Inside the Tent - Week 13 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

Drew Brees, QB - New Orleans Saints

• Brees is dealing with fractured ribs and a collapsed lung and was placed on injured reserve on November 20th. This leaves him sidelined until at least Week 14 against the Eagles. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport though, a more realistic target is Week 15 against the Chiefs.

Joe Mixon, RB - Cincinnati Bengals

• Mixon is dealing with a midfoot sprain that has now caused him to be sidelined since Week 7. He was placed on injured reserve on November 21st and will miss at least three more games. There was optimism that his injury was initially not serious but that was unfortunately not the case. Foot injuries can be particularly tricky given the intricacy of the joints and the first game he can return for is Week 14 against the Cowboys.

Christian McCaffrey, RB - Carolina Panthers

• McCaffrey is dealing with a shoulder sprain which occurred in Week 9. He did not play in Week 12 and the Panthers are now on bye for Week 13.

David Johnson, RB - Houston Texans

• Johnson was placed on injured reserve due to his concussion sustained in Week 9. Johnson was able to practice this week for the Texans and will return for Week 13. He returned from injured reserve on December 2nd.

D'Andre Swift, RB - Detroit Lions

• Swift was not able to play on Thanksgiving against the Texans due to a concussion. Not all concussions are the same and obviously Swift's can be considered more severe given the weeks that he's missed. Swift was able to clear concussion protocol on December 3rd but missed practice on Thursday due an an illness unrelated to COVID-19. If he's able to suit up in Week 13, he will only have a "small package of plays" according to interim head coach Derrell Bevell.

Kenny Golladay, WR - Detroit Lions

• Golladay was once again not able to play in Week 12 due to his hip injury. At this point, it's confusing as to why he has not been placed on injured reserve. He has not practiced this week and will not play in Week 13.

Julio Jones, WR - Atlanta Falcons

• Jones is once again dealing with a hamstring strain that kept him out of Week 12 against the Raiders. He was able to turn in a limited practice on Wednesday, did not practice on Thursday, then returned for a limited practice on Friday. According to James Palmer, Jones was moving well on Friday and "feels pretty good." If Jones is active this week, he is a must play.

Last Week's Injury Updates

Josh Allen, QB - Buffalo Bills

• Injury: Allen was rolled up on in Week 12 and sustained a right MCL sprain. The MCL is a ligament in the knee which helps to provide stability and prevents inward movement. There are three severities of sprains: Grade I, Grade II, and Grade III. Allen is likely dealing with a Grade I strain which is the least severe.
• News: Allen was able to practice in full on Thursday and Friday and will play in Week 13 against the 49ers in Arizona.
• Outlook: Allen will likely be sporting a lighter brace compared to the one he had on in Week 12 after the injury but his mobility may be limited against the 49ers. The 49ers' defense has been improved as of late but as always, Allen is a threat to rush in one or two touchdowns.

Daniel Jones, QB - New York Giants

• Injury: Jones sustained a hamstring strain in his right leg in Week 12. The hamstring muscle group is at the back of the thigh and helps athletes with acceleration and deceleration. Muscle strains come in three grades: Grade I, Grade II, and Grade III. Jones is likely dealing with a significant Grade I strain and will be out for multiple weeks.
• News: Jones didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was able to turn in a limited practice on Friday.
• Outlook: As stated above, Jones will likely be out for at least two weeks. With Jones sidelined, Colt McCoy will start for the Giants. Wayne Gallman will retain his value in Week 13 if he can catch some passes out of the backfield against the Seahawks as the Giants could easily fall behind early.

Dalvin Cook, RB - Minnesota Vikings

• Injury: Cook sustained an ankle sprain in his left foot but thankfully avoided a high ankle sprain. Cook likely sustained a Grade I sprain as he was able to return to the game in a limited role.
• News: Cook practiced in a limited fashion on Wednesday and Thursday and in full on Friday. He will play this weekend against the Jaguars but will have his touches limited by head coach Mike Zimmer.
• Outlook: With Alexander Mattison likely seeing more work in Week 13, expectations for Cook should be tempered. Although, Cook is always live to break a long run or two to return value. At the end of the day, fantasy managers with Cook on their team should be playing him in Week 13.

Josh Jacobs, RB - Las Vegas Raiders

• Injury: Jacobs sustained an ankle sprain to his right foot in Week 12 against the Falcons. Based on the video, he may have sustained a mild high ankle sprain which would keep him out for longer. If it's a lateral ankle sprain, consider him week to week.
• News: Jacobs was not able to practice on Wednesday or Thursday and was subsequently ruled out for Week 13 against the Jets.
• Outlook: With Jacobs sidelined, Devontae Booker could easily see 20 touches considering the Raiders are healthy favorites in Week 13. Jalen Richard will maintain his role of getting some targets out of the backfield but this does not cut into Booker's value.

Phillip Lindsay, RB - Denver Broncos

• Injury: Lindsay sustained a sprain to his right MCL as his knee was twisted awkwardly during a tackle. The, MCL, or medial collateral ligament, helps to add stability to the knee and prevents inward, or valgus, collapse. Lindsay is likely dealing with a Grade I sprain and is week to week.
• News: Lindsay didn't practice on Wednesday, was limited on Thursday, and returned for a full practice on Friday. This puts him in line to play in Week 13 although he may see a decreased snap share.
• Outlook: With Lindsay's injury, consider this a boost for Melvin Gordon as he'll likely see more work for the Broncos. There's a greater than zero chance Lindsay could re-aggravate his knee.

D.J. Moore, WR - Carolina Panthers

• Injury: Moore sustained a soft tissue injury to his right ankle in Week 12. As he was jumping for a pass, his ankle tweaked so he could be dealing with a sprain at this point.
• News: Xrays on Moore's foot and ankle were negative which indicates he avoided a fracture unless he sustained a hairline fracture which is only revealed on CT scans. The Panthers have a bye in Week 13 so his practice reports next week will be telling for his status in Week 14.
• Outlook: If Moore was to sit, this would make Robby Anderson a Top-10 play for the rest of the season and upgrades Curtis Samuel as well. If Moore turns in an early limited practice next week, expect him to play.

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