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Fantasy Football 2014: Week 1 Injury Update-Friday Morning

By Zachary Thompson

Aug 22, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) stiff-arms New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) stiff-arms New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a great Thursday night start to the season in Seattle, fantasy football owners are geared up and ready to go for a huge Sunday of fantasy football action.  However, some owners are still wondering if certain members of their roster will be available on game day due to injury concerns.  Here is the latest on the key fantasy injuries heading into the first full week of fantasy action sorted into three categories–plan on playing, plan on sitting, and wait and see:

Plan on Playing

Jul 24, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) and quarterback Tom Brady (12) during training camp at the team practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 24, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) and quarterback Tom Brady (12) during training camp at the team practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /

Rob Gronkowski-TE-New England Patriots: Gronk is all systems go for a week one launch.  He has been limited in practice but should be ready to take on the Dolphins in week 1.

Tom Brady-QB-New England Patriots: Brady missed practice Thursday with a calf issue but confirmed on Thursday night that he’ll be good to go for Sunday’s start.  Bill Belichick likes to play games with his injury report, but Brady isn’t even on it meaning there’s no need for concern heading into Sunday’s season opener in Miami.

Keenan Allen-WR-San Diego Padres: Allen is on the injury report with a rib issue, but he has practiced fully and should be a full go for Monday Night.  Leave him in your lineup for Monday with confidence.

Andre Ellington-Arizona Cardinals-RB: Ellington was limited on Thursday with a foot injury, but it isn’t expected to be serious or a threat to his starting week 1. Durability is definitely still an issue for the former Clemson back, so owners should be ready in the future if this or other injuries become more serious.

Emmanuel Sanders-WR-Denver Broncos: Sanders has a thigh injury but is fully expected to play Sunday Night.  He receives a nice fantasy boost with Wes Welker likely sidelined.

Larry Fitzgerald-WR-Arizona Cardinals: Fitz missed Tuesday’s practice but will be ready for week 1 on Monday Night Football.

Bernard Pierce-RB-Baltimore Ravens: Pierce is ready to step in for the suspended Ray Rice and should be a full go despite his concussion sustained this preseason.

Sammy Watkins-WR-Buffalo Bills: Watkins looks like he’ll be able to play after back-to-back full practices, but his value is still a question mark in the Bills’ struggling offense.

Jordan Reed-TE-Washington Redskins: Reed has practiced in full despite a thumb injury, so use him as you normally would week one. 

Terrance Williams-WR-Dallas Cowboys: Williams missed Thursday’s practice with a back issue, but it is reportedly not a major concern for his week 1 availability.

Wait and See

Cam Newton-QB-Carolina Panthers: The Panthers’ offensive centerpiece will be  a gametime decision for a 4:25 kickoff making him extremely risky to leave in your lineups for this week.  Unless you have a backup with a late or Monday Night game, you may need to give Cam the week on your bench to recover.  See what the vibe out of Panthers camp is tomorrow on his availability as well.

Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches a pass against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell (41) during the second half of the 2013 NFC Championship football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches a pass against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell (41) during the second half of the 2013 NFC Championship football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Crabtree-WR-San Francisco 49ers: It looks like Crabtree will be ready to roll for week one after returning to practice Thursday even on a limited basis. As long as he stays on track, he makes a nice start week 1.

Wes Welker-WR-Denver Broncos: Welker is suspended for four games, but the last-minute NFL collective bargaining could save or shorten that suspension.  It seems like a long shot, but there is a possibility that Welker’s ban is lifted in time for the Broncos Sunday Night Football opener against the Colts.

Josh Gordon-WR-Cleveland Browns: Gordon’s suspension could also be shortened or lifted which makes him worth owning in most formats just in case his current situation changes.

Cecil Shorts-WR-Jacksonville Jaguars: Shorts only practiced a little Thursday with a hamstring issue that has lingered for most of the preseason.  He has some upside in what should be a much improved Jacksonville attack, but don’t count on him this week.

Garrett Graham-TE-Houston Texans: Graham is a gametime decision for week one with a bad back and is a low-end option even if he is able to play.  I’d look elsewhere for week 1 if possible.

Plan on Sitting

Dwayne Bowe-WR-Kansas City Chiefs: Bowe is suspended for week 1 of the season.

Kenny Stills-WR-New Orleans Saints: After a limited practice Wednesday, Stills missed Thursday altogether so he looks likely to miss Sunday’s game in Atlanta.

Odell Beckham-WR-New York Giants: Beckham is still weeks away from returning and isn’t practicing at this point.

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