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Fantasy Injury Ward - Week 13

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Week 12 was a quiet week in regards to injuries. However, the NFL just now lost the services of 26-year-old safety Eric Berry for the rest of the season due to a serious medical condition. His exact diagnosis is unknown, but multiple sources have reported he may have a type of lymphoma, a group of blood cancers. This is a scary time for him and his family, and he could use as much emotion support as possible.  As usual, the following is a breakdown of all the injuries of notable fantasy football players heading into this week’s games.

As a reminder, there are five status designations players can have: active, probable, questionable, doubtful and out. The active and out designations are self-explanatory. The probable designation signifies a player has a greater than 50 percent chance of being active for the game. Questionable means the player essentially has a 50-50 chance of playing. Doubtful means the player has less than a 25 percent chance of playing.

 

Quarterbacks

Ryan Mallett suffered a torn right pectoral muscle during Sunday’s game. He is done for the season. The Texans will likely choose Ryan Fitzpatrick to once again be their starting quarterback. However, there is a possibility they will opt to start fourth-round rookie Tom Savage—just as a means of evaluating him.

 

Running Backs

Matt Asiata was inactive in Week 12 due to having a concussion. He will need to progress through the NFL concussion protocol prior to being cleared to play. He is questionable for Week 13.

Montee Ball was inactive on Sunday due to a groin injury. He initially suffered a Grade 2 groin strain in Week 5, sat out for five weeks, and then aggravated the injury when he returned to play in Week 11. He has yet to return to practice, and he is expected to miss Week 13. The earliest his fantasy owners should expect him to return is Week 14. C.J. Anderson and Juwan Thompson will continue to lead the Broncos backfield.

Reggie Bush was inactive in Week 12 due to a chronic ankle injury—which seems to be a high ankle sprain. He was a limited participant in last week’s practices, and the Lions listed him as a limited participant for Monday’s hypothetical practice. At this time, Bush appears to be on track to suit up for Thursday’s game against the Bears. Due to his poor production this season, and his high risk of reinjuring the ankle, Bush is nothing more than a low-end flex consideration for Week 13.

Arian Foster suffered a non-contact groin strain in Week 9. As discussed extensively during the offseason, his injury history has made him more vulnerable to suffering lower extremity soft tissue injuries.

For this very reason, the Texans will not push him to return to play until this groin is fully healed. If his groin strain is not fully healed when he returns to play, he will have a high risk of being reinjured—which would require at least another two-to-four weeks of rest.

Foster was a limited participant in last Wednesday’s practice. He was unable to finish that practice due to suffering a setback in his condition.  He was then a non-participant for Thursday and Friday’s practices, and he was inactive for Sunday’s game. Unless he practices fully for two-consecutive days this week, his fantasy owners should not expect him to play on Sunday. At this time, he is questionable for Week 13.

Ronnie Hillman suffered a midfoot sprain in Week 10. A “midfoot sprain” is a generic term. The most common injury that is termed a “midfoot sprain” is a Lisfranc injury.  Initially, it was encouraging that Hillman was not ambulating in a walking boot after he sustained the foot injury. However, after reports indicated he could miss upward of six weeks, it’s now reasonable to believe he may have a Lisfranc injury.

Regardless of Hillman’s actual diagnosis, one thing is certain: he has virtually no fantasy value for the rest of the season. If by some chance he were to return to play by the end of the NFL regular season, it would be very difficult to trust in his conditioning, the integrity of his foot, and his workload. His fantasy owners can drop him without hesitation.  At this time, he is doubtful for Week 13.

Latavius Murray suffered a concussion during his breakout game in Week 12. Considering this is his first-known diagnosed concussion, and that he will have 10 days to rest between games, Murray has a reasonable chance of playing in Week 13. Nevertheless, because concussion symptoms can be erratic, it’s difficult to predict exactly when he will be cleared to play.

In order for him to play in Sunday’s game, he will need to complete the NFL concussion protocol prior to game time. As of Tuesday, he has begun to exercise, but has yet to return to practice. He remains to be questionable for Week 13.

Bishop Sankey suffered a burner during Sunday’s game.  Because the Titans medical staff allowed Sankey to return to the game after he sustained the injury, there is no reason to believe that he has any significant nerve irritation. His fantasy owners should expect him to play in Sunday’s game.

Mike Tolbert was activated from the IR/designated-to-return list in Week 12, the Panthers’ bye week. He is expected to return to the field this week.

 

Wide Receivers

Odell Beckham Jr has a “very sore” back following Sunday’s game, according to coach Tom Coughlin. Beckham may miss some practice time this week, but his availability for Sunday’s game is not in jeopardy. He is a WR1 for Week 13.

Larry Fitzgerald suffered a Grade 2 MCL (knee) sprain in Week 11, and he was inactive in Week 12—just as expected. It typically takes a total of three-to-four weeks for an athlete to return to play after suffering this injury. Fitzgerald is doubtful for Week 13.

 

Tight Ends

Dwayne Allen suffered an ankle injury in Week 11, and was inactive in Week 12. The mechanism of his injury is consistent with a high ankle sprain. Even though Allen tolerated running on a treadmill well on Monday, and is being called “day-to-day” by coach Chuck Pagano, his fantasy owners should not expect him to play in Sunday’s game. His suspected high ankle sprain will need more time to heal.

Jordan Cameron suffered a concussion in Week 8, and he has since been inactive. He practiced last Friday, and he appears to be on track to play in Week 13, per multiple reports. However, his practice participation throughout the week will be the best indicator of his availability for Sunday’s game.

Charles Clay continues to be limited by a hamstring/knee injury. His exact diagnosis is still unknown. He was a limited participant in last Wednesday’s practice, but was then downgraded to a non-participant for the rest of the week. His setback caused him to miss Sunday’s game. At this time, there is no new information regarding his recovery. He is questionable for this week’s game. Clay’s backup, Dion Sims, becomes a playable option for Monday’s game if Clay is unable to return.

Jordan Reed strained his hamstring in Week 11—not the same hamstring he strained earlier in the season. It appears he has a Grade 2 strain, and he will likely miss two-to-four weeks in total. If he does not return to practice this week, his fantasy owners should expect him to be out for at least four weeks in total. He is questionable for Week 13.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins left Sunday’s game early due to a back injury. His exact diagnosis and mechanism of injury are unknown. He was not able to practice on Tuesday. Considering the Buccaneers signed two tight ends on Tuesday, Seferian-Jenkins’ fantasy owners should assume he will be inactive in Week 13.

Julius Thomas missed Week 12 due to an ankle injury he suffered in Week 11. Luckily for him, the injury was not to the ankle he had surgically repaired. He appears to have a low ankle sprain. With the extra week of rest, he has a fair chance of playing in Sunday’s game against the Chiefs. However, if he is not back practicing by Friday, his fantasy owners should begin to panic—he may have a more significant injury. At this time, he is questionable for Week 13.

 

Defensive Linemen

Brodrick Bunkley suffered a torn quadriceps muscle on Monday. He is done for the season.

Nick Fairley suffered a sprained MCL and PCL in Week 8. He is expected to miss four to five weeks in total.

Sharrif Floyd is questionable for Week 13 with a knee injury. His exact diagnosis is unknown, but a recent MRI showed no significant structural damage to the knee.

Chandler Jones could miss the rest of the season due to a hip injury. He is out for Week 13.

 

Linebackers

Lance Briggs is questionable for Week 13 due a groin injury. Briggs suffered the injury during Sunday’s game. Considering the Bears play on Thursday, Briggs is doubtful to be ready in time to play.

Vontaze Burfict is still recovering from his arthroscopic knee surgery. He is questionable for Week 13.

Karlos Dansby suffered a knee injury in Week 11, and he is expected to miss three to four weeks. He is doubtful for Week 13.

Lavonte David missed Week 12 due to a hamstring injury. He is questionable for Week 13.

Brandon Marshall suffered a concussion during Week 12. He will need to complete the NFL concussion protocol prior to be cleared to play. He is questionable for Week 13.

 

Defensive Backs

Robert Alford suffered a wrist injury in Week 11. He is expected to miss two-to-four weeks in total.

Eric Berry was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list on Monday, ending his season. Per multiple sources, Berry may be suffering from lymphoma—a scary situation for this 26-year-old man and his family.

Cortland Finnegan suffered an ankle injury during Week 10, and he has since been inactive. He is questionable for Week 13.

Kyle Fuller left Sunday’s game with a knee contusion. He will be a game-time decision for Thursday’s game.

Kareem Jackson suffered a sprained MCL (knee) in Week 9. He's expected to miss three-to-four weeks in total. He is questionable for Week 13.

Troy Polamalu was inactive in Week 10 and Week 11 due to a knee sprain. The Steelers are planning for his return to be in Week 13, the week after their bye.

Carlos Rogers was inactive in Week 11 and Week 12 due to a knee injury. He is questionable for Week 13.

Aqib Talib left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. He is questionable for Week 13.

 

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