CFB Injury Breakdown: Week 9
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
Taylor Kelly (Foot) – Arizona State – The Sun Devils are expected to welcome Taylor Kelly back behind center on Saturday against Washington, pushing Mike Bercovici back to the bench despite three very impressive starts in Kelly’s absence. Kelly immediately becomes a nice option against this porous Washington secondary and is also more than capable of doing damage with his legs.
Patton Robinette (Concussion) – Vanderbilt – With Patton Robinette forced to the sidelines to do a concussion, Vanderbilt will turn to redshirt freshman Johnny McCrary on Saturday against Mizzou. He fared well off the bench last week against Charleston Southern, but with his first start being a road game against a team who can get after opposing quarterbacks, he’s not an attractive option.
Cyler Miles (Concussion) – Washington – Miles suffered a concussion last week but will start if he’s medically cleared prior to gametime on Saturday. Monitor for news as gametime approaches, but if he’s unable to go than Washington will turn to Troy Williams. Williams filled in admirably off the bench last weekend against Oregon and his duel-threat ability makes him worth a look in GPPs if he’s named the starter.
Darell Garretson (Wrist) – Utah State – With Darell Garretson unlikely to play due to an injured wrist, Craig Harrison is set to draw the start for the Aggies. The senior QB has been used sparingly through his career at Utah State, but could be worth a look against this atrocious UNLV pass defense.
Others to monitor: Clint Trickett (WVU), Justin Worley (Tenn), C.J. Brown (Maryland), Trevor Knight (Oklahoma)
Running Backs
Nick Wilson (Ankle) & Terris Jones-Grigsby (Head) – Arizona – Wilson missed last week’s game with USC due to an ankle injury and his status for Saturday’s game is uncertain. Complicating matters is the fact that Terris Jones-Grigsby left the USC game with a head injury and is also questionable to play. Obviously monitor this situation, as anyone getting the carries in this backfield could have success against the 69th-ranked Washington State rush defense. If neither RB can lace them up, look for Jared Baker and Adonis Smith to both share the load.
Zach Laskey (Shoulder) – Georgia Tech – The Yellow Jackets will likely be without the ACC’s 5th-leading rusher this season when they take on Piittsburgh. Synjyn Days is the likely replacement, but Pittsburgh owns the nation’s 18th-best rushing defense, so he’d be better served as a GPP flier rather than being used in cash games.
Jamaal Williams (Ankle) – BYU – Williams missed last week’s game, but BYU hopes to have him back Friday night against Boise State. However, with concerns over the health of his ankle, the loss of Taysom Hill at QB, and the fact that Boise State is only allowing 120 rush yards per game, you may be wise to take a wait-and-see approach with Williams. If he’s unable to go, then Nate Carter becomes a viable “punt” option as he ran for 87 yards on just seven carries against Nevada last weekend.
Jay Jones (ACL) – South Alabama – A torn ACL will end Jay Jones’ season as well as his career at South Alabama. The Jaguars will likely rely on a rotation in the backfield to fill the void, with Kendall Houston and Xavier Johnson getting the bulk of the carries that QB Brandon Bridge doesn’t keep for himself. They’ll take on a Troy defense on Friday night that’s allowing over 230 rush yards per game, so there is definitely some potential value here.
Others to monitor: Rushell Shell (WVU), Storm Woods (Oregon State), Kareem Hunt (Toledo)
Wide Receivers
Bradley Marquez (Ribs) and Jakeem Grant (Leg) – Texas Tech – This is a situation to monitor for sure, as both of Davis Webb’s top two targets are questionable to play this weekend against TCU. If they’re unable to go, Reginald Davis becomes a viable target, but Davis Webb’s fantasy outlook would certainly take a huge hit.
Jamarcus Nelson (Neck) – UAB – With 446 receiving yards this season, Jamarcus Nelson is the Blazers’ leading receiver once again this season. However, a neck injury has his status for Saturday’s matchup against Arkansas in doubt.
Jhajuan Seales (Legal problems) – Oklahoma State – Seales was charged with public intoxication earlier this week and his status for Saturday’s game is still in question. Seales wasn’t a huge factor in the Cowboy’s passing game, but his absence would potentially open the door for a few more targets for Brandon Shepard, David Glidden and Marcell Ateman.
Miles Shuler (Head) – Northwestern – Shuler suffered a head injury in the Nebraska game and is questionable for Saturday’s game against Iowa. Iowa has a stingy pass defense and Northwestern is not known for their passing attack, but Dan Vitale, Tony Jones and Kyle Prater could all see their share of extra targets if Shuler is forced to sit out.
Richard Mullaney (Elbow) – Oregon State – Richard Mullaney is done for the season with an elbow injury and he was third on the Beavers in both receptions and passing yards. Victor Bolden and TE Connor Hamlett could both see an uptick in targets and are really the only players you’ll want to target from this Beavers receiving corp.
Others to monitor: Chris Harper (Cal), Jameon Lewis (Miss. St.), Isaiah Ford (VTech)
Good luck this weekend and please comment with anything I may have missed.
- JMBWngFn (@JBritt2 on Twitter)