Fantasy Football Week 2: Friday Injury Updates
Even though we’re only at the second week into the fantasy football season, injuries and suspensions are already starting to force owners to change their lineups. For more fantasy football rankings and lineup help, visit our fantasy football page and for up-to-the-minute injury info follow us @FansidedFantasy on twitter.
As of Friday morning, here is the latest on all the fantasy-relevant injuries sorted into categories based on whether players are expected to play, expected to sit, or their status is still up in the air:
Expected to Play
A.J. Green-WR-Cincinnati Bengals: Green didn’t practice Thursday after being limited Wednesday. There hasn’t been much buzz about him missing week 2, so it’s probably just precautionary, but double-check after Friday’s practice.
Eddie Lacy-RB-Green Bay Packers: Lacy was cleared from his concussion and back in Packers practice Thursday. He looks like he’ll be ready to go against a tough Jets run defense in the Pack’s home opener Sunday. He’s a fringe RB1 this week, but I still like him to be in the top ten the rest of the season.
Andre Ellington-RB-Arizona Cardinals: Ellington missed Wednesday’s practice, but Coach Bruce Arians was very positive about his recovery from Monday night’s contest against the Chargers. He should be back to practice by the end of the week and ready to run against the Giants as a RB2 in week 2.
Doug Martin-RB-Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Martin returned to Bucs practice Thursday and looks to be ready to return after a leg injury cost him part of week 1. He’s in a nice matchup against the Rams, but he doesn’t appear to be locked in as an every-down option making him a low end RB2.
Michael Crabtree-WR-San Francisco 49ers: Crabtree is back in full practice this week and should be ready to be the ‘Niners top option on Sunday Night Football against the Bears.
Toby Gerhart-RB-Jacksonville Jaguars: Gerhart sprained his ankle in week one and it limited what he could do the rest of the game. He should be ready to go this week and is a low end RB2 against a Redskins D that Arian Foster exploited week one.
Keenan Allen-WR-San Diego Chargers: Allen is still battling a rib issue but he hasn’t missed practice or games because of it yet. The bigger concern for Allen’s owners should be his matchup against the Seahawks.
Cecil Shorts-WR-Jacksonville Jaguars: Shorts didn’t practice Thursday but did give t a go Wednesday without suffering any setbacks. He should be able to play on Sunday as Jacksonville travels to Washington.
Reggie Bush-RB-Detroit Lions: Bush was back to full practice Thursday, and he should be a full go for this week’s game against the Panthers. It’s a tough matchup for him so he’s a flex play or RB3 this week in my opinion.
Knowshon Moreno-RB-Miami Dolphins: Moreno has been limited in practice with a shoulder issue, but he’s a strong flex play this week against the Bills.
Ahmad Bradshaw-RB-Indianapolis Colts: Bradshaw missed some practice this week with “general soreness.” The Colts are just trying to keep their RB fresh, though, and he is expected to be a full go for Monday night against the Eagles.
Marqise Lee-WR-Jacksonville Jaguars: Lee sustained a hamstring injury Wednesday in practice, but he was able to return on Thursday which is a good sign for his availability this Sunday against Washington. He’s a deep league sleeper worth owning, but he’s not worth a start in most formats.
Status Unknown
Brandon Marshall-WR-Chicago Bears: Marshall hasn’t practiced yet this week but is hopeful to play on Sunday in San Francisco. Check back tomorrow to see if he can give his ankle a go in practice, but if not he’ll be a dicey gametime decision that owners will likely have to bench since he plays on Sunday Night Football.
Alshon Jeffery-WR-Chicago Bears: Like his teammate Marshall, Jeffery hasn’t practiced at all this week. His hamstring could hold him out this weekend, so be sure to see if he practices Friday and have an alternative plan in place. If Marshall and Jeffery both miss the game, veteran Santonio Holmes could be the Bears top receiver.
Wes Welker-WR-Denver Broncos: Welker could be immediately reinstated if the new drug policy is accepted by the NFLPA on Friday. His status is a huge factor for owners headed into the weekend so stay tuned for breaking news if you own him.
Jordan Cameron-TE-Cleveland Browns: Cameron did not practice Thursday and his status for Sunday against the Saints isn’t clear. His shoulder injury doesn’t look to be long-term, but he may miss a little bit of time. Stay tuned for more updates as gametime approaches.
Josh Gordon-WR-Cleveland Browns: Gordon’s suspension will be adjusted by the new drug policy, but there’s no clarity as to what it will be after the adjustment. Gordon was and is good enough to be owned in all leagues on the potential that he’ll return at any point this season.
DeAngelo Williams-RB-Carolina Panthers: Williams was sore and missed practice Thursday with a thigh injury. He may be in jeopardy of missing Sunday’s game which would give Jonathan Stewart a chance to be the primary back for Carolina against the Lions. Check back to see what his status is after Friday’s practice.
Expected to Sit
Maurice Jones-Drew-RB-Oakland Raiders: MJD had a procedure on his hand but isn’t expected to miss significant time. He looks like he’ll miss this week making old friend Darren McFadden suddenly fantasy relevant once again as he gets the call on Sunday against the Texans.
Ben Tate-RB-Cleveland Browns: Tate is out 2-4 weeks with a knee injury leaving backfield duties to rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell.
Jordan Reed-TE-Washington Redskins: Reed has yet to resume practice and will not suit up for Sunday’s game. He is currently week-to-week but worth holding if you can afford the roster space since he’s a TE1 with upside when he takes the field.
Kenny Stills-WR-New Orleans Saints: Stills has been limited all week and will probably not play this Sunday in Cleveland. Even if he does, he’ll be an extremely risky play until he shows he’s ready for a role in the Saints offense.