**Updated 01/11 – 13:48 GMT/08:48 EST**
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 Carson/Carlos Hyde/Travis Homer – Running Back – Seattle Seahawks
Injury: Foot/Hamstring/Knee
Status: Questionable/Doubtful/Game Time Decision
Update: All 3 likely game time decisions
The running back position in general has been a big question mark in Seattle since Marshawn Lynch hung up his cleats (the first time) and although Chris Carson has been the de facto RB1, the draft picks of Rashaad Penny (1st round) and Deejay Dallas (4th round) don’t fill us with any confidence.
Carson left last week’s game against the Cardinals with a foot injury and Hyde stepped up to the mark with 15 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown, adding 3 receptions for 8 yards to finish as the RB11 for the week. There was a rush to the waiver wire to pick up Hyde, but he is now listed as doubtful.
Travis Homer was set to be the third man up, but he’s now questionable himself with a knee injury. He’ll be a game time decision.
With Carson, Hyde and Homer all in question, Deejay Dallas should be rostered in most leagues. However, with San Francisco being the stingiest defense against fantasy running backs, I’m cautious to start anybody unless Carson goes.
Other Injury Concerns
Phillip Lindsay – RB – Denver Broncos
Injury: Concussion
Gameday Status: Expected to Play
For those of you that listened to the podcast, you’ll know that I’m touting Melvin Gordon to have a big game against his former team, the Chargers. Part of this, however, was on the basis that Lindsay would be missing.
Having left the game against the Chiefs last Sunday after suffering a concussion, it was an uphill climb for Lindsay in order to be ready for tomorrow. However, he’s been trending upwards all week and just needs the green light from one more test from an independent neurologist in order to roll.
He’ll no doubt take work off Gordon if he goes, but I still expect him to be on the field in a limited fashion if he rolls. Gordon will be desperate to make an impression on the Chargers this week and the Broncos will still want to ensure Lindsay’s wellbeing.
Mason Crosby/Graham Gano – K – GB/NYG
Injury: Calf,Back/Leg
Status: Questionable/Expected to Play
2020, what are you doing to us? TWO kickers on the injury report headed into week 8? As if we needed any more headaches. If you still have kickers in your league (you should), then read on. Otherwise, miss a go and head to the next section.
Last week was the first week that Gano didn’t hit multiple field goals for the Giants since week 1. He’s provided a nice floor at the position and is currently K8 on the season. Although not listed on the injury report, a leg injury is quite significant for a kicker so should be kept an eye on headed into Sunday.
Crosby has been money this year and has only missed 1 of his 32 kicks (a PAT of all things..). He’s K19 but has already has had his bye. The only downside for Crosby (if he plays) will be that I expect the Packers to score a lot of touchdowns – restricting Crosby to PATs.
Questionable
Cordarrelle Patterson – WR – Chicago Bears (Quadriceps) UPDATE: Should Play
Allen Robinson – WR – Chicago Bears (Concussion) UPDATE: Should Play
Tim Patrick – WR – Denver Broncos (Hamstring) UPDATE: Game Time Decision
Mo Alie-Cox – TE – Indianapolis Colts (Knee) UPDATE: Should Play
Bryan Edwards – WR – Las Vegas Raiders (Ankle/Foot)
Tyrod Taylor – WR – Los Angeles Chargers (Chest)
Tyler Higbee – TE – Los Angeles Rams (Hand) UPDATE: Game Time Decision
Dalvin Cook – RB – Minnesota Vikings (Groin) UPDATE: Should Play
Sterling Shepard – WR – New York Giants (Shoulder/Toe) UPDATE: Will Play
Devonta Freeman – RB – New York Giants (Ankle) UPDATE: OUT -DO NOT PLAY
Frank Gore – RB – New York Jets (Hand)
Scotty Miller – WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Hip/Groin)
Rob Gronkowski – TE – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Shoulder/Toe)
Doubtful
Mark Ingram – RB – Baltimore Ravens (Ankle)
John Ross – WR – Cincinnati Bengals (Illness)
Jamison Crowder – WR – New York Jets (Groin)
Richie James – WR – San Francisco 49ers (Ankle) UPDATE: OUT – DO NOT PLAY
Out – DO NOT PLAY
Joe Mixon – RB – Cincinnati Bengals (Foot)
Austin Hooper – TE – Cleveland Browns (Appendix)
Andy Dalton – QB – Dallas Cowboys (Concussion)
Diontae Spencer – WR – Denver Broncos (Shoulder)
Aaron Jones – RB – Green Bay Packers (Calf)
Sammy Watkins – WR – Kansas City Chiefs (Hamstring)
Julian Edelman – WR – New England Patriots (Knee)
N’Keal Harry – WR – New England Patriots (Concussion)
Marquez Callaway – WR – New Orleans Saints (Ankle)
Michael Thomas – WR – New Orleans Saints (Hamstring)
Breshad Perriman – WR – New York Jets (Concussion)
Alshon Jeffery – WR – Philadelphia Eagles (Calf)
Miles Sanders – RB – Philadelphia Eagles (Knee)
Deebo Samuel – WR – San Francisco 49ers (Hamstring)
Jeff Wilson Jr. – RB – San Francisco 49ers (Ankle)
Chris Godwin – WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Finger)
For the latest on each player’s status heading into their game make sure you checkout @F10YFantasy on Twitter. Remember, keep those #EyesPeeled.
