The season is just flying by as we are now into Week 7.  This means we are just past the halfway point towards the fantasy football playoffs.  Injuries have likely decimated everyone’s teams but what separates the best from the rest is how you manage that adversity through effective waiver wire maneuvers or savvy trades.  So without further adieu, here is the next edition of the gridiron walking wounded.

Odell Beckham, Jr. (WR – NYG)

Beckham has not practiced this week but expects to return on Saturday.  He will play on Sunday against Dallas even if he does not practice or is in a limited capacity.  We are used to him dealing with hamstring issues by this point and he played last Monday night despite not practicing the week before.  Put him in your lineup as your WR1 and hope he has another big game against the Cowboys.

Keenan Allen (WR – SD)

Allen was limited to running on a treadmill on Thursday but the Chargers seem optimistic about him playing this Sunday against Oakland.  He is listed as questionable so his status needs to be monitored closely over the next couple days.  Allen is a great fantasy option this week against a Raiders defense which could allow him to light up the stat sheet.

Ben Roethlisberger (QB – PIT)

Big Ben was limited in practice on Thursday and is listed as questionable for Week 7.  He is working his way back from a knee injury and would be a welcome sight back on the field.  Not only do fantasy owners need Roethlisberger back as their quarterback, but Antonio Brown owners have also been suffering the past couple weeks.  If Roethlisberger is unable to play then look for Landry Jones to get the start.

Brandon Marshall (WR – NYJ)

Marshall was limited in practice on Thursday with a calf injury.  This does not appear serious at the moment and should not affect his status for Sunday against the Patriots.  Marshall is a great fantasy option for this showdown with New England which should be high scoring and quite possibly see the Jets throwing the ball with frequency if they fall behind early.

John Brown (WR – ARZ)

Brown had a monster game last week accumulating 10 catches for just under 200 yards.  He was limited in practice on Thursday as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury.  However, he also dealt with this last week before lighting up the scoreboard.  Barring any significant setbacks over the next two days he will be just fine for Monday night’s game against Baltimore which could see him replicate those numbers.

Marcus Mariota (QB – TEN)

The No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft sustained a sprained MCL and has not practiced all week.  However, the Titans think he could return on Friday which may put him in line to play this Sunday.  This situation is in flux so you will need to monitor his status throughout the day on Friday.  He has put up respectable numbers thus far but is not a fantasy option except in two-QB leagues.

Sammy Watkins (WR – BUF)

At this point Watkins has to be considered a major injury risk given the litany of maladies he has had since his rookie season last year.  He will not play in Week 7 against Jacksonville as he continues to deal with an ankle injury.  Buffalo has its bye next week so there is a chance we could see him back after that.  Look for Robert Woods and Chris Hogan to be sneaky streaming options against a suspect Jaguars’ defense.

Gary Barnidge (TE – CLE)

Raise your hand if you banked on Barnidge being one of the top fantasy tight ends in the league.  If your hand is raised then either you are lying or related to him.  Barnidge participated fully in practice on Thursday and will be just fine for this week’s game against St. Louis.  He has caught five touchdowns and has two 100-yard receiving games already this season.  He is a must start and do so with confidence.

Tavon Austin (WR – STL)

Austin is one of the most electric players in the league with big-play capability any time he touches the ball.  However, he missed practice the past couple days with a hand injury despite St. Louis having extra time off from their bye last week.  Austin still has a ways to go as an NFL wide receiver, but he is dangerous enough to be considered a Flex option or a streaming WR3 option in deep leagues.  Look for further updates on his status on Friday.

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).