As a reminder, each Friday teams are required to report injury designations for all players appearing on the injury report in anticipation of player status for the upcoming weekend. It's always easier when you know in advance that a player is not going to play. To help you out with that, key fantasy players listed Friday as "Out" for this week's games appear as a group at the end of this post. But as is often the case, some of the most notable fantasy players' availability remains undecided heading into game time. That said, we take a look here at what we know about injuries heading into Week 6.
Notably, the players for San Francisco, Indianapolis, Miami and Dallas all have byes this week and are omitted from this report.
Good luck in Week 6 everyone! May your players stay healthy and win for you.
QUARTERBACKS:
Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks, (P): It seems that Hasselbeck did a pretty darn good job last week of showing everyone just how much he had recovered from his rib injury. Hasselbeck practiced fully all week and is prepared to start again Sunday.
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (Q): Stafford sat out in Week 5 following a knee injury the week prior, and it appears that he will be sitting again this week. Stafford, who reportedly suffered a patellar subluxation, practiced on a limited basis Wednesday but then did not practice Thursday or Friday, suggesting that his knee did not respond well to even light activity. Coach Jim Schwartz had indicated early in the week that Stafford would need to demonstrate adequate mobility in order to play Sunday and that the upcoming bye week would not ultimately factor into the decision. Nonetheless, Stafford's virtual non-activity leading up to this week's contest would suggest that he will, in fact, be resting through the bye week with an eye on a Week 8 return.
Eli Manning, New York Giants (P): Manning was fortunate to not have to play an entire game in Week 5, which no doubt helped prevent aggravation of his plantar fasciitis symptoms. Manning indicated after the game that his foot felt good and that he expected to practice every day this week. Manning did indeed practice on a limited basis each day and is fully expected to start against the New Orleans Saints.
Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles (P): McNabb is another quarterback recovering from a broken rib who looked pretty good leading his team to victory in Week 5. McNabb practiced fully all week and is expected to start again Sunday, when the Eagles face the Oakland Raiders.
RUNNING BACKS:
Willie Parker (P) and Rashard Mendenhall (off injury report), Pittsburgh Steelers:
Parker has not played in two weeks because of a case of turf toe. This week Parker was back in full practice with the first team, sporting some custom-made Nike shoes to help alleviate pressure on the painful toe. Parker's designation reflects that he is ready to be back in the lineup for the Steelers. The question is how much work Parker gets over the course of the game.
Teammate Rashard Mendenhall missed Thursday's practice with flu-like symptoms but was back in full swing Friday and was removed from the injury report as a result. It is unclear exactly who will get the start Sunday and how the carries will be split when the Steelers host the Cleveland Browns. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Mendenhall is expected to start and how much Parker plays will be determined by the flow of the game. Parker does have a strong history of success against the Browns, but it is worth noting that his toe, while improved, is likely still healing. The Steelers may opt to ease him back into the workload gradually to see how his foot responds. There is no denying that this creates a tough situation for fantasy owners.
Mike Bell and Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints, (P): Both backs are listed as probable and both are expected to play Sunday when the Saints host the Giants. So what is a fantasy owner to do?
There is no easy answer here, but here's what we know of their respective health situations. Bell, who is coming off a sprained MCL (the same injury Thomas dealt with earlier in the year), promised that he would be healthy and ready to go after the bye week. He made good on that promise, returning to full practice all week and showing that he is indeed ready to take the field.
Thomas, who has put up great fantasy numbers while Bell has been absent, surprised everyone by being limited in practice this week with a hamstring ailment. Coach Sean Payton indicated that this was not a new injury for Thomas but rather something lingering that he had been dealing with for some time. It certainly sounds as if the Saints were proactively limiting Thomas to ensure that he did not suffer a setback during practice that would threaten his availability for Week 6.
Now the question becomes how do the Saints divide up the workload between Bell, Thomas and that other guy, Reggie Bush? It seems as if Thomas would still provide the bulk of the work given the success he has had thus far. Nonetheless, there is some speculation that it may simply come down to who is having the most success early on. Then again, the Saints may end up returning to their prolific passing attack against the Giants. It's a tough call for fantasy owners as this may well be a fluid situation during the game.
Correll Buckhalter, Denver Broncos, (no designation yet): With a Monday night game on the horizon, the Broncos do not have to report a designation early Saturday but all signs point to Buckhalter playing. Buckhalter fully practiced Thursday and Friday and the Denver Post reported that coach Josh McDaniels expects Buckhalter to play. This presents yet another dual running back situation in which a fantasy owner is left to wonder who will get the bulk of the carries. Knowshon Moreno started in Week 5 and had a solid performance, but prior to that, Buckhalter had been the leading rusher (in terms of yardage) for the Broncos. It appears likely that both backs will have plenty of opportunities to touch the ball when they square off against San Diego on Monday night.
Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns, (P): Last week, Lewis was questionable heading into Sunday and had limited practice. He then had a vintage Lewis performance. This week after practicing fully both Thursday and Friday, there are fewer questions about Lewis' health and he is expected to start Sunday against the Steelers.
Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants, (P): This is the third week in what is becoming a Bradshaw trend; no practice or limited practice during the week, then playing without restriction on Sunday. The probable designation supports that notion heading into the matchup with the Saints.
Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers, (P): Stewart has also developed a routine of resting early in the week to avoid overloading his Achilles. Stewart did not practice Wednesday, as has become his norm, but practiced fully on Thursday and Friday and is poised to play Sunday.
Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins, (P): After moving off the injury report last week, Portis found himself back on it this week because of his calf. The probable designation indicates the Redskins are confident that he will play, just as he has every other week this season.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Jerricho Cotchery and Brad Smith, New York Jets, (D): On Thursday I explained how playing Monday night set Cotchery back with his hamstring injury. Cotchery remained unable to practice throughout the week and is expected to sit out Sunday. Cotchery himself acknowledged that he needed to be smart about his health for the long term. Meanwhile, teammate Smith, who suffered a quad injury Monday night, was also unable to practice throughout the week. He too is doubtful to play. The wide receiver lineup is shaping up to be David Clowney and Braylon Edwards to face the Buffalo Bills.
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions, (Q): Johnson did manage to play in Week 5 but left early with an injury. Johnson spent much of the week in sweats, unable to practice, and it appears he will not suit up for Sunday's contest. The bye week could prove to be beneficial for Johnson as well.
Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings, (Q): Harvin did not practice Wednesday after injuring his shoulder in last week's game. He did return to practice on a limited basis Thursday and Friday and coach Brad Childress seemed encouraged by what Harvin was able to do. It sounds as if the Vikings expect to have him on the field to face the Baltimore Ravens.
Nate Burleson, Seattle Seahawks, (P): Although some fantasy owners may have gotten a scare when Burleson showed up on the injury report with a back injury, they should feel better about the fact that he was back to full practice on Friday. His designation of probable confirms that the Seahawks expect him to play.
Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals, (Q): Breaston has been consistently performing well after limited practice during the week. This week should be no different and he is expected to play.
Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers, (P): Smith had some knee soreness that limited his practice Thursday but it does not appear to be anything serious. After a full day Friday, Smith is expected to play this weekend.
Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (P): Bryant reportedly had his best week of practice so far this year, according to ESPN's John Clayton. Considering that he has been able to play after being listed as questionable recently, his probable designation is even more encouraging this week. Expect him to be out there on Sunday and he should not be limited.
Wes Welker, New England Patriots, (no longer on injury report): We just had to include him here simply because he is finally off the injury report. Every week, fantasy owners have wondered about Welker's health and whether he would be able to play or not. Wonder no more. Welker's conservative approach in prior weeks during practice seems to have paid off and the Patriots have removed him from their injury list. Fantasy owners can start him with confidence.
Out: This space is intended for a list of key fantasy players, not including those who have been moved to Injured Reserve status, who are officially listed as "Out" for the upcoming game.
Fred Taylor, RB, New England Patriots: Taylor's absence should come as no surprise since he underwent ankle surgery last week. He is expected to be sidelined until late in the season, at best.
Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders: McFadden also underwent surgery last week, but his prospects for returning are a bit more optimistic. His recovery has been estimated at two to four weeks, but it is worth noting that players rarely return to competition before four.
DeShawn Wynn, RB, Green Bay Packers: Wynn has a knee ailment that will keep him out this weekend. Brandon Jackson, who has missed significant time this year because of a high ankle sprain, will serve as backup to Ryan Grant.
See you at the injury chats (Tuesday 11 a.m.-noon ET, Friday 11 a.m.-noon and Sunday pregame (10-10:30 a.m.). Be sure to check out Fantasy Football Now on Sundays at ESPN.com and on ESPN2 from 11:30 a.m. to kickoff for last-minute inactives, rankings and more!
Stephania Bell
