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:
Doubtful
Justin Fields
Melvin Gordon III
Phillip Lindsay
Darren Waller
Adam Shaheen
Miles Boykin
Allen Robinson II
Auden Tate
Mike Thomas
Kadarius Toney
Sterling Shepard
Officially OUT:
Daniel Jones
Damien Williams
D’Andre Swift
Dalvin Cook
Jordan Howard
Trey Sermon
JD McKissic
Kaden Smith
Marquise Goodwin
Cedrick Wilson
Danny Amendola
Deebo Samuel
Jaelon Darden
Antonio Brown
The following notable players practiced in full on Friday and/or carry minimal concern.
Teddy Bridgewater
Zach Wilson
Ben Roethlisberger
Tom Brady
Cordarrelle Patterson
Rashaad Penny - Highly volatile
Travis Homer - Highly volatile
Elijah Mitchell
JaMycal Hasty - Moderately volatile
Antonio Gibson
Cole Kmet - Moderately volatile
Jack Doyle
Pat Freiermuth - Moderately volatile due to re-injury risk
Cole Beasley
Mecole Hardman
Tyreek Hill
Ben Skowronek
Zay Jones
Jaylen Waddle
Preston Williams
DeVonta Smith
Chase Claypool
Rob Gronkowski
Emmanuel Sanders
DK Metcalf
QUARTERBACKS
Kyler Murray - Ankle
Murray was initially injured in Week 8 but since then has been practicing in a limited capacity. At this point, he’s had a month to rehab and even though medial ankle sprains do take time to recover, the QB shouldn’t have an issue suiting up this week. His mobility is another story. There’s still a slight chance he’s limited in the rushing department and another minor chance of re-injury. However, given the conservative approach the Cardinals have taken, the only time to think about fading Murray is for cash games. If you want any further confirmation K1 will play, here’s a quote for you. The flip side to this conversation is that there’s an outside chance Arizona is looking at the weather projections in Chicago and worried about re-injury which would lead to both sitting. I think this is the least likely scenario.
Jalen Hurts - Ankle
The Hurts ankle injury did imply a minor “high ankle” mechanism but it seems he escaped serious injury. By video, it also appears he was cleated which actually may be the main culprit. Bruised ankles aren’t fun to play through but this doesn’t necessarily mean his rushing will be impacted. Overall, Hurts is moderately volatile but not a fade in cash, just pick your spots with him this week.
RUNNING BACKS
James Robinson - Heel/knee
Robinson has seen a significant cut in snaps since returning from injury. As a result, he can’t confidently be used in cash lineups or high stakes leagues where floors are important. He needs to see that volume again. Here are the splits.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire - Illness
CEH was dealing with an illness that led to him sitting out practice on Friday. The Chiefs said this shouldn’t be a big deal and expect him to play. Dehydration is always an issue to be concerned about, but given the face he’ll have another two days to prepare, CEH should be healthy in Week 13.
Darrell Henderson Jr - Thigh
Henderson was limited in practice on Friday which means he has a chance to suit up and play. This injury was originally listed as “quadriceps” then changed to “thigh”. The important difference is that if this was simply a deep thigh bruise, Henderson will likely be okay. If it’s a quad strain, there’s a chance Henderson sits. Either way, Sony Michel got most of the first team reps this week and given the unknown nature of the injury, Henderson is moderately volatile if active on Sunday due to volume concerns.
Josh Jacobs - Ankle
Jacobs has banged up with an ankle injury earlier this season and in 2020 so there’s a decent chance this is a re-injury. Full transparency, when injuries occur in practice there’s little context to go off of and make predictions. For that reason, Jacobs is moderately volatile.
Boston Scott - Illness
Scott is dealing with non-COVID illness all week and didn’t practice at all. This means the illness was legitimate and dehydration/fatigue/weakness might be in the cards for Scott. The RB position is a wasteland, but Scott is still moderate to maximally volatile this week. Watch what the Eagles do on Saturday in terms of roster moves for more context.
Miles Sanders - Ankle
Sanders re-aggravated the right ankle injury last week. So, even though he was a full participant on Friday, he remains moderate to maximally volatile due to reinjury risk as lateral ankle sprains do tend to linger and nag at players.
Alex Collins - Groin
Mr. Underwhelming himself has been dealing with this groin issue for a while now. It shouldn’t impact his ability to disappoint you along with the rest of the Seahawks offense.
TIGHT ENDS/WIDE RECEIVERS
Logan Thomas - Hamstring
Thomas returned on a snap count of about 79% last week but made it out unscathed. Usually, he plays 100% of the snaps (really) so they should continue to ramp him up this week. Re-injury rate is about 20% but making it through the first week
DeAndre Hopkins - Hamstring
Hopkins has been battling this issue after re-injuring once before this season. Luckily, he’s had time to rest and the same principle of sitting due to weather applies. However, Hop is always a game time decision and it seems like he’ll play this week with a lowered ceiling until he can show he’ll stay healthy.
Brandin Cooks - Illness
The severity of Cooks’ illness is unkown but what is known is that he was out of practice until Friday. A similar concept of generalized fatigue applies to Cooks as it does to Boston Scott. Cooks is one catch away from paying off, though, so his moderate volatility should be taken with a grain of salt.
Odell Beckham Jr - Hip
The Rams have said OBJ will play despite the hip injury. This seems minor, so full sails ahead.
DeSean Jackson - Calf
A mid-thirties NFL receiver with a soft tissue strain? No thank you unless it’s in the milly-maker and you need a ceiling.
John Ross
Corey Davis - Groin
Davis is highly volatile this week until he can prove the groin issue is behind him.
Curtis Samuel - Groin
He remains highly volatile as the Football Team will continue to work him in.
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
Dalvin Cook - Week 15/16
Kadarius Toney - Week 15/16
Michael Carter - Week 15/16
D’Andre Swift - Week 15/16
The silver lining is that Swift is considered “day-to-day” but that still implies the injury wasn’t nothing. The average return to play for an AC sprain is 10 days, but that would be cutting it close depending on the severity (grade) of the injury.. Realistic managers should expect this to go 2-3 weeks and give a sigh of relief if it’s only a one game absence.
Darren Waller - Week 14/15
Daniel Jones - Week 14
Deebo Samuel - Week 15/16
J.D. McKissic - Week 14 -- ???
Justin Fields - Week 14/15
A.J. Brown - Week 15/16
Alvin Kamara - Week 14
Sterling Shepard - Week 14
Allen Robinson - Week 14/15
Will Fuller - ???
Julio Jones - Week 14/15
Chase Edmonds - Week 14/15
DeVante Parker - Week 14/15
