This article will be updated as practice reports roll in throughout the weekend. For the most up to date injury data between updates, bookmark this link and check it periodically.
What This Is:
*A no-nonsense quick-hitting analysis of fantasy-relevant player injuries that could impact performance on game day.
*A preview of the current week’s fantasy-relevant players with an injury through Friday night.
General Guidelines:
The following general rules apply for big shake-ups on the weekend:
*Players who are downgraded from full or even partial practice to “Did Not Practice” on Friday or Saturday, for any medical reason, are a long shot to play. Typically you’ll see teams say these players are a “game time decision” which is code for “they ain’t playing”.
*Players who have a concussion have up until Saturday night/Sunday morning to clear the protocol.
*If no “final update” is available, the player has either been officially ruled out or no news is good news.
The following players have already been ruled out as of Friday evening and/or are unlikely to play so get them out of your lineups:
Jared Goff
Antonio Brown
Sterling Shepard
Amari Cooper
Zach Wilson
Aaron Jones
Alvin Kamara
Elijah Mitchell
JaMycal Hasty
Jeremy McNichols
Hayden Hurst
Ricky Seals-Jones
DeAndre Hopkins
Miles Boykin
Allen Robinson II
Anthony Schwartz
Allen Lazard
Ty Montgomery
The following notable players practiced in full on Friday and/or carry minimal concern.
Lamar Jackson
Justin Herbert
Eno Benjamin
Tua Tagovailoa
Rex Burkhead
Carlos Hyde
James Robinson
Justin Jackson
Jalen Richard
Josh Jacobs
Brandon Bolden
Damien Harris
Devontae Booker
Jordan Howard
Austin Hooper
Jack Doyle
Travis Kelce
Kaden Smith
Marquise Brown
Rashod Bateman
Cole Beasley
Emmanuel Sanders
Darnell Mooney
Donovan Peoples-Jones
Jarvis Landry
CeeDee Lamb
Davante Adams
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Brandin Cooks
Danny Amendola
Tyreek Hill
Keenan Allen
Adam Thielen
DeVonta Smith
DK Metcalf
Deebo Samuel
Chris Godwin
AJ Brown
Terry McLaurin
QUARTERBACKS
Aaron Rodgers - Toe
It doesn’t feel like Rodgers will sit and he’s said as much himself. But of course, he’s the last person to trust with anything - even your fantasy team. Rogers’ mobility very well could be limited. He’s moderately volatile at this point but don’t fade him too much as he doesn’t need to practice to play and be effective. I’m taking the wait-and-see approach personally in cash and letting it rip in tournaments.
Kyler Murray - Ankle
This is a tricky spot for Murray managers. He said this week he’s “close” and has been limited in practice since late last week. The Cardinals have two options - the first is obviously to play Kyler and risk aggravating the ankle. Alternatively, they can sacrifice Colt McCoy, who is also dealing with an injury of his own. Logic would imply a team who wants to “keep the big picture in mind” for their starter will choose the latter and allow the Week 12 bye for some added rehab time. However, as we’ve seen time and time again, our logic isn’t NFL head coaching logic. So, if Kyler is active, don’t anticipate a ceiling game as his mobility still may be hampered. He’s not a cash game play.
Baker Mayfield - Body
If you’re reading this blurb with legitimate curiosity in order to make a decision, I’m sorry to you and your fantasy football season. Mayfield is highly volatile and that’s really all that needs to be said.
Jared Goff - Oblique
Okay I take the Baker blurb back - if you’re reading this blurb then you may as well throw in the towel. It doesn’t look like he’ll be a go which makes the Browns defense an obvious candidate.
RUNNING BACKS
Miles Sanders - Ankle
Sanders was designated to return which is not the same thing as being activated. The Eagles have until Saturday afternoon to make the move. In terms of the low ankle sprain, there’s minimal reason to believe Sanders won’t be ready to roll. There’s minimal concern for re-injury but the biggest concern will be how much volume he’ll get if active in Week 11. He’s moderately volatile with low-moderate risk of sitting altogether as of today.
Saquon Barkley - Ankle
Welcome back SaSaquad! In the pre-season I touted Barkley, ahem, frequently coming off the ACL injury. Make no mistake, before this freak ankle injury (which has nothing to do with his surgically repaired knee) Barkley was well on his way to Christian McCaffrey levels of usage. The current concern for the next couple of weeks is how his body will respond to the up and down workloads of rehab-games-rehab-practice-games as the research shows this places athletes at risk for soft tissue strains. Regardless, in his first week back with Devontae Booker also banged up, take advantage of the potentially low ownership for Barkley in DFS and fire him up in season-long. The time has come.
Jamaal Williams - Thigh
Williams was limited all week but he has a decent chance to play now that Jermar Jefferson has been ruled out. This matters for D’Andre Swift’s volume.
Elijah Mitchell - Finger/Ribs
Mitchell didn’t practice this week making his return highly unlikely for Week 11. There’s no telling what Shanahan will do but with JaMycal Hasty trending towards sitting as well, it’s probably the Jeff Wilson Jr. show.
Latavius Murray - Ankle
Murray is coming off a high ankle sprain and it remains to be seen if he’ll be active after a week of limited participation. Not that he was a world-beater, but Murray is moderately volatile due to re-aggravation risk if active this week. There’s about a 20% decrease in fantasy production in week one after a high ankle sprain so don’t expect anything too special.
Alex Collins - Groin
Collins has battled this groin issue for a few weeks now so there’s always a chance for re-aggravation. He’s moderately volatile despite the full practice on Friday.
Antonio Gibson - Shin
I said I was out on Gibson in October in terms of projecting his health. That’s not to say he’s completely dust (as evidenced by last week’s performance) but the fact that he was off the report then back on it after the bye week is sketchy to say the least. This injury can pop back up at any point so tread lightly.
TIGHT ENDS
Dallas Goedert - Concussion
This is Goedert’s second concussion since entering the league (the first was when he was sucker punched in a bar). That leads to a moderate risk of re-injury in his first week back but don’t fade him too hard.
Rob Gronkowski - Back
Gronk is coming back this week but due to his age, significant injury history, and recent ribs fractures and presumed subsequent spasms, he's at high risk until he can get through a game.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Chase Claypool - Toe
Claypool practicing in full is as best-case scenario as possible considering the Steelers were concerned this injury would end his season initially. However, he does carry moderate volatility as these injuries can be nasty and linger/recur. I’m waiting a week before instilling full confidence in Claypool with cash games and high stakes leagues but he’s fine in tournaments and season-long leagues as a starter.
TENTATIVE PROJECTED RETURN DATES:
The following dates are based primarily on updates directly from beat reporters or the team. When appropriate, historical data & clinical experience are used to refine these dates. They are educated guesses. Not set in stone.
Derrick Henry - Week 16-18
Henry returning before 10 weeks is the least likely scenario to happen
DeAndre Hopkins - Week 13/14
Kyler Murray - Week 13/14
Jared Goff - Why do you even need to know?
Do you need help playing fantasy football? It doesn’t matter when he comes back, you shouldn’t need to play him. You aren’t actually playing him…right?
Amari Cooper - Week 13
Aaron Jones - Week 14
The GB medical staff is famously conservative and the Packers have a Week 13 bye. Even though this is reportedly a 1-2 week absence, conservatively plan for a Week 14 return and be happy if it’s in Week 12. If you’re in a decent position to make the playoffs, now is the time to poach away Aaron Jones from another flailing manager.
Alvin Kamara - Week 12 - 14
Sterling Shepard - Week 13/14
Miles Sanders - Week 11/12
Allen Robinson - Week 12/13
Elijah Mitchell - Week 12/13
Antonio Brown - Week 13/14
Will Fuller - Week 12/13
Logan Thomas - Week 12/13
This hammy is going the distance for Thomas and even when he returns, there’s a risk of re-aggravation. Tread lightly if he returns next week.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire - Week 11/13
Kareem Hunt - Week 11/12
Julio Jones - Week 13
Chase Edmonds - Week 13/14
DeVante Parker - Week 13/14
Nick Chubb - Week 11/12
