WEEK 15: Injury Updates With Fantasy Advice

Posted by Rob Warner in Injury Updates, SPIN Articles, Week 15 2011 No Comments »

As you all know things can change before Sunday kickoff so be sure to check back as we will be updating Injury status throughout the weekend and then every 10 minutes starting at 11:30 Sunday morning up until the 1pm kickoffs. We will then check back in with updates starting at 3pm for the late games.

Many backfields have been decimated by injuries and another one bit the dust in week 14 with rookie DeMarco Murray’s broken ankle. Felix Jones was likely on a roster but if not sprint to the waiver wire and add Felix the Cat as he has a very favorable matchup with the Tampa on Saturday night. Chicago’s Matt Forte’s knee injury could keep him out for the rest of the season (especially with an unsettled contract). Marion ‘the Goat’ Barber should get another start but his week 14 mental lapses could elevate Khalil Bell into a more prominent role. Adrian Peterson (high ankle sprain) has missed three games but all signs point to him returning to the lineup this week against a mediocre New Orleans run defense. Darren McFadden (foot) has yet to resume practicing and rumors are circulating that he could miss the rest of the season. Michael Bush remains a lower end RB1 for a week 14 against Detroit. If you are in a search of an injury replacement be sure to check out our Week 15 RB Waiver Wire Recommendations.

There are multiple injuries to monitor at the WR position as we head into the first week of the fantasy playoffs. The Packers path to perfection took a major blow with the knee injury sustained by leading RW Greg Jennings (out 2-3 weeks). Andre Johnson suffered a left hamstring injury in the first half of week 13 and could miss the rest of the regular season. Jennings and AJ owners should check out our week 15 Waiver Wire WRs if they need to add some depth.

Mike Vick’s fractured ribs were less than 100% in week 14 and his matchup with Revis Island makes the Dogfather a borderline QB1 this week. Big Ben’s high ankle sprain has him in a boot and we think he’s less than 50/50 to suit up on Monday night which would mean Charlie Batch gets a start (major downgrade for Wallace and Brown). Those looking for an injury replacement should take a look at our Week 15 Waiver Wire Recommendations.

* DEF Rank refers to Fantasy PTs allowed by POS. The higher the Rank the worse the defense (better matchup for your players). For example, the San Francisco’s run defense continue to neutralize opposing ground games as the 49ers rank 1st in fantasy points allowed to opposing RBs.

Player	POS	TEAM	DEF Rank	Own %	Status	Injury	Expected Return
DAL @ TB - SAT. 8pm
Laurent Robinson	WR	DAL	20	98	ACTIVE	Shoulder	Played half the snaps of Austin/Bryant but had biggest week 14 (137 yards). Lower end WR2 This week. Has 8 TDs in 11 games.
Josh Freeman	QB	TB	13	76	ACTIVE	Right shoulder	Averaging 241 YPG with just 12 TDs and 18 INTs.
NO @ MIN - 1pm
Jimmy Graham	TE	NO	20	100	ACTIVE	Back	Full practice - is a must start.
Mark Ingram	RB	NO	20	88	OUT	Toe	Ivory, Sproles, and Thomas will split carries.
Christian Ponder	QB	MIN	24	33	ACTIVE	Hip	Full practice. Saints 30th ranked pass defense (268 YPG)
Adrian Peterson	RB	MIN	21	100	ACTIVE	Ankle	Expected to start after missing 3 games with high ankle sprain. Saints 15th ranked run defense allows 110 YPG.
CAR @ HOU - 1pm
Greg Olsen	TE	CAR	3	77	ACTIVE	Back	Full practice. Averaging 40 YPG with 5 TDs.
T.J. Yates	QB	HOU	16	19	ACTIVE	Right elbow, left hand	Full practice. Panthers 22nd ranked pass defense has allowed 22 passing TDs.
Andre Johnson	WR	HOU	8	100	OUT	Hamstring	Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter are low end WR3 - expect run heavy plan vs weak Carolina run defense.
WAS @ NYG - 1pm
Ahmad Bradshaw	RB	NYG	14	99	ACTIVE	Foot	Friday practice. Had 13 carries for 44 yards and a TD in week 1 meeting.
MIA @ BUF - 1pm
Matt Moore	QB	MIA	27	44	ACTIVE	Head, neck	Limited practice and expected to start over JP Losman. Loss of LT Jake Long is a major concern.
Anthony Fasano	TE	MIA	31	20	ACTIVE	Ribs	Had 2 catches for 8 yards and a TD in week 11 meeting
Scott Chandler	TE	BUF	21	42	OUT	Ankle	Will miss 2nd straight game.
SEA @ CHI - 1pm
Doug Baldwin	WR	SEA	14	45	ACTIVE	Ankle	Full practice. Averaging 4 catches for 55 yards - could be a sleeper this week against Bears 28th ranked pass defense.
Tarvaris Jackson	QB	SEA	23	15	ACTIVE	Pectoral	Full practice. Averaging 206 YPG with 11 TDs and 12 INTs.
Matt Forte	RB	CHI	7	97	OUT	Knee	Marion Barber will look to redeem himself against Seattle's 11th ranked run defense.
CIN @ STL - 1pm
Cedric Benson	RB	CIN	29	100	ACTIVE	Back	Averaging 74 YPG with just three TDs. Dream matchup vs Rams league worst run defense (157 YPG).
Sam Bradford	QB	STL	7	40	OUT	Ankle	Kellen Clemons expected to start making Bengals defense a solid fantasy option this week.
TEN @ IND - 1pm
Javon Ringer	RB	TEN	30	33	OUT	Hand	Held out of practice. Jamie Harper will backup CJ2K.
Nate Washington	WR	TEN	29	84	ACTIVE	Ankle	would be better option if Locker was starting.
Matt Hasselbeck	QB	TEN	25	68	ACTIVE	Calf	Will start over Jake Locker.
Dallas Clark	TE	IND	29	44	OUT	Burner	Jacob Tamme will start but neither Colts TE should be in your lineup.
GB @ KC - 1pm
Greg Jennings	WR	GB	10	93	OUT	Knee	Out 2-3 weeks. Upgrade Jordy Nelson and TE Jermichael Finley.
James Starks	RB	GB	27	84	OUT	Knee, ankle	Ryan Grant gets 2nd straight favroable start vs KC's 26th ranked run defense (133 YPG).
Kyle Orton	QB	KC	30	20	ACTIVE	Right finger	Expected to make Chiefs debut this week against Packer 31st ranked pass defense (289 YPG). Upgrade Dwayne Bowe with Orton under center.
Jon Baldwin	WR	KC	31	14	ACTIVE	Illness	Did not practice but expected to play. Rookie averaging just 25 YPG.
NE @ DEN - 4pm
Wes Welker	WR	NE	23	100	ACTIVE	Knee	Could be shadowed by CB Champ Bailey but is still a must start.
Deion Branch	WR	NE	23	91	OUT	Groin	32 year old vet averaging 51 YPG with 4 TDs. Gronk, Welker, and Hernandez get slight upgrade
Danny Woodhead	RB	NE	19	34	ACTIVE	Abdomen	Limited practice - yet to find the endzone this year.
NYJ @ PHI - 4pm
Shonn Greene	RB	NYJ	24	100	ACTIVE	Rib	Has 4 TDs and averaging close to 100 YPG over last 3 games
Joe McKnight	RB	NYJ	24	14	ACTIVE	Elbow	Full practice. Probable
Michael Vick	QB	PHI	6	100	ACTIVE	Ribs	Jets pass defense allowing 201 YPG and just 12 TDs with 15 INTs
Jeremy Maclin	WR	PHI	4	98	ACTIVE	Hamstring, shoulder	Full practice. Tough matchup with CB Antonio Cromartie.
DET @ OAK - 4pm
Kevin Smith	RB	DET	28	88	ACTIVE	Ankle	Limited practice but expected to start in favorable matchup vs Oakland 29th ranked run defense (141 YPG).
Darren McFadden	RB	OAK	8	99	OUT	Foot	Michael Bush faces a Detroit's 27th run defense (136 YPG) - Allowed just 9 rushing TDs in 13 games.
Denarius Moore	WR	OAK	9	72	ACTIVE	Foot	Full practice and expected to start - best Raider WR option this week.
Darrius Heyward-Bey	WR	OAK	9	47	ACTIVE	Heel	Full practice. Averaging 51 YPG with just 2 TDs.
Jacoby Ford	WR	OAK	9	23	OUT	Foot	Will miss 5th straight game
CLE @ ARZ - 4pm
Montario Hardesty	RB	CLE	18	35	ACTIVE	Calf	Limited practice but expected to play limited role behind Peyton Hillis.
Colt McCoy	QB	CLE	17	45	OUT	Head, hand	Seneca Wallace expected to start.
Benjamin Watson	TE	CLE	13	22	OUT	Head	IR out for the season.
Beanie Wells	RB	ARI	23	100	ACTIVE	Knee	Great matchup against Browns 31st ranked run defense (151 YPG). Beanie is our Upgrade of the Week.
Kevin Kolb	QB	ARI	1	38	OUT	Head	Game time decision - but John Skelton is expected to start in very difficult matchup.
BAL @ SD - SUN 8:20pm
Billy Cundiff	K	BAL		84	Questionable	Left calf	Did not practice. Questionable for Week 15 at San Diego
PIT @ SF - MON 8:30pm
Ben Roethlisberger	QB	PIT	14	100	Questionable	Ankle	Game time decision. Charlie Batch could start and would be a major downgrade.
Braylon Edwards	WR	SF	3	19	Questionable	Knee	Limited practice. Has just 14 catches for 172 yards and no TDs - should be on waiver wire.