NFL DFS Injury Report: Week 13
Joshua Slatky, PA-C, ATC is a physician assistant at Northwest Georgia Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and avid DFS player. In his work as a physician assistant and athletic trainer, he has worked with sports teams from high school to various college levels, to the NFL.
This week we move to Week 13, the final week before the final quarter of the season. As I worked through the injuries this week, I found myself mostly challenged by the volume of players that sat out Wednesday practice. I try not to put too much weight into this, especially with veterans, but it was a bit more complicated this week as several players missed practice with new injuries. That does not always mean the injury is significant, making the ability to read between the lines all the more important.
Three weeks ago, I noted that Rob Gronkowski highlighted the injury news Week 10. I am forced to repeat this lead. Gronk made an impressive return missing only one game with a lung injury, but the joy was short lived as he was forced from the game early with a back injury, which may cost him Week 13. The opposite was true for Sammy Watkins who looked good in his first game back from a recurrent foot injury.
As always, I will be watching practice reports from Thursday and Friday trying to determine who will play, who will sit, and who we can expect to be limited. With only five regular season weeks left, enjoy the Week 13 games. I will post updates here either Friday night or Saturday morning after the official NFL injury reports are released. Follow me @slakdogg on twitter as well. I will try to post injury news as it is released Friday, but also don’t hesitate to ask any questions. I will do my best to help any way I can.
Last Updated: Wednesday PM
Color Coding
GREEN: Nearly certain to play. Unlikely to have an on-field limitations.
YELLOW: Likely to play. May have some snap count or mild on-field limitations.
ORANGE: Questionable to play. If able to play, likely to be significantly limited in snap count and/or on-field performance.
RED: Unlikely to play or already ruled out.
PURPLE: In concussion protocol. Play status unknown but if active, should play without restriction.
Arizona Cardinals
1.Jermaine Gresham (TE) — GREEN – Gresham missed Wednesday practice with an illness but is expected to return later in the week and will play Sunday.
2.John Brown (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Brown also missed Wednesday’s practice. He was also reported to have an illness but I am a little more concerned about this one. I am not totally convinced he will play Sunday. He is still dealing hamstring pain and is scheduled to see a sickle cell specialist this week. We have seen throughout the season how sickle cell can affect NFL players. I want to see some very positive reports before considering rostering him Sunday.
UPDATE: Brown continues to suffer from lingering effects associated with sickle cell trait. He did practice limited through the week, but his status is still undetermined. I expect that he will play, but will be on a snap limitation.
3.Michael Floyd (WR) — YELLOW – Floyd was limited Wednesday as he continues to practice conservatively through week while recovering from a hamstring strain. He played 64% of the snaps Sunday after being a game time decision. While he hauled in only two targets, he also had a couple of drops. Barring setback I expect him to play Sunday.
UPDATE: Floyd has been removed from the injury report and is expected to play Sunday.
4.Patrick Peterson (WR) — GREEN / YELLOW – Peterson missed Wednesday’s practice with a sore knee. Head coach Bruce Ariens told the media that he planned on resting him Wednesday but also expects him to plays Sunday.
UPDATE: Peterson was also removed from the team’s injury report and will play Sunday.
Atlanta Falcons
1.Desmond Trufant (DB) — RED – Trufant, the Falcons top cornerback, has missed the last three games and was finally put on IR with a torn pectoral. He will miss the rest of the season.
Buffalo Bills
1. Robert Woods (WR) — RED / ORANGE – Woods missed Week 12 with an MCL sprain. He did not practice Wednesday either. MCL sprains typically take 2-6 weeks for recovery, so a return for Week 13 would be a bit surprising. He has not been ruled out yet, so I will watch for progress through the practice week. At this point, I expect him to sit out Sunday’s game.
UPDATE: Woods has been ruled OUT for Week 13.
2.Sammy Watkins (WR) — YELLOW – Watkins made his return in Week 12 playing 45% of snaps and posting a 3/80/0 line. Originally, it was planned that he would practice limited on Wednesday, but he was held out with soreness in his troublesome foot. Watkins said he felt good after Sunday’s game, and early reports were that he would have a larger role Week 13. I don’t want to read too much into the missed early week practice. Early in the week, I think he will play and has potential to be a good value option.
3.Mike Gillislee (RB) — YELLOW – After missing Week 12 with a hamstring strain, Gillislee returned to limited practice Wednesday. This puts him on track to return as LeSean McCoy’s backup for Week 13.
Carolina Panthers
1.Kelvin Benjamin (WR) — YELLOW – Benjamin missed Wednesday’s practice with a lingering shoulder injury. He has not missed any game time and is not expected to Week 13; however, he has not looked like the #1 receiver we saw early in the year. I suspect the shoulder is affecting his play. He did play 66% of snaps last week, up from 53% the week before but way down from 79% Week 10.
2.Luke Kuechly (LB) — PURPLE – Kuechly missed Week 12 as he could not clear concussion protocol. He did not practice Wednesday, which traditionally is a cause for pessimism, but as this is his second week in the protocol, there is still a possibility he could be active for Week 13.
UPDATE: Kuechly has been ruled OUT for Week 13.
3.Kurt Coleman (S) — PURPLE / RED – Coleman, the starting strong safety, entered the concussion protocol Wednesday. Unlike Kuechly, he is a new entrant into the protocol. As noted above, that makes it less likely that he will be cleared in time for the weekend.
UPDATE: Coleman also failed to recover from his concussion and has been ruled OUT for Week 13.
Chicago Bears
1. Eddie Royal (WR) — YELLOW – Royal continues to struggle with an injured toe. He has been missing practice regularly on Wednesday and missed again this week. He was active last week but only played on 15% of the snaps. He is unlikely to have a significant impact Week 13.
2.Jay Cutler (QB) — RED – Cutler continues to hampered with a shoulder injury and is not expected to play Week 13. Matt Barkley is expected to continue starting under center.
Cincinnati Bengals
1. AJ Green (WR) — RED – Green is expected to missed Week 13 as he continues to recover from a hamstring strain.
Denver Broncos
1.Trevor Siemian (QB) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Despite playing the entire game Week 12, Siemian missed practice Wednesday and is in a walking boot with what is being reported as a foot sprain. Foot sprains come in many varieties. The fact that he did not miss playing time makes me the Broncos are just being cautious and giving maximal rest to the foot. His practice schedule the remainder of the week will give a strong indicator if he will be ready Sunday night.
UPDATE: Siemian has been ruled OUT for Week 13. Paxton Lynch will start for the Bronco under center.
Detroit Lions
1. Theo Riddick (RB) — GREEN – Riddick missed Wednesday practice as usual to rest his sore ankle. There is no reason to think that he won’t play Sunday.
2.Marvin Jones (WR) — GREEN / YELLOW – Jones also missed practice Wednesday, but this is a new occurrence for Jones. After playing 97% of the snaps on Thanksgiving, I expect him to play.
UPDATE: Jones did not progress well through the practice week doing very little on the back end of the week. Beat writers have speculated that he will not play this week and if he does, he will likely be limited by his thigh injury. Based on the information available, I would downgrade him ORANGE with a close watch as to whether he is able to play at all.
Green Bay Packers
1.Aaron Rodgers (QB) — GREEN – Rodgers was held out of practice Wednesday. This looks like veteran treatment and he is expected to play Week 13.
2.Clay Matthews (LB) — ORANGE / RED – Matthews suffered an acromioclavicular sprain (separated shoulder) Sunday. He did not practice Wednesday. These injuries are very painful. Even if Matthews is able to return, this injury is likely to be very limiting due to the amount of pain that he will experience if he tries to put his shoulder into an offensive player to make a tackle.
Houston Texans
1. Lamar Miller (RB) — GREEN – Miller was limited Wednesday but has been dealing with multiple nagging injuries. The Texans are surely managing his work and he should play Sunday.
2.C.J. Fiedorowicz (TE) — GREEN – A nagging shoulder injury caused Fiedorowicz to be limited Wednesday but he should play against the Packers.
Indianapolis Colts
1.Andrew Luck (QB) — PURPLE / GREEN – Luck was a full participant Wednesday indicating that he has cleared concussion protocol. He is expected to return to the helm Week 13.
2.T.Y. Hilton (WR) — YELLOW – After playing only 40% of snaps Thanksgiving night with back pain, Hilton returned to practice Wednesday. This is encouraging that he will find his way back onto the field Monday night, but I will need to keep track of his progress as back problems can notoriously flare up.
3.Vontae Davis (CB) — ORANGE – Davis continues to have repeated nagging injuries this season. Now he is dealing with a groin injury that caused him to leave early Thanksgiving night. He did not practice Wednesday and I am not optimistic that he will get back this week.
4.Patrick Robinson (CB) — ORANGE / RED – The Colts other starting cornerback, Patrick Robinson, suffered a groin injury and missed Wednesday practice. His status is seriously in doubt for Sunday, which would leave the Colt very depleted in the defensive secondary. Fortunately, they have an extra day to recover until the play the Jets on Monday night.
Jacksonville Jaguars
1.Chris Ivory (RB) — ORANGE / RED – Ivory was well on his way to a big game in Week 12 before leaving the game early with a hamstring strain. He did not practice Wednesday but I have not seen any significant reports about his status for Week 13. At this point, I would not expect him to play, but with a mum situation, he could progress the remainder of the practice week and surprise me.
UPDATE: Ivory has been ruled OUT for Week 13.
2.T.J. Yeldon (RB) — YELLOW – Yeldon was active Week 12 but not expected to play. He was forced into duty with Ivory’s injury but had only six carries in the relief appearance. He was held out of practice Wednesday as expected. He will likely be active but still limited Week 13.
UPDATE: Yeldon has been removed from the injury report and expected to carry the load for Jaguars without Chris Ivory.
3.Julius Thomas (TE) — RED / ORANGE – Thomas was inactive Week 12 and missed practice again Wednesday. Unfortunately, Thomas almost never practices Wednesday, so this gives no indicator of his status this week. Until he returns to practice, there is no reason to think he will play Sunday.
Kansas City Chiefs
1. Jeremy Maclin (WR) — ORANGE / RED – Maclin has missed the past three weeks with a groin injury. He returned to practice for the first time Wednesday for the first time since his injury. This indicates that he has a chance to play this week, but is far from a guarantee he will play.
UPDATE: Maclin has been ruled OUT for Week 13.
Los Angeles Rams
1.Tavon Austin (WR) — GREEN / YELLOW – Austin missed practice Wednesday with a chest injury. It is unclear when the injury occurred. Austin played 75% of snaps Sunday, his typical allotment. I think this is more of a rest day, and he should play Sunday.
UPDATE: Austin was unable to recover from his chest injury and has been ruled OUT for Week 13.
2.Robert Quinn (DE) — PURPLE – Quinn missed Wednesday practice in the league’s concussion protocol.
UPDATE: Quinn has not passed league protocol and did not practice this week. He is officially listed as questionable, but without practicing to show progress through the league’s concussion protocol, it is very unlikely he will be on the field this week.
Miami Dolphins
1. DeVante Parker (WR) — RED / ORANGE – It was an interesting Week 12 for Parker owners. He had multiple scores called back and eventually left the game in the 3rd quarter with a back injury. He did not practice Wednesday and with his extensive injury history, I suspect the Dolphins will use caution returning him to the field.
Minnesota Vikings
1. Stefon Diggs (WR) — YELLOW – Diggs missed Week 12 on the short week as he was unable to return from a knee injury. The Vikings again play on Thursday night, but Diggs was able to practice all week and is expected to play Week 13.
New England Patriots
1.Rob Gronkowski (TE) — RED – Gronkowski made a brisk return from an injured lung, missing only one week. Unfortunately, he was only able to get through seven plays before leaving with a back injury. Beat writers reported that he was moving very slowly after the game. He did not practice Wednesday, but as will be shown below, the Patriots are more than happy to rest players on Wednesday. This is another injury I will have to watch throughout the week.
UPDATE: Gronkowski had surgery this week to remove part of a ruptured lumbar disc. Timetable for his return is unknown at this time, but it is likely he is out for the season.
2.Martellus Bennett (TE) — YELLOW – Bennett did not practice Wednesday. He is often limited Wednesday, but not practicing is something different. Further, he was listed with an ankle and shoulder injury. The ankle injury is old but the shoulder injury is new. With the injury to Gronkowski, this could have a major impact on both the rushing and passing game.
3.Julian Edelman (WR) — GREEN – Edelman also missed Wednesday’s practice as the Patriots continue to rest his sore foot. There is no reason to think that he will not play as usual.
4.Chris Hogan (WR) — GREEN / YELLOW – As typical, Hogan was a limited Wednesday participant with lingering back pain. He should play Sunday.
New Orleans Saints
1.Mark Ingram (RB) — YELLOW – Ingram came back from concussion in Week 12 rushing for 145 yards, but only played on 57% of snaps. He missed Wednesday practice, but this was reportedly for a toe injury. Normally, I would be concerned with a low snap count followed by a missed Wednesday practice but the Saints have been unpredictable with their backfield. He will probably play, but I will have to monitor his practice status through the week.
UPDATE: Ingram practiced Friday and said that he felt good but would not commit to his expected role or work load for Week 13. I expect him to play but I am still concerned about the potential unpredictability of the Saints running game.
New York Giants
1. Shane Vereen (RB) — RED – Vereen was activated from IR but is not expected to return Week 13 from a torn triceps. Week 14 is a more likely target to return.
Oakland Raiders
1.Michael Crabtree (WR) — GREEN – Crabtree was limited Wednesday as he was last week nursing an ankle injury. This did not affect him as he had a big game Week 12. He should play Sunday against Buffalo.
2.Latavius Murray (RB) — GREEN / YELLOW – Murray was also limited Wednesday with an ankle injury. It is the same injury that hampered Murray last week. He played 66% of snaps Sunday but accounted for 22 touches. He is expected to play Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles
1. Ryan Mathews (RB) — RED / ORANGE – After missing Week 12, Mathews also missed practice Wednesday. It was felt that Mathews would likely miss multiple weeks immediately following the injury. I have no reason at this point to think that he will play leaving Wendal Smallwood and Darren Sproles to carry the backfield load.
UPDATE: Mathews has been ruled OUT for Week 13.
2.Jordan Matthews (WR) — GREEN – Matthews missed practice Wednesday as planned, but he is expected to play Sunday.
UPDATE: Matthews did not practice Friday and and is being called “a true game time decision.” The Eagles are very thin at receiver and desperately need Matthews to play. Missing Friday’s practice makes me think that he will eventually be ruled out, but the official decision may come down to the wire. With the missed practice, downgrade him to ORANGE.
San Diego Chargers
1.Tyrell Williams (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Williams left early Week 12 with a recurrent shoulder injury. The injury is being reported as a labral injury. Williams had surgery a couple of years back on same shoulder. Labral issues in younger people are associated with instability (subluxation/dislocation). There was no indication at the/ time of injury that he had a dislocation, but a subluxation could have reinjured the labrum. This is the type of injury that player can play through but it will likely limit his ability to reach out fully for passes. Williams has been a good DFS player this year, but I am taking a wait and see approach with this type of injury and limited time to recover.
UPDATE: Williams returned to limited practice Friday and is expected to play Sunday. I am still somewhat concerned about limitations stretching or reaching for balls. Naturally, he said that he would be 100% Sunday but I think that is unlikely. However, I now think there is very little risk of him missing the game.
San Francisco 49ers
1.Quinton Patton (WR) — PURPLE – Patton is in concussion protocol and was unable to practice Wednesday.
UPDATE: Patton returned to practice Thursday and Friday but has not officially cleared the league’s concussion protocol. He will need to clear protocol Sunday morning in order to play against the Bears.
Seattle Seahawks
1. Jimmy Graham (TE) — GREEN – Graham missed practice Wednesday as usual. He is expected to play without limitation Sunday.
Washington Redskins
1.Jordan Reed (TE) — RED / ORANGE – Reed suffered a grade 3 AC joint sprain (separation) Sunday versus the Cowboys. All he did is play through it and post 10/95/2. He did not practice Wednesday. There has not been an indication from the Redskins whether or not he would play Sunday at Arizona. I would a little surprised if he played.
UPDATE: Reed has been ruled OUT for Week 13.