Fantasy owners can see the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to finding replacements for one of the many players who are on bye. Six teams are off again this week (next week two teams are off) and then the league will resume the full schedule of games. If we can just get through Week 9 …
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 the blog. 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 this week.
Notably, the players for Buffalo, Cleveland, Oakland, St. Louis, Minnesota and New York (Jets) all have byes this week and are omitted from this report.
Good luck in Week 9, everyone! May your players stay healthy and win for you.
QUARTERBACKS
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions, (P): Stafford played in Week 8 and managed to emerge no worse for wear. Although he acknowledged feeling more sore than usual, Stafford returned to practice every day this week and is on track to play in Week 9. The probable designation confirms that, barring an unexpected setback, Stafford will be the Lions' signal-caller this week.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, (P): Rodgers went into Week 8 with soreness in one foot and came out of it with both feet hurting. The pre-existing foot sprain appeared to be aggravated during last Sunday's game and Rodgers also suffered a toe sprain in his opposite foot. After taking Wednesday and Thursday off from practice, Rodgers was able to return to full practice on Friday. Listed as probable, he is expected to start this weekend at Tampa Bay. Although he may not be as mobile as usual, Rodgers should benefit from the veteran protection of two returning tackles to the offensive line. Chad Clifton, who has been dealing with a recurrent ankle sprain, practiced this week and is expected to resume his role at left tackle. Mark Tauscher, whose last season ended early as the result of an ACL injury, will be taking up the right tackle spot. Rodgers should have a little extra time to work with this week.
Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers, (P): Delhomme suffered a chest contusion last week that initially looked like it might be something serious. He was taken to the hospital for tests, but when all came back negative, he was cleared to practice. He did just that, participating in full practice throughout the week. Delhomme is expected to start against the New Orleans Saints this week.
Eli Manning, New York Giants, (P): Manning made an appearance on the injury report Friday but it appears to be more of a matter of documenting the presence of the injury than anything else. Manning has been a full participant in practice and is expected to start against the San Diego Chargers. Much has been made of just how much Manning's plantar fasciitis has contributed to his performance recently, and while Manning denies that the foot is a factor, it is impossible to say with any certainty whether it contributes to some degree. Keep in mind that Manning had one of his better performances the week immediately after his foot flared up, so it is certainly not the only issue. Manning and the Giants are hoping for a better performance this week.
RUNNING BACKS
Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles, (Q): Don't let the questionable tag fool you. Westbrook is expected to play Sunday. Westbrook, who has been recovering from a concussion, returned to full practice this week after sitting out last week. He did not practice Friday but coach Andy Reid indicated that Westbrook did not have any recurrent symptoms; rather, the team decided to give him a day of rest after putting in two full days. LeSean McCoy will continue to provide another option at running back, and it seems as if the workload will be split in the usual manner.
Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions, (Q): Smith did not practice Wednesday, but as I outlined in my Thursday blog, the shoulder injury he sustained in the Week 8 game did not appear to be serious. Smith increased his practice work Thursday and Friday and expects to be on the field Sunday when the team faces the Seattle Seahawks.
Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts, (Q): Brown missed the Week 8 game after suffering a painful shoulder injury the previous week. At the start of the week, there was some concern as to whether he would be available Sunday, but Brown put in full practices Wednesday and Thursday and did not even appear on the team's injury report. On Friday, however, Brown did not practice, and popped up as questionable to face the Houston Texans. It's unclear whether Brown had a setback or whether the team just opted to rest him, but now his status becomes a dreaded game-time decision. This game kicks off in the early round so fantasy owners should be sure to check game-day inactives.
Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys, (P): Barber continues to appear on the injury report as a result of his fractured left thumb. The thumb has not hindered his performance and, perhaps more importantly, his quadriceps strain seems to be almost fully recovered. After fully practicing all week, Barber will be ready to take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night.
Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants, (P): Refer to last week's note. Seriously. Bradshaw's status looks to remain the same going forward. He will not practice (or will practice very little) during the week and will continue to wear a protective boot on his foot (where he has a cracked fifth metatarsal) until the weekend. The probable designation tells you the Giants plan on having him on the field against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.
Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers, (Q): Stewart has also developed a routine of resting early in the week to avoid overloading his Achilles. He did not practice Wednesday, as has become his norm, but practiced fully Thursday and Friday. Despite the questionable tag, he is expected to play Sunday.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions, (Q): Johnson is one of the key fantasy question marks heading into Week 9 and the Lions haven't made planning any easier by designating him as a game-time decision. Johnson had a similar designation in Week 8 and did not play. It's worth noting, however, that Johnson did very little in practice leading up to last week. Known for his athleticism and acrobatic catches, Johnson would have been at risk of either not playing up to par or reinjury had he returned too soon. This week Johnson has been reported to be running smoothly and has seen increased practice time, including reps with the first-team offense. Coach Jim Schwartz has not tipped his hand as to whether he expects Johnson to play or not and no doubt will want to see him running well in pregame warm-ups before making the final decision. This is a late game, so fantasy owners may be taking a gamble here by waiting until that decision is made. The evidence thus far supports an increased likelihood of Johnson playing as compared to last week, but questionable literally means there is a 50-50 chance it could go either way. The fact that it does come down to game time also belies the fact that Johnson is not at full strength just yet, but there is little doubt if he does play that Stafford will take advantage of his best deep threat.
Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers, (P): This has to come as a relief to concerned fantasy owners who noticed Driver was not at practice Wednesday or Thursday. He suffered a stinger in last week's game and was still having neck soreness early in the week. He was back in full practice Friday, however, and given the probable designation. It is clear the team expects him to play Sunday.
Devin Hester, Chicago Bears, (Q): Hester's ankle sprain was deemed mild by the team, but his absence from practice both Wednesday and Thursday began to raise some eyebrows. Hester was back Friday in limited work and declared himself 100 percent ready according to the Chicago Tribune. Fantasy owners can feel confident that Hester will be on the field Sunday and should not be limited at the wide receiver position.
Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals, (Q): On Thursday I outlined why the Cardinals might lean toward resting Boldin in Week 9. Boldin's return to practice Friday makes the picture even murkier. He worked on a limited basis but reportedly was moving well, making a good case for being active Sunday. Once again, Boldin's status will be a game-time decision. At least this week fantasy owners benefit from the fact that the Cardinals have an early start. But bear in mind, while Boldin has not missed any starts as a result of the ankle injury, he has not finished the past two games, either.
Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons, (Q): White did not practice until Friday because of soreness in his knee. Coach Mike Smith indicated that White was rested as a result of the short week after a Monday night game. Expect Smith to suit up to face the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (Q): Fantasy owner injury alert! Bryant has had some recurrence of swelling in his post-surgical knee which he attributed to the long flight from London to Tampa Bay. After practicing Wednesday, Bryant did less Thursday and did not practice at all Friday. A downward practice trend is never good heading into the weekend. Bryant will be a game-time decision but even coach Raheem Morris has hinted that Bryant may sit this one out. Fantasy owners should make alternate plans just in case.
Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis Colts, (Q): This one is a bit of a surprise. Garcon appeared on the injury report Friday when he did not practice as the result of an injured ankle. It is unclear whether he was being rested so as not to add to the ever-growing Colts injury roster or whether he had an actual injury setback. Fantasy owners need to check his status before game time. Fortunately Colts' starting wide receiver Reggie Wayne is off the injury report this week.
Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals, (P): Breaston will continue to play on Sundays after limited work during the week. If teammate Anquan Boldin sits, Breaston's role stands to be expanded.
Mario Manningham, New York Giants, (P): After sitting out in Week 8 as a result of a late-week shoulder injury, Manningham returned to limited practice this week and is expected to play.
DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles, (P): There's really not much to worry about here, with both players listed as probable and both practicing fully throughout the week. They both should see some action against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.
TIGHT ENDS
Ben Watson, New England Patriots, (Q): Watson was limited in practice throughout the week because of a sore back. Watson is expected to play this weekend despite the questionable tag.
Kevin Boss, New York Giants, (P): Boss indicated that the ankle he hurt earlier in the season was sore after the Week 8 game which was no doubt the reason for his limitations in practice throughout the week. The probable designation indicates that the Giants expect to have him available this Sunday.
Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers, (P): Alarm bells went off among fantasy owners when Gates was limited early in the week because of his foot, especially given his history of foot problems. Gates was back in full practice Thursday and Friday though and is expected to start against the New York Giants.
Dante Rosario, Carolina Panthers, (Q): Rosario has been dealing with a knee injury for a few weeks now. He did not practice at all this week and is expected to miss the game Sunday.
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.
Lance Moore, WR, New Orleans Saints: Moore has a sprained ankle and was unable to practice all week. Moore sits this one out, meaning all of your other Saints fantasy receivers (and tight ends) get more catches this week.
Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Indianapolis Colts: Gonzalez underwent an arthroscopic procedure to clean out his injured knee. He had been struggling since spraining his PCL earlier in the season and had not been able to return to practice. It appears Gonzalez will be out an additional few weeks -- at the minimum -- but by this point fantasy owners should have replaced him in their roster.
Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers: Nelson continues to sit with a sprained knee. James Jones is the No. 3 receiver behind Donald Driver and Greg Jennings.
Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay Packers: Finley's knee is still not well enough to allow him to return to play. Donald Lee is the starting tight end for Green Bay again this week.
Sammy Morris, RB, New England Patriots: The Boston Herald reported this week that Morris is dealing with an MCL injury. He is not expected back before late November, so until then Laurence Maroney is the expected starter.
Fred Taylor, RB, New England Patriots: No surprise here as Taylor continues to recover from ankle surgery. We may or may not see him back in the lineup in December.
Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots:Edelman continues to recover from a fractured forearm. But Wes Welker remains healthy!
Chris Cooley, TE, Washington Redskins:Cooley is still on the mend from surgery to address his injured ankle. While there are conflicting reports as to when he might return, we know it won't be this week or next.
See you at the injury chats (Tuesday 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Sunday pregame, 10 a.m. to 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. EST to kickoff for last-minute inactives, rankings and more!
Stephania Bell
