The NFL playoffs are here as we put a bow on an injury-riddled 2015 regular season. Those of you who play post-season fantasy football will still be dealing with the typical havoc and chaos we all experienced this year. Players have a higher tolerance for pain and will play through injuries during the playoffs. However, you need to consider whether a player’s workload may be limited which would diminish his potential fantasy production. So without further ado, here is the next edition of the fantasy football walking wounded.
Tom Brady (QB-NE)
It is very rare for Tom Brady to make an appearance on the injury report as he has been one of the most durable quarterbacks over the course of his Hall of Fame career. He took a big hit on Sunday against Miami and suffered bruised ribs and a high ankle sprain. The Patriots have a first round bye so Brady will have extra time to heal up and will be just fine for the Divisional Round.
Adrian Peterson (RB-MIN)
The NFL’s leading rusher went back to the locker room for some treatment on his back during the Vikings’ win over Green Bay on Sunday night. He returned and vowed that he was fine and will be ready for the Wild Card game against Seattle. There is no reason to doubt Peterson, who was one of the only top running backs who stayed healthy and productive the entire season.
Marshawn Lynch (RB-SEA)
Beast Mode has missed most of the season after undergoing abdominal surgery but is expected to return in some capacity for the Wild Card game this weekend against Minnesota. He likely won’t be able to shoulder a full workload but a limited Lynch is better than a full dose of Seattle’s other options.
Andy Dalton (QB-CIN)
At this point it is highly unlikely that Dalton will be ready to play this coming weekend against Pittsburgh as he visited a thumb specialist on Monday and hopes to have his cast taken off. Expect AJ McCarron to play in his place and try to accomplish what Dalton has been unable to do in his career – win a playoff game.
DeAngelo Williams (RB-PIT)
Williams suffered an ankle injury against the Browns and his status for the Wild Card round this coming weekend is up in the air. The good news is that the MRI did not show any structural damage, but the Steelers will play on Saturday so Williams will have one less day to recover. Pittsburgh desperately needs Williams to play against Cincinnati so the odds are good that he will be on the field one way or another.
Peyton Manning (QB-DEN)
The legend came off the bench on Sunday to lead the Broncos to the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Despite age and injuries taking their toll on him, Manning is expected to be the starter when Denver plays in the Division Round. It was a miserable regular season for Manning but he provides the Broncos with the best chance of winning thanks to his intelligence, instincts and experience.
Jonathan Stewart (RB-CAR)
Stewart has missed the past three weeks with a foot injury, but Carolina has had the luxury of taking their foot off the pedal thanks to their incredible record and clinching a playoff berth so early. He will have another week plus to rest and recover, so chances are that Stewart will be back on the field by the time the Panthers play in the Divisional Round.
Justin Houston (LB-KC)
Houston did not play in Week 17 due to a knee injury but he returned to practice at the end of last week. Kansas City had already locked up a playoff spot so they could afford to give Houston the extra rest. He should be fine to play in the Wild Card round against the Texans barring any setbacks during the week.
Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and is also the co-host of the Fantasy Alarm podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment).