RADIO
As we all know, each week there are plenty of NFL injuries. This piece highlights the key injuries to NFL players that are fantasy relevant, and sets the gears in motion for moving forward and salvaging your teams for the rest of the season. Our fantasy football injury report for Week 11 will highlight new injuries to NFL players from this past week, including their potential fantasy football implications. This week there were lots of quarterback injuries but we'll also take a look at the injuries to running backs, wide receivers and tight ends too.
Fantasy Football Injury Report for Week 11
Quarterback (QB) Injuries
Peyton Manning - This one had a lot of fantasy football owners holding their breath. Manning was hit twice in the lower area of his legs, and said after the game that he's pretty sore. Manning didn't leave the game at all, so that's the good news. He also underwent an MRI today which revealed no new injury. The bad news is that he's playing a ferocious Kansas City defense next week, so hopefully he doesn't aggravate the injury in any way.
Jay Cutler - All through last week, fantasy owners were expecting Cutler to sit out the week 10 game but he ended up starting. In the 4th quarter of the game Cutler was pulled, with what's being called a sprained ankle. He's already been ruled out for Week 11, and the Bears may have to go a couple more weeks without Cutler. Josh McCown has proved to be a capable NFL backup quarterback for the Bears and a solid source of fantasy football points as well when he's on the field.
Jake Locker - This is probably the biggest injury of the week in terms of long-term implications for the NFL and fantasy football. Locker's right foot injury may be of the season-ending variety, and the Titans have already said they're 99% certain he will be miss the remainder of the NFL season. Ryan Fitzpatrick will take over as the quarterback, and he holds limited fantasy value even in 2QB leagues. Even with a relatively easy schedule remaining, Fitzpatrick will be nothing more than a mediocre QB2 option at best.
Terrelle Pryor - Another week, another injury for Pryor. Coming out of Sunday's matchup against the Giants, he was diagnosed with a sprained MCL and is feeling very sore. It doesn't look like Pryor will miss any games right now, but he may not be 100% either when he faces off against the Texans and their top-rated pass defense. Pryor will be a mediocre QB2 option going forward, until he can resume playing at a high level like he was earlier in the season.
Seneca Wallace - After losing Aaron Rodgers to a multi-week injury, the Packers lost their backup QB in the first quarter against the Eagles. Wallace was diagnosed with a groin injury, and was replaced by Scott Tolzien at quarterback. Wallace has already been ruled out for Week 11, and Tolzien will get the start as a low-end QB2 option against the Giants in Week 11.
Christian Ponder - Ponder was actually playing very well against the Redskins, before being knocked out of the game with an injury (dislocated left shoulder). Reports are saying that the injury is minor, and he may even be able to suit up in Week 11 against the tough Seahawks defense. If Ponder is able to play, he will be just a low-end QB2 option. If he can't go, either Matt Cassel or Josh Freeman would make the start. Neither option would be more than a low-end QB2 option.
Running Back (RB) Injuries
Arian Foster - One of the biggest NFL player injuries to report on this week is Arian Foster. After fighting off various injuries throughout this season, Foster was forced from Week 9's game against the Colts on the first drive with a back injury. Yesterday it was reported that he would be placed on injured reserve sometime this week, ending his 2013 season, and will also need back surgery to correct his problems. Wade Phillips wouldn't confirm any back surgery for Foster today, but this is a huge blow to the Texans and fantasy football owners who invested a 1st round pick on him. Ben Tate is playing through an injury of his own but will be the lead running back for Houston moving forward, with Dennis Johnson getting some touches as well.
Doug Martin - Although Martin didn't sustain any injury in Week 10, the Bucs did officially place him on injured reserve with a torn labrum (shoulder injury). Those in keeper leagues should hold onto Martin, as he will be back next year and projected as the full-time running back for the Bucs. For the remainder of the 2013 NFL season, Mike James will carry the workload with Brian Leonard getting some touches as well.
Le'Ron McClain - While McClain isn't a fantasy relevant running back, he is the lead blocker for the Chargers and had to leave Sunday's game with an ankle injury. If he is forced to miss any more time, the San Diego running backs would get a downgrade since McClain is an important piece of their running attack.
Update: Mike James - Mike James had to leave Monday's game versus the Dolphins with a foot injury. Initial results show a fracture to his left ankle, but the severity is not yet known. James had been running very well in game, looking explosive on the opening drive while racking up 41 yards on 5 carries. The talented rookie is now out indefinitely, so Brian Leonard and Bobby Rainey will be the primary running backs moving forward. Leonard may be a decent option in PPR leagues, as he's already the third-down RB for the Bucs, but he may not be getting 20 carries a game like he did tonight. Rainey ran well on his 8 carries, racking up 45 yards and a TD, is probably the more talented back. If Rainey ends up handling the early down work in Week 11, he can emerge as a FLEX option and hold more fantasy value than Leonard.
Wide Receiver (WR) Injuries
Stevie Johnson - With Robert Woods already injured, the Bills now have to deal with Johnson's injury. He was forced out of Sunday's game with a right groin injury, and his Week 11 status is already in doubt. But Johnson also stated he will receive triple treatment this week to try and play against the Jets. If he were to miss anytime, Woods would be the #1 wide receiver if healthy and a low-end WR3. If both couldn't go Marquise Goodwin and T.J. Graham would most likely be the starting WRs, but neither would be more than a low-end WR4 options.
Michael Floyd - Floyd had to exit Week 10's game in the first quarter with a right shoulder injury (sprained shoulder). He is considered day-to-day right now. Coach Arians expects Floyd to be active in Week 11 against the Jaguars, but nothing is certain yet. Andre Roberts played well filling in for Floyd after his injury, and could have low-end WR3 value this week if Floyd is injured and can't suit up.
Tight End (TE) Injuries
Vernon Davis - Davis was knocked out of Sunday's game against the Panthers in the 2nd quarter with a concussion, and did not return. This is a big concern for the 49ers as Davis is their biggest receiving threat, and a big concern for fantasy football owners as tight end has been a very thin position this year. Vance McDonald filled in at TE after the Davis injury, but had zero catches and is just a rookie. He could provide low-end TE2 value if Davis were to miss Week 11. RotoBaller will also have plenty of TE recommendations and waiver wire pickups for you in our weekly waiver wire article.
Tony Gonzalez - Another big name tight end injury for Week 10. Gonzalez injured his left toe on Sunday against the Seahawks, but remained in the game even though he was limited. The Falcons haven't provided any updates on his Week 11 status, and are planning to do so on Wednesday. He may be able to suit up next weekend against the Bucs, and if not rookie Levine Toilolo would get the start and hold low-end TE2 value.
=============
In case you missed them, here are some other RotoBaller Week 11 articles. Let’s win some leagues!
- Week 11 Waiver Wire – Wide Receivers (WR) & Defenses (DEF)
- Rest of Season (ROS) Rankings - Standard and PPR Leagues
