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Week 6, Your Starters are hurt, Now What?

October 17, 2009 by Kurt Turner

 
Jerricho Cotchery is doubtful for the Jets this week as they face the Bills making Braylon Edwards' stock even higher.

It didn't take Jets QB Mark Sanchez long to get on target with new addition Braylon Edwards. He will be an even more integral piece of the Jets receiving corps with Jerricho Cotchery and Brad Smith doubtful for this Sunday's contest against Buffalo.

Here are the rest of the injuries around the NFL: 

ARIZONA CARDINALS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Cardinals TE Stephen Spach (ankle) is out with an ankle injury. His replacement is 10th-year TE Anthony Becht who has three catches for 32 yards this season. WR Steve Breaston (knee) is also questionable after being limited all week. If he can’t make it that Jerheme Urban, who made four catches for 41 yards last week in a 28-21 win vs. the Texans. The Seahawks have the ninth-ranked passing defense but the Cardinals have the 3rd-ranked passing offense — 279.8 a game.

WR Nate Burleson (back) is questionable for the Seahawks after being limited all week. Last week he recorded six catches for 98 yards, and third on the depth chart —Deion Branch had two catches for 23 yards in the 41-0 thrashing of the Jags. Expect the vet to step up in his absence against the Cardinals 32nd ranked pass defense — 303.0 a game.

BALTIMORE RAVENS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Vikings WR Percy Harvin (shoulder) has been limited this week and is questionable. First-year WR Jaymar Johnson who returned a few punt returns the last few weeks may have to step up. He’s never caught an NFL pass, but who better to throw it than Brett Favre this week. Even with T Phil Loadholt (ankle) out last week vs. the Rams, Adrian Peterson ran 15 times for 69 yards and two TDs for the Vikes.

G Steve Hutchinson (back) is probable, Loadholt is ques. but don’t let that be a reason you don’t play Favre, let it be because the Ravens have the 3rd ranked rush defense. On the flip side the Ravens have the 26th ranked pass-defense

T Jared Gaither is out for the Ravens who have the fourth-ranked O, and their big player’s shouldn’t miss a beat. This one could be full of O, so different when thinking about a Ravens game. 

BUFFALO BILLS at NEW YORK JETS

The Bills are expected to get two of their best defensive players this week vs. the Jets — LB Paul Posluszny and S Donte Whitner will go up against a Jets O that is trying to get a rhythm going in the running game. Buffalo has the 29th ranked rushing D which “Poz” should improve and the forecast is calling for rain in the Meadowlands, which could force Jets to ground and pound. But they won’t be reluctant to go to the passing game as Braylon Edwards is ready for his home debut.

With Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) doubtful and Brad Smith (quadriceps) the same I’m throwing David Clowney in the mix. Keep an eye out for Wallace Wright to get a few catches. The UNC product was Sanchez’s go to guy early on in training camp. And then there's some guy named Danny Woodhead. Wait...Danny Woodhead No. 22 RB? Yep, him, except for he's now a WR picked up of the practice squad earlier today. He's expected to be used in the slot similar to Wes Welker in New England.

The Bills band-aided, most injured D in the NFL held Derek Anderson to 27 yards, on 2-17 passing last Sunday in a 6-3 boo-fest. LB Kawika Mitchell (knee) and LB Marcus Buggs (knee) went out for the season and were added to IR in the past few weeks, and LB Keith Ellison (knee) is questionable.

Trent Edwards tried to lead a dysfunctional offense that was startled at home last week at the Ralph. You can imagine what it’ll be like on the road against a thunderous Green & White crowd. With another rookie lineman T Jonathan Scott (ankle) out, Jamon Meredith will replace him. That’s 4 out of 5 total first-year linemen that will be expected to go against Kris Jenkins and co.

But these three guys may be DE questionable - Shaun Ellis (knee), CB Donald Strickland (ankle), missing and who knows, the Bills may actually connect on some big plays to Lee Evans or T.O.? Marshawn Lynch has fared well against the Jets rushing who went for 127 yards against them in their last meeting last December, with a 103.5 ypg. average.

CAROLINA PANTHERS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Not many injuries for this contest. The Panthers are going to be looking to speed up their offense with WR Steve Smith (knee) against the 28th ranked passing defense of Tampa Bay (379.8 ypg). The Panthers have the 30th ranked rushing defense giving up 155.5 a game and Bucs RB Earnest Graham (hamstring) is probable.

CHICAGO BEARS at ATLANTA FALCONS

Second-string RB Adrian Peterson (knee) is doubtful for the Bears as they go up against the Falcons’ 24th ranked rushing D (127.0 a game), but the Bears have the 27th ranked rushing attack (91.5 a game).

The Bears are ranked ninth against the run giving up 93.5 a game but they may give up some extra yards on the ground if DT Anthony Adams (toe) is unable to play. He’s been limited in practice but is questionable as well as LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) who practiced all week. This may also hinder their ability to develop a significant pass-rush.

The guy who leads Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood and the ‘birds 106.3 a game through the hole – Falcons FB Ovie Mughelli (calf) is questionable.

On D CB Brian Williams sustained an eye injury in practice and is questionable which could leave the secondary a bit vulnerable with three-year guy Brent Grimes set to fill his shoes.

CLEVELAND BROWNS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS

The Browns are still heavily banged up, and this week they are not facing a struggling Bills O, so Pittsburgh can light them up. Four starters are questionable on their D – LB Eric Barton (neck), DE Kenyon Coleman (groin), LB D'Qwell Jackson (hamstring).

If you have anyone on the Steelers seventh-ranked O (375.8 a game) play them.

DETROIT LIONS at GREEN BAY PACKERS

The Lions are another banged-up team. DT Sammie Lee Hill (ankle) and DE Jason Hunter (ankle) are doubtful and DE Dewayne White (hamstring) is questionable.

On O QB Matthew Stafford (knee) is questionable - he did not participate in practice all week. WR Calvin Johnson (knee) – did not practice all week – and RB Maurice Morris (hip) are both questionable as well.

Packers are banged-up at RB with second-string RB DeShawn Wynn (knee) and backup Korey Hall (calf) out. Ryan Grant should be able to carry the load. Both of their centers are questionable – Jason Spitz (back) and Scott Wells (hamstring).

HOUSTON TEXANS at CINCINNATI BENGALS

Defensive starters DT Shaun Cody (illness) and LB Brian Cushing (foot) are both questionable. These guys are probable after being limited most of the week - LB Zach Diles (knee), LB DeMeco Ryans (shoulder), DE Mario Williams (shoulder).

The Texans have the 23rd ranked D giving up 363.0 a game and the Bengals are putting up 335.4 yards a game on O. Rutgers product RB Brian Leonard, a checkdown option for Carson Palmer is doubtful with a groin injury.

Both former Cowboys – DT Tank Johnson (foot) and S Roy Williams (forearm) are questionable for the Bengals on D. The Texans have the eighth ranked O putting up 349.0 yards a game.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Chiefs T Branden Albert (ankle) is questionable.

The Redskins are a little more banged up. T Chris Samuels (neck) is out. Defensive starters DE Phillip Daniels (biceps) and DT Cornelius Griffin (elbow) are both questionable.

NEW YORK GIANTS at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Three guys out for the Giants D but they’re all reserves – LB Michael Boley (knee), DT Chris Canty (calf) and CB Aaron Ross (hamstring). Offensively TE Kevin Boss (ankle), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle, foot) and QB Eli Manning (foot) are probable. All three were limited in practice during the week.

Backup secondary guys are questionable for the Saints – CB Malcolm Jenkins (ankle) and CB Leigh Torrence (hamstring) – making the nickel and dime formations a concern if the Giants decide to continue their ninth ranked 257 ypg through the air attack.

RB Mike Bell (knee) and RB Pierre Thomas (hamstring) are probable making Reggie Bush a sure go for the second-ranked rushing attack (166.3 a game).

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES at OAKLAND RAIDERS

For the Eagles WR Kevin Curtis (knee) is questionable pushing Jeremy Maclin or Jason Avant up the depth chart. QB Donovan McNabb (rib, left shoulder) is probable, he practiced all week.

RB Darren McFadden (knee) is out making Michael Bush or Justin Fargas a play if you dare. The Raiders only run for 83.0 yards a game which is 28th in the league. The Eagles only give up 100.3 a game on D.

ST. LOUIS RAMS at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

S James Butler (knee) is out making the Rams 25th ranked pass D (237.0 a game) more vulnerable, but the Jags only put up 214.8 a game through the air.

For the Jags LB Justin Durant (hip) is the only starter on the D on the list as questionable. But the secondary may be a bit vulnerable to the pass with S Sean Considine (groin) and CB Scott Starks (hip) questionable and CB Rashean Mathis (hip) probable.

TENNESSEE TITANS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Titans are once again banged up in the secondary. Backup CB Nicholas Harper (forearm) is out, S Vincent Fuller (forearm) is doubtful, and CB Cortland Finnegan (hamstring), S Michael Griffin (neck) are questionable. DE Jevon Kearse (foot) is questionable after not practicing all week.

The Patriots receivers look to have a big day against a winless Titans team. TE Benjamin Watson (head) is questionable after being limited all week, backup former Jet Chris Baker (4 for 50, TD) may get more time. Will WR Julian Edelman (15 for 145) finally get in the end zone? What about Joey Galloway (7 for 67) or Sam Aiken (1 for 26)?

RB Fred Taylor (ankle) is out again and in his absence Sammy Morris rushed 17 for 68 yards and caught two catches for 39 yards.

 DENVER BRONCOS at SAN DIEGO CHARGERS on Monday night

For the 5-0 Broncos only one guy is out - LB Spencer Larsen (shoulder).

The Chargers two-headed running attack of LaDanian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles may try to take advantage of this at home on Monduay night.

Starting LB Stephen Cooper (knee) is out for the Chargers but LB Shawne Merriman (groin) and LB Shaun Phillips (shoulder) are questionable.

That’s your entire injury report for Week 6.

As always sign up for the injury notification service from Top Fantasy Football for up-to-the-minute information.

Category - Fantasy Football News and Analysis - Week 6, Your Starters are hurt, Now What?

About Kurt Turner

Kurt's fantasy advice is featured on USA Today Sports, Bleacher Reports, SiriusXM and Fox Sports.

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