The best weekend in football is upon us as we head into the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. There are eight teams left vying for the Lombardi Trophy and there is still plenty of fantasy football to be played in DFS and playoff pools. As always, injuries will play a significant role in the decisions you make and the composition of your rosters. So without further adieu, here is the next edition of the walking wounded.
Aaron Rodgers (QB-GB)
Aaron Rodgers has been the subject of a lot of controversy dating back to Week 17 when Ndamukong Suh stepped on his leg. He was taken out of the game but came back and led Green Bay to an NFC North title. Rodgers did not practice on Wednesday and may not even practice on Thursday. But that is no cause for concern because Rodgers will absolutely play and should demonstrate why he will likely be the MVP for 2014. I don’t expect it to be a particularly high-scoring game against Dallas, but Rodgers should not show any ill effects from the calf injury he sustained.
Peyton Manning (QB-DEN)
Peyton Manning has clearly not been the same player since Week 13. Over his last five games, he has only thrown for five touchdowns and six interceptions. Manning dealt with illness and a thigh injury, but the ball does not seem to be coming out of his hand with the same velocity as we are accustomed to. As a result, Denver has adjusted its offensive scheme to rely more heavily on the running game behind C.J. Anderson. Manning will certainly play, but fantasy owners need to be cautious if expecting gaudy numbers.
Justin Forsett (RB-BAL)
Justin Forsett broke out with a career season in 2014 and provided great value for GM’s who added him as a free agent. However, he had a miserable game against the Steelers in the Wild Card Round finishing the game with only 36 yards rushing and lost a fumble. He has a lingering ankle injury but that will not keep him out of the lineup against New England. The concern is that Baltimore may rely more on Bernard Pierce especially near the goal line as indicated by Pierce’s five-yard touchdown last week against Pittsburgh.
Brandon LaFell (WR-NE)
Brandon LaFell was limited in practice on Wednesday due to a toe injury. However, he is in no danger of missing this weekend’s game against Baltimore so feel confident playing him in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. LaFell is the Patriots’ best deep threat and is coming off of a successful debut season in New England where he finished with 74 receptions for 953 yards and seven touchdowns.
Reggie Wayne (WR-IND)
Reggie Wayne suffered from a groin injury towards the end of the regular season but was on the field last week against the Bengals in the Wild Card Round. Wayne is clearly not the same player as he was before injuring his knee in 2013. He has been non-existent in the Colts offense for much of the season and has dropped far too many passes. However, he will play against Denver this weekend but do not expect him to see many targets unless the Broncos’ double up on T.Y. Hilton creating some mismatches.
DeAngelo Williams (RB-CAR)
DeAngelo Williams hadn’t played in a month before suiting up last week against the Cardinals. He was third on the depth chart behind Jonathan Stewart and Fozzy Whitaker. Williams was limited to four carries for 16 yards and it does not appear that he will have a bigger role this weekend against Seattle. Carolina will likely have a rough time running the ball against the Seahawks’ dominant defense, so stay away from Williams in any league or pool you are in.
Rolando McClain (LB-DAL)
Rolando McClain has been dealing with an illness for several weeks which forced his removal from both the Cowboys’ Week 17 game against the Redskins and their playoff win against Detroit last week. His status for this weekend’s game against the Packers is uncertain right now, but chances are he will play in at least a limited capacity. In 14 games this year, McClain had 81 tackles and two interceptions while solidifying Dallas’s linebacker position which was decimated by injuries.
Jonas Gray (RB-NE)
Jonas Gray has been dealing with an ankle injury which kept him out of the Patriots’ Week 17 game against Buffalo. He has been a conundrum for most of the season having a few huge games but then disappearing or not playing in others. If you are doing a standard playoff league or pool, your best bet is to roll with LeGarrette Blount who will likely receive any goal line opportunities.
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),