We are now down to the final four as we approach the league championship games. The most serious injury of this past weekend was sustained by a player on a team that has been eliminated, so injuries will not be as big a factor as they were heading into the Divisional Round. After such a tumultuous season with injuries, it is refreshing to head into a weekend of games without a lengthy list of players who will be out. So without further ado, here is the next edition of the fantasy football walking wounded.
Randall Cobb (WR-GB)
Cobb made one of the greatest catches ever seen this past weekend that was all for naught as a penalty rendered it moot. However, he was hit in the chest on the play and suffered a bruised lung. This was a very serious injury and landed Cobb in the hospital. He is expected to be back for next season so this should not have any effect on his status for 2016. If nothing else, he will be a good value pick next year coming off a very underwhelming season in a Packers’ offense that stagnated in the second half.
Julian Edelman (WR-NE)
Edelman made his return from a broken foot in a big way during New England’s win over Kansas City in the AFC Divisional Round. He was targeted 16 times and caught 10 passes for 100 yards as Tom Brady’s primary target. There has been some mystery about whether he underwent x-rays after the game but Edelman insists he will be ready for the AFC Championship against Denver.
Greg Olsen (TE-CAR)
Olsen sustained a burner this past weekend against Seattle but is expected to be fine for the NFC title game against Arizona. He has been the Panthers’ best receiver all season and had a big game against Seattle this past weekend in the Divisional Round. Carolina will need Olsen to have another big performance if they want to get by the Cardinals and advance to the Super Bowl.
Jonathan Stewart (RB-CAR)
After missing the last three games of the regular season, Stewart returned against Seattle in a big way running for 106 yards and two touchdowns. He did injure his ankle slightly but it does not appear to be a re-aggravation of his foot injury. Stewart is expected to be fine for the NFC Championship this Sunday against Arizona and will be a major factor in the outcome of the game as the Panthers will need to establish a consistent running game to offset the Cardinals’ aggressive pass rush.
Andre Ellington (RB-ARZ)
Ellington has been banged up for most of the year and likely will not be at full health until 2016 as he deals with his toe injury. He only ran the ball three times against Green Bay in the NFC Divisional Round. Ellington won’t be much of a factor against Carolina in the NFC Championship as he will just provide David Johnson with sporadic relief.
Jared Allen (DL-CAR)
The news for Jared Allen is not good as MRI results revealed that he sustained a fracture in his foot. Carolina has not ruled him out just yet, but the chances of him playing in the NFC Championship against Arizona are not good. Allen is one of the toughest players in the league but even this might be too much for him to overcome.
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).