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
OBJ (illness), Jarvis Landry (hip, rib), Baker Mayfield (chest/ribs)
Team: Cleveland Browns
Status: All expected to play
It’s been a busy week in the Cleveland medical room as the top-3 players in the Browns passing attack have flagged up on the injury report. The status of these three players is particularly important considering that Cleveland are up against the stingiest run defense in the league – Pittsburgh.
Odell has been battling an illness this week – reportedly NOT Coronavirus – but has seemingly recovered and is now expected to play. It’s been multiple niggles for Landry who has suffered with his hip and ribs but, like his LSU teammate, he’s expected to go. Baker, however, suffered a rib injury against the Colts last week and looked like it was bothering him during the game. He’s expected to play, but I speak from experience when I say that playing through a rib injury is painful (I’m sure Tyrod Taylor will back me up if you don’t believe me!).
Cleveland look to have finally shrugged off the curse that’s seemingly struck them since… well.. forever. They’re tied for the lead in the AFC North win with 4 wins and head to Pittsburgh this weekend to try and knock off the undefeated Steelers. Baker will need to be on his game and, despite being a run first team, Cleveland will have to win this one through the air.
If all three start, you’re playing them all in your fantasy teams.
Other Injury Concerns
Chris Godwin, Wide Receiver – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Injury: Hamstring
Gameday Status: Good to go
Chris Godwin doesn’t have an injury designation headed into the week 6 tilt against the Green Bay Packers. But, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t proceed with caution. A hamstring is a difficult one for any player, let alone a wide receiver and there is a possibility that he will serve as a decoy in what is likely to be a shootout.
Godwin had decent fantasy weeks in 1 & 3 and has a fair matchup against this Packers secondary. He starts in your lineup, he has to, but don’t be too disappointed if he doesn’t deliver stat lines like those we got accustomed to last year.
Leonard Fournette, Running Back – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Injury: Ankle
Chance of playing: 75%
Status: Expected to play
The second Buccaneer in the segment, Fournette has been a limited participant in practice with an ankle injury for the second straight week. He played just one snap in the Thursday Night Football loss to the Bears last week, and is expected to have a limited role again this week.
Starting Fournette is like drinking seawater when stranded in the desert – you’re thirsty (short on running backs), see Fournette is active for the game (water), start him (drink the water) and die (lose your fantasy matchup). There you have it, fantasy advice and a life survival tip in one.
Should be Playing
Adrian Peterson (illness) – Detroit Lions
Curtis Samuel (knee) – Carolina Panthers
Darius Slayton (foot) – New York Giants
Drew Lock (shoulder) – Denver Broncos
Out – DO NOT PLAY
DeSean Jackson (hamstring), Philadelphia Eagles
Alshon Jeffrey (illness), Philadelphia Eagles
Noah Fant (ankle), Denver Broncos
Dalvin Cook (groin), Minnesota Vikings
Dawson Knox (calf), Buffalo Bills
Dionate Johnson (back), Pittsburgh Steelers
KJ Hamler (hamstring), Denver Broncos
Melvin Gordon (illness), Denver Broncos
Mo Alie-Cox (knee), Indianapolis Colts
Sammy Watkins (hamstring), Kansas City Chiefs
Jordan Akins (ankle/concussion), Houston Texans
For the latest on each player’s status heading into their game make sure you checkout @F10YFantasy on Twitter. Remember, keep those #EyesPeeled.
