We had quite the Week 9, didn’t we? While there weren’t any crazy, debilitating injuries to report, there were certainly a number of instances which will require your attention as you get ready to set up your FAAB bids and waiver claims for the week. Here’s a look at the fallout from the weekend and what you should probably be looking at over the next few days. The fantasy football regular season is almost at an end, sop staying on top of each and every detail is vital to your success.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB NYJ – The Jets’ 33-year old signal caller exited Week 9 with a left knee injury but managed to come back in and finish the game. He was immediately sent for an MRI on Monday which revealed what they are calling a minor sprain to his MCL. The team is hoping he can return to practice at some point this week, but according to reports, they are prepared to use Bryce Petty in Week 10 should Fitzpatrick miss significant practice time. If you’re using Fitzpatrick and have somehow managed to stay in the hunt for your playoffs, check the waiver wire for a potential replacement for the week. You are not going to want to use Petty against the Rams though, so look deep.
Alex Smith, QB KC – The Chiefs and Smith himself continue to assert that he did not suffer a concussion back in Week 8 and maintain that it is a head injury that does not require clearance via the league’s concussion protocol. They’re also selling a bridge in Brooklyn and some swamp land down in Florida, so get your finances straight should you want to invest. Nevertheless, the Chiefs say that Smith will be under center for their Week 10 match-up with the Panthers, so keep an eye on him at practice and see if he’s playing without limitations.
Jameis Winston, QB TB – After leaving the Week 9 Thursday game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury, Winston was back at practice Monday and was playing without any sort of knee brace or out-of-the-ordinary limitations. It looks like he should be a full-go for Week 10 against the Bears.
Carlos Hyde, RB SF – The road to recovery has been a slow on for Hyde and his shoulder as he’s now missed the last two games which includes a bye week in between action. As of Tuesday, Nov. 8, he is still wearing a non-contact jersey at practice which really doesn’t bode well for his chances to return in Week 10 against the Cardinals. You’ll have to continue monitoring his practices this week and understand that if he doesn’t shed the non-contact by Friday, he likely won’t be given clearance to play. The DuJuan Harris train continues to ride out of San Francisco station, though it won’t speed through the Arizona defense as easily as it did against the Saints this past week.
Spencer Ware, RB KC – While the Chiefs refuse to admit that Alex Smith is dealing with a concussion, they have no choice with regard to Ware who is currently in the league’s protocol and missed Week 9 due to lingering symptoms. Head coach Andy Reid said that he expects Ware to receive clearance this week, though, and get back to practice. Hopefully you handcuffed him to Charcandrick West and won’t have to turn to the disgustingness of the waiver wire, but if not, you should make sure you have a viable alternative just in case. Concussions are a tricky thing and everyone recovers differently. Reid’s hopefulness may be encouraging, but he’s not the one making the ultimate decision.
Tevin Coleman, RB ATL – He’s now missed the last two games with a hamstring injury and considering he missed the open portion of practice Monday, the team may just opt to keep him out until after their Week 11 bye. He was seen doing individual workouts and exercises with the trainers on the sidelines Monday, but until he’s running with his teammates, the outlook remains sketchy, at best. Continue to monitor his practice schedule this week, but again, don’t be surprised if you fail to see him on the field before Week 12.
Matt Jones, RB WAS – The Redskins are coming off a bye and are hopeful that Jones could be back in uniform for their Week 10 match-up with the Vikings. He hadn’t practiced at all over the past two weeks but returned to do individual drills Monday. It wasn’t a huge step, by any means, but it does put his recovery as moving in the right direction. The team will obviously monitor his progress closely, but fantasy owners should be maintaining their contingency plan. Rob Kelley had filled in admirably in Week 8, so if Jones isn’t ready to return this week, look for Kelley to be the one to scratch and claw for every yard against Minnesota’s tough run defense.
Will Fuller, WR HOU – He left the Week 8 game against the Lions with hamstring and knee issues and was treated with kid gloves over the bye week as the team hopes to have him back in uniform against the Bears this week. The Texans are holding their cards close to their vest with regard to Fuller as the known injury to Jaelen Strong reveals just how short-handed they could be in the receiver department. Monitor the Texans practices this week and see just how involved Fuller is. If he’s not heavily involved, then you should make sure your contingency plans for your Week 10 lineup are in order.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR ARI – The veteran wideout left Week 8 with an ankle injury and was hoping the extra time off, thanks to a Week 9 bye, would do the trick. Unfortunately, he was not present at the open portion of practice on either Monday nor Tuesday. That doesn’t rule him out for Week 10, but it’s obviously not a good sign. Keep tabs on Fitzgerald this week and see if he rejoins practice at some point. If he doesn’t and J.J. Nelson is available, make that grab.
Terrelle Pryor, WR CLE – He’s had a nagging hamstring issue over the last couple of weeks, but still managed to play the entire game Sunday against the Cowboys. Even more encouraging was that he was at practice Monday, albeit in a limited capacity. The team seems confident that he will be just fine for Thursday’s game against the Ravens, so you probably won’t have to worry unless you hear of some sort of setback.
Jeremy Maclin, WR KC – Maclin was dealing with a groin injury right up until kickoff for Week 9 and after just a couple of series in the game, he was back on the sideline with a wrap on his leg. He never made it back in, so obviously this is of a serious concern moving forward. Hamstring injuries have a tendency to linger and if Maclin was pushing himself too hard before he was healed, he could have set himself back even further. The team is calling him day-to-day, but head coach Andy Reid also said it wouldn’t be a surprise if the wideout missed another game with the injury. Fantasy owners will obviously have to monitor his practice schedule closely as the Week 10 match-up with the Panthers would certainly be considered a favorable one. Unfortunately, the outlook right now isn’t so great.
Mike Evans, WR TB – Obviously a major one to keep an eye on this week as Evans is currently in the concussion protocol and has not been granted clearance for Week 10 as of Tuesday afternoon. He was seen running routes while taking part in the open portion of practice on Monday which can certainly be taken as a good sign, but at this point, it’s the league that needs to sign off on his return, not the Bucs. While you’re encouraged to be optimistic here, please make sure you have a strong contingency plan in place. Russell Shepard could be an interesting target should Evans miss any time.
Allen Hurns, WR JAC – More concussions here as Hurns was forced from Week 9 against the Chiefs after getting his bell rung. He actually left the game with an ankle issue and came back, but with the head injury, he was not permitted to take another snap. Monitor his practices this week to see if he is going to be cleared at some point soon. If he doesn’t, Marqise Lee and Rashad Greene could be interesting replacements as the Jags face the Texans in Week 10.
Hunter Henry, TE SD – He missed the whole week of practice leading up to being ruled out for Week 9 against the Titans and with a Week 11 bye coming for the Chargers, there’s a good chance he could be held out for Week 10 as well. The team hasn’t said anything about it just yet, but this is not really a case of no news being good news. The fact that we haven’t heard anything about him practicing (or not practicing) Monday does not bode well for his chances this Sunday. Continue to monitor his practice schedule but start looking for an alternative if you need to.