After an exciting Thursday night game between the Patriots and Jets and then the surprising trade of Percy Harvin, Week 7 has been action-packed and quite newsworthy. There are several players on the injury list whose absences will have a significant impact on your lineups. But we should be used to this by now. So without further adieu, here is the next edition of the walking wounded.
A.J. Green (WR-CIN)
Despite not officially being ruled out, there does not appear to be any chance that A.J. Green plays on Sunday. The Bengals do not have an exact time frame for him to return which is not what fantasy owners want to hear. Green is dealing with a serious toe injury and his absence has catastrophic consequences for GM’s that drafted him in either the late first round or early second round. With Marvin Jones out for the year as well, Mohammed Sanu is Cincinnati’s number one receiver and is a solid option to put in your lineup.
Montee Ball (RB-DEN)
Montee Ball is currently out with a groin injury and may not be back for at least a couple weeks. The word out of Denver is that his starting job could be in jeopardy if Ronnie Hillman continues to produce. Ball has been a major bust thus far and his fantasy value is significantly diminished. He is someone you should look to trade, but expect to be offered ten cents on the dollar for him.
Calvin Johnson (WR-DET)
Calvin Johnson has missed practice all week and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against New Orleans. Lions’ coach Jim Caldwell indicated it would be a miracle if Johnson was able to play. Since he has not officially been ruled out yet, you should check back in on Sunday to see if indeed miracles do happen.
Robert Griffin III (QB-WAS)
The time is coming soon when Robert Griffin III will regain his starting job as the Redskins’ quarterback, but it will not be this week. Griffin was still limited in practice this week, but it is a very real possibility that he is back on the field next week. Kirk Cousins has not taken advantage of the opportunities afforded him, so his shelf life on your fantasy roster is quickly ending. It may take a little time for Griffin to get back in rhythm, but he is worth taking a shot on to play in Washington’s new pass-happy offense. It might also bode well for Pierre Garcon who has been non-existent with Cousins at quarterback this year.
Jonathan Stewart (RB-CAR)
Jonathan Stewart has spent most of his career on the injury report, but he will be back on the field this weekend starting against the Packers. Stewart missed three games with a knee injury and has a chance to put up solid numbers against Green Bay’s poor run defense. The talent is there, but Stewart can never be trusted. He is worthy of taking a chance on as your RB2 or Flex this week.
Mark Ingram (RB-NO)
Mark Ingram will return this week after missing several weeks with a broken hand. The Saints will have to find ways to incorporate Ingram back into the offense as Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson are also in the mix. Ingram was playing extremely well before his injury, so look for him to be involved both running the ball and catching passes.
Toby Gerhart (RB-JAX)
Toby Gerhart has been a complete bust in fantasy football after signing with the Jaguars to be their featured running back. He missed practice all week with a foot injury and will likely not play on Sunday against Cleveland. Look for Storm Johnson and Denard Robinson to share the workload out of Jacksonville’s backfield. Neither are great options to play this week, but you could do worse in a desperate situation.
Patrick Willis (LB-SF)
The 49ers are already without Navarro Bowman and Aldon Smith, but now you can add Patrick Willis to the list of prominent defensive players who will not play against Denver on Sunday night. Peyton Manning will likely break Brett Favre’s all-time record for touchdown passes in this game, and accomplishing this task should be considerably easier with Willis unable to play. Willis’s absence should also make Ronnie Hillman a solid option running the ball as well.
Doug Free (RT-DAL)
The Cowboys have had so much success this year thanks in large part to their dominant offensive line which is comprised of three first round picks. Another member of their vaunted line is Doug Free who will miss three to four weeks with a foot injury. This could impact DeMarco Murray’s ability to run for 100 yards in a seventh consecutive game, as well as protection for Tony Romo. If the Giants’ defensive line is able to win the line of scrimmage, it will be in large part to Free’s absence.
Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and is also the co-host of the Fantasy Alarm podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment),