UPDATED - 5:00 pm, Friday, September 23rd: All updates will be done in RED.
The Week 3 injury report is growing at an exponential rate (Antonio Gates and Beanie Wells were just added this AM), with players seemingly being added by the minute so I’m going to cut to the chase here.
In total, there are roughly 25 players or so most will be interested and listed here today, but if there is a player I left out, just imply ask about him below.
I’ll separate the players listed as “probable” from everyone else, but I recommend reading the analysis provided.
KEY: Q – questionable / D – Doubtful / UN – uncertain / D2D – Day to Day / GTD - Game time decision
The Probables:
- Brandon Lloyd, Kenny Britt, Santonio Holmes and Stevie Johnson have all been upgraded to full practice, and are clear to play on Sunday. These receivers are worthy of WR 2 and 3 status and hold a lot of value coming into this week.
- Percy Harvin and Darrius Hewyward-Bey were also upgraded to full practice and cleared for this week. Harvin and Heyward-Bey seemed slower than usual, and will probably show the after effects of their respective injuries. They are more risky than the other four receivers mentioned above.
- Cam Newton’s foot injury won’t prevent him from starting this week.
- Doctors now say that Tony Romo’s lung has completely healed. Romo missed Friday's practice due to pain. The official word on Romo won't come until Saturday due to the Cowboys playing Monday night, but it isn't looking to favorable right now.
- Barring any setbacks, Michael Vick will play this week against the woeful Giants.
- Last but not least, Chargers’ RB Mike Tolbert will start this week.
|
Player |
Status |
News |
| Steven Jackson – RB – STL |
Q to D |
Gave it a go at practice but didn’t get much done. Keep him on the bench. |
| Felix Jones – RB – RB |
Q |
Will start with that shoulder, but won’t be of much use. Keep him benched in favor of better options. |
| Knowshon Moreno – RB – DEN |
GTD |
Moreno was limited in Thursday’s practice. He’ll be limited at best if he does in fact start, so keep him on the bench. Moreno was limited once again in Friday's practice and is listed as a game time decision. I believe coach Fox will go with the hot runner who is also healthy...McGahee. |
| Antonio Gates – TE – SD |
Q |
Gates was listed as being on the sideline in Thursday’s practice with a leg/foot injury. Details are still dicey, so check back after 5PM (EST) for the official word. Gates returned to practice Friday along with Vince Jackson,but Gates was limited which is why he is listed as questionable. Don't be surprised if this becomes an on-going thing each week, and don't be surprised if Gates' production is a little low this week against the Chiefs. |
| Cadillac Williams – RB – STL |
Probable |
Williams’ hamstring has been bothering him, but the word is right now? He will play. If you are really hurting at RB, grab Jerious Norwood just in case things change by day’s end. Will play this week, but his snap count could be in a time-share with Norwood. No fantasy value here. |
| Malcolm Floyd – WR – SD |
OUT |
Floyd is dealing with that groin injury, and is in serious danger of missing this week. Keep him benched. Will not play. |
| Beanie Wells – RB - ARI |
GTD |
Wells himself tweeted that he is “all good” but the true test will be what he does in practice today, and what the official word is later this afternoon. I’d grab Chester Taylor for insurance if you are that bad off. Coach Wisenhunt declared Wells a game time decision after Friday practice. Soooo, did you scoop up Taylor yet? |
| Jacoby Ford – WR – OAK |
OUT |
Isn’t likely to play which is hurting his break season potential. Will not play against the Jets this week. |
| Arian Foster – RB – HOU |
GTD |
Foster is currently day to day, but isn’t likely to carry the load over Ben Tate until he is fully recovered. Foster is now an official game time decision...keep him benched. |
| Brent Celek – TE – PHI |
D2D |
Celek’s MRI on his back came back negative and I officially listed as day 2 day. If you have another TE, I’d use him instead of Celek. |
| Dez Bryant – WR – DAL |
Probable |
Was able to practice, likely to start, but Romo's status will determine Bryant's potential value. |
| Mario Manningham – WR – NYG |
OUT |
Misses practice again; unlikely to play. You can bench him this week. |
| Greg Salas – WR – STL |
Probable |
Upgraded to full practice, likely to play. Start a better option at WR if you have one. |
Great “Dane-s”, and Marijuana, Batman! Most of you may already know that Cowboys receiver Miles Austin is expected to be sidelined until Week 6, but what you may not know is the recent news surrounding Bengals receiver Jerome Simpson. Simpson will be sat this week, and perhaps permanently, after the fuzz discovered 8.5 pounds of the smokey chiba at his house. Bengals receiver Andre Caldwell will step in and could become the next hot waiver wire option after this week.
And finally, Chicago Bears receiver Earl Bennet is now officially out of this week’s contest against the Packers with what is being labeled as a “torso” injury—rookie Dane Sanzenbacher will start in Bennet’s place. Sanzenbacher got everyone up in arms last week with his late game touchdown, but the fact is we’ll have to see more from him going forward in order to qualify him as a new fantasy starter.
If you are in a pinch and need a WR off the WW—especially in deeper formats—he could make for a nice flyer this week.
Stay Tuned, and be sure to check back at the end of the day for the final reports.
- Lee Evans - WR - OUT: Evans return is unknown right now, Tandon Doss may get the nod.
- Danny Amendola - WR - Return Week 6: He has his motion back, but the Rams will not rush his return which is schedule for after their Week 5 bye.
- Michael Crabtree - WR - Will Play: Crabtree will play against the Bengals, but doesn't have a good matchup (Leon Hall) and is not 100 percent healthy...keep him benched.
- Sidney Rice - WR - Debuts Sunday! A big round of applause for Sidney Rice as news out of Seattle is he will in fact start, which is actually horrible news when you consider the current passing game in Seattle right now. Still he is worth a spot on your watch list.
- Peyton Hillis - RB - Questionable: Out of the clear blue, Nate Ulrich on Twitter is reporting that Hillis is listed on the Browns injury report as Questionable with an illness. All other reports do, however, suggest he is likely to play but it could come as a time-share with Montario Hardesty.
