There may be more injuries sustained this season that points scored by the Bengals offense.  Fantasy GMs will be faced with some very tough, critical decisions this week and going forward in terms of how to deal with some injuries that have been sustained already.  Injuries are obviously a major factor in any fantasy league, but GMs have been confronted with some awful ones thus far and we have not even gotten through two whole weeks.  So, without further ado, let’s delve into the next edition of the fantasy football emergency room.

 

David Johnson (RB-ARZ) – Fantasy GMs are ready to throw themselves off a bridge now that Johnson has had surgery and is likely out until Christmas.  The Cardinals placed him on Injured Reserve meaning he will be eligible to return in the middle of November.  However, the prognosis for his return isn’t until Week 16 which creates a major dilemma for GMs whether to hold onto Johnson in leagues without an IR slot.  He will be taking up a valuable roster spot and the goal is to make it into the playoffs.  The best thing you can do is try and accumulate as much depth and flexibility at all other positions and give up that roster spot for Johnson because it will be very painful and difficult to set him free.

Odell Beckham, Jr. (WR-NYG) – The ongoing drama with Beckham continues after he said earlier this week that he has been dealing with an ankle injury that typically takes six to eight weeks to come back from.  He was limited in practice on Thursday and is still a crapshoot whether he will play on Monday night against Detroit.  Having the benefit of the extra does help his cause, but the Giants are not going to risk putting him out there if he physically cannot perform, even as a decoy.  Fantasy GMs will be tortured once again this week because of the Giants presence on Monday night so decisions will have to be made possibly before all information and updates are given on Sunday morning.

Cam Newton (QB-CAR) – Newton is coming off of shoulder surgery in the offseason which has led to a new routine in practice where he tends to be limited.  Carolina is adhering to medical advice and recommendations in terms of his protocol between games so this isn’t anything to be concerned about in terms of his status for Week 2.  Newton was not great in Week 1 going just 14-25 in completions for only 171 yards.  He did throw for two touchdowns which helped his final stat line, but he clearly does not look like the Cam Newton from a couple years ago just yet.  

Jay Ajayi (RB-MIA) – The Dolphins listed Ajayi on their injury report as he has dealt with soreness in his knee for an extended period of time.  Despite that, Ajayi has been practicing in a full capacity and is set to take the field for Miami’s opener.  He is a solid RB1 coming off a tremendous 2016 season and he should have every opportunity to replicate, if not improve upon, his statistics from last year.  Fantasy GMs got their bye week with him out of the way last week so now Ajayi should be a fixture in your lineup every week for the remainder of the season.

Jordan Howard (RB-CHI) – Howard practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday due to a shoulder injury.  The Bears have said anything either way about the severity or extent of the injury but for now GMs should operate under the assumption that Howard will be on the field and ready to produce.  Howard is a solid RB1 despite the Bears having an atrocious offense.  Plan on having him in your lineup unless there are further negative updates on his status over the next couple days.

Golden Tate (WR-DET) – Tate is coming off a big first week where he had ten catches for 107 yards in the Lions win over Arizona.  He practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday due to a finger injury but he has claimed that he feels fine.  Detroit will have an extra day off this week since they play on Monday night against the Giants which bodes well for Tate to be perfectly fine to take the field.  He is a great fantasy option this week as he looks to replicate his performance against the Giants from last season as well.

Richard Sherman (DB-SEA) – Sherman is clearly one of the best cornerbacks in the league and typically shuts down his opposing wide receivers.  He is dealing with a hamstring injury and did not practice on Thursday.  He has played in every game during his career but this could be the first time he is held out due to an injury.  Seattle should not have any problems with the 49ers this weekend which could make it any easy decision to be conservative and cautious with Sherman.  The 49ers offense is horrendous but the lack of Sherman on the field could give Pierre Garcon a few extra receptions.  Seattle is still the top choice for a defense this week regardless of whether Sherman plays.

Terrance Williams (WR-DAL) – The Cowboys got six catches for 68 yards out of Williams during their victory over the Giants.  However, he has missed a couple days of practice this week with an ankle injury which jeopardizes his status for Sunday’s game against Denver.  Williams is only a fantasy option in very deep leagues and if he cannot suit up then Cole Beasley and Brice Butler will step in and see an increase in targets.

John Brown (WR-ARZ) – Brown has been a major health risk for a while now and he did not practice on Thursday due to a quadriceps injury.  He has a history of quad injuries so it is possible this could be a recurrence.  Given his history with sickle cell, his ability to heal and recover is a major problem.  He will be questionable this week against the Colts and is a very risky fantasy option.  You are best to simply stay away from him at this point.

Danny Woodhead (RB-BAL) – The Ravens placed Woodhead on injured reserve with his hamstring injury meaning he will be eligible to return in Week 11 which is after Baltimore’s bye week.  Woodhead got off to a hot start on the Ravens opening drive and then sustained the injury.  If you have an available IR slot then stash him because he will provide value upon his return.  But if your league does not have IR slots then set him free because you will need the roster flexibility.

Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and co-host of the Fantasy Alarm Podcast.  You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment).