Fantasy Football Injury Report: October 24, 2014
Those of you looking for Michael Stein’s report, I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that I am pinch hitting for him today. The good news, assuming you are still reading after starting your Stein withdrawal, is that I feel your pain. Like you, I am missing key stars from my lineups as we enter the critical week 8. So, as Michael would say . . . without further adieu, here is the next edition of the walking wounded.
Darren Sproles: The rumors of his demise were premature indeed. After many speculated that Darren Sproles might have suffered a season ending knee injury, he practiced in full Friday and is slated to suit up for the Eagles Sunday. While this is a nice story, Sproles is still just two weeks removed from an MCL sprain, goes up against the tough Cardinals Defense and plays behind one of the best in the business, Shady McCoy. All in all, I would be very hesitant to start Sproles unless you really have not better option. I certainly sit him in standard leagues.
A.J. Green: According to reports, A.J. Green will battle the toe injury all year. More importantly to those of you setting your lineups is his listing as doubtful for Week 8. Even if Green somehow manages to dress, I would be very hesitant to start him as he could very well suffer from MDD -- Megatron Decoy Disease. That said, the likelihood is that he sits and that is bad news for Andy Dalton and Giovani Bernard. The Bengals offense simply does not run smoothly or efficiently without the star wideout. Add in the fact that the Ravens are a better defensive team than many think and you have some very good reasons to downgrade all the Bengals for week 8 (yes, even Mohamed Sanu).
Jimmy Graham: Jimmy Graham is officially listed as questionable but it seems pretty clear that he will play on Sunday. Of course, the question is how much and how well. Honestly, there is no way to know. If I have to make a prediction (and I do because I am authoring this column), I would say he will play in limited situations including red zone packages. The bottom line is that if you own Graham in anything but a three team league you do not have a better option and will start him. High risk, high reward here we come.
Pierre Thomas: Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson will sit out Sunday. That is bad news for them and for the Saints but it is good news for Mark Ingram and Travaris Cadet. Ingram will get the majority of the carries and Cadet should catch a bunch of balls in the high scoring affair expected Sunday with the Packers. I would love to get Cadet cheap this week so you now know where I stand. After all, Cadet had 9 targets in only 20 snaps. That number should go up this week.
Owen Daniels: Owen Daniels will not play Sunday. As we say on Colton and the Wolfman on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio every Tuesday night: NEXT! Crockett Gillmore is the next man up. If you do not know that name, do not feel bad. Very few did before today. What can we expect from the Gillmore? Well, we all know the Ravens like to throw to the TE. We also know that Gillmore is raw but at 6’6” and 250+ pounds, he is a big target and could easily see a bunch of targets, including in the red zone. You hope to have a safer option but if you don’t, Gillmore at least has a high upside this week against the Bengals Defense which just has not been as good as advertised.
Reggie Wayne: Reggie Wayne is all but certain to miss Sunday’s game and quite possibly week 9 as well before the week 10 bye. Only if you are truly desperate should you be starting Hakeem Nicks, Donte Moncrief or Griff Whalen. Move along.
Reggie Bush: Like Reggie Wayne, Reggie Bush is very unlikely to play Sunday. The good news, such as it is, is that the Lions play at 930a.m. Sunday so you will know the deal in time to set lineups. That said, even if Bush plays, he is not the Lions RB to start or own this week. That man is Joique Bell. Last week, Bell had 20 touches, 67 total yards and a TD. This week should be far better against an Atlanta team that is just plain old bad on defense.
Final Thought: I am back on Monday morning with the Week That Was. Until then, good luck to all, especially those members of #cowboysnation out there! (Sorry, had to do it).