NFL DFS Injury Report: Week 9
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.
The Green Bay Packers got all of the buzz surrounding injury news preceding Week 8. Randall Cobb was ruled out in the middle of the night, but it was not until about 2pm that news got out that Ty Montgomery also would be inactive. It was reported Sunday morning that Montgomery would play. The new news left many DraftKings players scrambling to late swap and many FanDuel players with a zero score in their running back slot.
While Week 2 probably had the highest volume of injuries, Week 8 gave us several in game injuries to highly owned DFS players. This led to a relatively low-scoring week. Spencer Ware was knocked out of the game with a concussion. T.Y. Hilton left temporarily with a hamstring injury but simply did not look like himself when he returned. Jacquizz Rodgers also left early with a foot sprain and has already been ruled out for Thursday Night Football.
As we move to Week 9, there seems to be more players that are truly questionable early in the week. Some teams have been fully depleted by injury (Tampa Bay running backs). Other teams are starting to get healthy such as the Browns who got Josh McCown back last week and will probably get Corey Coleman back this week.
I will continue to stay on top of the injury news and will post updates on twitter @slakdogg. Please do not hesitate to hit me up there with any questions. I am traveling this weekend, so updates will be posted Saturday morning. Best of luck in Week 9!
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.
Atlanta Falcons
1. Tevin Coleman (RB) — RED – Coleman has not recovered from the hamstring strain that kept him out of Week 8. He is OUT for Thursday Night Football.
2.Jacob Tamme (TE) — RED – Tamme left the Week 8 game with the Packers early with a shoulder injury and did not recover on the short week. He has been ruled OUT for Week 9.
Baltimore Ravens
1. Steve Smith, SR (WR) — RED / ORANGE – Smith has been out since injuring his ankle in Week 5. Initially, there was optimism that he could return after last week’s bye, but he missed practice again on Wednesday. With Smith’s age, it would not typically be surprising for him not to practice on Wednesday, but coming off the injury, that would have been a clear sign for an expected Week 9 return. At this point, I do not expect him to play.
UPDATE: To my surprise, Smith progressed rapidly though practice this week. He practiced full on Friday and now it appears that he will play Sunday. Upgrade to YELLOW
Buffalo Bills
1.LeSean McCoy (RB) — ORANGE – Fortunately, the Bills learned their lesson in Week 7 and held McCoy out of last Sunday’s game. With the Bills playing the Monday night game this week, his situation is still unclear. The Monday night teams essentially run their practice schedule a day behind everyone else. Rex Ryan told the media he thought McCoy would practice some on Thursday. I expect that he will practice limited through the week and end up being a game time decision. There is definitely a chance that there is no clear status prior to roster locks on Sunday. If you are playing the Thursday-Monday slate, I would stay away unless you are taking a high risk tournament flier.
Cleveland Browns
1. Terrelle Pryor (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Coming off a very good game Sunday, Pryor sat out of practice Wednesday to rest his ailing hamstring. This is a little concerning, as he did practice on Wednesday last week. Prior to missing Wednesday’s practice, there was no indication of any set back or limitations. I will be watching this situation closely and will update as news become available.
UPDATE: Pryor practiced through the week and is no longer listed on the injury report. Upgrade to YELLOW / GREEN
2.Corey Coleman (WR) — YELLOW – Coleman returned to limited practice last week but did not play Sunday. Week 9 has long been the expected return time for Coleman. He was limited again Wednesday in practice, but he is fully expected to play Sunday versus the Cowboys.
Dallas Cowboys
1. Dez Bryant (WR) — GREEN / YELLOW – Bryant took off Wednesday, which has become his normal routine. Bryant played 88 percent of the snaps in Week 8 in his return from a hairline fracture in his leg. This seems like nothing more than a rest day. Bryant is expected play without limitation against the Browns in Week 9.
2.Tony Romo (QB) — RED – Romo did not practice Wednesday after doing some practice drills last week. He is not expected to return this week from his vertebral fracture.
3.Morris Claiborne (CB) — RED – Claiborne, one of the Cowboys starting cornerbacks, is expected to miss the next six weeks after undergoing sports hernia surgery.
Denver Broncos
1.Aqib Talib & Kayvon Webster (CB) — ORANGE / RED – Talib, one of the top corners in the game, missed practice Wednesday after being held out of last Sunday’s game. His replacement, Kayvon Webster, was forced from the game early with a hamstring strain and did not return. He also missed Wednesday’s practice. Talib may be able to return later in the week, but there is real concern from the Broncos that they will end up depleted in the secondary. This will be a scenario to watch closely, as the Broncos take on Derek Carr and the Raiders.
UPDATE: Talib has been ruled OUT for Sunday but Webster is questionable. It expected to play
UPDATE #2: Kayvan Webster has been ruled OUT for Week 9
2.Devontae Booker (RB) — GREEN – Booker scared many owners when he left Sunday’s game briefly with a shoulder injury. He returned to the game and played well upon return. He was limited Wednesday for practice but is expected to play Sunday night at Oakland.
Detroit Lions
1. Marvin Jones (WR) — GREEN / YELLOW – Jones was limited Wednesday, as he continues to nurse lingering foot pain. He has not missed any game time this year, and I expect him to play this weekend as well.
2.Theo Riddick (RB) — YELLOW / GREEN – Riddick played well and won DFS players a lot of money last Sunday. He participated in limited drills Wednesday but is expected to play in Week 9 against the stout Vikings defense.
3.Darius Slay (CB) — GREEN – Slay returned to practice Wednesday after missing Week 8 with a hamstring injury. He should play Sunday.
Green Bay Packers
1.Ty Montgomery (RB/WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Montgomery and the Packers get the prize for giving the most DFS headaches in Week 8. He was limited through the week with what was described as a general illness. Later in the week, it was released that the illness was kidney related. Early Sunday, nearly 12 hours after news came out that Randall Cobb would be out, the Packers announced that Montgomery, too, would miss the game. This was well after the 1pm lock on FanDuel. On Monday, news came out that Montgomery suffers from sickle cell trait, and that was the actual cause for his Week 8 absence. He was again limited Wednesday. This makes his availability for Week 9 a mystery. Sickle cell flares have a high variability of outcomes, but I suspect he will play Sunday at home versus Indianapolis.
UPDATE: Montgomery is no longer on the injury report and is expected to play without restriction Sunday.
2.Randall Cobb (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Opposite of the fiasco with Montgomery, I got an alert at 3am Sunday morning that Cobb would be inactive. There was a lot of speculation that he would miss last week. Wednesday he returned to limited practice. This is a good indicator that he will be able to get back onto the field this weekend. Watch for any status changes and I will update the status as the weekend approaches.
UPDATE: Cobb is officially listed as questionable but has repeatedly demonstrated pessimism with regards to his status for Sunday. I doubt he plays but he could be active as a decoy.
Indianapolis Colts
1. T.Y. Hilton (WR) — YELLOW – Hilton left Sunday’s game early with a hamstring strain. He returned but did not look like his explosive self. He was held out of practice Wednesday, but returned to full practice Thursday. Early indicators were that he may miss Week 9, but the return to full practice tells a different story. I originally predicted him to miss, but now it looks like he will play.
UPDATE: Hilton is no longer on the injury report and is expected to play Sunday.
2.Dwayne Allen (TE) — ORANGE / RED – After missing the past two weeks, Allen returned to limited practice Wednesday. This early in the week, I do not think that he will be back. Allen is a limited mobility player, so if he is able to play Sunday, he will probably be even less mobile than normal.
3.Chester Rogers (WR) — ORANGE / YELLOW – After missing Week 8, Rogers returned to limited practice Wednesday. It is too early to tell if he will be ready for Week 9. Early in the week, I think he will play but will be limited.
4.Vontae Davis (CB) — PURPLE – Davis is in the concussion protocol and at this point in the week, his status is unknown.
Jacksonville Jaguars
1. Julius Thomas (TE) — GREEN – As per usual, Thomas took off Wednesday to rest his ankle. He is expected to play Sunday.
Kansas City Chiefs
1. Jamaal Charles (RB) — RED – Charles underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee Wednesday. He was placed on IR but has the option to return later in the season.
2.Alex Smith (QB) — RED – Smith has been ruled out for Week 9. Smith was initially reported to have a concussion, but he has repeatedly stated that he does not have a concussion and is symptom free. At this point, it is most reasonable to assume that he does in fact have a concussion; however, being ruled out so early could indicated that there is further underlying injury. Nick Foles will start Sunday versus Jacksonville.
3.Spencer Ware (RB) — PURPLE / RED – Ware was forced from the game in Week 8 with a concussion, and as of Wednesday has not cleared protocol. He did not participate Wednesday due to continued symptoms. Traditionally, failure to practice Wednesday within the NFL concussion protocol leads to being inactive the following week.
UPDATE: Ware has been ruled OUT for Week 9 opening the door for Charcandrick West to carry the load.
*UPDATE #2: Jeremy Maclin injured his groin this week. He did not practice Thursday and was only able to return limited on Friday. Andy Reid told reporters he expected Maclin to play Sunday but groin strains are as nagging as hamstring injuries. He is listed officially as questionable. I suspect he will play but will be watching reports Sunday morning.
Minnesota Vikings
1. Jerick Mckinnon (RB) — ORANGE – McKinnon missed the Monday night game and was unable to return to practice Wednesday. The Vikings are on a short week, and while McKinnon initially told the media he expected to play Sunday versus the Lions, Wednesday’s missed practice is a bad sign moving toward Week 9.
UPDATE: McKinnon returned to practice late in the week. He is officially listed as questionable and continues to indicate to the media that he will play Sunday. At this point I have no choice but to think he probably will play but I expect him to be limited this week.
New York Giants
1. Odell Beckham (WR) — GREEN / YELLOW – Beckham was limited Wednesday as he continues to manage a sore hip. He should be ready for Week 9.
2.Bobby Rainey (RB) — GREEN / YELLOW – Rainey was limited Wednesday with a calf strain. This is a new injury and should not limit him Sunday versus the Eagles.
New York Jets
1.Matt Forte (RB) — GREEN – Forte continued his weekly ritual of resting Wednesday. He will play Sunday.
Oakland Raiders
1. Amari Cooper (WR) — GREEN – Cooper showed up on the injury report for the first time Wednesday, as he was limited with back pain. He is fully expected to play Sunday night.
2.Jamize Olawale (RB) — GREEN – Olawale also made his debut on the injury report as he was limited Wednesday with a sore knee. With the return of Latavius Murry, his role has decreased, but he is always a threat to steal a goal-line carry.
Philadelphia Eagles
1. Ryan Matthews (RB) — GREEN – Matthews was limited Wednesday with what is being reports as a tooth problem. That may be the least of his problems after only playing eight total snaps Sunday. Matthews is likely to be available but his role is somewhat unknown at this point.
Pittsburgh Steelers
1. Ben Roethlisberger (QB) — YELLOW – Roethlisberger is expected to return Sunday less than three weeks following arthroscopic surgery for a meniscus tear. He practiced limited Wednesday, but the plan for a Week 9 return has been clearly laid out all along. Big Ben has never been much of a runner but does a good job moving within the pocket. Any limitations he has Sunday should be minor, but he will likely have trouble with some pain and swelling through the remainder of the season.
UPDATE: Roethlisberger is listed as questionable on the game injury report but still appears on track to start Sunday.
2.Ladarius Green (TE) — YELLOW – Green is eligible to return off the PUP list and has returned to practice. Head coach Mike Tomlin has repeatedly deflected questions regarding Green’s return. Jesse James has filled in well which likely give the Steelers the opportunity to slowly integrate Green back into the offense slowly.
San Diego Chargers
1.Travis Benjamin (WR) — ORANGE / RED – Ian Rapoport is reporting that Benjamin has been diagnosed with a grade 2 PCL sprain. Unlike ACL injuries, most PCL injuries do not require surgery. They will heal with rest and rehab. However, this is the NFL. Tyler Lockett played through a PCL injury earlier this season, but it severely hampered his performance. Benjamin did not practice Wednesday. I suspect he will sit this week, but if he plays, expect significant limitations.
UPDATE: Benjamin returned to practice Friday and reports now are that he intends to play Sunday. I still think he will be very limited by the injury if reports of a grade 2 PCL sprain are true.
2.Tyrell Williams (WR) — GREEN / YELLOW – Williams rested his sore knee Wednesday. He was limited last practice week as well with some knee soreness. He had a poor game Week 8, but in fairness, that was against the Denver Broncos. With the status of Travis Benjamin in the balance, this was likely just for rest and I expect him to play Sunday versus the Titans.
3.Hunter Henry (TE) — YELLOW – Henry cleared concussion protocol last week but took a hard blow to the knee against the Broncos. He was held out of practice Wednesday but is not believed to have any structural damage to the knee. Although he has had his role decreased with the improving health of Antonio Gates, he should play Sunday.
UPDATE: Henry has been ruled OUT for Week 9.
San Francisco 49ers
1. Carlos Hyde (RB) — YELLOW / GREEN – Hyde returned to limited practice coming off the Week 8 bye. The 49ers indicated all along that the plan was for Hyde to return for Week 9, and he appears on track to do so.
UPDATE: Hyde continued his limited, non-contact practice for the remainder of the week. He is officially questionable on the game injury report. He is in a prime match up, but it is hard to commit to rostering him with no contact to indicate the health of his shoulder. It is entirely possible that he could get the shoulder injected and play. There will likely be a report released prior to game time but the 49er play in the 4:00 window. Fingers crossed that there is no repeat of the Ty Montgomery situation in Week 9.
Seattle Seahawks
1. Thomas Rawls (RB) — RED – Rawls has resumed running activities, as he continues to recover from complications associated with his fibula fracture. He has already been ruled out for Week 9.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1.Doug Martin (RB) — RED – Martin continues to attempt to get back from a hamstring strain. The short week was of no benefit to Martin and he has been ruled out for Week 9.
2.Russell Shepard (WR) — RED – Shepard is listed as doubtful on the game injury report with a hip injury. He is unlikely to play against the Falcons on Thursday Night Football.
3.Jacquizz Rodgers (RB) — RED – After carrying a heavy load over the past couple of weeks, Rodgers will be inactive for Week 9 with a foot sprain. The Bucs have indicated they will use a running back by committee to carry the load.
Tennessee Titans
1. DeMarco Murray (RB) — YELLOW – Murray injured his toe during the Thursday night game of Week 8. The extended rest has clearly been to his benefit, but the Titans have been clear that they intend to exercise caution with Murray. He did some light work during Wednesday’s practice but is being viewed as day-to-day. I think the Titans will continue to limit Murray through the week, but I also expect him to play Week 9.
UPDATE: Murray practiced full Friday and is no longer on the injury report. The Titans have indicated they want to get Derrick Henry more involved in the offense but Murray should continue to carry the primary load in Week 9.
UPDATE: Delanie Walker slipped Thursday in practice and strained his groin. He did not practice Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Week 9. he is reported to be a game time decision but traditionally missing Friday practice is a bad sign for playing Sunday.