CFB Injury Breakdown: Week 12
Injuries news can be difficult to gather in DFS college football, and therefore RotoGrinders will have a weekly injury report highlighting the key injuries across the country and possible value plays that can pop up because of them.
Quarterbacks
Deshaun Watson (Hand) – Clemson – Deshaun Watson will finally return this weekend from a hand injury that has kept him out of the last four games. He was extremely impressive prior to the injury and established himself as one of the most dangerous dual-threat QBs in the nation. He’ll take on a Georgia Tech team who has struggled in the secondary all season and is a nice option at QB.
Trevor Knight (Head) – Oklahoma – Trevor Knight will miss Saturdays game against Texas Tech with a neck injury and backup QB Cody Thomas will make his first career start. We haven’t seen much of Thomas yet, but considering Texas Tech’s sub-par secondary, he could put up decent numbers and makes for a nice value option behind center this weekend.
Quinton Flowers – South Florida – It was announced earlier this week that former star recruit Quinton Flowers would draw the start this weekend against FBS’s worst defense, the SMU Mustangs. We haven’t seen much of Flowers, but he’s noted for being very quick and agile and should be in for a nice debut this weekend. However, he’s now dealing with a family tragedy so double-check that he’s active prior to game-time before deploying him on your DFS rosters.
Justin Worley (Shoulder) – Tennessee U – Justin Worley is officially done for the season with a shoulder injury and the reigns of the Tennessee offense have been handed over to Joshua Dobbs. Dobbs has been extremely impressive thus far both through the air and with his feet in his two starts. He’s very reasonably priced on many sites and I expect another big performance from him on Saturday against Kentucky
Others: Wes Lunt (Leg) – Illinois, Cole Gautsche (Foot) – New Mexico, Gary Nova (Knee) – Rutgers, Brandon Bridge (Ankle) – South Alabama, Davis Webb (Ankle) – Texas Tech, Blake Decker (Hip) – UNLV,
Running Backs
Jamaal Williams (Knee) – BYU – BYU’s offense took another huge blow last weekend as star RB Jamaal Williams was lost for the season after suffering a knee injury. While there are likely several backs that will be asked to share the Williams’ workload, it’s likely that Algernon Brown will be the biggest beneficiary. With a match-up against UNLV’s #123rd ranked rush defense, he’s a nice value option this weekend.
Todd Gurley (Suspension) – Georgia – Georgia will have All-American Todd Gurley back on Saturday, which cripples the fantasy value of Nick Chubb. Gurley will be tasked with taking on a tough Auburn rush defense, but he’s well worth consideration this weekend.
Ameer Abdullah (Knee) – Nebraska – Abdullah killed me last weekend as he was hurt after rushing for just one yard. However, all signs point to him be ready to go this weekend against a very stingy Wisconsin rush defense. He’s expensive everywhere, the match-up is tough, and he may not be 100% healthy, so I’ll be staying away from him this weekend.
Jhurell Pressley (Ankle) – New Mexico – The Lobos will be without their leading RB Jhurell Pressley this weekend when they take on a Utah State team that is allowing just 96 rushing yards per game this season. Teriyon Gipson stepped in last week and ran all over Boise State (205 yards and 3 TDs on 24 carries) and is in play this weekend if the asking price is fair
B.J. Catalon (Shoulder) – TCU – Catalon is expected to miss his second straight game due to a shoulder injury on Saturday. The Horned Frogs turned to Junior Aaron Green last weekend and didn’t miss a beat as he ran wild against Kansas State (18 carries for 171 yards). He’s a terrific value option this week against a terrible Kansas Jayhawks defense.
Others: T.J. Yeldon (Ankle) – Alabama, Thomas Rawls (Knee) – Central Michigan, Charles Perkins (Knee) – Georgia Tech, Zach Laskey (Shoulder) – Georgia Tech, Devon Johnson (Knee) – Marshall, Desmond Roland (Personal) – Oklahoma State, Aaron Jones (Knee) – UTEP,
Wide Receivers
D’haquille Williams (Leg) – Auburn – Williams sprained his MLC last week against Texas A&M and Auburn’s leading receiver won’t be traveling with the Tigers to Athens on Saturday. Sammie Coates and Quan Bray will likely both see an uptick in targets as a result, but I’m expecting Auburn to now further rely on their lethal rushing attack.
Stefon Diggs (Kidney) – Maryland – Maryland’s leading wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Michigan State Spartans. Deon Long has shown flashes of brilliance at times this season and should see more action however, the match-up is less than ideal so he’s probably better served as a value GPP play.
Sterling Shepard (Groin) – Oklahoma – Shepard missed last weekend’s Baylor game thanks to a nagging groin injury and his status for Saturday against Texas Tech is still unclear. Michiah Quick and Durron Neal would benefit from his absence, but with with the QB situation in flux as well, they’re not the most reliable options.
Others: J.D. McKissic (Ankle) – Arkansas State, Rannell Hall (Hamstring) – Central Florida, Laquon Treadwell (Ankle) – Mississippi, Miles Shuler (Wrist) – Northwestern, James Quick (Suspension) – Lousville
Tight Ends to monitor: Pharaoh Brown (Knee) – Oregon, Billy Freeman (Ankle) – San Jose State, Wes Saxton (Undisclosed) – South Alabama, Cam Serigne (Ribs) – Wake Forest
Please comment with anything you see that I’ve missed (and/or hit me up on Twitter @JBritt2).