Happy and healthy Thanksgiving to everyone as we rush towards the holidays and three nationally televised games to open Week 12. While there were no elite superstar players who suffered serious injuries, there were several players who landed on this report and will have a significant impact on GMs vying for playoff berths. It is arguably almost as disheartening to lose a player you acquired to replace another player as it is to lose a primary player. So, without further ado, let’s delve into the next edition of the fantasy football emergency room.
Robert Woods (WR-LAR) – Woods has emerged as a fantasy stud over the past couple weeks accumulating all four of his touchdowns in that span. Unfortunately, he suffered a shoulder injury this past weekend against the Vikings and is likely going to miss a couple weeks. The Rams seem optimistic that this will be a relatively short absence considering how the injury initially appeared. However, this will not do GMs any favors as these next couple weeks are critical with the fantasy playoffs either starting now or just on the horizon. Sammy Watkins should see an increase in targets with Woods out for now.
Greg Olsen (TE-CAR) – It’s been a couple months since we last saw Olsen who has been out with a broken foot since September. He returned to practice early this week and is on track to play this coming weekend against the Jets. Olsen will need to avoid setbacks during the week but assuming he does he will be a great fantasy option back in your lineup for Week 12.
Chris Thompson (RB-WAS) – Fantasy GMs suffered a major loss this weekend when Chris Thompson suffered a broken right fibula and will need season-ending surgery. He was the Redskins top rusher with 294 yards and two touchdowns, and he was also the team’s leading receiver with 39 catches for 510 yards and four touchdowns. Thompson’s loss means the Redskins will turn to Samaje Perine to carry the load and it also means that Kirk Cousins’ favorite target is gone for the year.
D’Onta Foreman (RB-HOU) – The Texans’ injury woes continued as Foreman has likely suffered a torn Achilles’ heel on a long touchdown run. The injury will end his rookie season with 327 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His loss secures Lamar Miller’s position as Houston’s primary running back who should see most of the touches out of the Texans’ backfield.
Will Fuller (WR-HOU) – As expected, Fuller missed this past week’s game against Arizona with cracked ribs. However, his status for Week 12 is already in question as Houston’s coach indicated he was not sure whether Fuller will be ready to go. Fuller has been a touchdown machine with seven scores in six games which makes him a viable fantasy option despite the quarterback situation. Bruce Ellington filled in for Fuller this past week and would likely do so again in Week 12 if Fuller is unable to return.
Sterling Shepard (WR-NYG) – The sole survivor of the Giants wide receiver massacre was scratched from this past week’s game against the Chiefs due to migraine headaches. He tried testing it out during pre-game warmups and was unable to go. The Giants have a short week with a Thanksgiving night showdown against the Redskins so Shepard will need to recover in short order. He was limited in practice on Monday which is at least heading in the right direction. Shepard could be in for a big game if he is able to play as the Redskins have been vulnerable to big plays.
Kelvin Benjamin (WR-BUF) – It has been a disaster for the Bills since they acquired Benjamin going 0-3 and getting blown out in all three games. That is not Benjamin’s fault, but just saying. He sustained a knee injury this past weekend in his second game with the Bills but appears to have avoided structural damage. This is good news considering his history with knee injuries, but it is very likely that he could miss Week 12. Jordan Matthews is due back for Buffalo so he would fill in and re-assume his spot as the team’s primary wide receiver.
Orleans Darkwa (RB-NYG) – The Giants running game has steadily been consistent since Week 5 against the Chargers and Orlean Darkwa has secured his spot as the team’s leading rusher. Darkwa scored his second touchdown of the season this week against Kansas City but was limited in practice on Monday with a hamstring injury. The Giants have a short week so he will need to be careful about re-aggravating in on Tuesday. The fact he was limited in practice on Monday is a good sign that he should be ready to go on Thanksgiving against Washington.
John Brown (WR-ARZ) – Brown has somehow managed to play in eight games despite having a myriad of injuries all season. You can now add turf toe to the list which will likely cost him a game or two. This should seal his fate to the waiver wire in most leagues as he does not produce enough to warrant stashing on your bench. Brown only has 19 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns so there are better free agents available to choose from.
Jay Cutler (QB-MIA) – Cutler is now in the league’s concussion protocol which puts his status for next Sunday in jeopardy. Miami will have a showdown with the division-leading Patriots who have been red hot and have seen their defense improve by leaps and bounds since struggling at the beginning of the season. Cutler missed the second half of the game against Tampa Bay and if he cannot go this coming weekend then Matt Moore will get another start in his place.
Jake Elliott (K-PHI) – There is a reason why kickers don’t like making contact with other players and Jake Elliott epitomizes why. He sustained a concussion on the opening kickoff when he made the tackle and was ruled out for the rest of the game on Sunday night against Dallas. Elliott has been great filling in for Caleb Sturgis by making 17 of 21 field goal attempts and 25 of 28 extra point attempts. Sturgis is eligible to be activated off injured reserve so the Eagles could make a roster move if Elliott does not appear ready to play in Week 12.
Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and co-host of the Fantasy Alarm Podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment).