Injury Update-Fantasy Football Saturday Report-Week 8
Jordy Nelson (87) is the biggest name listed this week as a game-time decision. Photo by Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE
We’re heading into another big week in fantasy football, and with the Ravens, Texans, Bills, and Bengals on a bye some teams have more holes to fill. Another reason some teams are stretched thin this week is due to injury.
Here’s the latest as of Saturday morning on all the typical fantasy starters that have dealt with injuries this week:
Out
October 21, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) before playing against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE
Maurice Jones-Drew-Jacksonville Jaguars: MJD has no timetable for his return and most likely will miss 3-4 weeks
Aaron Hernandez-New England Patriots-TE: Hernandez stayed stateside to get two more weeks of rest while the Gronk-led Pats hit London the week before their bye.
Greg Jennings-Green Bay Packers-WR: Jennings will be out for another 3-5 weeks and is having sports hernia surgery on Tuesday.
DeMarco Murray-Dallas Cowboys-RB: Murray is healing and hoping to return week 9, but nothing is definite except that he’s out for this Sunday.
Pierre Garcon-Washington Redskins-WR: Garcon will sit again with a plantar-plate tear in his right second toe.
Rashard Mendenhall-Pittsburgh Steelers-RB: Mendenhall will miss this week but is expected to return as the featured back next week.
Brandon Bolden-New England Patriots-RB: Bolden has been ruled out. Shane Vereen will share duties with Stevan Ridley on Sunday.
Bilal Powell-New York Jets-RB: Powell and Joe McKnight are not expected to be any threat to Shonn Greene in the foreseeable future meaning the Jets running back will be an everydown option this Sunday.
Game-time Decisions
Jordy Nelson-Green Bay Packers-WR: Nelson missed practice yesterday with a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Jacksonville. Unless you can wait for the inactives, plan your lineup without him and def be ready to go another direction since it doesn’t look good for Nelson at this point. He hasn’t missed a game this seasonand didn’t miss one all of last year either, but the Pack may try to get him back to 100% by letting him sit out Sunday.
October 7, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) during introductions before a game against the San Diego Chargers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE
Jimmy Graham-New Orleans Saints-TE: Graham is still a gametime decision for Sunday, but is optimistic about his chances to play. Have another TE ready to go in case he surprisingly isn’t able to go against Denver.
Donald Brown-Indianapolis Colts-RB: Brown is questionable and a game-time decision. Keep him on the bench, but it’s encouraging that he’s made this much progress just two weeks removed from arthroscopic knee surgery.
Mohamed Massaquoi-Cleveland Browns-WR: Massaquoi had a good week of practice according to Coach Pat Shurmur but his availability and role remains to be determined depending on how his hamstring responds and how the other receivers fare Sunday against San Diego.
Laurent Robinson-Jacksonville Jaguars-WR: Robinson continues to recover from concussions and will be limited if he does suite up for Sunday. Robinson is worth noticing, but not picking up at this point.
Isaac Redman-Pittsburgh Steelers-RB: Redman is questionable for Sunday and is dealing with injuries in both his ankles. His workload is expected to be light behind Jonathan Dwyer, but he most likely will suit up against Washington this week.
Expected to Play
Ahmad Bradshaw-New York Giants-RB: Bradshaw is expected to play against Dallas although he’s listed as questionable with continued issues with a bone bruise in his foot.
Hakeem Nicks-New York Giants-WR: Nicks has turned in his first full week of practices and is probable for Sunday. He’ll have to face the Dallas pass defense, but he’s reportedly looked like his old WR1 on the practice field. His fantasy owners can only hope he does on Sunday.
Darren Sproles-New Orleans Saints-RB: Sproles missed practices this week due to illness but is probable and expected to play Sunday.
Trent Richardson-Cleveland Browns-RB: Richardson should be at full strength after a rib injury limited him in practices this week.
Brandon Lloyd-New England Patriots-WR: Lloyd is listed as questionable but fully expects to play Sunday against the Rams.
Oct 21, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones (28) runs the ball during the second quarter before being brought down by Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE
Felix Jones-Dallas Cowboys-RB: Jones was limited Friday in practice but is expected to play and be the Cowboys feature back against the Giants. He’s struggling with knee and neck issues, but should start and play most of the snaps Sunday.
Jermichael Finley-Green Bay Packers-TE: Finley should be ready for Sunday but is still struggling through a shoulder injury.
Brandon Gibson-St. Louis Rams-WR: Gibson is a sleeper I love as he goes against the Pats secondary, but he missed practice Wednesday due to illness. He’s listed as probable though and should be Sam Bradford’s #1 target in London on Sunday.
Brandon Pettigrew-Detroit Lions-TE: Pettigrew has been limited in practice but expects to play Sunday.
Titus Young- Detroit Lions-WR: Young is listed as questionable but should be ready to play against the Seahawks. He may see more work in the absence of Nate Burleson, but is in a bad matchup this week against Seattle.
Daniel Thomas-Miami Dolphins-RB: Thomas has been cleared to return from his concussion and will be Reggie Bush’s backup this Sunday agains the Jets.
Peyton Hillis-Kansas City Chiefs-RB: Hillis is probable and has practiced in full this week. His role in the Chiefs backfield is unclear, but it’s worth noting he’ll be back in uniform this week.