Week 10 Injury Wrap: Waiting on the Patriots, again
The injuries are starting to pile up, which is life in Week 10. Let’s take a good look around.
• Sony Michel (knee) had a limited week of practice but seems likely to play at Tennessee. But it looks like tight end Rob Gronkowski (ankle/back) isn’t ready yet; according to Kevin Duffy of the Boston Herald, Gronk is expected to sit again this week. The Patriots rarely use the tight end when Gronkowski doesn’t play, so there’s no fantasy plug-in on the roster. Rex Burkhead (neck) is back at practice and might be able to return in Week 13.
• Sam Darnold (foot) is out for Week 10, which pushes Josh McCown into the starting chair. McCown was effective for much of 2017, so his presence should elevate the Jets offense, if there’s any elevation to be had. Robby Anderson (ankle) will not play.
• Joe Flacco is dealing with a hip injury and although Baltimore is on a bye, there’s fear he won’t be ready to go in Week 11. Rookie Lamar Jackson is an obvious upside stash in medium and deeper leagues.
• Sammy Watkins (foot) had limited practices Wednesday and Friday, and didn’t do anything Thursday. He’s a true game-time decision for the home match against Arizona. If Watkins can’t go, Chris Conley is an interesting sleeper. Tyreek Hill (groin) is less than 100 percent, but he was able to play through the injury last week.
• Buffalo’s quarterback situation is a mess, as usual. Derek Anderson (concussion) will not play, that we know. Josh Allen (elbow) is a longshot to be ready. Nathan Peterman has been a mess as a starter, which makes you wonder if Matt Barkley could get the call. Be ready to fire up the Jets defense. Tight end Charles Clay (hamstring) is also out. Chris Ivory (shoulder) is questionable.
• Dez Bryant tore his Achilles at Friday’s practice and is out for the year. Consider it a boost, or at least a solidifying piece of news, for Tre’Quan Smith’s fantasy value.
• Randall Cobb (hamstring) missed some practice time but should play against Miami. He’s listed as questionable.
• Washington is missing three offensive-line starters, so wish Adrian Peterson lots of luck at Tampa Bay. Chris Thompson (ribs) is also out again. Jamison Crowder (ankle) might be able to return, which would dull the enthusiasm for slot receiver Maurice Harris, who had 10 catches last week.
• Leonard Fournette (hamstring) is off the injury report, so he should start and take a notable workload at Indianapolis. Tight end James O’Shaughnessy (hip) is also expected to play.
• Chris Carson (hip) could come down to a game-time decision, but context clues point to him not playing at the Rams. Mike Davis gets a boost in value if Carson sits, as expected. Doug Baldwin (groin) had a full practice Friday after being limited the first two days.
• A.J. Green (toe) is out multiple weeks, and Josh Malone (hamstring) isn’t part of the answer yet. Giovani Bernard (knee) still isn’t 100 percent but has a shot at returning against New Orleans. Tight end C.J. Uzomah (shoulder) was taken off the injury report; we’ll excuse his Week 8 bagel and consider him playable this week.
• Allen Robinson (groin) is expected to return for the Bears. The Lions won’t have their cover ace, Darius Slay.
• Ronald Jones (hamstring) remains week-to-week. He will not play against Washington.
• Tajae Sharp (ankle) and Taywan Taylor (foot) are both questionable, though Taylor is the longer shot to play. He wasn’t able to practice at all this week.
• Darren Sproles (hamstring) remains week-to-week and although the Eagles say they expect him to return this year, it’s nothing you should be waiting on.
• Ryan Tannehill (shoulder) remains week-to-week, so Brock Osweiler gets the call at Green Bay.
• Matt Bryant (hamstring) isn’t ready to return, so Giorgio Tavecchio sticks as the fill-in kicker.
