NFL DFS Injury Report: Week 6
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.
Unless you are a Browns quarterback, Week 5 was a mild injury week. The progressive downgrading of Charles Sims was probably the biggest news of the week. His injury was initially reported as mild, but after not practicing all week, he was inactive for Monday Night Football. Now he is on IR. The Redskins had a scare as Josh Norman left with an arm injury only to return later in the game. Lastly, the Green Bay backfield is a confusing place. James Starks came in to replace the injured Eddie Lacy. However, Starks missed practice Wednesday with Lacy back in a limited role.
In addition to more veterans skipping practice Wednesday, we now have to manage the return of players injured earlier in the year. As the year progresses, there will be more and more shuffling in of recovered players and shuffling out of newly injured players. Balancing this movement and capitalizing on opportunity costs will be one of the keys to profitable DFS weeks.
Last week I found that a new color rating was needed. As can be seen below, I have added a PURPLE designation. This is designed for situations like Cam Newton last week. Players in the concussion protocol sometimes are truly questionable, but if cleared rarely face snap count or physical limitations. PURPLE will be used for these players who remain in the protocol but still have a chance to play.
As always, I welcome your feedback and comments regarding the injury report. Leave comments below or hit me up on twitter @slakdogg. Best of luck in Week 6!
Last Updated: Saturday 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.Carson Palmer (QB) – GREEN – Palmer has cleared concussion protocol and participated fully in Wednesday’s practice. He is expected to start Week 6.
Atlanta Falcons
1. Julio Jones (WR) — GREEN / YELLOW – After one whole week off the injury report, Jones returned after missing practice Wednesday. This time, he is dealing with knee and shin injuries after the Week 5 win at Denver. Typically, I would attribute this to veteran rest, but he was originally expected to be limited in practice only to be held out completely. I think he will probably play and be fine, but I will update his status later in the week.
Baltimore Ravens
1. Mike Wallace (WR) – GREEN – Wallace wore a non-contact jersey in practice Wednesday with a chest wall contusion. This should not have any significant effect on him Sunday against the Giants.
2.Steve Smith, Sr (WR) – RED – Smith injured his ankle Sunday versus the Redskins and did not return. As I tweeted early on Wednesday, Smith is not expected to play Sunday.
Buffalo Bills
1.Charles Clay (TE) – GREEN – In what has become the norm for Clay, he sat out of practice on Wednesday. This is an every week occurrence and should not limit him Sunday.
UPDATE: Starting DT Marcel Dareus RED is doubtful for Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury.
Carolina Panthers
1.Cam Newton (QB) — YELLOW – After missing Week 5, Newton returned to limited practice Wednesday. Assuming he has not set backs with exertional activity, he will be back at the helm in a prime spot at New Orleans.
UPDATE: Newton has cleared concussion protocol and is expect to start Sunday. He is upgraded to GREEN.
2. Jonathan Stewart (RB) – ORANGE / YELLOW – Stewart also returned to practice Wednesday. He was limited but appears on track to return Sunday. The Panthers backfield is a crowded spot, and I suspect that he will be eased back to service. Look for Stewart to be on a snap count Sunday.
UPDATE: Stewart practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play Sunday at New Orleans. He is upgraded to GREEN / YELLOW. There have been reports of the Panthers trying to limiting Cam Newton running. This may open opportunities for Stewart at the goal line that he does not typically get.
Chicago Bears
1. Jay Cutler (QB) — RED – Cutler again did not practice Wednesday. Cutler does not seem close to returning. Brian Hoyer is again expected to start.
2.Eddie Royal (WR) — YELLOW – Royal was a true game time decision in Week 5, but ended up active. He played in only 56% of the snaps but did catch seven of nine targets. Not surprisingly, he missed practice Wednesday but I expect him to play Sunday.
UPDATE: Royal did not practice all week. He did the same in Week 5 and then was active. They is not typical for a player to not practice Friday and then play Sunday. Seeing how he did this just last week, I will downgrade him only to YELLOW / ORANGE for Sunday’s game against the Jags.
3.KaDeem Carey (RB) – ORANGE – Carey practiced on Wednesday. I was a bit surprised that he was active in Week 5, but he only played two snaps. Jordan Howard is clearly the lead back, and the Bears will likely easy Carey back onto the field.
4.Alshon Jeffery (WR) — YELLOW – Jeffery has been on the injury report in past weeks with a knee injury. Wednesday he was limited with what is being listed as a hamstring injury. He has not missed a game this season and I don’t expect that to change in Week 6. He has not looked like himself yet this year, so I moved him to YELLOW this week. I am using caution until I see him return to the form that made him a WR1 in the past.
5.Jeremy Langford (RB) — RED – Langford continues to recover from a high ankle sprain and is not expected to play in Week 6.
6.Zach Miller (TE) — GREEN – For the second week in a row, Miller missed Wednesday’s practice with sore ribs. Miller played 86% of the snaps Sunday and should be ready once again for Week 6.
Cincinnati Bengals
1.Tyler Eifert (TE) — RED – Reports are mixed regarding Eifert. After seeing a back specialist last week, he was inactive for Week 5. This was followed by missing Wednesday’s practice. That is not a good sign for him playing Week 6.
2.Jeremy Hill (RB) — YELLOW — Hill was limited last week with a chest injury. He played but was only in for 15 snaps before the injury took him out of the game. He returned to limited practice Wednesday. There is risk in rostering him, as seen in Week 5 when he failed to complete the game. There is also talk that the Bengals are moving more toward Gio Bernard as the lead back.
3.AJ Green (WR) — GREEN – Green (that a lot of Green) sat out practice Wednesday with a calf injury. After playing 84% of the snaps in Week 5, this looks like a general rest day. He should be ready for Week 6 at the Patriots.
Cleveland Browns
1. Cody Kessler (QB) — YELLOW – Playing quarterback for the Browns is hazardous for your health. Kessler was forced to leave Week 5 early with rib contusions. X-ray and CT scans were negative, but he was unable to return. Kessler was at practice Wednesday but was limited. Head coach Hue Jackson has indicated that if Kessler can play, he will be the starter. I will be watching his progress in practice though the week.
2.Josh McCown (QB) — RED – McCown returned to limited practice Wednesday but as noted above, the Browns have said that they expect Kessler to be the starter Sunday. This is his first practice, but at this point, I think that Week 6 is very unlikely.
3.Gary Barnidge (TE) — GREEN – Barnidge was limited Wednesday with forearm and hip contusion. He is expected to start Sunday.
Dallas Cowboys
1.Dez Bryant (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Dez returned to practice Wednesday without a brace. All reports were that he moved well. Sunday will have been three weeks since his injury. Typically, at the three-week mark, simple fractures are much less painful than initially. As I mentioned initially, this is a pain limiting injury. This means that once pain is under control, a player could return. The primary risk with Bryant is a blow to the fracture site could cause significant pain and thus a setback. Early in the week, I think that he will be active and thus a high risk/high reward play.
UPDATE: Bryant continued to practice on a limited basis throughout the week. There have been mixed reports through the week, but the most recent is that Bryant will try to warm up prior to Sunday’s game. The more I read, the more I think he will sit Week 6. The Cowboys have bye Week 7 which would give an additional rest week for Bryant’s fracture to heal. After reading several different reports, I am downgrading him to ORANGE / RED.
Denver Broncos
1.Trevor Siemian (QB) — YELLOW – Siemian is expected to return Thursday night at the Chargers. This is a quick return from an AC separation. They will probably inject the joint to help control the pain. The major concern this that if Siemian gets tackled on the shoulder, there could be increased pain. Obviously, quarterbacks don’t take hits in practice, so how he responds will be unknown until game time.
Detroit Lions
1. Eric Ebron (TE) — RED – Ebron missed Week 5 and is also expect to miss Week 6 as he continues to recover from ankle and knee injuries.
2.Dwayne Washington (RB) — ORANGE – Washington missed practice Wednesday. After missing Week 5, Washington was originally expected to return Week 6. However, missing Wednesday’s practice brings about concern whether he will be ready. Return to practice later in the week will be key to getting on the field Sunday.
UPDATE: Washington practiced Friday and is expected to take the lead back role with Theo Riddick ruled out. I will upgrade him to YELLOW. I expect him to yield some carries to Justin Forsett, but with Forsett being signed just this week, his package is likely to be limited.
3.Theo Riddick (RB) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Riddick played through and ankle injury Sunday, scoring two touchdowns (and DFS players a lot of money). He played on 66% of snaps, but this is an appropriate number for him. He was held out of practice Wednesday. At this point, I suspect he will play, but the Lions signed Justin Forsett this week. That may be an indicator that the Lions are concerned about the potential availability of both Riddick and Washington.
UPDATE: Riddick has been ruled OUT for Sunday’s game versus the Rams after not practicing this week.
Green Bay Packers
1. Randall Cobb (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Cobb was down on the field Sunday night after a big hit. He passed concussion protocol but missed Wednesday practice with a neck sprain. While it is encouraging that he was quickly cleared from the concussion protocol, but neck sprains can be very painful and limit neck motion. If he is able to play, he will likely have some limitations. Friday practice will give a strong indicator if he will be able to play.
2.Eddie Lacy (RB) — YELLOW – Lacy suffered an ankle contusion in Week 5. He yielded to James Starks but was back to limited practice Wednesday. This is a good sign for his availability to play in Week 6.
UPDATE: Lacy was able to practice all week, though limitedly. Beat reports have indicated that he is likely to play Sunday against the Cowboys, but I would keep him at YELLOW.
3.James Starks (RB) — ORANGE / YELLOW – In an unexpected role reversal, after relieving Lacy Sunday night, Starks missed practice Wednesday with an knee injury. Following Sunday’s game, early reports were that Lacy was expected to miss Week 6 with Starks filling in. However, with Starks missing practice and Lacy participating in drills, it seems more likely that Lacy will play Sunday.
UPDATE: Starks missed most of the practice week, He was home following a death in his family, but was also nursing a knee injury. Starks did not practice Friday, but this may have been more related to bereavement. He is likely to be active, but is more limited by the fact that Lacy seems in line to also be active Sunday.
Houston Texans
1.Braxton Miller (WR) — YELLOW – Miller returned to the field Week 5 for 14 snaps. The Texans seem content to ease Miller back into the offense.
UPDATE: Miller has been removed from the injury report. He is upgraded to GREEN for Week 6.
2.Will Fuller (WR) — GREEN – Fuller was a limited participant Wednesday but is expected to play Sunday.
UPDATE: In a surprise, Fuller is looking less likely to play Sunday. He was limited in practice all week. Downgrade to ORANGE / RED
UPDATE #2: Fuller is OUT for Week 6.
Indianapolis Colts
1. T.Y. Hilton (WR) — GREEN – Hilton missed practice Wednesday with a sore hip. After a huge Week 5, this looks more like a rest day than a significant injury.
2.Darius Butler (CB) — RED – After missing extended time, Butler returned in Week 5 only to break his finger. This fracture will require surgery and will keep him out of Week 6.
UPDATE: Starting cornerback Patrick Robinson did not practice this week with a knee injury. He is unlikely to play Week 6.
Miami Dolphins
1. Arian Foster (RB) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Foster returned to practice last week but was again inactive for week 5. He practiced again Wednesday and is expected to play Sunday. The Dolphins have told the media that they want to limit the running back by committee they have been using over the past few weeks. I expect him to share snaps with Jay Ajayi when he gets back which would be smart considering his extensive injury history.
2.Jordan Cameron (TE) – RED – Cameron continues in the concussion protocol and there is no timetable for his return.
New England Patriots
1.Rob Gronkowski (TE) — GREEN / YELLOW – Gronkowski was limited Wednesday but told the media that he felt like he was back to his old self. He looked like he was back to his old self in Week 5 as he went over 100 yards and added a touchdown. With returning health and the return of Tom Brady, Gronk can be considered an elite tight end once again.
2.LeGarrette Blount (RB) — YELLOW – Blount was again limited Wednesday with a sore hip. The hip has been a long lingering problem for Blount. I downgraded him compared to last week after he only played on 39% of snaps. He’s a two-down back, so his snap count is usually a bit down, but this is low for him. Now that Brady is back, the offense will flow through him instead of the Blount games we saw the first four weeks.
3.Martellus Bennett (TE) — GREEN / YELLOW — Bennett was limited Wednesday with an ankle injury. This looks more like veteran rest and after a monster game in Week 5, expect Bennett back on the field Sunday versus the Bengals.
New York Giants
1.Rashad Jennings (RB) — ORANGE / RED – Jennings has now missed the past three weeks with a thumb injury. He has been practicing with the limitations of wearing a cast; however, he has been limited to the point that the Giants kept him inactive. Early in the week, I expect he will have the same limitations and thus will probably not play Week 6.
UPDATE: Jennings practiced Friday and has told the media that he intends to play Sunday. He is upgraded to YELLOW / ORANGE against the Raven’s #1 DVOA ranked run defense.
2.Larry Donnell (TE) — GREEN – Donnell is nearly out of the concussion protocol after missing Week 5. He returned to practice Wednesday, which is a strong sign that without setback he should be back on the field for Week 6.
3.Eli Apple (CB) — RED – Apple left Week 5 early with a groin injury. This is one week after injuring his hamstring. Consecutive injuries like this typically lead to some lost time.
New York Jets
1.Eric Decker (WR) — RED – Decker was placed on IR Wednesday and is expect to undergo surgery on his injured shoulder.
Oakland Raiders
1. Latavius Murray (RB) — ORANGE / RED – Murray missed Week 5 with turf toe. He missed practice Wednesday but reports have him out of his walking boot. The Raiders have moved to more of a running back by committee, so he will likely have a limited role even if he is able to return Sunday.
UPDATE: Murray has been ruled OUT for the second straight week with turf toe.
2.Clive Walford (TE) — GREEN / YELLOW – Walford missed Week 5 but returned to practice Wednesday making him on track to play Sunday versus the Chiefs.
Pittsburgh Steelers
1. Sammie Coates (WR) — YELLOW – Coates had an impressive Week 5 with a 6/139/2 line. More impressively, he did it with a finger laceration. Wednesday, Coates was seen at the practice facility in a large cast. The wound will probably only have partial healing by Sunday’s game, but with proper protection, he should be able to play.
UPDATE: Coates caught passes in Friday’s practice and has been cleared to play. I still fear the finger may be a little limiting. I would keep him at YELLOW but he is a great value for week 6.
UPDATE #2: The Coates injury is more complex than originally reported. In addition to a finger laceration, he also has a fracture. The Steelers promoted Cobi Hamilton from the practice squad which is an indicator that Coates may be inactive Sunday. As a result, the upgrade yesterday is a downgrade today. ORANGE / RED
2.Markus Wheaton (WR) — GREEN – Wheaton sat out of practice Wednesday with pain in the same shoulder that cost him the first 2 weeks of the season. I doubt this limits him Sunday, but it also appears that Wheaton has been passed by Coates for the WR2 position.
UPDATE: Wheaton has been ruled OUT for Sunday’s game at Miami. He has clearly lost his role in the Steelers receiving crew.
San Diego Chargers
1.Brandon Flowers (CB) — RED – The Chargers secondary continues to be decimated by injury as Flowers has been ruled out for Thursday Night Football with a concussion.
San Francisco 49ers
1.Vance McDonald (TE) — YELLOW / GREEN – McDonald missed Week 5 with a hip injury but practiced Wednesday with a plan to return to action Sunday.
2.Jeremy Kerley (WR) — GREEN – Kerley has been limited in practice with an ankle injury but is coming of a game with 8/102/1. He should be full Sunday.
UPDATE: Starting cornerback Jimmie Ward is OUT for Sunday’s game at Buffalo.
Seattle Seahawks
1. Kam Chancellor — ORANGE / RED — injured his groin Thursday in practice and missed Friday practice. As always, Friday missed practice is a bad thing and likely a bad sign for Sunday versus the Falcons.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
1.Charles Sims (RB) — RED – The Bucs have a bye week, but I wanted to note that Sims was placed on IR with a knee injury. There was no indication early last week that his injury was so severe, but he failed to practice and was eventually on the inactive list. This opened the door for Jacquizz Rodgers who had a solid game on Monday night.
Washington Redskins
1.Josh Norman (CB) — GREEN – Norman briefly exited the Week 5 game with an arm injury but returned. He was limited in Wednesday practice but is expected to play Sunday.
2.Bashaud Breeland (CB) — YELLOW / GREEN – Breeland returned to practice Wednesday. He is expected to play Sunday but may be slowed as the ankle sprain continues to heal.
3.Jordan Reed (TE) — PURPLE – Reed was absent from practice Wednesday. Initially this was a mystery but it was later revealed that Reed was in the concussion protocol. At this point, it is too early to tell if he may play Week 6. I will be following updates through the week.
UPDATE: Reed did not practice Friday. This is a bad sign for the prospect of playing Sunday when coming off of a concussion. The Redskins made him questionable on the game injury report which leaves open the possibility of playing. I doubt he does. RED / PURPLE
UPDATE: Reed has been ruled OUT for Week 6.