If you run in NFL social media circles, you’ve likely encountered Dr. Jesse Morse.
According to his X bio, he’s a “Board Certified Family & Sports Medicine physician” and “Regenerative Medicine (PRP, Stem Cell) expert,” who also goes by “The Fantasy [Football] Doc” and is the owner of TheInjuryExpertz.com.
Over the years, Dr. Morse has built a following of more than 105,000 on X by providing armchair analysis of NFL injuries in an attempt to better inform fantasy football participants about their players. Despite not actually treating the players he’s analyzing, Morse often presents his informed opinions as fact — as was the case last week when he diagnosed Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson with a high ankle sprain.
On Wednesday, Morse reposted the video of his initial diagnosis, expressing surprise that Watson was able to return to practice so quickly. That resulted in a response from one social media user who informed “The Fantasy Doc” that while the injury was initially believed to be a high ankle sprain, that diagnosis ultimately proved incorrect.
“FYI, it WAS NOT a high ankle sprain. That was just what they initially thought it was,” Tazim Wajed wrote. “He’s pacing to expectation for what he has!”
Morse was quick to dismiss the correction.
“I watched the video, yes, it was,” he said.
I watched the video, yes, it was
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) October 9, 2024
Wajed attempted to correct him again, which resulted in Morse listing his credentials. Wajed reiterated to the doctor that he was wrong and that an X-ray and MRI confirmed that the second-year wide receiver had suffered a medial sprain, not a high ankle sprain.
At this point, Morse must have realized that he wasn’t dealing with just a random Packers fan, but rather Watson’s father. He then backtracked by stating that there was no way he could have known that was the case, even though a quick Google search of Wajed’s name would have resulted in some pretty obvious clues.
I assumed you were a troll and a generalized Packers fan trying to debate with me.
I get lots of fans who do that.
How I am supposed to know that you’re his father?
Does it say it on your profile? No.
On your pinned tweet? No.
The way he injured his ankle is classic for a…
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) October 9, 2024
As many took to social media to mock Morse for the mistake, he continued to defend himself by claiming there was no way he could have known that Wajed was Watson’s father and thus had better information than he did. That, however, hardly explains why The Fantasy Football Doc was so dismissive of somebody offering a dissenting opinion, especially when by his own admission, he was merely basing his diagnosis on a video.
While Morse’s information might be useful to fantasy football players, diagnosing injuries from a distance is always going to have its limitations. If nothing else, Watson’s practicing earlier than expected should have indicated that perhaps his initial analysis was wrong. Plus, doing minimal research on Wajed would have likely clued him that the person he was interacting with had an inside track on the matter.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.