I’ll refer you to my post at FFLockerRoom again for my Week 17 injury post.
http://fflockerroom.com/2012/12/29/fantasy-football-week-17-injury-update-t-richgronkmjd/
And just FYI, I’ll update the blog soon with a post about the recent rash of ACL injuries both during Week 16 and over the last few seasons. Hopefully it’ll give some insight into why the ACL is so important and why it’s so difficult to come back from.
Here’s my link to this week’s injured folks: http://fflockerroom.com/2012/12/15/fantasy-football-week-15-injury-report/
Two extra thoughts: RG3 not playing is huge. I hope RG3 owner’s treated him like they did Michael Vick, as the running QB who is also slim in stature is always a dangerous combination. I think Kirk Cousins will be adequate, but I can’t imagine he puts up the numbers (or anything near them) that RG3 does. Also, Cousins did seem to look Pierre Garcon’s way a few times in his limited snaps, and veteran wideouts are very valuable to young QBs. Look for Garcon to benefit either way.
Also, Roddy White is looking like he’s not going to play this week. There’s still a chance he suits up, so keep an eye on the situation tomorrow morning, but with him not practicing Thursday or Friday, it’s hard for me to imagine that he’d be ready to go out there and be anywhere near 100% with so much time taken off this week. I’d look elsewhere to be on the safe side, but monitor the situation tomorrow AM.
Just wanted to say I hate both the Saints and Falcons for singlehandedly killing my Week 13. Specifically, Marques Colston and Roddy White….I’m done with you both (unless I need you in Week 14, at which time I will love you again)
On a happy note (for me at least), I do not own Drew Brees or Matt Ryan.
That is all
Yes, I know, I’ve been lagging. Sorry folks, but I’ll make it up to you by actually giving GOOD advice this week. Here we go:
Matt Forte: He is definitely OUT, but I mention him here because there was speculation that he could possibly play, which is a great sign. Obviously, keep him out of your lineup this week, but considering this could have been a 6 week ordeal, it’s nice to know we could be revisiting this next week.
Marshawn Lynch: Full participation all week, including Friday. He’s all systems go, put him out there.
Steven Jackson: He was out of practice all week, which is never a good sign for his availability on Sunday. Groin injuries are tough, as Greg Jennings (more on him later) owners know all too well. They have a tendency to linger, especially with cutting and pushing off, as this muscle group helps stabilize the hip during dynamic movements. Had he been limited in practice and not out, I may feel better. But I don’t think he plays this week, so hopefully you snatched up Daryl Richardson as a handcuff this week. I’d sit Jackson.
Dexter McCluster: He’s been listed as questionable and was limited in practice all week with a shoulder injury. No word on an exact diagnosis, I’m assuming nothing more than a sprain (maybe landed on the shoulder wrong) or some rotator cuff/biceps tendonitis. Either way, neither shoulder be enough to keep him out of the game, so unless it’s something that’s more serious than they’re letting on, he should play. But monitor the inactive report Sunday morning, as we can benefit from the Chiefs playing the early game.
Marques Colston: He’s been limited all week with this lingering foot injury. I’m getting more concerned about it because he was absolutely nonexistent last week. It’s just regarded as a “sore” foot, so take that for what it’s worth. But this sounds like something that can linger all year if he continues to play through it. If you would normally play him, do so. But just know this type of injury doesn’t just disappear with continued play. He’s played through pain before, let’s see if he can do it again.
Jeremy Maclin: So I was wrong about him last week and he ended up playing and scoring a TD. But it looks like he’s suffering the consequences of playing too early because he looks like he is OUT this week due to sorriness and pain in the hip. Like I said last week, hip pointers are a pain-tolerance type of injury, meaning these bone bruises are slow to heal and don’t do so on their own. He’s better off taking this week off and giving himself more time to rest because that’s the only way it’ll improve. We’ll revisit him next week and see how he practices leading up to the Week 4 contest. Damaris Johnson will start in his place if you’re looking for a deep sleeper (I can’t really tell you anything about him because I have no clue who he is)
Desean Jackson: He, on the other hand, came through last week’s game fine with no aggravation of his hamstring issue, although he didn’t contribute fantasy-wise like Maclin did. With Maclin out, he’s the guy this week, with only Damaris Johnson and Jason Avant behind him. They have a tough matchup against the Cardinals potent defense, so that tempers my excitement a bit. I like him because he’s the 1st option this week, but I don’t think he’s anything more than a WR3 at this point until he shows me something.
Jonathan Dwyer/Rashard Mendenhall: I lump them together because they have a direct effect on each other. Mendenhall has already been ruled out as he tries to bounce back from ACL surgery, so we know that much is true. Dwyer has been plagued by a sprained toe, but he is listed as probable and should be good to go this week. I just don’t like this whole RB situation in Pittsburgh at all. When Mendenhall comes back, that’s 3 mouths to feed and Mendenhall won’t just become a 20+ carry guy right away. They’ll limit his carries/plays for a few weeks and go from there, which makes this the timeshare from hell. I’m still in the “avoid Mendenhall’s ACL” camp, so I’d just as well stay away for this week and beyond.
Heath Miller: Listed as probable with sore ribs, it appears he’ll tough it out and play against the Raiders. Considering his matchup, I like him this week to catch a TD (yup, I’m tying predictions into these posts now)
Antonio Gates: He practiced fully Thursday and Friday, which is a change from last week’s limited participation. I’ll be the first to admit I was shocked and wrong about him last week. He looks ready to go this week and I think with the return of Ryan Mathews (more on him in a second), the Chargers offense should be it’s dynamic self again. Remember, Gates spent the offseason dropping weight to take pressure off his chronically hurt feet, so he’s poised to go back to his dynamic self. He looks ready to start that this week. Play him
Ryan Mathews: Cleared for contact, 7 weeks post surgery, listed as probable. The stars are finally aligning for Mathews. I predicted a Week 3 return, so him being ready doesn’t surprise me. I’m going to hold my breath the first time he takes a pop, but as long as he bounces back up, he should be good to go. I”d play him this week with confidence.
Brandon Lloyd: He’s been officially listed as questionable with a thigh injury, as he was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday. Not a great sign, but with no information on Patriots injuries ever being public knowledge, I’d have to speculate it’s a femoral (thigh bone) contusion or some quad tightness/strain. I wouldn’t worry about him sitting this week, as it seems like it’s more precautionary than anything else. If you would normally roll him out, do so this week, even against a good Ravens D.
Greg Jennings: He was limited in practice and there’s a momentum push that he’ll be available on Monday. But that’s tricky if you don’t have someone playing on Monday who you could sub in just in case he can’t go. The risk is putting him in your lineup at the expense of a solid WR and having to sit Jennings last minute for someone like Doug Baldwin. Gut feeling: He plays, he’s not 100%, the Seahawks D is underrated and very solid in the defensive backfield, so I’d sit him. Again, that’s my gut feeling, he could easily play at less than 100% and contribute (a la Jeremy Maclin), but I’m not the risk taking type with Monday nighters.
Probable Guys Who Are Locks to Play, Therefore Require No Explanation: Miles Austin, Calvin Johnson, Drew Brees, Mark Sanchez, Roddy White, Julio Jones
Ryan Mathews: He has officially been cleared for contact and was a limited participant in practice, with full pads. Impact: I’m more comfortable waiting to see how he plays at game speed at least once before I play a guy who was just cleared. If you’re desperate, he’s a solid play this week if you really don’t have a legit backup. Wait for reports tomorrow and Saturday; if all looks good, play him.
Jeremy Maclin: Sat out practice today with no participation. Impact: Sit him this week. Not worth the risk
Darelle Revis: Did not practice today and more info won’t be known until Fri/Sat at earliest. Impact:</em My guess is he will play, but with teams needing an independent neurologist to clear concussed players, there’s a chance he doesn’t play if he still has ANY semblance of concussion symptoms. I think the Jets D is still a solid play, even against the Steelers, but without Revis on Mike Wallace, the field opens up quite a bit for Antonio Brown and Heath Miller.
Jake Locker: Full participant in practice today. Impact: If this continues through the rest of the week, he’s good to go.
Calvin Johnson: Sat out Wednesday’s practice with a foot injury suffered during Sunday’s game. Reports are he will still play Week 2 and that he is out for precautionary reasons. Impact: He’s cut from the Adrian Peterson/Bo Jackson (ya I just went old school on you) mold, in that he’s such a physical specimen that you just count on him performing every week until a firm OUT designation is given to him. Play him this week.
Jonathan Stewart: He was listed as a full participant in practice today. Impact: If he participates fully tomorrow and has no setbacks, I’d roll him out this week. He’s, in my opinion, the best back on that team because he’s a big part of the run and pass game.
Antonio Gates: He sat out practice today with soreness in the ribs and the hope is that he practices fully tomorrow. Impact: I still like him this week. He’ll wear a flak jacket and take some pain mess and will be good to go. I can’t envision a scenario where he sits unless he has a practice setback.
Roddy White: Word is he was limited in practice today with a groin injury. Impact: Very surprising considering I hadn’t heard anything about this going into today. I wouldn’t be concerned, especially since he has an extra day with the Monday night game. If he’s a full participant, he plays. I’d be a teeny bit worried if he is t a full participant, but I think he has a minor issue and will play (I have him on one of my teams and there’s nothing I’ve heard so far that screams “bench him”.
Ziad Dahdul 