Inside the Tent - Week 11 NFL Injury Insight

At RotoBaller, we can't stress enough the importance of keeping up with injuries and playing your best lineup week after week. Players are going to get injured, that's an unavoidable fact. What's avoidable though is making the wrong roster decisions based on the injuries surrounding your fantasy squad. If you want to dominate your leagues and win some dough in daily contests, you have to be proactive with injury research.

That's where I come in to serve you, the readers! I'm Aaron Burger, a Doctor of Physical Therapy in Pittsburgh, PA. About three years ago, I decided to combine my love, fantasy football, with what I've been learning for years now: injuries and the human body. Each week, I'll be checking in on fantasy's biggest injuries to keep you informed.

Be sure you also have RotoBaller bookmarked and follow us on social media to catch all the latest NFL news and updates. Feel free to reach out on Twitter (@aaronburgerPT) for any injury questions!

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Inside the Tent Updates

Joe Mixon, RB - Cincinnati Bengals

• Mixon is dealing with a midfoot sprain that has now caused him to be sidelined since Week 7. Leading into Week 11, Mixon was not able to practice and therefore, he is OUT. He's now missed practice for four straight weeks. His status for Week 12 is in doubt and the midfoot sprain may be worse than initially thought.

Christian McCaffrey, RB - Carolina Panthers

• McCaffrey, dealing with a shoulder sprain was ruled out for Week 11 on Wednesday. This indicates he was never close to playing which puts his Week 12 status in doubt.

David Montgomery, RB - Chicago Bears

• Montgomery was not able to play in Week 10 as he was dealing with a concussion. The Bears will now go on bye and will get Montgomery back to lead the backfield in Week 12.

David Johnson, RB - Houston Texans

• Johnson was placed on injured reserve due to his concussion sustained in Week 9. This indicates that the first game Johnson can return for is their Week 13 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

Laviska Shenault Jr., WR - Jacksonville Jaguars

• Shenault missed Week 10 with a hamstring strain and now, after not practicing this week, has been ruled out for Week 11 against the Steelers. Fantasy managers should check the Jaguars' practice report next Wednesday as the Jaguars take on the Browns in Week 12.

Kenny Golladay, WR - Detroit Lions

• Golladay was been ruled out for Week 11 due to his lingering hip injury. This will be Golladay's third missed game in a row.

Noah Fant, TE - Denver Broncos

• Fant suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 4 and has not looked like his explosive self since. He sustained a new rib injury in Week 10 due to the blunt trauma of a tackle. Expect Fant to play in Week 11 after getting in a limited practice on Thursday, followed by a full practice on Friday. He'll likely be wearing extra protection over his ribs.

Last Week's Injury Updates

Drew Brees, QB - New Orleans Saints

• Injury: Brees sustained several fractured ribs and a punctured lung in Week 10. The ribs are fractured on both sides and the punctured lung is on his right side. This will obviously make it very difficult to twist while throwing and can slow the rehabilitation process significantly.
• News: Brees was placed on injured reserve on Friday, November 20th.
• Outlook: With Brees out, there's been much speculation as to who the starter will be for the Saints. At least for this week, it may be a situation to avoid until there's some clarity how the snaps will be distributed between Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB - Carolina Panthers

• Injury: Bridgewater sustained a MCL sprain in his right knee. For anyone thinking worst case scenario, no this not the same knee he injured in 2016. The MCL, or medial collateral ligament, is on the inner part of the knee and helps to add stability while preventing the knee frow collapsing inward.
• News: He was able to practice in a limited fashion all week and Carolina hasn't "given up on the idea" of him playing in Week 11 according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
• Outlook: Bridgewater may come down to being a game time decision but hopefully there's some news on Saturday from the Panthers. If Bridgewater cannot suit up, P.J. Walker will start for the Panthers.

Drew Lock, QB - Denver Broncos

• Injury: Lock sustained "strained and bruised" ribs in Week 10 but thankfully avoided fractures. Bones, contrary to popular belief, have a blood supply and can therefore be bruised themselves. The cartilage at the joints connecting the ribs to the sternum and spine can can also be injured which is severely painful.
• News: Lock didn't practice on Wednesday but was able to turn in limited sessions on Thursday and Friday, putting him in line to play in Week 11.
• Outlook: The Miami defense has been very impressive and will likely give Lock some trouble. Expectations should be tempered considering his rib injury and the recent prowess of the Miami defense.

Matthew Stafford, QB - Detroit Lions

• Injury: Stafford sustained a partially torn ligament in his throwing thumb in Week 10 against the Washington Football Team. The injury likely involves the ulnar collateral ligament within the thumb. This is the ligament Drew Brees tore last season which caused him to miss six games.
• News: After being held out of practice on Wednesday, Stafford was able to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday.
• Outlook: Fantasy managers can expect Stafford to start on Sunday, although he's been struggling without Golladay as of late. Consider him a QB2 against the Panthers.

D'Andre Swift, RB - Detroit Lions

• Injury: Swift entered the NFL's concussion protocol on Thursday, three days after the Lions faced off with the Washington Football Team. Concussions are obviously a result of a blow to the head and the symptoms including dizziness, sensitivity to light, and headaches are a result of the chemical cascade which occurs in the brain.
• News: With Swift entering the concussion protocol on Thursday, this puts his Week 11 status in serious doubt. He did not practice on Thursday or Friday and will carry a questionable tag into the weekend.
• Outlook: Considering his late addition to the concussion protocol, it is doubtful Swift will play this weekend. If Swift is sidelined, look for increased work for Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson within a very injured Detriot Lions offense.

Danny Amendola, WR - Detroit Lions

• Injury: Amendola left Week 10 against the Washington Football Team with a hip injury. Hip injuries range from pointers, labrum tears, and hip flexor strains.
• News: He was not able to practice this week, indicating he will likely be out for Week 11 against the Panthers.
• Outlook: With Amendola and Golladay out, the Lions will lean on Marvin Jones Jr. Marvin Hall, and Quintez Cephus. They will also likely be without D'Andre Swift with an injured Matthew Stafford under center.

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