Injury concerns regarding players heading into the Sunday and Monday games can be critical. Each week, this Saturday blog entry will be dedicated to those who appear on the official Friday NFL injury report and how their status may impact fantasy teams.
For those who may be new to this blog: Injury reports provide some insight to a player's status. The NFL requires teams to submit their injury reports several times a week, identifying the body part that is involved in the injury. Early in the week, these reports will indicate whether a player is not practicing, is limited in practice or is a full participant in practice. On Fridays, all players on the injury report are assigned one of the following designations by their teams: probable, questionable, doubtful or out. The designations in this blog reflect the injury reports filed with the league office on Friday evening. Teams playing on Monday night do not have to issue their designations until Saturday. The explanation for each designation is as follows.
Out: This is the easy one; the guy's not playing Sunday.
Probable (P): This designation indicates a player is expected to play, barring a setback between the final injury report and kickoff.
Questionable (Q): This is the most dreaded player designation, yet it manages to be the one most frequently utilized by teams (sometimes to keep everyone guessing). It means a player's status is on the fence; there is technically a 50-50 chance that he will be on the field come game time, although some teams utilize the questionable designation far more broadly. Whether a player ends up active or inactive often comes down to a game-time decision based on how he feels on game-day morning or how he performs during warm-ups. Final inactives are due 90 minutes before kickoff.
Doubtful (D): The doubtful designation means a player has theoretically less than a 25 percent chance of playing that week. Rarely does a player labeled as doubtful end up playing, unless he experiences a major turnaround before game time.
Each week in the Saturday blog, we run down a list of key fantasy players, by position, who appear in the Friday injury report, along with the injured body part as listed on the report, player status and any relevant developments or insight. The primary fantasy positions are covered (quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end). At the end, key fantasy players listed Friday as "Out" for that week's games will appear as a group.
Six teams are on bye this week! Between the players ineligible due to a bye and the number of players out with injury, this is a tough week to fill a roster, especially in deeper leagues. The teams on bye include the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans.
Good luck in Week 9, everyone!
Quarterbacks
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos, shoulder, (P): Manning has been contending with some shoulder soreness this week after a big hit he absorbed last week against the Packers. After a limited practice Wednesday, he threw his usual amount both Thursday and Friday without limitation. The Broncos return to Indy to play the Colts this week. It’s pretty safe to say Manning will be playing in this one.
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts, ankle, (P): Luck is back on the injury report, but it’s not because of his shoulder. With the struggles he’s been having and questions about the true health of his shoulder and ribs, anything that hampers his lower-half mobility certainly isn’t going to help. Luck wasn’t limited in practice after Wednesday and there’s no question he’s going to start, but you have to wonder how he’ll fare against a fast Denver pass rush.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, left thumb, (P) and Geno Smith, left shoulder, New York Jets, (P): Fitzpatrick left the Week 8 game early with an injury to his nonthrowing thumb, a ligament injury which ultimately may require surgery. For now, however, Fitzpatrick is going to play through it, something he expects to do this week. Coach Todd Bowles indicated Wednesday that Fitzpatrick would be the starter in Week 9 after he was able to go through all the motions in practice. It appears Smith will be able to back him up, despite a shoulder injury he suffered when he stepped in to replace the injured Fitzpatrick. Smith was also a full participant throughout the week.
Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans, knee, (P): Mariota has missed the past two weeks with a sprained left MCL, but he won’t miss a third. Interim coach Mike Mularkey has commented on Mariota’s progress, noting his improved mobility in the pocket this week. After a full week of practice, Mariota will start for the Titans Sunday.
Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills, knee, (P): Taylor sprained his MCL in Week 5 and hasn’t played since. Coming off the bye week, Taylor has been a full participant in practice daily and he declared himself “100 percent ready to go,” according to the Buffalo Bills' official Twitter account. One of the concerns for Taylor has been restoring his mobility, given the added dimension he offers with his ability to run. He has been wearing a brace which he may or may not use on Sunday. However he decides to outfit himself, it appears Taylor will be under center for the Bills for the first time in a month.
Running backs
Ronnie Hillman, thigh, (Q) and C.J. Anderson, ankle, (P), Denver Broncos: Hillman’s listing as questionable got the attention of his fantasy owners, but coach Gary Kubiak provided some reassurance, telling reporters that Hillman is fine and will indeed start this Sunday. After suffering a deep thigh contusion in the second half of last week’s game, he was kept to limited practices Thursday and Friday, helping ensure a lighter load in advance of Sunday. Anderson, meanwhile, was a full participant in practice daily despite a sore ankle and he too is expected to play. Kubiak may name Hillman the starter, but he continues to make use of the two backs, both of whom he views as starter quality. That pattern is likely to continue this week.
Melvin Gordon, San Diego Chargers, ankle, (P): Gordon came into last week as questionable but was active, although he didn’t set foot on the field until the second half. This week Gordon has done more in practice (full participation each day) and the probable tag reflects increased confidence in his availability to face the Ravens. Now if he can just hang on to the ball and find the end zone, fantasy owners will be rewarded for their patience.
Chris Ivory, hamstring and Stevan Ridley, knee, (P); Bilal Powell, ankle, (D), New York Jets: Powell has been sidelined with an ankle injury since Week 6, and while a doubtful tag represents a bit of an upgrade, it’s clear the Jets don’t expect to have him back this week. Ridley was activated off the PUP list last week for the Jets but didn’t see the field. Ridley has been recovering from ACL/MCL surgery and it appears he will again be active, perhaps more likely this week to see his first official game action. Coming off the yearlong recovery, that action is likely to be limited initially.
Ivory continues to be the workhorse for the Jets. He remains listed on the injury report because of his hamstring as the team continues to monitor him. Nonetheless, Ivory is fully participating in practices throughout the week and there is every expectation he will start this Sunday against the Jaguars.
Karlos Williams, Buffalo Bills, concussion, (P): It’s good to see Williams improving, even if he returns to his role as backup to LeSean McCoy. The talent of Williams emerged when McCoy was sidelined with a problematic hamstring. McCoy finally appears to be healthy (he’s no longer on the injury report either) but Williams has now been out for a month with a concussion. This week Williams resumed full practices and at probable, is expected to be available.
Dion Lewis, New England Patriots, abdomen, (P): Lewis has already played and played well since being diagnosed with this injury. Fantasy owners know what to expect come Sunday.
Orleans Darkwa, New York Giants, back, (P): Darkwa was an addition to the injury report this week because of his back but he practiced daily, albeit on a limited basis. At probable, he is expected to be available for the Giants.
Ryan Mathews, Philadelphia Eagles, groin, (Q): When Mathews suffered what was reportedly a mild groin injury before the team’s bye week, there appeared to be little worry that he would be ready for a Week 9 contest. Then it seemed there was a bit more cause for concern about his status, given the pattern earlier this week. Mathews went from limited work Wednesday to no practice Thursday, usually interpreted as a setback. He was listed as a full participant Friday, however, and at questionable, has a chance to play. ESPN.com’s Phil Sheridan notes, however, that the team’s Friday practice is a very light one, with minimal running or football activity, making the “full” participation label a bit misleading. Unfortunately, this will likely be a game-time decision and the game does not take place until Sunday night. Fantasy owners are advised to have a backup plan.
Wide receivers:
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys, foot, (P): After playing more than 80 percent of the snaps in his return from foot surgery and emerging no worse for the wear, the expectation is that Bryant will not only play but will play more this week than last. He remained limited in practice throughout the week, a measure designed to help ensure a moderated workload across the week. But it’s hard to rein him in on game day. Expect Dez to play in a big matchup against the Eagles Sunday night.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts, foot, (Q): Hilton was seen wearing a walking boot on his left foot after Monday night’s game and then just hasn’t been seen much by the media since. He was not able to practice at all this week, usually an indicator a player is unlikely to play. The questionable designation indicates the Colts will leave the door open for late improvements, just as they did when Hilton was working to recover from a bruised knee prior to a Monday night game. Hilton did play in that game, although he didn’t appear to be quite himself. Even if his foot hampers his speed, the presence of Hilton on the field provides a different dynamic for an opposing defense. In his favor, Hilton did some treadmill running Friday and as ESPN.com’s Mike Wells notes, coach Chuck Pagano will wait to see how Hilton’s foot responds overnight. This could come down to pregame warm-ups; in that case, fantasy owners may be challenged as the Colts play in a late game (4:25 pm ET kickoff).
Brandon Marshall, ankle/toe, (Q) and Eric Decker, knee, (P), New York Jets: Last week it was Decker who was listed as questionable due to persistent swelling and soreness in his knee. Since suffering a sprained PCL back in Week 2, Decker has missed only one game but his status has been iffy every week, even after the team’s bye in Week 5. That’s likely to continue throughout the season, but as long as he can manage his condition via limited practice sessions and treatment, without aggravating the injury during games, he will continue to play. This week Decker sat out Wednesday and Thursday but did enough Friday to earn the probable designation.
Marshall was enough of a concern early in the week for coach Todd Bowles to admit to not knowing whether he would be available against the Jaguars. It still appears Bowles is uncertain given the questionable tag for Marshall. He didn’t practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday and Friday, but according to ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini, Bowles “remains hopeful” Marshall will be able to give it a go Sunday. It sounds like the Jets are optimistic about Marshall’s availability, but fantasy owners will want to confirm via pregame inactives. Thankfully, this game is on the early slate.
Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings, hamstring, (P): Diggs has emerged as a rising star on the Vikings' receiving corps over the course of the past four games. It only makes sense that he would be subject to the same ailment facing other top receivers in the league, a balky hamstring. Diggs was held out of practice Wednesday but returned to limited work Thursday and a full day Friday, an encouraging progression throughout the week. The probable tag tells us the Vikings are also encouraged and expect to have Diggs on the field Sunday.
Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills, ankle, (Q): Watkins missed Week 7, the week after he sprained his ankle, then took advantage of the bye week for additional recovery time. After limited practices this week on Wednesday and Thursday, Watkins was a nonparticipant Friday but apparently that isn’t discouraging him. While he acknowledged not yet being 100 percent recovered, Watkins declared himself ready to play this weekend. “I'll definitely be out there," Watkins told reporters Friday. He’s questionable for a reason, though. Coach Rex Ryan says they will check Watkins pregame to “see how he’s feeling,” but even Ryan expressed optimism about his status. It’s a game-time decision for Watkins this week but one that appears favorable.
Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles, ankle, (Q): Agholor missed the team’s pre-bye game with an ankle injury. Despite being listed as a full participant in practice every day this week, Agholor comes in at questionable. The final decision may not be made until pregame and the Eagles play in Dallas on Sunday night. Fantasy owners beware.
Julian Edelman, New England Patriots, knee, (P): Edelman continues to defy the odds by rarely appearing on the injury report in season, but he is making an appearance this week. The probable tag indicates there is no reason to be concerned about his availability against Washington.
Rueben Randle, New York Giants, hamstring, (Q): Beckham is not on the injury report because of his hamstring this week, but his teammate Randle is. After not practicing Wednesday, Randle returned for back-to-back limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. Be sure to check pregame inactives to determine his status.
Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos, shoulder, (P): Sanders remains on the injury report because of his shoulder injury, but he has already played through it. After one day of limited practice, Sanders returned to full practices Thursday and Friday. Listed as probable, he is expected to play against the Colts.
Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers, hamstring, (D): Boldin was a late addition to last week’s injury report after a hamstring issue cropped up in Thursday’s practice. After not practicing Friday, it was no surprise he sat out Week 8, despite the team listing him as questionable. This week Boldin was unable to practice at all and the doubtful tag indicates the team is not expecting to have him on the field Sunday.
Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh Steelers, illness, (P): Despite missing Wednesday’s practice due to illness, Bryant returned to full work Thursday and Friday. At probable, he is expected to play.
Allen Hurns, Jacksonville Jaguars, ankle/thigh, (P): Hurns appeared on the injury report with an ankle injury for two weeks prior to the team’s bye but didn’t miss any playing time. Although the thigh injury is a new addition since the London game against the Bills, the team is not very concerned about Hurns’ availability given that it lists him as probable. Hurns was a full participant in Friday’s practice after being listed as limited Wednesday and Thursday and is expected to play.
DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins, hamstring, (Q): Jackson declared Monday that he expected to return this week, but his practice activity suggests he might not be quite ready. Listed as just a limited participant from Wednesday through Friday, Jackson’s status is only as good as questionable heading into Sunday. ESPN.com’s John Keim says Jackson has looked good in one-on-one work. The real test will come in an actual game, something that could happen this Sunday. Fantasy owners will have to await the pregame inactives, but this is an early game.
Willie Snead, New Orleans Saints, knee, (P): The Saints never appeared particularly concerned with Snead’s injury, despite his being held out of practice Wednesday. After back-to-back limited practices the team lists him as probable, indicating it expects him to play Sunday.
Harry Douglas, Tennessee Titans, ribs, (P): After a two-game absence with a rib injury, Douglas will join his quarterback in a return to the playing field Sunday. He will trade places with fellow receiver Kendall Wright, who is out this week with a knee injury.
Tight ends
Ladarius Green, ankle, (D) and Antonio Gates, knee, (P), San Diego Chargers: Gates played last week despite still being limited by an MCL injury. Green left last week’s game in the first quarter after suffering an ankle injury. This week the status of both tight ends is a little clearer, with Gates being expected to play and Green being expected to sit. With wide receiver Keenan Allen now on injured reserve due to a kidney laceration, Gates stands to be a top target for Philip Rivers when the Chargers face the Bears Monday night.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, shoulder, (Q): After a five-game absence with a shoulder injury, this is the first week Seferian-Jenkins looks as if he has a real chance to make an appearance. Why? Well, he turned in his first full practice since the injury on Friday. If there are no setbacks between then and Sunday, it’s possible he could see the field. The Buccaneers could use his presence given the absence of Vincent Jackson with a knee injury. It is likely going to come down to a game-time decision so fantasy owners should keep an eye on the inactive reports.
Jordan Cameron, Miami Dolphins, hamstring, (Q): Cameron was added to the injury report Thursday with a hamstring strain. He remained limited on Friday and his questionable status indicates the uncertainty around his availability. ESPN.com’s James Walker lists his projected inactives for the Dolphins and notably Cameron is not included. The final determination will come in the pregame window so fantasy owners are advised to double check before kickoff (1:00 p.m. ET).
Julius Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars, abdomen, (P): Thomas’ injury was described as mild coming out of the London game against the Buffalo Bills. He was a full participant in this week’s practices, however, and is expected to play.
Owen Daniels, Denver Broncos, shoulder, (P): Daniels practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday but was held out on Friday. The probable tag provides reassurance that just like last week, Daniels is expected to play Sunday.
OUT:
This space is intended for a list of key players, not including those who have been moved to injured reserve status, who are officially listed as "Out" for the upcoming game.
Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears, knee: This is no surprise as Forte was originally expected to miss more than a week after injuring his knee in Week 8. Jeremy Langford gets the start.
Eddie Royal, WR, Chicago Bears, knee: Royal sustained yet another injury in Week 8 and will miss yet another game.
Carlos Hyde, foot, and Mike Davis, hand, RB, San Francisco 49ers: It is no surprise that Hyde will miss another week with a stress fracture in his left foot. Davis is added to the absentee list after suffering a fractured bone in his hand in Week 8 that required surgery. The 49ers have a bye in Week 10, so these two backs are guaranteed at least two weeks of rest. Meanwhile, it appears the 49ers' backfield will be a combination of Kendall Gaskins, Pierre Thomas and Shaun Draughn.
Leonard Hankerson, WR, Atlanta Falcons, hamstring: Hankerson will miss another game with a hamstring injury.
Kendall Wright, WR, Tennessee Titans, knee: Wright didn’t hide how his knee felt earlier this week, so it comes as no surprise that he will sit this one out. His teammate Harry Douglas returns to action just in time.
Vincent Jackson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, knee: Last week Jackson was listed as doubtful despite not practicing all week following his knee injury when it never appeared he had a legitimate chance to play. This week there is no guessing as the Buccaneers have ruled him out early after another week of not practicing.
Larry Donnell, TE, New York Giants, neck: Donnell suffered a neck injury in Week 8 and while it was deemed not serious by the team, it was enough to keep him out this week.
Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants, calf: Until there is an upgrade in his practice status, Cruz remains sidelined with his calf injury.
Be sure to check out Fantasy Football Now on ESPN2 at 11:00 a.m. ET for last-minute inactives, rankings, injury impact and more!