Advertisement

Injury Wrap: Julio Jones, Willie Snead hopeful for Monday

Willie Snead's toe could be an issue Monday night (AP)
Willie Snead's toe could be an issue Monday night (AP)

There was a brief and welcome lull with the injury page, but things went a little haywire in the past week. Here’s your status check as we enter Week 3.

• Julio Jones has a sore ankle and calf and the Falcons are taking it easy with him; he’s yet to practice this week. Saturday is a key day for Jones, in advance of Monday’s juice game at New Orleans, though context clues point to him playing. Keep in mind the Saints are down both of their starting cornerbacks.

• Willie Snead (toe) is another key receiver who’s iffy for Monday, and like Jones, he’s yet to practice this week. We’ll see if he does anything Saturday. Michael Thomas is an interesting caddy stash if you have it available to you.

• The Jets consider Brandon Marshall (knee, foot) a game-time decision for Sunday’s late start at Kansas City. Marshall did some work at Friday’s practice after missing the two previous days. Marshall does have a history of pushing through aches and pains, so you get the idea he’ll give it a go. But be sure to have a contingency plan ready.

• Delanie Walker (hamstring) didn’t do much this week, missing full practices on Wednesday and Friday. It’s a game-day call, a shame because Oakland’s slumping defense is on the other side.

• All signs point to Jay Cutler (thumb) missing the Sunday nighter at Dallas. Brian Hoyer, come on down. Alshon Jeffery did limited practice Wednesday and Friday and might come down to a game-time decision. One more Bear to keep in mind is RB Jordan Howard, who appears to be gaining ground on slumping starter Jeremy Langford.

• Christine Michael is set to start for the Seahawks, as Thomas Rawls (shin) didn’t practice all week. The Niners haven’t been bad against the run — 4.0 per carry, zero touchdowns — but Michael will get a chance to wear them down. Tyler Lockett (knee) had a limited week but probably will be able to play.

• Rashad Jennings (thumb) is listed as questionable after a limited practice week. Shane Vereen has let us down several times in the past, but he’s there if you want him. Orleans Darkwa would pick up extra snaps if Jennings is scratched.

• Antonio Gates (hamstring) isn’t going to play at Indianapolis. Generally we don’t expect a lot from rookie tight ends, but the Chargers need Hunter Henry to play. He’s been targeted just once, through 69 snaps, in two games.

• The Vikings sent fantasy owners into a panic when Stefon Diggs (hamstring) was held out of Friday’s practice, but they didn’t list him on the injury report. I’ll double check on Sunday, but Diggs is going to stick in my lineups for now. Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata will probably share the backfield work now that Adrian Peterson (knee) is out of the picture.

• Doug Martin (hamstring) won’t play against the Rams, setting up Charles Sims for an interesting start. Tight end Cameron Brate might see some extra snaps now that Austin Seferian-Jenkins has been cut from the roster.

• The Colts took it easy with T.Y. Hilton (knee) last week, and he eventually took on a full workload at Denver. He’ll probably do the same this week against San Diego, though it was limited practice week. The Colts also have a later start Sunday, so do your diligence. Philip Dorsett is more of a Hilton clone than anything, but he’ll be forced into more responsibility now that Donte Moncrief (shoulder) is out. As for quarterback Andrew Luck (shoulder), he practiced in full Friday and should be good to go.

• We know Arian Foster (groin) won’t play for Miami, but it’s a cast of thousands behind him. Jay Ajayi, Isaiah Pead, Kenyan Drake, Damien Williams, throw your dart. A week after having a snappy breakout game, DeVante Parker (hamstring) had a limited practice run.

• Although Sammy Watkins (foot) carries the questionable tag, it’s hard to expect much after he’s sat out a full week of practice. He did almost nothing (two catches, 20 yards) in the Week 2 loss to the Jets.

• Washington kept DeSean Jackson (knee, ankle) out of some midweek work, but he had a full session Friday and isn’t listed on the injury report. They’ll need him against the Giants.

• Cody Kessler, Cleveland’s third-string quarterback, could be forced to start for a while. His first assignment is at Miami, much to the interest of DST streamers and Survivor players. The Dolphins are a 10-point favorite. Corey Coleman has a broken hand and will miss several weeks; I’m not going to hold him anywhere, his swanky Week 2 performance to the side.

• Tyler Eifert (ankle) did some work this week, and while he isn’t expected to go against Denver, perhaps he’ll be in uniform next week. Andy Dalton loves to feature his tight ends, especially around the goal line.

• The Chiefs continue to use Jamaal Charles (knee) on the scout team, so don’t look for him against the Jets.

• Zach Ertz (rib) remains out indefinitely, which puts Trey Burton into play as a temporary streamer. Burton caught five passes and scored a touchdown Monday.

• Although Cameron Artis-Payne has been a game-day scratch for the opening two weeks, he might be Carolina’s featured back against Minnesota. Jonathan Stewart (hamstring) isn’t going to play. Fozzy Whittaker was handy in a pinch last week.

• Virgil Green (calf) has already been ruled out for the game at Cincinnati. He didn’t do anything in practice this week. I’m not a fan of the Broncos passing game, but by default, Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders could be in for a fair amount of work.

• Eric Ebron (back) was able to practice Friday and should play against Green Bay. Detroit’s most critical injuries are on defense, where DE Ziggy Ansah (ankle) and LB DeAndre Levy (quad) will not play.

• Chris Ivory (undisclosed) is expected to make his seasonal debut against Baltimore.