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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 guys, the readers! I'm Aaron Burger, a third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student, graduating in May. About a year ago, I decided to combine my love, fantasy football, with what I've been learning for three 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 breaking NFL news and updates.
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Inside the Tent Updates
Leonard Fournette, RB - Jacksonville Jaguars
Fournette was able to log full practices this week as he eyes a Week 10 return. He has not played since Week 4 when he re-aggravated his hamstring strain. Hopefully the Jaguars, with Fournette returning to the lineup, can return to form while playing good defense and controlling the game with Fournette toting the rock.
Dalvin Cook, RB - Minnesota Vikings
Cook was able to lace up the cleats in Week 9 and actually produce solid fantasy numbers. He rushed 10 times for 89 yards while catching all four of his targets for 20 yards. I definitely wasn't expecting Cook to have a productive day but he proved me wrong! Going forward, we can expect Latavius Murray to be phased out of the game plan and for Cook to progress towards his normal workload.
Sony Michel, RB - New England Patriots
Michel was not on the field for Week 9 but he once again has a chance to play in Week 10 after practicing in a limited fashion this week. He sprained his MCL in Week 7 in what looked to be a scary injury. Thankfully though, there was no ligament rupture and he's only dealing with a sprain. James White and Cordarrelle Patterson have been awesome for the Patriots though so Michel could very well be out one more week. His status is worth monitoring as the weekend progresses.
Chris Thompson, RB - Washington Redskins
Thompson has been ruled out for Week 10's game against the Buccaneers. He's dealing with a rib injury which could either involve the bone itself or the cartilage that attaches it to the sternum. Kapri Bibbs figures to handle passing down work while the ageless Adrian Peterson will run between the tackles against a vulnerable Buccaneers defense.
Royce Freeman, RB - Denver Broncos
Freeman suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 7 and missed Weeks 8 and 9 as a result. High ankle sprains typically take a few weeks to return from. With the Broncos on bye this week, I expect Freeman to be on the field in Week 11 although he will split work with Phillip Lindsay.
Giovani Bernard, RB - Cincinnati Bengals
Bernard is still dealing with a sprained MCL and missed Week 9 as a result. The Bengals were on bye in Week 9 and he turned in limited practices all week. I'm suspecting he is able to give it a go in Week 10 after missing four games. Bernard’s value will obviously be capped given Joe Mixon’s role in the offense.
A.J. Green, WR - Cincinnati Bengals
Green is expected to miss at least two games with a toe injury. He was seen after Week 8 in a walking boot and we were told it was "precautionary." Then, he went to go see foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson to gain some clarity about his toe ailment. It was then reported by Adam Schefter that Green will miss "some games." In Green's absence, expect Tyler Boyd to soak up targets and John Ross to be a boom or bust candidate if he himself can stay healthy.
Robby Anderson, WR - New York Jets
Anderson is ailing with a mid-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 7. He played in Week 9 and caught four of six targets for 32 yards. Good news for Week 10 and beyond right?! Wrong. Anderson has not practiced this week and is doubtful to play in Week 10. The Jets could also be without their rookie QB Sam Darnold.
Keke Coutee, WR - Houston Texans
Coutee was not able to play in Week 9 with a hamstring strain. With Will Fuller's ACL tear, Coutee was looking like the next man up in the Texans passing attack but Demaryius Thomas was acquired from the Broncos. Coutee will hopefully move back to the slot in Week 10 where he has been effective this year when healthy. Despite the possibility of him returning, he recently told reporters, "Until I'm 100 percent, I won't be back out there."
Quincy Enunwa, WR - New York Jets
Enunwa was able to come back from his high ankle sprain in Week 9 catching all three of his targets for 40 yards. With Robby Anderson likely missing Sunday's game, Enunwa will likely be the #1 receiver in the Jets offense with Josh McCown likely slinging him the rock in Week 10.
Geronimo Allison, WR - Green Bay Packers
Allison has been placed on Injured Reserve with a core muscle injury. This is likely similar to the injury that landed Marshawn Lynch on the IR. He could return for the playoffs if the Packers are fortunate enough to make it there. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has shown some potential in Allison's absence and if you were lucky enough to snag him off of waivers a few weeks ago then you may have a solid starter going forward.
Week 10 Injury Updates
Sam Darnold, QB - New York Jets
- Injury: It's being reported that Darnold is dealing with a significant foot sprain. The exact location of the sprain is unknown at this time but Darnold was in a walking boot on Wednesday.
- News: Darnold's foot sprain is reportedly "serious" and he will be re-evaluated prior to the Jets' Week 12 game against the Patriots according to Ralph Vacchiano, a Jets insider for SNY.
- Outlook: Until Darnold is able to return, Josh McCown will lead the Jets offense which now has a healthy Quincy Enunwa. McCown has been serviceable in the past and is a seasoned veteran. The Jets will likely turn the ball over much less with McCown at the helm.
Chris Carson, RB - Seattle Seahawks
- Injury: Carson was added to the injury report last Thursday with an unspecified hip injury. There are obviously plenty of structures in the hip that can be injured but at this time we're not sure of the exact injury that caused him to leave last week’s game. Then, it was reported that he is now dealing with a thigh injury. This thigh injury could include a quadriceps or adductor strain which could keep him out a few weeks or a contusion which would likely keep him out one game.
- News: He exited last week’s game during the first drive of the second half and did not return. Carson was then seen on the sideline with a wrap around his leg. He did not practice all week but on Friday Pete Carroll said Carson, “has been getting better." Carson is a game-time decision tomorrow when the Seahawks play the Rams.
- Outlook: Considering he was a game-time decision last week and he was re-injured, I would be shocked if he played this week. Couple that with the fact that he wasn’t able to practice in any capacity this week and it’s likely he’ll be watching the game on the sidelines. With Carson out, expect a healthy dose of Mike Davis as he has shown he can not only run the ball but catch passes out of the backfield.
Raheem Mostert, RB - San Francisco 49ers
- Injury: If you were watching Thursday Night Football last week, you’re quite aware that Raheem Mostert broke his right forearm as he was brought down by a defender. There are two bones that make up the forearm, the radius and the ulna.
- News: The next day, it was not surprisingly announced that Mostert would be placed on injured reserve and require surgery to repair his forearm. This was not a pretty one.
- Outlook: With Mostert out, Matt Breida has a great opportunity to dominate the backfield touches if he can stay healthy himself. He is able to catch passes out of the backfield which is something Alfred Morris does not excel at. If the 49ers get down, Breida will still be on the field which is good news for fantasy owners.
Dez Bryant, WR - New Orleans Saints
- Injury: Bryant, just two days after signing with the Saints, tore his Achilles tendon in practice on Friday. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles including the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris to the foot and allows athletes to push off from the ground during running and jumping activities.
- News: It was confirmed Friday evening that Bryant's Achilles tendon was torn during practice.
- Outlook: This could be a career ender for Bryant or it could set him up for a major comeback. Considering he had trouble finding a team before this injury, it certainly doesn't look good for the veteran out of Oklahoma State. This leaves more opportunities for Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara, and Tre'Quan Smith. The Saints offense was certainly not struggling before the acquisition of Bryant and they shouldn't have trouble scoring points the rest of the season.
Give me a follow on Twitter at @FFAchesAilments - Check back next week and all season for insight regarding fantasy's biggest injuries!
