Besides one significant exception, Week 10 was a relatively quiet week in regards to injuries. The exception: just after signing a three-year contract extension, Carson Palmer’s season unfortunately came to an end on Sunday due to an ACL tear. On the brighter side, many fantasy-relevant players will be making their return to the field this week after missing multiple games. The following is a break down of all the injuries of notable fantasy football players, including Bennett and Watkins, 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
Carson Palmer suffered an ACL rupture during Sunday’s game. After the swelling in the knee is sufficiently reduced, the ligament will be surgically repaired. Because he only damaged his ACL, and not other structures in the knee, he has a good chance of being active for the beginning of next season’s training camp. As for now, he will finish the season on the season-ending IR. Drew Stanton is now the starting quarterback for the Cardinals.
Ryan Tannehill was a limited participant in Monday’s walk-through and Tuesday’s practice due to pain in his right shoulder and pain in an ankle. Specifics about the injuries have not been given—except that they are not serious. At this time, his availability for Thursday’s game is not in jeopardy. Nevertheless, his owners are advised to check his status prior to kickoff.
Running Backs
Montee Ball has been out since Week 5 due to a Grade 2 groin strain. He was a limited participant in practices last week, and the Broncos are hopeful he will play in this Sunday’s game. Because Ronnie Hillman will miss time due to a foot injury, if Ball were to play this weekend, he would likely share backfield duties with C.J. Anderson.
Giovani Bernard was inactive in Week 10 due to a hip injury he suffered in Week 8—possibly 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.
There has been no news regarding Bernard since last Thursday—when the Bengals last played. He also did not participate in any practices last week. It is very difficult to determine the type and severity of this injury due to a lack of information. At this time, he should be considered week-to-week. His practice participation throughout the week will be the best indicator of his availability for Week 11. If Bernard does not participate in practices this week, his fantasy owners should be very concerned—because a hip pointer injury rarely takes that long to heal.
Arian Foster suffered a non-contact groin strain in Week 9. As discussed extensively during the offseason, Foster’s injury history has made him more vulnerable to having lower extremity soft tissue injuries. Additionally, his injury history suggests that he will need a minimum of two-to-four weeks of recovery time prior to returning to play—even if he has a Grade 1 strain. 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. If he has a Grade 1 or low-level Grade 2 strain, he could return to play this week. It’s worth noting that his mechanism of injury is more consistent with a Grade 2 strain.
Coming off the bye week, updated information regarding Foster’s health status will not be available until Wednesday. On Monday, Foster hinted to reporters that he thinks he will play on Sunday. At this time, he is considered day-to-day. His practice participation throughout the week will be the best indicator of his availability for Week 11.
Ronnie Hillman suffered a midfoot sprain during Sunday’s game. A “midfoot sprain” is a generic term—not a specific diagnosis. That’s because there are multiple joints located in the midfoot that could be involved. The most common injury that is called a “midfoot sprain” is a Lisfranc injury.
It is encouraging that coach John Fox is calling Hillman day-to-day. That’s a good indication that the injury does not include any complete ligament tears or joint dislocations. Some running backs have been able to return to play with in two weeks of suffering a midfoot sprain. Others, however, have taken upward of six weeks to return. At this time, Hillman appears to be doubtful for Week 11. More will be known regarding the severity of his injury as the week progresses.
Rashad Jennings has been inactive since suffering a sprained MCL (knee) in Week 5. He was a limited participant in last Thursday and Friday’s practices, and the Giants plan on him being a full participant at Wednesday’s practice. At this time, Jennings is expected to be active for Sunday’s game.
Doug Martin was inactive in Week 10 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. He was a non-participant in all of last week’s practices. He remains to be questionable for Week 11.
Ryan Mathews sprained his MCL (knee) in Week 2, and he has since been inactive. The Chargers elected to rest him through their bye, and he has been gradually increasing his participation at team practices. He is expected to be active for Sunday’s game.
Khiry Robinson was inactive in Week 10, his third-straight missed game, due to a forearm injury. Specifics about the injury are unknown. He is considered day-to-day.
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. He is expected to make his return in Sunday’s game.
Wide Receivers
Andrew Hawkins suffered a thigh injury in Week 9, and he was unable to play in last Thursday’s game. He also did not participate in Tuesday’s practice. At this time, he is considered day-to-day. His practice participation throughout the week will be the best indicator of his availability for Sunday’s game.
Devin Hester left Sunday’s game early due to an ankle injury, and he did not return to play. At this time, there is no new information regarding his diagnosis or prognosis for return. He is questionable for Sunday’s game.
Allen Hurns suffered a concussion during Sunday’s game. He will need to complete the NFL concussion protocol prior to being cleared to play. The Jaguars are on bye this week.
Brandon Marshall suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s blowout game. His ankle was injured during a low single-leg open-field tackle. His ankle was hyper-everted and externally rotated. This mechanism of injury is more consistent with a high-ankle injury than a low-ankle injury.
Regardless, coach Marc Trestman indicated the Bears are optimistic that Marshall will play in Sunday’s game. Considering they had time to perform an MRI on Marshall’s ankle and foot, Trestman’s comments are seen as a positive sign that Marshall suffered only a mild injury. More will be known at the end of the week regarding his availability for Sunday’s game.
Allen Robinson will miss the rest of the season due to a stress fracture in his right foot.
Tight Ends
Jordan Cameron suffered a concussion in Week 8, and he has since been inactive. He will need to complete the NFL concussion protocol prior to being cleared to play. He is questionable for Week 11.
Brent Celek suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of Monday’s game. No further information regarding the type and severity of his injury has been released at this time. More will be known throughout the week.
Eric Ebron has been inactive since Week 8 due to a hamstring strain. He was a limited participant in last Thursday and Friday’s practices. If he were able to progress to full participation at practice this week, he would have a good chance of playing in Sunday’s game. At this time, he remains to be day-to-day.
Kyle Rudolph underwent an early-season surgery to repair a sports hernia. He participated in Monday’s practice, and coach Mike Zimmer is optimistic that Rudolph could play on Sunday against the Bears.
Delanie Walker suffered a concussion during Sunday’s game. He will need to complete the NFL concussion protocol prior to being cleared to play. He is questionable for 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
Nate Irving is considered week-to-week due to his knee injury. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
DeMeco Ryans suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, and he is out for the season.
Patrick Willis has been placed on injured reserve with a toe injury, ending his season.
Defensive Backs
Prince Amukamara suffered a torn biceps during last Monday’s game. He is done for the season, and he was placed on IR.
Kam Chancellor is rehabbing from a groin strain. He was inactive for Sunday’s game against the Giants. He is expected to return to practice this week.
Cortland Finnegan suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s game. He is questionable for Thursday’s game.
Troy Polamalu was out for Week 10 due to a knee sprain. He is questionable for Monday’s game.
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