Happy Halloween to all fantasy GMs who have been scared out of their pants due to all of the injuries that have occurred thus far this season. Rosters are filled with ghosts and goblins after key players continue to go down with injuries. GMs need to trick or treat on the waiver wire in order to stay afloat and tread water as we head towards the stretch run before the fantasy playoffs begin. If you are still looking for a Halloween costume then put on an NFL jersey because you could portray someone who sustained a gruesome injury. There are far too many to choose from this season. So, without further ado, let’s delve into the next edition of the fantasy football emergency room.
Ezekiel Elliott (RB-DAL) – Technically this is not an injury but the effects of the court’s recent ruling are the same. A United States District Court judge has dissolved Elliott’s temporary restraining order which has effectively reinstated Elliott’s six-game suspension. It is likely that Elliott will appeal meaning we could be back in the same situation we have been in a few times already this year. As it stands right now, he is suspended so fantasy GMs need to prepare for that for the foreseeable future which will have a major impact on playoff implications. If Elliott is out, then Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris will share duties running the ball for the Cowboys. Both are viable options off the waiver wire since they will be running behind the Cowboys’ dominant offensive line.
Devonta Freeman (RB-ATL) – Freeman has seen a limited workload over the past several weeks which has been nauseating for GMs who expect top notch production from their RB1. He has five touchdowns to go along with his 466 yards rushing but for whatever reason he is not touching the ball nearly as much as he should be. Freeman also sustained a shoulder injury this past week which will limit him in practice this week, but the injury is considered minor and should not affect his status for Week 9. Plug him in your lineup and hope the Falcons adjust their offensive scheme to give him the ball with more frequency.
Leonard Fournette (RB-JAX) – Fournette was held out in Week 7 which was surprising, but the extra rest over the bye week all but ensures he will be back on the field for Week 9. He is the front-runner for Rookie of the Year and is a must-start RB1.
Jameis Winston (QB-TB) – Winston has been dealing with an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder for the past several weeks but has been playing through it. The results have not been great from a fantasy perspective and his status for Week 9 is now questionable. He took a hit last week against Carolina which did not do him any favors in terms of healing. Winston may not play this week which means Ryan Fitzpatrick would get the start. This would have a detrimental effect on the value of players like Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson and Cameron Brate. Check back later in the week for a further update on his status.
Emmanuel Sanders (WR-DEN) – Sanders has missed the past few weeks with an ankle injury and did not play on Monday night against the Chiefs. Denver is hopeful he will return in Week 9 which would be a big boost for an offense that has been non-existent for quite some time now. Sanders has always been a PPR treasure but the way Trevor Siemian is playing limits his value to a WR3 at best.
Sterling Shepard (WR-NYG) – Shepard is the sole survivor from the Giants massacre at wide receiver and could be back on the field this coming weekend. He has not played since sustaining an ankle injury against the Chargers and then re-aggravated the injury before the Giants loss to Seattle. He practiced on Monday and appears ready to return barring any setbacks. He will unquestionably be Eli Manning’s primary target against the Rams which makes him a viable WR3 option this week when so many quality players are on a bye.
Corey Davis (WR-TEN) – The Titans rookie has been out for two months with a hamstring injury but appears ready to return this coming week. Tennessee has been primarily a running team but if Davis can take the field and stay healthy he could become a bigger part of the passing offense that has not clicked most of the season. He is a solid waiver wire option and could become a fixture in starting lineups if he can establish some consistency and remain healthy.
Zach Miller (TE-CHI) – It was a tragic injury that occurred for Zach Miller who severely injured his knee to the point where losing his leg was a possibility. Miller destroyed his knee and had to have operations to save his leg and re-establish circulation and blood flow to his lower extremity. It is safe to say that Miller is done for the year after being a TE2 option with 20 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns.
Dont’a Hightower (LB-NE) – The Patriots defense has been an uncharacteristic sore spot for a team that has prided itself on defense over the course of their dynasty. Unfortunately, things will not get any easier for the reigning Super Bowl champions after it was announced that he will miss the rest of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. It was expected he would miss a few weeks but the news that he is done for the season was a surprise. He can be dropped in IDP leagues and the Patriots defense/special teams in standard leagues becomes even less of a viable weekly option.
Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and co-host of the Fantasy Alarm Podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment).