By Rob Grimwood – @FFBritBaller
The one thing all of us fantasy players dread the most, injuries. Unfortunately, this is part and parcel with NFL life and it’s inevitable that at some point during the season one or more of your players will have the dreaded “questionable” or “doubtful” tags. The tricky bit is wading through the reports to find out the true status of your fantasy stud. Fantasy players are very often used as decoys when injured to fool defences, so it’s important that we’re sure that a player is 100% healthy before deploying into a line-up.
This article will take a look at the top injury concerns that we’re hearing about this week and provide a recommendation as to whether they should be starting for you or if you need to pick up their handcuff from the waiver wire.
Don’t forget to keep your #EyesPeeled for our Twitter feed (@F10YFantasy) this Sunday as we’ll be providing you with updated on the below mentioned injuries.
Top Injury Concern
Chris Godwin, Wide Receiver – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Injury: Concussion
Chance of playing: 20%
Status: Doubtful
It’s never good when a player is suffering with a concussion. It’s also worrying that he didn’t show symptoms until mid-week. It’s even more concerning that the NFL medical team wasn’t able to spot it on the field in the loss to the Saints on Sunday after he was hit and also hit the deck pretty hard.
Nonetheless, thankfully he is getting treated now, but unfortunately this means he’s unlikely to clear the leagues stringent concussion protocol measures before Sunday’s favourable matchup at the Panthers.
Mike Evans (hamstring) was also questionable earlier in the week but with a couple of limited practices and now a full practice on Friday, Evans should be good to claim the main WR1 role on Sunday.
The Panthers defense is not a good unit. They gave up a lot of total yards to Las Vegas in week 1 so expect Tom Brady to exploit that. If Godwin doesn’t suit up as assumed, Scotty Miller will likely see a similar, if not more productive role than his 5 for 73 yard performance last weekend. Miller is WR3/Flex worthy and definitely start worthy in DFS plays.
Other Injury Concerns
Courtland Sutton, Wide Receiver – Denver Broncos
Injury: Shoulder
Chance of playing: 75%
Status: Questionable, Game time decision
It looks better than last week for Sutton to play in the Broncos home opener against the Steelers. However, Head Coach Vic Fangio has reiterated on Friday that he’ll still be a game-time decision.
If Sutton doesn’t play, Jerry Jeudy will once again be a start-worthy option for your lineups; albeit as only a WR3 or Flex as the Steelers defense legit looks impenetrable at times.
Amari Cooper, Wide Reciever – Dallas Cowboys
Injury: Foot
Chance of playing: 90%
Status: Probable
Cooper put in some limited practices this week due to a foot bruise, but has said himself that he will be playing on Sunday vs the Falcons where a shootout is the likely outcome of the match. If he plays, you’re starting him, You’re starting every receiver on both sides of the ball for this one, let’s be real.
DeVante Parker, Wide Receiver – Miami Dolphins
Injury: Hamstring
Chance of playing: 50%
Status: Questionable, Game-time decision
Was on the report last week but played vs the Patriots. However he re-aggravated it during that game and has therefore been limited at practice all week. It’s a true 50/50 if he plays or not, but I personally lean that he doesn’t; especially when Tre’Davious White will be his opposite number this week for the Bills. If I was Parker, i’d just sit this one out.
Henry Ruggs III, Wide Receiver – Las Vegas Raiders
Injury: Knee
Chance of playing: 20%
Status: Questionable
Ruggs looked great in the first half of the Raiders week 1 game vs the Panthers but unfortunately picked up a knee injury in the process. He was 3 for 55 in the first half but failed to add to it in the second half when trying to play through the ailment. That’s lead to some limited practices during the week but has since missed both Thursday and Friday’s practice sessions.
I don’t expect Ruggs will see the field week 2 which could pave the way for fellow rookie Bryan Edwards to have a breakout game after a quiet outing in week 1. With Tyrell Williams (shoulder) missing for the season, there will be down field, high air yard passes up for grabs vs the Saints this weekend.
Will be Playing
Corey Davis (hamstring), Tennessee Titans
Mike Evans (hamstring), Tampa Bay Buccaneers
James Conner (ankle), Pittsburgh Steelers
Miles Sanders (hamstring), Philadephia Eagles
John Brown (foot), Buffalo Bills
Out – DO NOT PLAY
George Kittle (knee), San Francisco 49ers
Kenny Golladay (hamstring), Detroit Lions
Phillip Lindsay (toe), Denver Broncos
A.J Brown (knee), Tennessee Titans
Jamison Crowder (hamstring), New York Jets
Michael Thomas (ankle), New Orleans Saints
For the latest on each player’s status heading into their game make sure you checkout @F10YFantasy on Twitter. Remember, keep those #EyesPeeled.
By Rob Grimwood – @FFBritBaller
Full 10 Yards Fantasy
