Injury Report: Week 7
Week 7 of the NFL season is here, and the Rotoworld crew has everything you need to cash in a winning week. Patrick Daugherty answers your lineup questions with his Week 7 Rankings, Nick Mensio tells you who to start and who to fade in Start’ Em or Sit ‘Em, and Evan Silva breaks down every matchup in his award-winning Matchups Column.
As for me, I am here to shed some light on the most important injury situations facing fantasy owners heading into the weekend. The sister resource to this column is the Rotoworld News Page, which will have every single inactive and all the late-breaking news up to kickoff and beyond. I also occasionally tweet about football @RMSummerlin.
Early Games
Bills @ Jaguars
* T.J. Yeldon (groin) returned to practice Thursday and is listed as questionable. He is expected to play, but he will be more of an RB3 in a tough matchup at less than 100 percent. Allen Robinson (leg contusion) and Julius Thomas (chest) managed to practice all week and are listed as probable. Allen Hurns (ankle) did miss Wednesday’s practice, but he is also probable. Clay Harbor (abdomen) and James Sample (shoulder) are questionable. It is unclear if Marqise Lee (hamstring, out) still exists.
* E.J. Manuel will make his second start in a row with Tyrod Taylor (knee) out. Percy Harvin (hip, knees) has been ruled out, and there have been reports he is mulling retirement. Perhaps in preparation for a potential money dispute, the Bills are listing Harvin’s absence as non-injury related. With Sammy Watkins (ankle) also out, Robert Woods and Chris Hogan should be the Bills’ top receivers. Charles Clay figures to see a ton of work. As should LeSean McCoy (hamstring, probable) with Karlos Williams (concussion) out. John Miller (personal), Seantrel Henderson (concussion) and Kyle Williams (knee) are also out. Marcus Easley (shoulder) is questionable.
Steelers @ Chiefs
* Jeremy Maclin (concussion, questionable) returned to practice Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday. Coach Andy Reid said Maclin has completed the concussion protocol, and ESPN’s Ed Werder reported Maclin is expected to play. Albert Wilson and Chris Conley would see a bigger role if Maclin does not suit up. Tamba Hali (knee) did not practice Friday and is questionable. Josh Mauga (groin, Achilles) and Dontari Poe (ankle) are also questionable. Ramik Wilson (knee, ankle) is doubtful, and Mike DeVito (concussion) is out.
* Ben Roethlisberger (knee) practiced on a limited basis all week and is listed as questionable. Landry Jones still looks poised to start, but there are reports Ben could “talk his way” into the lineup. Jones' matchup looks good on paper, but Kansas City has been better against the pass since Sean Smith returned from suspension. Half of his production last week came on a ridiculous catch-and-run by Martavis Bryant Jones had little to do with, and he struggled to consistently move the ball when given extended run this preseason. Brian Hoyer or E.J. Manuel are better streaming options. Cortez Allen (knee) is questionable. Will Allen (ankle), Stephon Tuitt (knee) and Mike Vick (hamstring) are out.
Jets @ Patriots
* Dion Lewis (abdomen) is listed as questionable, but he got in limited practices all week and should play. The tough matchup shapes up as a game Lewis should dominate touches over LeGarrette Blount, but he is still more of a mid-range RB2. Dont’a Hightower (ribs), Brandon Bolden (hamstring), Shaq Mason (knee), Trey Flowers (knee, shoulder), Josh Kline (shoulder), Keshawn Martin (hamstring) and Matthew Slater (knee) are also questionable. Marcus Cannon (toe), Jabaal Sheard (ankle) and Rufus Johnson (illness) are out.
* Bilal Powell (ankle) is out after missing practice all week. Stevan Ridley (knee, PUP) could be activated before the game, but Zac Stacy will likely fill the third-down role even if Ridley plays. Willie Colon (knee) is questionable, and Jaiquawn Jarrett (knee) is doubtful.
Bucs @ Redskins
* Chris Thompson (back) sat out every practice this week and is listed as doubtful. Thompson had some PPR value on his own, but his absence is a much more important for Matt Jones (toe, probable), who should handle more third-down work with Thompson sidelined. Jones is a much more appetizing FLEX this week. Jordan Reed (concussion) is officially questionable, but he is expected to play. Reed is a solid TE1 as long as he is healthy. DeSean Jackson (hamstring) is out again, and it sounds like he could miss a couple more games. Jamison Crowder will remain a PPR option with Jackson sidelined. Trent Williams (concussion), Keenan Robinson (heel), Stephen Paea (back) and Jason Hatcher (knee) are questionable. Chris Culliver (knee), DeAngelo Hall (toe) and Kory Lichtensteiger (neck) are out.
* Austin Seferian-Jenkins (shoulder) was declared out after not practicing all week. There was some hope Seferian-Jenkins could return this week, but it looks like he is questionable at best for Week 8. Tony McDaniel (groin) and Reid Fragel (head) are also out. Bruce Carter (thigh), Logan Mankins (groin), Russell Shepard (hamstring) and Evan Smith (ankle) are questionable.
Vikings @ Lions
* Calvin Johnson was limited Friday with an ankle injury, but he is listed as probable and will play. Brandon Pettigrew (knee, elbow) is out, meaning Eric Ebron (knee, probable) should be close to an every-down player. Joique Bell (ankle, probable) will make his return to the lineup against Minnesota, but he is not worth using in fantasy. Bell will further muddle a committee of Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick (groin, probable). DeAndre Levy (hip) is out. Josh Wilson (concussion) is questionable.
* Adrian Peterson (finger, probable) was never expected to sit out. Charles Johnson (ribs) is probable, but he has likely lost his starting job to Stefon Diggs. He can be left on the waiver wire. Sharrif Floyd (knee, ankle) and Justin Trattou (foot) are out.
Falcons @ Titans
* Marcus Mariota (knee) has been ruled out after not practicing all week. Zach Mettenberger, who threw an interception in every one of his appearance last year, will get the start. The Falcons DST is a good streaming option this week. Harry Douglas (ribs) is out, which should finally open up a big offensive role for Dorial Green-Beckham, who is a good GPP play. Perrish Cox (hamstring) is also out, meaning burn-unit corner Blidi Wreh-Wilson will be forced into a big role. Sammie Lee Hill (knee) and Michael Griffin (knee) are questionable.
* Julio Jones is no longer listed on the injury report. Leonard Hankerson (ribs, hamstring) and Roddy White (foot) are probable.
Saints @ Colts
* T.Y. Hilton was given a rest day Friday but is fully expected to play. Mike Adams (hamstring) is out. Clayton Geathers (knee) is questionable.
* Marques Colston (shoulder, probable) should return to the lineup, but he can be safely ignored in fantasy circles. Andrus Peat (knee) is out, but Terron Armstead (knee, probable) looks set to return to his left tackle spot. With Keenan Lewis (hip) and Damian Swann (concussion) out, an already weak Saints’ secondary will be even shakier against Indianapolis.
Texans @ Dolphins
* Brice McCain (knee) is doubtful. Every other Dolphin is probable or better.
* Arian Foster (groin) got in full practices this week and is listed as probable. Cecil Shorts (hamstring) is out, but Houston will get Nate Washington (hamstring, probable) back in the lineup. Kareem Jackson (ankle) and Benardrick McKinney (concussion) are also out. Jadeveon Clowney (ankle), Brandon Brooks (toe) and Quintin Demps (hamstring) are questionable.
Browns @ Rams
* Tavon Austin (hand) got in a limited practice Friday after missing Wednesday’s and Thursday’s sessions. He is listed as questionable. Tre Mason (ankle) is also questionable, but he is very unlikely to play after missing practice all week. Lance Kendricks (hand) is questionable while Chris Long (knee) and Alec Ogletree (ankle) are out.
* Gary Barnidge (ankle) is probable after getting in full sessions Thursday and Friday. Joe Haden (concussion, finger) is out while Tashaun Gipson (ankle) is doubtful. Unfortunately, the Rams do not have the passing game to take advantage. Rob Housler (hamstring) is out. Marlon Moore (hamstring), Danny Shelton (knee), John Hughes (knee), Craig Robertson (ankle) and Tank Carder (shoulder) are questionable.
Afternoon Games
Raiders @ Chargers
* Antonio Gates (knee) did not practice all week and is listed as questionable. Coach Mike McCoy said Gates can play without practicing, but Gates is unsure if he will be ready. Ladarius Green will be a high-end TE1 if Gates is forced to sit. Keenan Allen (hip, questionable) was able to get in a limited practice Friday and said his hip flexor injury is no longer a concern. Allen looks like he will play, but he could be limited. Even so, Allen has been playing too well to sit if he is active. Stevie Johnson (hamstring, questionable) got in a full practice Friday and is expected to play. Melvin Gordon (ankle, questionable) was able to practice Thursday and Friday. He should play, but his role could be limited after being benched for fumbling last week. Chris Hairston (ankle), Chris Watt (groin) and King Dunlap (concussion) are questionable. Eric Weddle (groin), Tourek Williams (foot) and Craig Mager (hamstring) are out while Manti Te’o (ankle) is doubtful.
* Latavius Murray (shoulder) is probable after practicing in full all week. Justin Ellis (ankle) is doubtful, and Denico Autry (concussion) is out.
Cowboys @ Giants
* Odell Beckham (hamstring) was able to practice on a limited basis Friday and is listed as questionable. He was not able to practice at all last week and played all but two snaps. He should be good to go against Dallas. Trumaine McBride (groin), Jonathan Casillas (neck), Brandon McGee (back) and Uani' Unga (neck) are also questionable. An MRI revealed there is still damage in Victor Cruz’s calf. He is out indefinitely. Prince Amukamara (pectoral) is also out this week.
* Dez Bryant is doubtful for this week, but coach Jason Garrett said Bryant is running and cutting at full speed on his injured foot. If true, it would put Bryant in a great position to return next week. James Hanna (ankle) is questionable.
Sunday Night
Eagles @ Panthers
* Jared Allen (pinched nerve) practiced fully Thursday and Friday and is listed as probable. Shaq Thompson (knee), Dwan Edwards (ankle), Richie Brockel (hamstring) and Daryl Williams (knee) are out.
* Nelson Agholor (ankle) is out, but Riley Cooper (knee, questionable) was able to get in a full practice Friday. He and Josh Huff (knee, probable) should play expanded roles with Agholor sidelined. Mychal Kendricks (hamstring, questionable) got in full practices all week and should play. DeMeco Ryans (hamstring, questionable) is a bigger question mark after getting in just one limited practice. Kiko Alonso (knee) returned to limited practice this week, but he has been ruled out. Alonso hopes to play following the team’s Week 8 bye. Brandon Bair (groin) is questionable.
Monday Night
Ravens @ Cardinals
* John Brown did not practice Friday after feeling his hamstring tighten up in practice Thursday. Brown played through his hamstring injury last week, but missing a practice after suffering an injury is usually not a great sign, though Martellus Bennett and Theo Riddick proved that theory is not always correct last week. Brown told Sirius XM Fantasy that he will be a "full go this week." If Brown misses, Michael Floyd would see a big bump in targets. Floyd was already a great GPP play.
* Steve Smith Sr. (back) and Justin Forsett (ankle) are no longer on the Ravens’ injury report. Maxx Williams (knee, ankle) missed practice both Thursday and Friday. He will likely be inactive Monday night. Breshad Perriman (knee) is still sitting out. Kendrick Lewis (knee) and Terrence Brooks (thumb) look set to miss, leaving Brynden Trawick as the starting free safety against the Cardinals’ potent passing attack.
