NFL DFS Injury Report: Week 7
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.
For the first time this season, game time decisions and conflicting reports regarding player status played a big role in DFS player selection. Both Sammy Coates and Will Fuller were good values in a good spots for Week 6. However, there was debate and uncertainty whether either would play and even how much limitation they would have. Coates played but was ineffective and while Fuller was active, he did not see the field.
There were several impactful injuries in Week 6. Ben Roethlisberger went down with a torn meniscus and had surgery Monday. Eddie Lacy is out indefinitely with an ankle injury. On top of this, Wednesday brought some practice causalities. The biggest was LeSean McCoy who went down with a hamstring injury.
As I mentioned last week, players injured earlier in the year will start to make their return in the middle third of the season. Many expected Doug Martin to return off Tampa Bay’s bye week, but he suffered a setback and now is not expected to play. It is important to watch player progression through the practice week. I will be doing that and as always, I will update this article Friday evening. I will also post updates to twitter @slakdogg as news becomes available. Best of luck in Week 7!
Last Updated: Saturday AM
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 / YELLOW – Palmer sat out practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury. Being a more traditional drop back passer, Palmer should be able to play this weekend. Head coach Bruce Arians told the media it was simply a rest day for Palmer.
2.Jaron Brown (WR) — ORANGE / YELLOW – Jaron Brown left early in Week 6 with a knee injury. Initially it was feared that it could be serious, but it now appears to just be a mild knee sprain. Early reports are that he is expected to play Sunday with a knee brace. No wide receiver wants something around their knee, and if he needs to wear a brace, he will have some on field limitations.
3.John Brown (WR) — ORANGE / YELLOW – John Brown did not participate in Wednesday’s practice with a hamstring injury. Brown only played 62% of the offensive snaps after playing over 90% each of the two weeks prior. With Brown being even more reliant than most on his explosive ability, this is even more concerning. There should be a better indication of his status later in the week.
UPDATE: Head coach Bruce Arians told the media that the pain John Brown is having in his lower extremities is associated with sickle cell trait. Between that and his hamstring strain, he is listed as doubtful. Downgrade to RED / ORANGE
Baltimore Ravens
1.Joe Flacco (QB) – YELLOW – After many hits in Week 6 by the Giants defense, Flacco missed practice Wednesday with a sore throwing shoulder. He insisted that he would be fine and ready for Sunday’s game at the Jets. I am almost certain that he plays, but as his strength is the deep ball, any throwing shoulder injury is of concern.
2.Steve Smith, Sr (WR) – RED – Smith was inactive Week 6 and then missed practice Wednesday as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. It was initially reported that he would miss multiple weeks and I do not expect him to play Sunday.
3.Jimmy Smith (CB) — PURPLE / GREEN – Starting cornerback Jimmy Smith was knocked out of Week 6 early with a concussion, but returned to limited practice Wednesday. This is a good indicator that he will be ready for Week 7, but it warrants continued monitoring through the week.
4.Terrell Suggs (LB) — RED – Suggs suffered a torn biceps Sunday. As this has been reported, typically biceps tendon ruptures are season ending injuries, but if the tear in the muscle and not the tendon, there is a chance he could return this season.
Buffalo Bills
Editor’s Note: LeSean McCoy (hamstring) is likely to be a game-time decision in Week 7.
1.LeSean McCoy (RB) — RED / ORANGE – McCoy was injured Wednesday during practice. Initial reports were that his hamstring tightened up. Since then, reports have surfaced that he has a “mild to moderate hamstring strain.” At this point in the week, I am not particularly optimistic that he will be able to get well enough to play Sunday at Miami. I could see this being a true game time decision, but I will be looking for more clarity as the week progresses.
UPDATE: McCoy did not practice Thursday. He was back at practice Friday but media reports were that he did not move well and limped occasionally on his injured hamstring. He is listed questionable on the game injury report. I will leave his status but would slant toward his being inactive or active as a decoy only.
2.Robert Woods (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Woods missed practice Wednesday with an injured foot. He was seen at the practice facility in a walking boot. He did leave Sunday’s game briefly but was able to return. He told the media that he expected to play Week 7.
UPDATE: Woods did not practice this week and listed doubtful on the game injury report. Downgrade to RED / ORANGE
3.Marcel Dareus (DT) — RED – Dareus continued to recover from a hamstring injury and again missed practice on Wednesday. I don’t expect him to be sufficiently recovered to return for Week 7.
4.Charles Clay (TE) — GREEN – Clay injured his ankle Sunday. He did not practice Wednesday, but he never practices on Wednesday. That cannot be used as indicator of whether or not he plays on a given week. I have not seen anything to make me think this week will be different from any other this year.
Chicago Bears
1. Jay Cutler (QB) — RED – While listed as doubtful, Cutler is not expected to play Thursday night.
2.Eddie Royal (WR) — OUT – Royal left Week 7 early with a toe sprain and was unable to recover adequately on the short week.
3.Ka’Deem Carey (RB) – YELLOW – Carey practiced limited through the week and is expected to play Thursday night. He had nine carries Sunday and is expected to continue to have a role in the offense.
4.Jeremy Langford (RB) — RED – Langford continues to recover from a high ankle sprain. He is listed as doubtful for Thursday night. I do not expect him to play this week, but a Week 8 return is possible.
5.Zach Miller (TE) — GREEN – Miller was limited in practice through the short week and is listed as questionable, but is expect to play Thursday night.
Cincinnati Bengals
1.Tyler Eifert (TE) — ORANGE / YELLOW – Eifert returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis. After not practicing last week, this is a good sign toward a potential return for Week 7. Head coach Marvin Lewis told the media that he wanted Eifert to go through a full practice without restriction before he would play.
UPDATE: Eifert is listed as questionable but is expected to play Sunday vs the Browns. Head coach Marvin Lewis has confirmed this but also said he will be on a snap count.
2.Vontaze Burfict (LB) — ORANGE / YELLOW – I do not like Vontaze Burfict. I thought he was dirty when he was at Arizona State and I think he has shown himself to be a dirty NFL player. That has nothing to do with injury status, but I felt like I needed to get that out there. With regard to injuries, he was carted off the practice field Wednesday with an ankle injury. I have found very little regarding this injury. What I have seen indicates it is not thought to be serious and he was carted off only as a precaution. I would be surprised if he practiced Thursday. Friday’s practice will be the strongest indicator if he plays Sunday.
Cleveland Browns
1. Terrelle Pryor (WR) — ORANGE / YELLOW – Pryor missed practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury. Head coach Hue Jackson said that he is hopeful that Pryor will be able to play Sunday. Friday’s practice will be the key indicator of his ability to play Week 7.
UPDATE: Pryor did not practice all week. He is listed as questionable on the game injury reports. It is being reported that he will be game time decision. Traditionally, inability to practice through week rarely results in players playing in the game. Downgrade to RED / ORANGE
2.Josh McCown (QB) — RED – After practicing limited last week, he was back for limited practice Wednesday. Head coach Hue Jackson has announced Cody Kessler as the starter. McCown may be active as the emergency quarterback but he is not expected to play Sunday.
3. Joe Haden (CB) — RED / ORANGE — Haden was out for Week 6 and is doubtful for Week 7.
Detroit Lions
1. Eric Ebron (TE) — RED / ORANGE – Ebron has been inactive the past two week and missed practice again Wednesday. Beat writers reported him running on the sideline, which is good progress but a long ways from higher level cutting and blocking drills. I doubt he plays this week, but if he manages to get on the field, he will surely be physically limited.
UPDATE: Ebron has been ruled OUT for Week 7.
2.Dwayne Washington (RB) — YELLOW – Washington was back to practice Wednesday. After being inactive Week 6, this is good sign toward him returning Sunday against the Redskins.
3.Theo Riddick (RB) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Riddick was also inactive Week 7, but did not practice Wednesday. Beat writers reported that he was moving around better at the practice facility. I expect that he will return to practice later in the week, but will monitoring his progress through the week.
UPDATE: Riddick was unable to get back to practice this week and has been ruled OUT for Week 7.
Green Bay Packers
1.Eddie Lacy (RB) — OUT – Lacy was able to make a quick recovery from Week 5 to Week 6 and was able to play last Sunday, but it may have come at long-term cost. Lacy has already been ruled out for Thursday Night Football, and is reported to be making the dreaded trip to Charlotte, NC to see Dr. Robert Anderson. As I commented a few weeks ago, this is typically not a good sign and often results in surgery for athletes. I would expect him to miss extended time.
2.James Starks (RB) — OUT – Starks underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and will miss the next four to six weeks.
3.Davante Adams (WR) — PURPLE – Adams is still in the concussion protocol and is listed as questionable for Week 7. The short week makes clearing the protocol very difficult. Fortunately, for those playing the Thursday-Monday slate, we will have inactives released before lineup lock.
4.Damarious Randall, Sam Shields, & Quinten Rollins (CB) — OUT – The Packers defensive backfield will be thin on the short week. Shields was placed on IR due to multiple concussions while Randall and Rollins were unable to recover from groin injuries.
Houston Texans
1.Will Fuller (WR) — YELLOW – I think I have finally recovered from the headache of the Will Fuller saga from Week 6. After early reports that he would be inactive, he ended up being active but did not see the field. He appears to be on track to play in Week 7, but I am still a little skittish after last week, so I will put him at YELLOW for the early report.
UPDATE: Fuller was not listed on the game injury report and is expected to play. I will leave him at YELLOW due to the nature of hamstring injuries in wide receivers, but I think the Texans would be careful with the rookie. If there was any significant concern, they would hold him out.
Indianapolis Colts
1. T.Y. Hilton (WR) — GREEN – Hilton was limited Wednesday with a sore hip. His practice schedule has been limited for the past few weeks, but he has played well this year and is one of the league leaders in targets. I expect Week 7 to be much more of the same.
2.Dwayne Allen (TE) — RED – Allen was forced from Sunday night’s game with an ankle injury. He is expected to miss the next couple of weeks opening the door for Jack Doyle to carry the tight end load.
3.Phillip Dorsett (WR) — ORANGE / RED – Dorsett missed the second half of Sunday night’s game with a hamstring injury and then missed practice Wednesday. With Donte Moncrief still sidelined with a scapular fracture, the Colts wide receiving corps is very thin.
UPDATE: Dorsett did not practice this week and has been ruled OUT for Week 7.
Jacksonville Jaguars
1. Allen Hurns (WR) — GREEN – For the first time this year, Hurns has appeared on the injury report after being limited Wednesday with a shoulder injury. As he practiced, he will probably play without limitation Sunday against the Raiders.
Miami Dolphins
1.Jordan Cameron (TE) – RED – Cameron continues in the concussion protocol and there is no timetable for his return.
New England Patriots
1.Julian Edelman (WR) — GREEN / YELLOW – Edelman was limited Wednesday with a sore foot. This is the same foot continues to plague Edelman. Edelman is enough of a veteran that if it was something serious, he would take Wednesday off. He should be ready to go for Week 7.
2.Martellus Bennett (TE) — GREEN – As with last week, Bennett sat out Wednesday’s practice with a sore ankle. This did not limit him last week, and it will not limit him in Week 7.
New York Giants
1.Odell Beckham (WR) – GREEN – Beckham missed practice Wednesday with a sore hip. Beat reporter Jordan Raanan reports that this is no more than a rest day, and Beckham is expected to play Sunday.
New York Jets
1.Matt Forte (RB) — GREEN – Forte got a veteran’s day off on Wednesday to rest his sore knee and is expected to play Sunday at home versus the Ravens.
Oakland Raiders
1. Latavius Murray (RB) — ORANGE / RED – Murray has missed the past two weeks recovering from turf toe. He returned to practice Wednesday. While this is good progress, turf toe is a difficult injury from which to bounce back. I think he will need at least a near full practice before considering him viable for Week 7.
UPDATE: Murray practiced limited through the week and is expected to return Sunday. Upgrade to YELLOW / ORANGE
Philadelphia Eagles
1. Jordan Matthews (WR) — GREEN – Matthews rested his sore knee Wednesday but is expected to play Sunday versus the tough Vikings defense.
Pittsburgh Steelers
1.Ben Roethlisberger (WR) — OUT – Roethlisberger had arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus Monday. There is a wide range of possibilities for recovery. Generally, four to six weeks is typical recovery. However, I once had a patient that went downhill skiing three days after the same surgery. I would look for him to be back in two to three weeks at best.
2.Sammie Coates (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Before I could get a headache over Will Fuller, I was pulling my hair out over Sammy Coates. There was a lot of speculation over his status leading up to Week 6. He ended up playing but was only on the field for 31% of the offensive snaps. He failed to catch any of his four targets. His hands have always been suspect and that is only exacerbated with the finger fracture and laceration. The week of healing will be helpful for him, but until his fracture is more healed, caution should be exercised.
3.Markus Wheaton (WR) — RED – Wheaton was inactive Week 6 and is expected to miss Week 7 as well while he recovers from the shoulder injury that has continued to hamper him through the season.
4. DeAngelo Williams (RB) — RED — As expected, Williams lost his role in the offense once Le’Veon Bell came off suspension. It has come to light that he has also been limited by a knee injury. He missed practice Wednesday and it is currently thought he will not play Week 7.
San Diego Chargers
1.Travis Benjamin (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Benjamin missed practice Monday and Wednesday with a knee injury. He only played 38% of the offensive snaps in the Week 6 win against Denver. There is some debate about the severity of the injury. Based on the low snap count and two missed practices, I suspect there is more likely some concern about the injury. I will be watching his progress through the week.
UPDATE: Benjamin returned to practice Thursday and Friday. He is listed questionable on the game injury report but is expected to play. Upgrade to YELLOW
San Francisco 49ers
1.Carlos Hyde (RB) – OUT — Hyde suffered a shoulder injury Sunday and is already ruled out for Week 7. This is not thought to be a long-term injury but there is no focal timetable for his return at this time. Head coach Chip Kelly has told the media that he plans to use a committee approach for his run game Sunday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
1.Doug Martin (RB) — RED – Many thought that Martin would be set to return for Week 7, but he suffered a setback in the recovery of his hamstring injury. He is unlikely to play and will be re-evaluated week-to-week.
2.Vincent Jackson (WR) — OUT – Jackson was placed on IR with a knee injury. It is thought to be an ACL injury though this is not confirmed at this time.
Washington Redskins
1.DeSean Jackson (WR) — GREEN – Jackson missed practice Wednesday to rest a sore knee. He is expected to play without limitation.
2.Jordan Reed (TE) — PURPLE / GREEN – Reed returned to limited practice Wednesday which indicates that he is on pace to play in a dream matchup versus the Lions.
UPDATE: Reed obviously had a setback from Wednesday to Thursday. He missed practice Thursday and Friday and has since been ruled OUT for Sunday’s game at the Lions.