Holy injuries Batman!! Now that we’re just over halfway through the season, the true endurance of NFL skill players are being tested. Sore hamstrings, concussions, fractures, surgeries, foot injuries and most prevalently last week, ankle sprains are beginning to take a serious toll on Fantasy owners, altering the landscape for the next few weeks. Two of the AFC West’s top playmakers missed game time last week with injuries in Darren McFadden and Jamaal Charles, and injuries continue to nag studs like Greg Jennings, Ahmad Bradshaw and Maurice Jones-Drew, though at least Bradshaw has played at a limited capacity. Here’s a runback of Week 9’s biggest headlines to help you navigate these treacherous waters.
Injury Report
RB Jamaal Charles, Chiefs: Charles has been as absolute tease to owners after a mid-season breakout in weeks 3-5, where he exploded, rushing for over an eye-popping 450 yards. His inconsistent season continued Sunday when he left the game during a 31-13 beat down after suffering what is being called a “neck” injury. Charles was hit hard on a helmet to helmet collision, leaving him stunned on the ground after the whistle was blown. He was tested for a concussion but passed on the sideline, and fully expects to play this weekend. Use Charles as you normally would, as the will need to involve their biggest playmaker in the offensive scheme.
RB Darren Sproles, Saints: Sproles fractured his left hand this weekend, and reports are now coming in that he is expected to miss only 1-2 weeks, a positive note after initial estimates put him out for four weeks or so. The Saints will continue to utilize their multi-back system, keeping Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, and Chris Ivory in the rotation.
RB Darren McFadden, Raiders: Well fantasy owners, the day you’ve been dreading is at hand. McFadden has a terrible track record with injuries, never playing more than 13 games in one season during his NFL career, and the high ankle sprain he suffered last week does not bode well for the underperforming back. He left Sunday’s game after only seven carries for seventeen yards, and is listed as week to week right now. Even worse for owners, top backup Mike Goodson suffered an ankle sprain as well, leaving uncertainty in the Raiders’ backfield. Fullback Marcel Reece and change of pace back Taiwan Jones will attempt to fill the gap. Though not officially ruled out this weekend, expect run DMC to miss at least a few weeks.
WR Jordy Nelson, Packers: After missing week 8 with a hamstring injury and missing practice all week, Nelson left in the first quarter of week 9 with a left ankle sprain. The injury should turn out to be a minor ailment, and luckily the Packers have a bye this week to rest and recuperate. If Nelson is hampered in the future however, expect receivers James Jones and Randall Cobb to operate as Rodger’s main targets with Jennings still recovering from abdominal surgery.
WR Percy Harvin, Vikings: The dynamic back went down Sunday with a left ankle sprain in three different locations after recording only 2 receptions for 10 yards and fumbling once on four carries. Earlier this week he called himself a “long shot” to play this weekend, and he has yet to practice this week. It’s extremely doubtful that the Vikings’ breakout playmaker will see any action this weekend.
WR Antonio Brown, Steelers: Brown suffered a mild high ankle sprain against the Giants last weekend, and though he pledged earlier this week that he believed he would play against the Chiefs in week 10, Coach Mike Tomlin has indicated that it is unlikely the receiver will see the field. The Steelers play a Chiefs team that has struggled mightily in just about every sense this year, so Brown isn’t under any pressure to hurry back and potentially worsen any injury.
Free Agents
FB Marcel Reece, Raiders: In the modern NFL the fullback position has held virtually no value to fantasy owners. However, in the wake of high ankle sprains suffered by both of Oakland’s top two running backs last week, Reece, the college wide receiver, lined up for 8 receptions, 95 yards and a touchdown. Though he didn’t officially have a single carry this week, he has split first team snaps with running back Taiwan Jones in practice all week and has already flashed his versatility. He is worth a pickup as long as both run DMC and Mike Goodson are out.
RB Joique Bell, Lions: Though the huge story out of Detroit last week was Mike Leshoure’s three touchdowns, backup Joique Bell quietly had himself a nice fantasy day, carrying the ball 13 times for 73 yards and taking 3 receptions a total 36 yards. On the year, he only has three more receptions than Leshoure, but he has gained over twice as many yards, with 263. In PPR leagues especially, Bell is worth a pickup if you’re in search of running back depth late in the season.
WR Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers: Sanders filled in on the field for most of the snaps missed by Antonio Brown after he exited last week’s game, and took advantage of the mere two passes thrown his way, catching them both for twenty yards and a touchdown. With Brown banged up this week, Sanders is worth a pickup as Big Ben’s next in line.
Mactchups:
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Patriots’ Defense: In their Week 4 offensive showdown, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tom Brady combined to throw for an unearthly 690 yards and seven touchdowns. The Pat’s secondary has been porous at best, playing near the bottom of the league with the 28th ranked pass defense. Worse could be said of the Bills, who are giving up over 400 passing yards a game. This meeting should turn out to be a shootout as well, and the healthy status of both Buffalo’s talented running backs will only help the Bill’s passing attack. Brady is a must start every week, but if you’re looking for a bye-week replacement, Fitzpatrick has huge potential here.
RB Isaac Redman vs. Chiefs’ Defense: Of the three talented running backs in Pittsburgh’s stable, Redman has been the healthiest of late, racking up 147 yards and a touchdown on a commanding 26 carries as the starter last week. Jonathan Dwyer looks like he has a good chance of returning this week to game service, so the Steelers will likely split carries between the two, and run with whoever can be most effective against a Kanas City defense allowing 4.6 yards per carry and 126 per game. Redman should get the first chance to vary the rock on Sunday after his strong outing against the Giants.
WR A.J. Green vs. Giants’ Defense: Through Week 9 Green has established himself as the highest scoring fantasy wide receiver, scoring in seven consecutive games, dating back to Week 2. He’s averaging just over 90 yards a game as well, and is up against a New York Defense that is ranked 27th against the pass.
Don’t get too discouraged if an integral part of your team has gone down recently or happens to suffer the terrible fate of a late season injury. Though obviously a major blow, seasons may be salvaged, indeed made, on smart waiver wire moves and through quality matchup research. There will be monster games produced every week by unheralded players who show up out of the blue. Your job is to be wary of this potential, and to give your lineup the attention it needs to succeed. Good Luck in your Week 10 games, and remember to check back for another update next week.
