The Week That Was Football: The Injuries From Week 4
Big name injuries highlight this week’s Football Week That Was.
For 2014, The Week that Was: NFL will focus on injuries and their effects.
Teddy Bridgewater: Teddy Bridgewater was carted off the field after a very strong first NFL start. The good news is that the x-rays were negative. The bad news is that you know the Vikings will want to be conservative with their future franchise QB, so his status for week 5 is very much up in the air. With Matt Cassel on the shelf already, Christian Ponder will start should Teddy be unable to go. If you play in a TD heavy league where QB running TDs are overvalued and you have a QB on bye, Ponder could be a sneaky play should he be under center for the Vikes. Not ideal of course, but worth considering in such a league.
Derek Carr: Sticking with rookie QBs, according to reports, Derek Carr has a high ankle sprain and a sprained MCL. Not good. No matter which Matt takes the snaps in Oakland –McGloin or Schaub -- there is nothing to see there. The Raider situation is a mess to be avoided in all fantasy formats except the 16 team, start 2 QB leagues should such leagues exist.
Vernon Davis: Vernon Davis had a great week 1 and it has been downhill from there. Sunday, he left with a reported back injury. This comes on the heels of missing week 3. At this point, it is not clear if Davis will go in week 5. However, given that the niners have far more weapons in the passing game this year than a year ago, they will likely be conservative with their veteran TE. That means that even if he does go, he could be limited. Check back here at fantasyalarm.com early and often for the news and updates you need.
Cecil Shorts: Cecil Shorts had more problems with his hamstring Sunday and could not finish the game. Of course, this is not good but it’s made worse by the fact that the hamstring already caused him to miss games and time during other games early in this 2014 season. When you add in the fact that the Jaguars are well, not good, you have a pretty bleak situation. Hold Shorts, hope he gets healthy but have very good plans B and C if you hope to make a playoff run in season-long fantasy football in 2014.
Eric Decker: Erick Decker did play Sunday and even reached the endzone in the Jets 24-17 loss to the Lions. This is a bad news/good news situation overall. The bad news is that Geno Smith does not look as if he is advancing or maturing at the rate the Jets hoped. The good news is that Decker is the favorite target and is showing he has the talent to succeed without Peyton (which shouldn’t be a surprise because he was solid with the Tebow lead Broncos). With his health a question and Geno a bigger question, Decker is more a WR2 or even WR3 for good fantasy teams.
DeAngelo Williams: DeAngelo Williams did not return after suffering an ankle injury in the first half Sunday. According to reports, he did not injure the hamstring that kept him out earlier this year so that is the one ray of hope. Obviously, the Panthers RB situation is not pretty with Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert and Fozzy Whitaker already on the shelf. If Darrin Reaves gets the start Sunday, he could be a sneaky non-ppr play as even average starting RBs are dangerous in that format. See Asiata, Matt.
Calvin Johnson: Megatron was essentially used as a decoy against the Jets and posted a minimal two catches. When healthy or even reasonably so, Calvin Johnson is a top 3 NFL WR. However, his health is starting to be an issue. Not much you can do if you own him in season long games but keep sending him up. However, those in DFS should think long and hard before devoting a substantial part of the cap to Megatron. The bottom line is that the injury reports out of Detroit on Megatron are simply unreliable week to week so start Megtron in DFS at your own peril.
Final Thought: Injury news changes quickly so make sure to check back right here at fantasyalarm.com for all the news you need to know.