ESPN’s Turron Davenport has reported that Tennessee Titans WR Treylon Burks has been carted off the practice field. Here’s the latest on what we know, with more details to come as they are made available.
What We Know About Treylon Burks’ Injury
Davenport reported that Burks made a deep catch from quarterback Ryan Tannehill for a touchdown. At that point, Burks fell to the ground and got up limping. He walked off with help from the trainers who were holding his left knee. Davenport then reported that Burks was carted back to the locker room. No additional details are known at this time.
Tyler Dunne, the founder of Go Long, noted that Burks was visibly upset and that fellow wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins came over to offer some encouragement.
It has since been reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that Burks suffered an apparent LCL sprain. Rapoport added that although a serious scare, the injury should only cause Burks to miss a few weeks.
#Titans WR Treylon Burks suffered an LCL sprain during practice today, sources say after the MRI. This is good news, as Burks should only miss a few weeks. A scare, but a solid result considering. pic.twitter.com/aIw4FsVC7t
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 16, 2023
Just a few weeks ago, PFN Insider Adam Caplan reported that Burks, entering his second year, was ready to make a big jump in productivity this year.
Burks, a first-round pick, missed six games as a rookie and wasn’t always in good enough physical shape. Yet, sources said the word around the team is that Burks looked like a different player during OTAs and is “primed” for a big jump this season.
Fantasy Impact
Kyle Yates, PFN’s Fantasy Director, recently noted in his 2023 fantasy breakouts article that Burks reportedly has worked hard on his conditioning, he’s looking more explosive in drills, and another full offseason to develop chemistry with Ryan Tannehill can’t exactly hurt.
Should he miss significant time, Yates says that DeAndre Hopkins’ fantasy football upside spikes in his first season with the Titans. As long as Derrick Henry is on this team, it’s never going to be a wide-open structure, but one pass catcher can certainly hold value.
Last season, when a WR/TE caught at least five passes for Tennessee, they averaged 13.6 fantasy points per game, a number that would have been a top-15 receiver. Hopkins is currently being drafted as WR20 in the fourth round, a draft day cost that stands to jump by a round or so if bad news surfaces around Burks.
If Burks doesn’t miss significant time, Yates added that while the signing of DeAndre Hopkins doesn’t seem like it helps Burks’ outlook on the surface, having a bonafide WR1 to steal away the defense’s attention should only put Burks in more advantageous situations.
The target totals may not be jaw-dropping, but A.J. Brown — who Burks compared favorably to coming out of Arkansas — proved that he didn’t need 150 targets to be a fantasy star in this Titans offense. Now, whether he will have a chance to prove himself remains to be seen.