Week 13 is upon us. The bye weeks are finished, and many teams—both real and fantasy—are making their final push to get into the playoffs. The following is a breakdown of all the injuries of notable fantasy football players heading into Week 13.
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 last Sunday’s game. He is done for the season. Ryan Fitzpatrick will once again be the starting quarterback for the Texans.
Running Backs
Matt Asiata was inactive in Week 12 due a concussion. He was cleared to return to play this week, and he was a full participant in Thursday and Friday’s practices. He is probable for Sunday’s matchup against the Panthers. He will have a healthy workload in this week’s game due to Jerick McKinnon being out with a back injury.
Montee Ball has yet to return to practice after aggravating his Grade 2 groin strain in Week 11. The absolute earliest his fantasy owners should expect him to return is Week 14. C.J. Anderson 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. Saturday Update: Bush was a limited participant in Tuesday and Wednesday’s practices, and he was inactive for Thursday’s game against the Bears. He is day-to-day.
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. Saturday Update: Foster was a limited participant in three-consecutive practices this week. After Wednesday’s practice, coach Bill O’Brien said he looked good. Foster is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Titans. He is expected to play.
Ronnie Hillman suffered a midfoot sprain in Week 10. It’s reasonable to believe he has a Lisfranc injury. Saturday Update: Hillman has yet to return to practice since suffering this injury. He is out for Week 13. C.J. Anderson will get the start.
Jerick McKinnon has been dealing with a low back injury for the past few weeks. His condition worsened following last Sunday’s game against the Packers. Saturday Update: McKinnon did not practice this week, and he is out for Sunday’s game against the Panthers. The Vikings backfield will consist of Joe Banyard, Matt Asiata and Ben Tate in Week 13—with Asiata having the highest upside.
Latavius Murray suffered a concussion during his breakout game in Week 12. 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 he has yet to return to practice. Saturday Update: Murray was a limited participant in Wednesday and Thursday’s practices, but was downgraded to a non-participant for Friday’s practice. He likely had an exacerbation of symptoms following Thursday’s practice—which moves him back a stage in the NFL concussion protocol. He is officially out for Week 13.
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. Saturday Update: Tolbert practiced fully throughout the week. He will be active in Sunday’s game against the Vikings.
Shane Vereen is on the Patriots injury report due to an ankle injury he sustained in Week 12. His mechanism of injury is not apparent in the game film. Saturday Update: Despite having been a limited participant in three-consecutive practices this week, Vereen is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Packers. His fantasy owners should expect him to play. Nevertheless, they should check his status prior to kickoff. Among the Patriots running backs, Vereen is expected to receive the most touches this week.
Wide Receivers
Odell Beckham Jr had 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. Saturday Update: Beckham was a full participant in all of this week’s practices. He is listed as probable for Week 13, and he is expected to play.
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. Saturday Update: Fitzgerald did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but was upgraded to a limited participant in Friday’s practice. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, and he will be a game-time decision. He is more likely than not going to be inactive. If he does play on Sunday, his MCL would not be completely healed. For that reason, regardless of his game status, Fitzgerald should be benched in all fantasy leagues this week.
Brandon LaFell is listed on the Patriots’ injury report due to a left shoulder injury that he sustained in Week 12. Saturday Update: LaFell practiced on a limited basis throughout the week. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, but his fantasy owners should expect him to be available. Nevertheless, they are advised to check the pregame inactives.
Mike Wallace is listed on the Dolphins’ injury report due to a chest injury that he sustained in Week 12. Saturday Update: Wallace has practiced on a limited basis throughout the week. He is listed as probable for Monday’s game against the Jets. He is expected to play.
Roddy White is listed on the Falcons’ injury report due to an ankle injury. His exact diagnosis or mechanism of injury is unknown. Saturday Update: White did not practice this week, and he is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. Coach Mike Smith expressed optimism that White would play on Sunday. Because coaches are often inaccurate in their comments about injuries—or simply dishonest—White’s fantasy owners are advised to take Smith’s comment with a grain of salt, and they should check his status prior to kickoff.
Due to White’s lengthy experience in the league, he is capable of being productive without having practiced throughout the week. If he plays on Sunday, he will be a low-end WR2. This is partially due to his ankle injury, and it is partially due to the fact he will face Patrick Peterson for a significant portion of the game.
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. Saturday Update: Allen did not practice this week, and he is out for Sunday’s game.
Jace Amaro will be inactive in Week 13 due to having a concussion.
Jordan Cameron suffered a concussion in Week 8, and he has since been inactive. He was a limited participant in last Friday’s practice. His practice participation throughout the week will be the best indicator of his availability for Sunday’s game. Saturday Update: Cameron was a limited participant in practices throughout the week, but he failed to complete the final stage of the NFL concussion protocol. He is out for Week 13.
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 Week 12. Clay’s backup, Dion Sims, becomes a playable option for Monday’s game if Clay is unable to return. Saturday Update: Similar to last week’s events, Clay was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, but was then downgraded to a non-participant for the rest of the week. He is listed as doubtful for Monday’s game. He is expected to be inactive this week.
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. Saturday Update: Reed practiced fully on Friday. He is listed as questionable, but it appears he will be active for the game. Nevertheless, his fantasy owners are advised to check his game status prior to kickoff.
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. Saturday Update: Seferian-Jenkins was a limited-practice participant throughout the week. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. His fantasy owners should check his game status prior to kickoff.
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. Saturday Update: Thomas did not practice on Wednesday, but was upgraded to a limited participant in Thursday and Friday’s practices. According to multiple sources, he was looking good during drills in Friday’s practice. He is officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, and he is expected to be a game-time decision. Unfortunately for his fantasy owners, his game is on Sunday night. In order to attempt to play Thomas this week, his owners would need to own another tight end that plays on Sunday night or on Monday night.
Defensive Linemen
Nick Fairley suffered a sprained MCL and PCL in Week 8. He is expected to miss four to five weeks in total. He was inactive in Week 13.
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.
Linebackers
Lance Briggs has been placed on injured reserve. His season is over.
Vontaze Burfict is still recovering from his arthroscopic knee surgery. He is out for Week 13.
Karlos Dansby suffered a knee injury in Week 11, and he is expected to miss three to four weeks. He is out 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 doubtful for Week 13.
Kareem Jackson suffered a sprained MCL (knee) in Week 9. He's expected to miss three-to-four weeks in total. He isn’t due back until Week 14.
Troy Polamalu was inactive in Week 10 and Week 11 due to a knee sprain. He is expected to play in Week 13.
Carlos Rogers was placed on injured reserve. He is done for the season.
Aqib Talib is questionable for Week 13 due to a hamstring strain.
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