Fantasy Football Injury Report Week 5
NFL Injuries Week 5
Here’s the NFL injuries that are most likely to affect your fantasy football team this weekend. I’ll try to update as more information becomes available, later in the week.
Fantasy Football Quarterback Injuries
Eli Manning, Quarterback, New York Giants – Eli Manning has plantar fasciitis and has had it for several weeks, apparently. “Plantar fascitis” is an inflammation at the base of the foot that leaves it extremely sore. The team says it’s only a part of the foot, but Manning will be a game-time decision.
Matt Stafford, Quarterback, Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford is day-to-day with a dislocated knee and will be evaluated later in the week.
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks – It’s unknown if Hasselbeck will be active or not in Week 5, though there are whispers he will play. This would put him one week ahead of the schedule of Donovan McNabb, who had a similar injury, only a week earlier. The Seahawks season could be on the line this weekend, though.
Marc Bulger, QB, St. Louis Rams – Questionable for the Rams against the Vikings. Everyone saw the horror of Kyle Boller against the Niners last week, so they’ll bring back Bulger as quickly as possible, though it’s probably mercy if they hold him out against Jared Allen and the Vikings D this week. If you don’t have a better option than either of these guys this week, I feel for you.
Donovan McNabb, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles – Is practicing and should start against the Buccaneers. Play him if you have him.
Fantasy Football Running Back Injuries
Darren McFadden, Running Back, Oakland Raiders – He will miss 2 to 4 weeks with a torn meniscus. Justin Fargas and Michael Bush will split carries in his abscence, though no one knows what that split will look like. Fargas got the bulk (10) of the carries after McFadden went out Sunday. Pick Justin Fargas up if he’s still on waivers and you need to add an emergency runner, but with Oakland playing the Giants, Eagles and Jets the next three weeks, I don’t know when you would want to start him.
Ladainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers – LT played on Monday night and didn’t suffer an injury setback. The Chargers have a bye this week, so hopefully he’ll be better next week than he was against the Steelers. Remember that Chris Johnson had 50-60 yards against the Steelers, then ran wild the next week, so don’t get too panicked by Tomlinson’s poor showing in Pitt. Of course, if you have Tomlinson and not Sproles, you probably panicked weeks ago.
Marion Barber, RB, Dallas Cowboys – There’s a discrepancy whether Barber’s quad tightened up on him in the 2nd half Sunday and he was pulled from the game (or pulled himself). Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips say they knew nothing about it. Since MBIII wasn’t on the field most of the Second Half, that’s hard to believe. Watch out, because somebody’s lying and I don’t know why. Either that, or the Cowboys are a whole lot more confused than I thought – which might be the case. Either way, you may have to read the tea leaves to figure out whether Barber gets significant time against the Chiefs Defense this week – which would be a great match-up.
Other Running Back Injuries
Brian Westbook, RB, Eagles – Practiced and should start.
Willie Parker, RB, Steelers – Turf toe, should play against the Lions. If you have Mendenhall, I would suggest you start him regardless, since Willie might be limited, Mendenhall might get trash time, or he might get the outright start. Play the odds and assume Mendenhall gets production against the Lions.
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants – Back in a boot on Monday, but he expects to play against the Raiders Sunday. Seeing that he had limited production against the sorry Chiefs, avoid starting him this weekend.
Derrick Ward, RB, Bucs – Expected back against the Eagles.
Correll Buckhalter, RB, Broncos – Expected to be out this week against the Patriots. Start Knowshon if you have 50/50 calls on your RB’s.
Jamal Lewis, RB, Browns – Uncertain status Week 5. Grab Jerome Harrison off waivers if you still can. James Davis is on I.R. and Lewis could have injury issues all season.
Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys – Likely to sit again against the Chiefs. Dallas has a bye week after this week’s game and it gives him two weeks to rest.
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Injuries
Devin Hester, Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears – Shoulder injury. Bye week comes at a good time.
Roy Williams, WR, Dallas Cowboys – Tony Romo left Roy Williams hanging out to dry on a play across the middle in the 4th Quarter, and Roy now has 3 bruised ribs and a damaged cartilage. Status is Questionable.
Domenik Hixon, WR, New York Giants – Described as week-to-week. With Steve Smith, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks all showing various levels of potential, this knee injury was unfortunate timing for Hixon. Even when he returns, Hixon could be the odd-man-out.
Chaz Schilens, Wide Receiver, Oakland Raiders – Day to day with his broken foot, which is now about six weeks past. Schilens might make his first start of the year this week, but could be a game-time decision. Pick him up off waivers if you’re desperate for receiver help, but you’ll need to see what he does before you start him.
