NFL Offensive/Defensive Line Injury Impact: Week 7
Each week we will provide a game-by-game breakdown of offensive and defensive line injuries and what that impact they may have for DFS purposes.
Week 7
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Sunday Games
New England @ Chicago
New England Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Marcus Cannon (O)
Defense – Malcom Brown (Q) Deatrich Wise (Q)
Chicago Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Marcus Cooper (D) Khalil Mack (Q) Bryce Callahan (Q)
Fantasy Impact:
The entire Patriots team is questionable for this one it appears as they are up to their old tricks. Marcus Cannon is an exception as he has been ruled out due to concussion. On the defensive side of things we need to keep an eye on Malcom Brown and Deatrich Wise who were limited in some capacity this week and would be a hit to the defense.
The Bears are pretty health on both fronts, but could see some secondary depth trouble with Cooper doubtful and Callahan questionable. Obviously Mack is the big name on the list with an ankle that caused him to be limited during the week. He is a disruptive force upfront and his absence would certainly be felt.
Buffalo @ Indianapolis
Buffalo Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – None
Indianapolis Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Denico Autry (O) Clayton Geathers (O)
Fantasy Impact:
The Bills have remained pretty healthy when it comes to this article and that is no different this week.
On the flip side, Indy remains beat up across the board with several players on IR that do not show up on the weekly injury report. The defensive tackle depth will continue to be thin with Autry out and the secondary will be without Geathers once again.
Detroit @ Miami
Detroit Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – T.J. Lang (Q)
Defense – Ziggy Ansah (O)
Miami Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Cameron Wake (Q) T.J. McDonald (Q) Bobby McCain (Q) Charles Harris (O)
Fantasy Impact:
Lang remains questionable but was a full participant in practice which likely puts him closer to probable as we go into Sunday. He is a key piece to that line which gives them a slight bump up overall. Ziggy Ansah will miss another week due to his shoulder injury but outside of that we have a pretty healthy Lions squad.
The Dolphins will roll out their starters on the offensive line and despite the questionable tag for three key defensive starters I am expecting each to play here. All three have been full participants in practice which is a great indicator for Sunday.
Minnesota @ New York Jets
Minnesota Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Riley Reiff (O)
Defense – Andrew Sendejo (O) Linval Joseph (Q) Everson Griffen (O)
New York Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Marcus Maye (O) Trumaine Johnson (D) Buster Skrine (O)
Fantasy Impact:
Minnesota is dealing with the same issues we have seen for a few weeks now and should play similar to what we have seen from them.
The Jets however are still struggling with secondary injuries and it will be something I expect Kirk Cousins and company to take full advantage of with none of the three listed players practicing and two already listed as out. Anything but a constant air attack from Minnesota would be a bit surprising.
Carolina @ Philadelphia
Carolina Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – None
Philadelphia Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Haloti Ngata (Q) Corey Graham (O) Sidney Jones (O)
Fantasy Impact:
The Panthers do not have anyone showing up on the weekly report, but it is worth noting that they have two would be starters from the offensive line on IR and as well as their starting free safety and two corner backs.
Philly has a strong rotation up front on the defensive side of the ball, but are dealing with some possible depth issues if Ngata is unable to suit up. The secondary will also be a little thin with both Graham and Jones missing this one and it is just enough overall that I believe we should bump up the Panthers key guys slightly.
Cleveland @ Tampa Bay
Cleveland Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – JC Tretter (Q)
Defense – Joseph Schobert (O)
Tampa Bay Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Vinny Curry (O) Gerald McCoy (O) Jordan Whitehead (Q) Carlton Davis (Q)
Fantasy Impact:
Cleveland has remained pretty healthy overall when it comes to this article, with that said keep an eye on the Tretter news. Anytime a new center enters the mix it is a reason to take notice.
Tampa Bay has been the exact opposite from an injury perspective with several key plays out and/or on the IR. Much has been said about how bad they are defensively, but if you look at it from an injury standpoint, they are running out several players that were never meant to see the field this season. It is pretty common knowledge that we can attack this team and this week is obviously no different.
Houston @ Jacksonville
Houston Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Zach Fulton (O)
Defense – Aaron Colvin (O)
Jacksonville Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Calais Campbell (Q)
Fantasy Impact:
The Texans will now be playing without two of their anticipated starters up front with Fulton going down and Henderson on the IR. I have talked about the secondary of Houston several times in this article and this week we might have a feel good story that is sure to get some well deserved hype as Andre Hal could potentially return after battling Hodkin’s Lymphoma.
Jacksonville has eight players from their offensive depth chart on the IR and three of them are on the line. This is a team with a bunch of “hidden” injuries considering how small the weekly report is.
New Orleans @ Baltimore
New Orleans Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Andrus Peat (O) Larry Warford (Q)
Defense – Taylor Stallworth (O)
Baltimore Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Alex Lewis (O)
Defense – Marlon Humphrey (Q)
Fantasy Impact:
The Saints are dealing with some issues up front as Andrus Peat is out due to concussion and Larry Warford has been limited and comes into Sunday with a questionable tag. It is worth noting the Jermon Bushrod who usually provides depth up front will miss this game due to the death of his infant daughter. Baltimore defense is pretty stout up front and should be in a good spot. I do not expect eleven sacks again, but there will likely be pressure.
Baltimore will be without a lineman as well here due to a neck injury we saw for Alex Lewis. That was a pretty scary hit he took last week and it is good to hear that a full recovery is in his future.
Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco
Los Angeles Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – None
San Francisco Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Jimmie Ward (D) Richard Sherman (Q) James Witherspoon (Q)
Fantasy Impact:
The Rams certainly look like one of the best teams in the league and the clean injury report absolutely helps.
San Francisco has seven players on their injury report and four of the seven are in the secondary. This is clear situation where one teams strength is matching up perfectly with another teams weakness when injuries are considered.
Dallas @ Washington
Dallas Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Chidobe Awuzie (Q)
Washington Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Quinton Dunbar (Q) Danny Johnson (Q)
Fantasy Impact:
The Cowboys are getting healthy and the play has been better on the field as a result. Awuzie has been limited in practice and appears to be a true questionable heading into Sunday.
Washington is dealing with injuries, but the majority are to the skill guys. Both Johnson and Dunbar were limited this week which means we will not likely know until inactives come out.