Injuries are the bane of a fantasy football owner’s existence. The NFL does such an amazingly poor job at reporting and acknowledging injuries and thus it makes it incredibly difficult to find useful information.
But on Friday’s the NFL has an obligation to report the true status of each player on every roster. It’s the closest we’ll get to knowing who is in or out for this week in the NFL. So the thing to do is to use this information along with the daily practice reports to sort out who is likely to play and sit this week. Only after the status reports come out on Friday does the rest of the week’s activity really make sense.
So, every Friday I will be sending you reports of all at risk players across the NFL. I’ll include the players who are definitely OUT for the week as well as those who are definitely playing. So the focus will be on the questionable players for the week. These reports will tell you whether or not you can relax or wait for the NFL inactive reports on Sunday morning.
Let’s take a look at the Week 8 Practice Reports:
IN
Shonn Greene, RB, Titans – Hamstring
James Starks, RB, Packers – Ankle
Theo Riddick, RB, Lions – Hamstring
Julio Jones, WR, Falcons – Ankle
Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals – Ribs
Toby Gerhart, RB, Jaguars – Foot
Benny Cunningham, RB, Rams – Knee
Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs – Ribs
Eric Decker, WR, Jets – Hamstring
Andre Ellington, RB, Cardinals – Foot
OUT
Vincent Brown, WR, Raiders – Hamstring
Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts – Elbow
Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints – Ribs/Shoulder
Khiry Robinson, RB, Saints – Forearm
Reggie Bush, RB, Lions – Ankle
Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Lions – Foot
Joseph Fauria, TE, Lions – Ankle
Eric Ebron, TE, Lions – Hamstring
Zach Miller, TE, Seahawks – Ankle
Fozzy Whittaker, RB, Panthers – Thigh
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers – Ankle
A.J. Green, WR, Bengals – Toe
Donnie Avery, WR, Chiefs – Groin
Fred Jackson, RB, Bills – Groin
Marquise Goodwin, WR, Bills – Hamstring
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings – Abdomen
Troy Niklas, TE, Cardinals – Ankle
UP IN THE AIR
, RB, Eagles – Knee
It is surprising that Sproles has been able to practice this week including fully on Friday with a small tear in his MCL that he suffered in week six. Whatever the case it appears as though Sproles will be a go for this weeks game against the Cardinals.
Trent Richardson, RB, Colts – Hamstring
Richardson has failed to practice all week and I would consider him a longshot to play in week eight. We will finally get to see what Dan Herron is able to do as he is expected to handle the short yardage carries in Richardson’s absence.
Jimmy Graham, TE, Saints – Shoulder
Graham was a surprise active last week and after three limited practices should be good to go this week. I am strongly against sitting Graham in any league format. I understand that he disappointed many of us last week but you have to get over that. Graham is an absolute stud that must be in your lineup every week even if he is on a limited snap count.
, WR, Lions – Ankle
Megatron actually returned to practice this week getting in limited work on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Calvin Johnson is probably able to play at this point but could be held out as a precaution. Head coach Jim Caldwell said on Friday that he is going to exercise caution with both Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush and their respective injuries.
Harry Douglas, WR, Falcons – Foot
Douglas hasn’t played in weeks and the Falcons could use all of the weapons they have this week against the Lions. He returned to practice this week albeit in a limited fashion on both Thursday and Friday. Douglas is a true game time call this week.
Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers – Ribs
It’s surprising that V-Jax is still nursing his ribs two weeks after injuring them against the Ravens. He did get in limited work this week but coaches are saying he is a game time decision. My money would be on Jackson playing and getting in a regular high volume of snaps against the Vikings in week eight.