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 so get them out of your lineup!
Christian McCaffrey
Saquon Barkley
Damien Williams
Nick Chubb
DeVante Parker
Sammy Watkins
Kenny Golladay
The following notable players practiced in full on Friday and/or carry minimal concern.
Justin Fields
Aaron Jones
Adam Thielen
Ben Roethlisberger
Marvin Jones Jr
Courtland Sutton
Darren Waller
David Njoku
Derrick Henry
DK Metcalf
Josh Jacobs
Justin Jefferson
Kadarius Toney - Min to mod volatility
Lamar Jackson
Peyton Barber
Preston Williams
Robert Tonyan
Darnell Mooney
Tyreek Hill - Min to mod volatility
QUARTERBACKS
Kyler Murray - Shoulder
Last year, Murray had a very similar AC joint injury that impacted his performance.
This year seems to be a repeat of that situation which could cap Murray’s ceiling through the passing game the next couple of weeks. This week will be a litmus test to test that theory and as a result, Murray carries moderate volatility but is not a full fade.
Daniel Jones - Concussion
Jones is on track to clear protocols. Be sure to triple check on Sunday morning. Jones does carry moderate volatility as it’s his first week back from the brain injury.
RUNNING BACKS
Dalvin Cook - Ankle
Cook is not listed on the Vikings’ final injury report but will have to pass the eye test this week before fully “releasing” him as a non-volatile fantasy back. Minimal volatility in Week Six.
Joe Mixon - Ankle
Mixon isn’t out of the woods - or as close to out of the woods - as Dalvin Cook. Mixon had a Wednesday DNP before ultimately being LP again on Friday. This is on the heels of a week in which he saw just 28% of snaps but did find the endzone. Now that Samaje Perrine is out due to COVID, Mixon could see the uptick in volume. However, how he handles the volume remains to be seen. Despite Cincinnati saying he’ll get a full workload, this is a situation to be cautious about as Mixon’s high ankle sprain didn’t magically disappear. High ankle sprains are slow to heal and take time. The question is whether or not Mixon has had enough time. He’s moderately volatile this week.
Kareem Hunt - Wrist/Knee
It appeared Hunt had a minor MCL sprain towards the end of Week Five which kept him out of practice two days in a row. This seems like a less serious issue than Chubb’s and they were likely being extra cautious with Hunt during the week to protect him.
Antonio Gibson - Shin
There’s no doubt Gibson is playing through pain due to this stress fracture. However, it’s difficult to advise anyone to bench him based on the results and his consistent 55% to 60% of snaps. This stress fracture may result in issues down later this season, but fire up Gibson with minimal to moderate volatility.
Ezekiel Elliot - Ribs
Zeke picked up a ribs bruise in Week Five but should be ready to roll in Week Six with minimal volatility.
Chase Edmonds - Shoulder
Edmonds’ workload took a minor dip in Week Five but he made it through the game without injury. He carries minimal volatility in Week Six.
D’Andre Swift - Groin
As always, Swift is questionable with a groin injury that hasn’t seemed to impact his performance. Fire him up with your usual confidence.
Damien Harris - Ribs
The mode for missed time after a ribs injury in 1 game. However, Harris is practicing in a limited capacity giving him a chance of suiting up. This is a pain tolerance issue so understand that he will carry moderate to maximal volatility due to re-injury risk.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Terry McLaurin - Hamstring
McLaurin was DNP on Friday apparently due to “an abundance of caution”. James Palmer suggests McLaurin should be active regardless. Despite the vote of confidence, make sure to triple check McLaurin is active on Sunday. He carries minimal to moderate volatility as tightness can progress to a full-on strain in a perfect storm. Don’t over-expose yourself this week.
Mike Williams - Knee
Williams hasn’t practiced all week after suffering what appeared to be on video an MCL sprain. The head-scratcher here is that a few plays later he caught a touchdown pass. The bottom line is Los Angeles is either not concerned at all and are simply giving him a rest week or he was never going to be active in the first place. If he’s active in Week Six, start him.
Chase Claypool - Hamstring
Claypool was limited all week with a hamstring strain after being FP leading up to Week Five. This is a yellow flag and as a result Claypool will need to play through this week before dropping the moderate volatility tag.
A.J. Brown - Hamstring
Brown played through Week Five and saw just 64% of snaps. Expect that to increase in Week Six. He’s minimally volatile.
Julio Jones - Hamstring
Because of Jones’ recent 2020 history with this hamstring issue and because of his age, he’s maximally volatile despite a FP this week. I need to see it from Julio first before fully trusting he’s back.
Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard - Hamstring
Similar to Brown in Week Five, these WRs are moderately volatile as they’ll ease him in, they could re-aggravate, or both.
TIGHT ENDS
T.J. Hockenson - Knee
This mystery injury might be slowing him down but from a work perspective, Hock is still seeing around 80% of snaps which is normal for him. He carries minimal volatility.
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.
Russell Wilson - Week 12/13
Wilson’s camp will do all they can to bring Wilson back in Week 10 (the soonest he can return) but he’ll likely need more time than that.
Christian McCaffrey - Week Seven
McCaffrey apparently did not suffer a setback and instead the Panthers are being extra cautious with him. This is great news for his Week Seven status but like we learned this week, things can change on a dime.
Jarvis Landry - Week Six/Seven
Theoretically, the Browns have until Saturday to activate Landry this week.
Nick Chubb
It’s not clear if Chubb has a strain or was “cleated”. The best case scenario for a strain is missing 1-2 games much like Aaron Jones did in 2020. If more severe, this could lead to 3-4 missed games the way George Kittle is set to do. Either way, the Browns IR moves over the next 24 hours will help us determine the exact severity.
DeVante Parker - Week Eight/Nine
Sammy Watkins - Week Eight/Nine
Rob Gronkowski - Week Seven/Eight
Trey Lance - Week Seven/Eight
Rashod Bateman - Week Six
Russell Gage - Week Six/Seven
Damien Harris - Week Six/Seven
Jerry Jeudy - Week Seven/Eight
Saquon Barkley - Week Seven/Eight
Kenny Golladay - Week Seven/Eight
Julio Jones - Week Six
Darius Slayton - Week Six/Seven
Sterling Shepard - Week Six
Rashaad Penny - Week Seven/Eight
Chris Carson - Week Six/Unknown
Carson’s (presumably) arthritic neck is a volatile injury. He could be back this week and look spry or he could have another flare on his first carry and be out another few weeks. Carson is highly volatile the rest of the season.
Tua Tagovailoa - Week Six/Seven
JaMycal Hasty - Week Seven/Eight
Michael Thomas - Week Seven/Eight
Marquez Valdes-Scantling - Week Seven/Eight
Tyrod Taylor - Week Seven/Eight
George Kittle - Eight/Nine
Will Fuller - Week Eight/Nine
David Montgomery - Week Eight/Nine
Logan Thomas - Week Eight/Nine
Jeff Wilson - Week 10-12
Clyde Edwards-Helaire - Week 10/11
Ryan Fitzpatrick - Week 10/Unknown
Tyrell Williams - Unknown
Curtis Samuel - Unknown
