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Fantasy Injury Ward - Week 10

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The biggest injury-related news following Week 9: Nick Foles is out for the remainder of the regular season, and Mark Sanchez will get a second chance to prove he can be a competent NFL starting quarterback. The following is a break down of all the injuries of notable fantasy football players heading into Week 10.

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

Nick Foles suffered a fractured clavicle during Sunday’s game. He will not have surgery to fixate the fracture, so he will be out for six-to-eight weeks. Regarding Foles’ fantasy value, he has none. Mark Sanchez will be the Eagles starting quarterback for the foreseeable future.

Phillip Rivers injured his right hand during Sunday’s blowout game against Miami.  He was pulled from the game in the third quarter due to the out-of-hand score—not because of the injury. The Chargers are on bye this week, and they will return in Week 11 to play Oakland. At this time, Rivers’ hand injury appears to be mild, and his availability for Week 11 is in no way at risk.

Aaron Rodgers suffered a Grade-I or low-end Grade-II left hamstring strain in Week 8, then the Packers were on bye in Week 9. Three facts indicate his strain is not severe. First, after suffering the injury, Rodgers kept grabbing and rubbing the hamstring’s muscle belly. That suggests he did not suffer an injury to the hamstring tendons—which take longer to heal than the muscle belly.  Secondly, he was able to jog after he sustained the injury.  Lastly, according to coach Mike McCarthy, Rodgers was a full participant in Monday’s workout. Considering the evidence, it appears Rodgers will start on Sunday against the Bears, a very fantasy-friendly opponent for him.

Tony Romo suffered two transverse process fractures in Week 8, and the Cowboys medical staff inactivated him in Week 9.  As noted in previous injury reports, a fractured transverse process commonly causes intense pain and the occurrence of muscle spasms—likely the reason he missed Sunday’s game. Fortunately for Romo, his fractures cannot cause nerve damage, and they do not compromise the structural integrity of his spine. Once his pain and muscle spasms are adequately controlled, he can return to play.

On Tuesday, he took part in a light walk-through session. As of now, he is scheduled to fly to London with his team, but his status for Sunday’s game is still questionable. Considering the Cowboys’ bye is Week 11, and they play four divisional games after the bye, they will likely hold Romo out this week—as a precautionary measure—if he continues to have significant tightness and pain. His fantasy owners are advised to roster a backup quarterback for this week. He will likely be a game-time decision.

 

Running Backs

Montee Ball has been out with a grade-II groin strain since Week 5. He is expected to miss a total of four-to-six weeks. The Broncos are hoping he will return to practice on a limited basis this week. Considering his lack of production this season, and the emergence of Ronnie Hillman, Ball will likely not regain the starting job when he returns to the lineup. As of now, he is questionable for Sunday’s game.

Giovani Bernard was inactive Sunday due to a hip injury he suffered in Week 8—likely a hip pointer. A hip pointer is a contusion to the brim of the pelvis, the iliac crest, and symptoms can include: localized muscle spasms, intense pain, decreased strength and reduced range of motion. Bernard did not practice at all last week, and he was missing from Tuesday’s practice. Considering the Bengals play on Thursday, Bernard does not appear to be on pace to play this week. At this time, he should be considered doubtful for Week 10.

Reggie Bush has been inactive since Week 7 due to an ankle sprain. After resting through the bye week, he was able to fully participate in Monday’s practice. Bush appears to be on track to play in Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.

Arian Foster suffered a non-contact groin strain during Sunday’s game. As discussed extensively during the offseason, Foster’s injury history has made him more vulnerable to having lower extremity soft tissue issues. Additionally, his injury history suggests he will need more than a week to return from this strain—likely two-to-four weeks. Because it’s unclear whether he is suffering from a Grade 1 or Grade 2 strain, an accurate prognosis for his return cannot be made. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that his mechanism of injury is more consistent with a Grade 2 strain.

The Texans are on bye this week, so further information regarding Foster’s health will be unavailable until next week. As for now, his fantasy owners are advised to make the necessary moves to roster another playable running back for Week 11, just as a backup plan.

Fred Jackson suffered a grade-II groin strain during Week 7. Specifically, a small portion of the adductor longus muscle, a groin muscle, was pulled from its insertion site on the bone, per Mike Rodak of ESPN. Running backs typically have a difficult time recovering from this injury. Sprinting and lateral cutting, the primary movements of a NFL running back, can exacerbate the injury if the athlete’s hip adductor muscles are not adequately healed. With that in mind, Jackson will likely be out for a total of three to four weeks.

According to the Bills official website, Jackson was working with the training staff during Monday’s practice. His practice participation throughout the rest of the week will be the best indicator of his availability for this week’s game. At of now, he should be considered questionable for Sunday’s game.

Rashad Jennings has been inactive since suffering a sprained MCL (knee) in Week 5. He has recently expressed hope that he will make his return in Sunday’s matchup against the Seahawks. Nonetheless, until he fully participates in practice, his words do not hold much weight. At this time, he is questionable for Sunday’s game.

Doug Martin was inactive on Sunday due to an ankle injury he suffered in Week 8. His original mechanism of injury was more consistent with a high ankle sprain than a low ankle sprain, and there were reports that he had significant swelling following the injury. All are indications that this injury is more severe than what was initially reported.

Martin did not practice at all last week. Unless he is able to fully participate in a practice this week, it’s difficult to trust that he will be available for Sunday’s game. At this time, he is questionable for Week 10.

Ryan Mathews sprained his MCL (knee) in Week 2, and he has since been inactive. Last Friday, he was a limited participant in practice—which is a big step for his recovery. But as expected, the Chargers elected to rest him through their bye, this week. Mathews will likely make his return in Week 11.

Lamar Miller suffered an AC joint sprain during Sunday’s game. The two most significant determinants of how long he will miss are the grade of his sprain and his arm range of motion—as the AC joint sprain can restrict his overhead reaching motion. He was a limited participant in Tuesday’s practice. His fantasy owners should monitor his practice participation throughout the rest of the week. At this time, he is questionable for Sunday’s game.

Khiry Robinson has a forearm injury. Specifics about the injury are unknown. He has been inactive for the past two weeks. Later in the week, more will be known regarding his availability for Sunday’s game.

C.J. Spiller suffered a clavicle fracture during Week 7. The Bills placed him on their injured reserve list with a designation to return. He will be eligible to return on December 21 against the Raiders.

Pierre Thomas suffered a shoulder injury in Week 7, and he has since been inactive. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported Thomas’ shoulder injury would keep him sidelined for two to three weeks in total. His exact diagnosis is still unknown. Later in the week, more will be known regarding his availability for Sunday’s game.

 

Wide Receivers

Andrew Hawkins suffered a knee/thigh injury during Week 9. If the Browns would have held a practice on Monday, he would have been a non-participant, according to the Browns official website. He was also a non-participant in Tuesday’s actual practice.  Considering the Browns play on Thursday, Hawkins seems to have a slim chance of playing. Nevertheless, coach Mike Pettine believes Hawkins will be a game-time decision.

Calvin Johnson is continuing to recover from his high ankle sprain. As expected, the Lions opted to rest him through their bye week.  He was a full participant in Monday’s practice, and he is expected to play in Sunday’s game.

Wes Welker took a big hit to the back on Sunday, and he was forced out for the remainder of the game. There were no significant findings on the imaging of his back. Coach John Fox is calling him day-to-day at this time. He is questionable for Sunday’s game. Regardless of his game status, Welker is barely playable in any fantasy formats.

 

Tight Ends

Jordan Cameron suffered a concussion in Week 8, and he was inactive in Week 9. He will need to complete the NFL concussion protocol prior to being cleared to play. Cameron was a non-participant in Tuesday’s practice. He is doubtful for Thursday’s game.

Eric Ebron missed Week 8 and Week 9 due to a hamstring injury. Following the bye week, he was still unable to practice on Monday. He has a long way to go in order to play on Sunday. He is questionable for Week 10.

Kyle Rudolph is still recovering from his sports hernia surgery. He is expected to return to the Vikings in Week 11.

 

Defensive Linemen

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

Lamarr Houston suffered an ACL tear in Week 8, and he will be out for the rest of the season.

Chandler Jones could miss the rest of the season due to a hip injury. He is expected to miss at least six weeks.

 

Linebackers

Lance Briggs has been inactive since Week 6 due to a rib injury. He resumed practicing on Monday. He is probable for Sunday’s game.

Jadeveon Clowney was inactive in Week 9 due to the flu. The Texans are on bye this week.

Nate Irving is considered week-to-week due to his knee injury.

Rolando McClain left Sunday’s game early due to a knee injury. He is questionable for Week 10.

DeMeco Ryans suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, and he is out for the season.

Patrick Willis has been considered day-to-day with a toe injury for the past couple of weeks. Nevertheless, he was inactive in Week 9. He is questionable for Sunday’s early game against the Saints.

 

Defensive Backs

Prince Amukamara suffered a torn biceps during Monday’s game. He is expected to be done for the season, and be placed on IR.

Morgan Burnett was inactive for Week 8 due to a calf injury. He participated in Monday’s team workout. He is probable for Sunday’s game.

Kam Chancellor is rehabbing from a groin strain. He is expected to play in Week 10 against the Giants.

Kyle Fuller suffered a broken hand and hip pointer in Week 7. He played in Week 8, but left the game early due to a hip injury. Following the bye week, coach Marc Trestman is optimistic that Fuller will play in Sunday’s game.

Janoris Jenkins suffered a knee injury in Week 7. His exact diagnosis is unknown at this time. He has been inactive for the past two weeks.  He is probable for Sunday’s game.

Troy Polamalu is out for Week 10 due to a knee sprain.

Samuel Shields was inactive in Week 8 due to a knee injury.  He participated in Monday’s team workout. He is probable for Sunday’s game.

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