Explore NFL high ankle sprain recovery data: games missed and fantasy performance after return, broken down by position and sample size.
148 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 | 26 | 3.1 gamesn=23 | -10.1%n=23 | +7.0%n=20 | -8.6%n=15 | +14.5%n=12 | +21.6%n=11 | -18.7%n=9 · small sample |
| RB | 60 | 2.4 gamesn=57 | -8.0%n=52 | -9.7%n=44 | -4.0%n=39 | +6.6%n=31 | -1.7%n=26 | -13.9%n=23 |
| WR | 51 | 2.6 gamesn=41 | -6.3%n=39 | -13.6%n=32 | -9.0%n=26 | -29.3%n=23 | -39.1%n=19 | -33.9%n=13 |
| TE | 11 | 4.6 gamesn=8 | -34.8%n=8 · small sample | +167.3%n=7 · small sample | +14.2%n=7 · small sample | +120.2%n=6 · small sample | +21.1%n=6 · small sample | -77.0%n=4 · small sample |
Each game has its own eligible sample. These are historical comparisons, not a prediction for an individual player.
QB: first game back
-10.1% fantasy production change across 23 eligible observations.
3.1 games missed on average across 23 recorded values.
RB: first game back
-8.0% fantasy production change across 52 eligible observations.
2.4 games missed on average across 57 recorded values.
WR: first game back
-6.3% fantasy production change across 39 eligible observations.
2.6 games missed on average across 41 recorded values.
TE: first game back
-34.8% fantasy production change across 8 eligible observations.
4.6 games missed on average across 8 recorded values.
Small sample: interpret cautiously.
What the numbers mean for fantasy football
High ankle sprains can affect the stability needed for planting, cutting and pushing off. Recovery depends on the specific injury and the demands of the player's role. A player may return while still managing stiffness or discomfort; historical performance is useful context, not a clearance decision.
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
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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 · High Ankle Sprain
| Position | Episodes | Avg games missed | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 | Game 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 26 | 3.1 gamesn=23 | -2.4%n=23 | +1.2%n=20 | +0.5%n=15 | +1.9%n=12 | +0.9%n=11 | -4.3%n=9 · small sample |
| RB | 60 | 2.4 gamesn=57 | -5.6%n=53 | +12.8%n=44 | +10.9%n=39 | -0.5%n=31 | +8.0%n=26 | +5.8%n=23 |
| WR | 51 | 2.6 gamesn=41 | -11.7%n=40 | -0.6%n=33 | -0.8%n=27 | -5.3%n=23 | -1.9%n=19 | -1.5%n=13 |
| TE | 11 | 4.6 gamesn=8 | -13.5%n=8 · small sample | +27.9%n=7 · small sample | +47.4%n=7 · small sample | +52.4%n=6 · small sample | +68.2%n=6 · small sample | +66.0%n=4 · small sample |
11 matching episodes · High Ankle Sprain · TE.
| Player / team | Injury timing | Games missed | G1 snap Δ | G2 snap Δ | G3 snap Δ | G4 snap Δ | G5 snap Δ | G6 snap Δ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grant CalcaterraHigh Ankle Sprain | 2025 Week 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Ja'Tavion SandersHigh Ankle Sprain | 2025 Week 3 | 3.0 | -41.7% | -15.0% | -21.3% | -43.3% | -24.4% | -10.2% |
Mason TaylorHigh Ankle Sprain | 2025 Preseason | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
David NjokuHigh Ankle Sprain | 2024 Week 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Irv SmithHigh Ankle Sprain | 2022 Week 8 | 9.0 | -17.7% | — | — | — | — | — |
David NjokuHigh Ankle Sprain | 2022 Week 7 | 2.0 | -58.0% | -8.0% | +9.1% | +6.8% | +10.2% | +5.7% |
Zach ErtzHigh Ankle Sprain | 2020 Week 6 | 5.0 | -52.3% | -21.9% | -18.7% | -7.8% | -2.4% | — |
Jordan AkinsHigh Ankle Sprain | 2020 Week 4 | 3.0 | -56.0% | -45.7% | -34.1% | -40.5% | -9.5% | -28.9% |
Drew SampleHigh Ankle Sprain | 2019 Week 10 | 7.0 | +85.4% | +212.6% | +371.5% | +350.3% | +398.0% | +297.4% |
OJ HowardHigh Ankle Sprain | 2018 Week 11 | 6.0 | +35.3% | +55.6% | +26.9% | +48.9% | +37.0% | — |
OJ HowardHigh Ankle Sprain | 2017 Week 15 | 2.0 | -3.3% | +17.5% | -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.