. With the injury happening this early in the season, Achane should have a realistic chance to work his way back for the beginning of the 2027 season.
This is still a brutal loss. Achane has developed into one of the most explosive running backs in football and has been the focal point of Miami’s offense over the last several seasons. He was coming off a career year in 2025, when he finished with 1,838 yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns. From a redraft perspective, the pivot is pretty simple. Ollie Gordon II becomes one of the top waiver adds of the week.
After Achane left Sunday’s game, Gordon handled 20 touches, finishing with 41 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries while adding three receptions for 14 yards. Jaylen Wright was inactive because of injury, so we still do not know exactly what this backfield will look like when both backs are healthy.
I would still prioritize Gordon right now. He is healthy, already showed that Miami is willing to give him volume, and has the build to handle a significant rushing workload. Wright will certainly have a role when he returns, especially because his speed gives Miami something closer stylistically to what Achane provided, but I would bet on Gordon receiving the majority of the early-down work.
The Dynasty Pivot
This is where things get much more complicated. If you are an Achane manager competing for a championship, you have to decide how committed you are to holding an asset who is no longer helping you in 2026. Achane is still one of the most valuable running backs in dynasty, but if your window is open right now, I am completely fine tiering down from him and adding another asset in the process.
There are a few recent deals I have seen that I would strongly consider:
De’Von Achane for Omarion Hampton + 2027 2nd
De’Von Achane for Breece Hall + 2027 2nd
De’Von Achane for Quinshon Judkins + DJ Moore
These are the types of deals I like for contenders. You are not simply dumping Achane because he tore his ACL. You are moving down a tier to another talented running back who can still help your lineup while also adding another asset. That is the key for me.
I would rather make a move like this than panic-sell Achane for an aging veteran simply because that veteran is currently healthy. If you are going to move Achane, I still want a legitimate young dynasty asset coming back. The additional pick or player is what helps compensate for moving away from Achane’s ceiling.
There is also the more aggressive approach. If you are a contender with plenty of depth elsewhere, you could move Achane for an older productive running back and try to maximize your 2026 championship window. There is obviously more risk involved there because you are exchanging a younger cornerstone asset for short-term production, but roster construction matters. Sometimes winning the championship is worth taking on that risk.
What If You’re Rebuilding?
This is where Achane becomes really interesting. If I am rebuilding, I absolutely want to check what the Achane manager is asking for. Injuries create buying opportunities in dynasty because contenders sometimes cannot afford to wait a year for production.
I have already seen deals where Achane was moved straight up for Javonte Williams, and from the rebuilding side, I would make that move for Achane without much hesitation.
What I would not do is pay full price. Achane is an explosive running back coming off a torn ACL and entering the later portion of his running back career. He will also be playing on his second NFL contract. That combination creates more uncertainty than I am willing to ignore. So yes, I am buying the dip if the discount is significant. I am not treating this like nothing happened and paying the same price I would have paid before the injury. That distinction is important.
Contender: I am comfortable tiering down from Achane if I can get another young starting running back plus an additional asset. I really think Hampton is a great buy at his current depreciated price.
Rebuilder: I am looking to buy Achane at a discount, but I am not paying a premium for an injured running back coming off ACL surgery.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Injury: Dislocated Thumb
Projected Return: Roughly 3 Weeks
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