Injuries are the bane of a fantasy football owner’s existence. The NFL does such an amazingly poor job at reporting and acknowledging injuries and thus it makes it incredibly difficult to find useful information.
But on Friday’s the NFL has an obligation to report the true status of each player on every roster. It’s the closest we’ll get to knowing who is in or out for this week in the NFL. So the thing to do is to use this information along with the daily practice reports to sort out who is likely to play and sit this week. Only after the status reports come out on Friday does the rest of the week’s activity really make sense.
So, every Friday I will be sending you reports of all at risk players across the NFL. I’ll include the players who are definitely OUT for the week as well as those who are definitely playing. So the focus will be on the questionable players for the week. These reports will tell you whether or not you can relax or wait for the NFL inactive reports on Sunday morning.
Let’s take a look at the Week 6 Practice Reports:
IN
Jordan Cameron, TE, Browns - Ankle
Joique Bell, RB, Lions - Concussion
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Vikings - Hip
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Vikings - Ankle
Matt Asiata, RB, Vikings - Groin
Jerick McKinnon, RB, Vikings - Ankle
Juwan Thompson, RB, Browns - Knee
Marqise Lee, WR, Jaguars - Hamstring
Cecil Shorts, WR, Jaguars - Hamstring
Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars - Foot
Andre Ellington, RB, Cardinals - Foot
Knowshon Moreno, RB, Dolphins - Elbow
Lamar Miller, RB, Dolphins - Foot
OUT
Harry Douglas, WR, Falcons – Foot
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers – Ankle
Jarrett Boykin, WR, Packers – Groin
Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions – Ankle
Joseph Fauria, TE, Lions – Ankle
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings – Abdomen
Montee Ball, RB, Broncos – Groin
Marlon Brown, WR, Ravens – Pelvis
Josh McCown, QB, Buccaneers – Finger
Toby Gerhart, RB, Jaguars – Foot
Shonn Greene, RB, Titans – Hamstring
Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins – Ankle
Rashad Jennings, RB, Giants – Knee
Zach Miller, TE, Seahawks – Ankle
Donald Brown, RB, Chargers - Concussion
UP IN THE AIR
Devin Hester, WR, Falcons – Hamstring
Hester has been nursing this hamstring injury since that epic Thursday night game against the Buccaneers a few weeks back. He missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday but returned for a limited session on Friday. It would be hard to believe that Hester would miss a chance at redemption at his former team in the Bears this week.
Fred Jackson, RB, Bills – Ankle
Jackson is nursing an ankle injury but that isn’t the reason for the questionable tag this week. He was at practice on both Wednesday and Thursday but came down with a fever on Friday, which was part of a illness. It is highly expected that F-Jax will be good to go this week.
Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers – Ankle
Olsen got in a limited session on Friday after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday this week. He is expected to be good to go this week.
A.J. Green, WR, Bengals – Toe
It’s astonishing that Green is even questionable this week after needing to be carted off of the Bengals practice field on Thursday. He won’t play this week and you would have to consider him highly questionable for week seven as well.
Marvin Jones, WR, Bengals – Ankle
It’s such a shame that Jones sprained his ankle last week after sitting out the first four weeks with a foot injury. He also isn’t going to be active once again this week and will be in a race with A.J. Green to see who gets healthy first.
Reggie Bush, RB, Lions – Ankle
The Lions don’t need Bush as badly this week now that Joique Bell and Theo Riddick are both back to healthy. Bush didn’t get any practice time in this week and I would be very surprised if he suited up this Sunday.
Eric Decker, WR, Jets – Hamstring
Decker took part in practice all week and will give it a go against is former team this weekend. I wouldn’t expect much from him whatsoever in week six.
Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers – Rib
It would shock the world if V-Jax missed week six with the rib injury. With Mike Evans back, Jackson could see more one on one coverage which would lead to more fantasy points.
Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers – Groin
Evans was supposed to miss two to three games and so his returns is a very pleasant surprise. He is going to give it a go this week but I simply cannot play him
Jake Locker, QB, Titans – Hand
Even if he were to start for the Titans this week, Locker is far too unreliable to be a fantasy football starter. Charlie Whitehurst will draw the start and is in a decent spot going up against the lowly Jaguars.
Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins – Hamstring
Reed is set to make his return this week against the Cardinals who give up the fifth most points to fantasy TE’s so far this season. I love this matchup but am going to recommend keeping Reed on the bench until we see him make it through at least one full NFL game.
Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
Brady tweaked his ankle during Friday’s practice and is now listed as questionable for the game against the Bills this weekend. Most of us think this is no big deal since the Patriots always play games with their injury report. I am officially avoiding Brady in every format this week.