NFL DFS Injury Report: Week 14
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.
Week 14 has arrived and we are on to the last quarter of the 2016 NFL season. As we move toward the end of the season, there are starting to be more players eligible to come off injured reserve. Fortunately, it is typically clear when this is going to happen for players. The challenge comes in determining how teams will integrate returning players back into the offense. Different teams may handle this situation as well as other injury situations differently. It is important to note that teams no longer competing for playoff position are likely to take a more cautious approach when managing injured players. Those trying to extend their season or position themselves for a Super Bowl run are more likely to be aggressive returning key players.
The biggest name returning to the field for Week 14 will be Robert Griffin as he takes back over the reign of the Browns offense. Several key receivers (Jeremy Maclin, Jordan Matthews, and Robert Woods) are expected to be back on the field this week. Some of these returns will reduce the role of value plays that have been available over the past couple of weeks. Be aware how returning players not only affect backups at their specific position but also how it affect the other aspects of the offense as well.
This week there were fewer players that missed Wednesday practice, which makes predicting playing status easier. However, there are still several tenuous situations that will become clearer as the week progresses. I will be taking my son to the Georgia High School football state championships Friday, so look for the usual update on Saturday, still in plenty of time for lineup building this weekend. Best of luck in all of your Week 14 matchups.
Last Updated: Friday 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.John Brown (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Brown continues to be limited with effects of sickle cell trait. He was held out of practice again on Wednesday. The Cardinals continue to be very careful with Brown. He played on 28% of the Week 13 snaps and I expect that he will play but continue to be limited this week.
Atlanta Falcons
1.Mohamed Sanu (WR) — RED – Sanu suffered a groin strain late in the Week 13 game versus the Chiefs. He did not practice Wednesday and head coach Dan Quinn told the media that he does not expect Sanu to play Sunday.
2.Julio Jones (WR) — ORANGE / YELLOW – Jones missed practice Wednesday as he deals with turf toe. With Sanu expected to miss, it is hard to imagine Jones not playing Week 14. Turf toe is a tough problem and will likely limit Jones, but as he is often listed on the injury report, it is hard to gauge how serious the injury is.
UPDATE: I am going to leave Jones’s status unchanged for Week 14. His status is very unclear which is unfortunate as the Falcons play in the afternoon block of games. Head coach Dan Quinn said that he expected Jones to play but beat writers have reported that they don’t expect him to play. The Falcons have kept him active but essentially used him as a decoy in the past. We may get early news, but don’t be surprised if his status comes down to the wire.
Buffalo Bills
1. Robert Woods (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – After missing the past two week, Woods is expected to return Week 14. He returned to limited practice Wednesday giving all indication that he will be back on the field Sunday versus Pittsburgh.
UPDATE: Woods practiced through the week and is expected to play Sunday. Upgrade to YELLOW.
2.Sammy Watkins (WR) — YELLOW / GREEN – Watkins continues to integrate himself back into the offense from his foot injury. He did not practice Wednesday, but I do not expect him to practice on Wednesday for the rest of the year. He was up to 68% of the offensive snaps last week and there is no reason to think he will not continue to advance moving forward.
Carolina Panthers
1.Luke Kuechly (LB) & Kurt Coleman (S) — PURPLE / GREEN – Kuechly and Coleman returned to practice Wednesday after missing last week in the concussion protocol. They are both still in the protocol but appear on track to return for Week 14.
UPDATE: Coleman has cleared protocol but Kuechly failed to do so. Kuechly will be OUT for Week 14.
2.Charles Johnson (DE) — RED – Johnson strained his hamstring Sunday night and is expected to miss Week 14.
Chicago Bears
1. Marquess Wilson (WR) — RED – Wilson made it only 4 snaps before being forced from Sunday’s game with a groin injury. He did not practice Wednesday and is not expected to play Week 14.
UPDATE: Wilson was able to return to limited practice Thursday and Friday. I may have been a little over zealous with Wilson’s status, but recovering from a soft tissue strain sufficient enough to force a player from a game in one week is rare. The Bears seem intent on playing Wilson this week, but I would be very cautious if deciding to roster him. A repeat injury has a decent probability. Upgrade to ORANGE.
2.Josh Bellamy (WR) — GREEN – The Bears have been crushed with injuries. This is obvious when I am listing Josh Bellamy in the injury report. However, Bellamy is coming off a six targets game in which he played 62% of the snaps. He was limited Wednesday with a sore shoulder but is expected to play Sunday.
3.Eddie Royal (WR) — ORANGE / RED – Royal missed Week 13 with a toe injury and again missed practice Wednesday. The Bears appear ready to move in another direction with their receiving crew. I do not really expect him to play Sunday, but even if he does, his role is minimal.
UPDATE: Royal is listed as doubtful on the game injury report making it unlikely for him to play.
Cincinnati Bengals
1. AJ Green (WR) — RED – Green continues to recover from a hamstring strain and is not expected to play Week 14.
2.Brandon LaFell (WR) — GREEN – Following a solid Week 13 performance, LaFell was limited Wednesday with a knee injury. This is more of a veteran rest day and should not limit LaFell Sunday at the Browns.
Cleveland Browns
1. Robert Griffin (QB) – GREEN – After fracturing his shoulder Week 1, RG3 appears ready to resume control of the Browns’ offense. He is expected to start Week 14.
Denver Broncos
1.Trevor Siemian (QB) — YELLOW – After missing Week 13 with a sprained foot, Siemian returned to limited practice Wednesday. Siemian appears in line to return for Sunday’s game at Tennessee, which will be a welcome sight for the Broncos after Paxton Lynch’s horrendous performance last week. Siemian is not overly reliant on his running ability, but expect his mobility to be limited if he returns for Week 14.
2.Kapri Bibbs (RB) — RED – The Broncos placed Bibbs on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain.
Detroit Lions
1. Theo Riddick (RB) — GREEN – Riddick was rested Wednesday as is the norm for him. He is expected to play Sunday.
2.Dwayne Washington (RB) — YELLOW – Washington was forced from the Week 13 matchup with the Saints with an ankle injury. He returned to a limited practice Wednesday putting him in line to return for Sunday’s game versus the Bears.
3.Marvin Jones (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – I missed on Jones last week. I expected him to play last week, but he never progressed through the practice week and once the Lions signed TJ Jones from the practice squad, it became evident that he would be inactive. Marvin Jones returned to limited practice Wednesday which puts him in line to return for Week 14.
Green Bay Packers
1.Aaron Rodgers (QB) — GREEN – Rodgers continues to be cautious with his hamstring strain, resting Wednesday. He did the same last week but played without significant limitation. I expect much of the same for Week 14.
Houston Texans
1. Lamar Miller (RB) — YELLOW – The Texans continue to use some caution with Miller and his multiple nagging injuries. He only played 47% of the snaps Sunday. I suspect that he will continue to have his snaps managed going forward. I do not think he is in danger of missing Week 14.
UPDATE: Miller was removed from the injury report. There was never serious doubt that he would play but there is still concern about his lessened snap count. He is a high reward play against a weak Colts defense but also carries some risk.
2.Braxton Miller (WR) — ORANGE – Miller was forced from the game Sunday with a shoulder sprain. The Texans are listing him as day-to-day. His practice progression will give a good indicator if he will play Sunday.
UPDATE: Miller has been ruled OUT for Week 14.
3.Will Fuller (WR) — GREEN – Fuller was limited Wednesday with a lingering hip injury. He is expected to play as he did last week.
Indianapolis Colts
1.Andrew Luck (QB) — GREEN – Luck was limited Wednesday with a sore shoulder. This is precautionary and he is expected to play Sunday.
Jacksonville Jaguars
1.Chris Ivory (RB) — ORANGE / YELLOW – After missing Week 13 with a hamstring injury, Ivory returned to limited practice Wednesday. His status for Week 14 is still uncertain, but the return to practice is a good sign moving forward.
UPDATE: Ivory practiced limited through the week making it likely for him to play, but he is expected to be limited with focus on short yard and goal line situations.
2.Julius Thomas (TE) — RED / ORANGE – Thomas has not played in three weeks and again missed practice Wednesday. There is no reason to think that he will play until he has shown significant practice progress.
UPDATE: Thomas has been ruled OUT for Week 14.
3.Allen Hurns (WR) — RED / ORANGE – Hurns missed practice Wednesday with the same hamstring injury that cost him Week 13. I think it is unlikely that he will be able to return in time for Week 14.
UPDATE: Huns has been ruled OUT for Week 14.
4.Denard Robinson (RB) – RED – Robinson was called upon to carry the load Week 13 due to injuries in the Jaguar backfield. After 18 touches, Robinson was forced from the game with a high ankle sprain. He will likely miss multiple weeks due to the injury.
UPDATE: Robinson has been ruled OUT for Week 14.
Los Angeles Rams
1.Jared Goff (QB) — GREEN – Goff missed practice Wednesday with an illness but is expected to recover in time for Week 14.
Miami Dolphins
1. DeVante Parker (WR) — YELLOW – Parker did an uncommon thing Week 13. He failed to practice all week but then played Sunday, playing 79% of the snaps. He did practice Wednesday and is expected to play Week 14.
New England Patriots
1.Danny Amendola (WR) — RED – Amendola suffered a high ankle sprain Sunday against the Rams. He is not expected to be back for Week 14.
New Orleans Saints
1.Mark Ingram (RB) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Ingram’s status was up in the air throughout Week 13. He ended up playing but was only on the field for 33% of the snaps. He returned to limited practice Wednesday and is expected to play Sunday, but his role is unclear.
UPDATE: Ingram returned to practice on Friday which puts him in position to play Sunday. His status is unchanged.
2.Michael Thomas (WR) — GREEN / YELLOW – Thomas missed Wednesday practice with a foot injury. He played the entire game Sunday and is not expected to miss any playing time.
3.Josh Hill (TE) — RED – Hill will miss the remainder of the regular season after suffering a broken fibula Sunday versus the Lions.
New York Giants
1. Shane Vereen (RB) — ORANGE / YELLOW – Vereen was back in practice Wednesday and appears on track to return from IR Sunday as expected. Typically, I would expect the Giants to take their time integrating him back into the offense, but as they try to make a push to the playoffs, the Giants may be more aggressive getting him back involved.
2.Jason Pierre-Paul (DE) — RED – Pierre-Paul will likely miss the rest of the year after undergoing sports hernia surgery.
Philadelphia Eagles
1.Dorial Green-Beckham (WR) — ORANGE / YELLOW – DGB suffered and abdominal contusion after taking a hard hit Sunday. He did not practice Wednesday and his status is uncertain for Week 14. I suspect he will at least try to play, but he would need to demonstrate progress through practice before considering him as a play.
UPDATE: Green-Beckham failed to practice this week all but ensuring that he will miss Week 14. He is listed as questionable on the game in jury report, but I would still downgrade him to RED.
2.Jordan Matthews (WR) — YELLOW – Matthews missed Week 13 but returned to practice Wednesday. He is on course to return for Week 14.
Pittsburgh Steelers
1.Chris Boswell (K) — ORANGE / YELLOW – Boswell missed Week 13 with an abdominal strain. He was replaced by Randy Bullock, who made three field goals in his absence. There has been optimism that Boswell may return for Week 14, but there is significant risk rostering him coming off an abdominal injury.
UPDATE: Boswell practiced on Friday. Typically this is a good indicator that he will be ready to play Sunday. The difficult part is that there have been conflicting reports regarding his status. Initially, it was reported that he would play but later it came out that he is a game time decision. I am trying to read between the lines here It seems that he would not be ready if the game were a day early, but they anticipate him continuing to progress adequately over the next couple of days. Barring setback, he should play Sunday.
Seattle Seahawks
1. Earl Thomas (S) — RED – Thomas was placed on IR after fracturing his tibia Sunday night.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1.Charles Sims (RB) — ORANGE – Sims is scheduled to be activated from IR in time Week 14. He has not played since Week 4. I think that the Bucs will take their time integrating Sims back into the offense.
2. Adam Humphries (WR) — PURPLE — Humphries is in the league’s concussion protocol after suffering a head injury Sunday.
UPDATE: Humpries failed to clear protocol and has been ruled OUT for Week 14.
Washington Redskins
1.Jordan Reed (TE) — ORANGE / RED – Reed returned to limited practice Wednesday with his shoulder separation. He caught passes with both hands but did not contact drills. While this is a good sign, catching passes is a long ways from contact activities. Returning from this type of injury after one week would be very quick. I do not expect him to play, but if he does, he will likely be very limited and one wrong hit could knock him from the game.
UPDATE: Reed practiced through the week and the Redskins have indicated that Reed is going to try to play through the pain of his shoulder separation. He should be able to play but will have some limitations especially when reaching for balls. There is also concern if he gets tackled on the injured shoulder. Upgrade to ORANGE.