Explore NFL ACL injury episodes, recorded time missed and fantasy performance after return for quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and tight ends.
75 recorded episodes · Updated November 11, 2026 · Half-PPR fantasy scoring
How does fantasy production change after return?
| Position | Episodes | Avg games missed | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 | Game 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 9 | 9.9 gamesn=9 | -22.0%n=9 · small sample | +5.7%n=9 · small sample | +12.9%n=9 · small sample | -0.5%n=8 · small sample | +5.0%n=7 · small sample | -15.0%n=7 · small sample |
| RB | 20 | 15.1 gamesn=13 | -25.0%n=15 | -49.1%n=14 | -58.8%n=11 | +7.1%n=8 · small sample | +8.0%n=6 · small sample | -10.2%n=6 · small sample |
| WR | 34 | 12.0 gamesn=27 | -39.3%n=19 | -35.2%n=18 | -35.4%n=18 | -8.7%n=17 | -10.2%n=17 | -48.0%n=17 |
| TE | 12 | 14.1 gamesn=11 | -34.6%n=12 | -30.8%n=12 | -43.9%n=12 | -27.4%n=10 | -43.7%n=10 | -9.2%n=9 · small sample |
Each game has its own eligible sample. These are historical comparisons, not a prediction for an individual player.
QB: first game back
-22.0% fantasy production change across 9 eligible observations.
9.9 games missed on average across 9 recorded values.
Small sample: interpret cautiously.
RB: first game back
-25.0% fantasy production change across 15 eligible observations.
15.1 games missed on average across 13 recorded values.
WR: first game back
-39.3% fantasy production change across 19 eligible observations.
12.0 games missed on average across 27 recorded values.
TE: first game back
-34.6% fantasy production change across 12 eligible observations.
14.1 games missed on average across 11 recorded values.
What the numbers mean for fantasy football
An ACL injury can create a prolonged rehabilitation process. Restoring strength, movement control and confidence in changing direction matters beyond the return date. These records may span seasons, and associated injuries or different treatment approaches can change recovery. Do not treat the category average as an individual surgical timeline.
Role, age, workload, associated injuries and the type of treatment can all differ between episodes. Read the diagnosis and practice report alongside these data; the averages cannot confirm readiness or a return date.
Shareable first-game comparison
Download this chart · Download summary data
Credit: Fantasy Injury Team. Link to this page when citing the chart; the chart includes the source date and sample sizes.
The people behind the percentages
Individual player episodes
Select a player to expand their injury timeline, baseline, and return-game outcomes.
Aggregate position data · ACL
| Position | Episodes | Avg games missed | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 | Game 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 9 | 9.9 gamesn=9 | +3.2%n=9 · small sample | +3.1%n=9 · small sample | +2.8%n=9 · small sample | -0.3%n=8 · small sample | +2.4%n=7 · small sample | +0.3%n=7 · small sample |
| RB | 20 | 15.1 gamesn=13 | -34.4%n=12 | -28.6%n=11 | -15.0%n=8 · small sample | -12.9%n=5 · small sample | +29.9%n=3 · small sample | +10.7%n=3 · small sample |
| WR | 34 | 12.0 gamesn=27 | -21.2%n=21 | -8.4%n=20 | -8.2%n=20 | -7.9%n=18 | -5.4%n=18 | -5.7%n=18 |
| TE | 12 | 14.1 gamesn=11 | -30.5%n=12 | -27.1%n=12 | -31.6%n=12 | -22.5%n=10 | -18.0%n=10 | -4.2%n=9 · small sample |
9 matching episodes · ACL · QB.
| Player / team | Injury timing | Games missed | G1 snap Δ | G2 snap Δ | G3 snap Δ | G4 snap Δ | G5 snap Δ | G6 snap Δ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michael PenixLeft knee partial ACL tear; reconstruction | 2025 Week 11 | 9.0 | +3.0% | +3.0% | -2.2% | +3.0% | +3.0% | +3.0% |
Daniel JonesACL | 2023 Week 9 | 8.0 | +9.9% | +9.9% | +9.9% | +9.9% | +9.9% | +9.9% |
Kyler MurrayACL | 2022 Week 14 | 13.0 | -1.8% | +1.2% | +0.2% | +1.2% | -1.8% | +1.2% |
Jameis WinstonACL tear + MCL damage; reconstruction | 2021 Week 8 | 10.0 | +4.3% | +1.2% | +4.3% | — | — | — |
Joe BurrowACL | 2020 Week 11 | 6.0 | +0.1% | +0.1% | +0.1% | +0.1% | +0.1% | -17.9% |
Jimmy GaroppoloACL | 2018 Week 3 | 13.0 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | -1.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Carson WentzACL + LCL | 2017 Week 14 | 5.0 | +4.1% | +4.1% | +4.1% | +4.1% | +4.1% | +4.1% |
Deshaun WatsonACL | 2017 Week 8 | 9.0 | +7.0% | +7.0% | +7.0% | +7.0% | — | — |
Ryan TannehillACL tear; reconstruction | 2017 Preseason | 16.0 | +1.8% | +1.8% | +1.8% | -26.7% | +1.8% | +1.8% |
Snapshot updated November 11, 2026. All tables use the same 2,413-episode source snapshot. Historical comparisons are observational; they do not establish that an injury caused a particular performance change. Read the methodology and limitations.