Week 4 NFL Injury Breakdown
Injuries can play a crucial role in your season long leagues and some of the same waiver wire concepts apply in DFS as well. RotoGrinders will have a weekly injury report highlighting the key injuries across the league and possible value plays that can pop up because of them.
Quarterback
Josh McCown (Thumb) – Doubtful
Although he is listed as doubtful McCown will not play this week. Mike Glennon will get the start for the Bucs and was pretty effective getting his big receivers the ball last season. Vincent Jackson could be the biggest beneficiary of the McCown injury as Glennon favored him heavily in the passing game last season.
Jake Locker (Wrist) – Questionable
It is looking more likely that Locker will not play this week against the Colts. Charlie Whitehurst will make the start if he is unable to go and that isn’t appealing from a DFS perspective.
Tony Romo (Back) – Probable
Ben Roethlisberger (Non-Injury) – Probable
E.J. Manuel (Abdomen) – Probable
Running Back
Ryan Matthews (Knee) – Out
Matthews will miss another week recovering from a MCL sprain. Donald Brown will once again see the bulk of the carries for the Bolts this week against the Jaguars. He makes for a great play on most sites as he should see a lot of work protecting a second half lead.
Mike Tolbert (Leg) – Out
Tolbert has been placed on IR and makes the list because with the Jonathan Stewart uncertainty a now healthy Cam Newton is more likely to get some more rushing opportunities if the Panthers reach the goal line.
Arian Foster (Hamstring) – Questionable
Foster will be a game-time decision this week against the Bills. He won’t be cleared to play until he goes through pre-game warm-ups and the good news is that we will know before roster lock as this is an early game.
Jonathan Stewart (Knee) – Questionable
Ron Rivera said that Stewart has not looked as good as they had hoped. There is a pretty solid chance that he will be out of the lineup clearing the way for DeAngelo Williams to get the bulk of the carries for the Panthers. This is another situation that should be cleared up prior to roster lock as this is an early game.
Jamaal Charles (Ankle) – Probable
Normally you don’t need a breakdown of the probable players but Charles is clearly an exception. He was able to practice on a limited basis all week and will likely be back as the Chiefs starter this week. Knile Davis may see some work but won’t be worth a look on any DFS site.
Doug Martin (Knee) – Probable
Frank Gore (Back) – Probable
Toby Gerhart (Ankle) – Probable
Bernard Pierce (Thigh) – Probable
C.J. Spiller (Chest) – Probable
DeAngelo Williams (Thigh) – Probable
Maurice Jones-Drew (Hand) – Probable
Chris Johnson (Ankle) – Probable
Wide Receiver
Eric Decker (Hamstring) – Questionable
Decker was able to practice Friday but that was the first time since suffering the hamstring injury. Rex Ryan has also said that he will probably be limited a little bit making him an easy fade this week for DFS purposes. Jeremy Kerley will likely see the bulk of the targets for the Jets this week and makes a fine value play.
Brandon Marshall (Ankle) – Questionable
Marshall was not able to practice at all this week and seems to be in jeopardy of missing the game this week against the Packers. He has been able to play through the injury the past two weeks but hurt it again in the Monday night game against the Jets. Lucky for us this is an early game so his status should be cleared up prior to roster lock.
Calvin Johnson (Ankle) – Questionable
Johnson was able to practice on a limited basis Friday and there seems to be a fair amount of optimism that he will play this week against the Jets. With the early Kickoff you will know prior to lock if you need to get him out of your lineups.
Dez Bryant (Shoulder) – Probable
Roddy White (Hamstring) – Probable
Vincent Jackson (Wrist) – Probable
Michael Crabtree (Quad) – Probable
Keenan Allen (Groin) – Probable
Andre Johnson (Ankle) – Probable
T.Y. Hilton (Ankle) – Probable
Sammy Watkins (Ribs) – Probable
Robert Woods (Ankle) – Probable
Mike Wallace (Hamstring) – Probable
David Nelson (Illness) – Probable
Jerricho Cotchery (Hamstring) – Probable
Tight End
Kyle Rudolph (Groin) – Out
Rudolph is out for an estimated six weeks with a sports-hernia. Instead of looking for a backup TE to step up I would expect we see the Vikings try to get Cordarrelle Patterson involved early and often.
Delanie Walker (Shoulder) – Questionable
He was able to get in limited practice on Thursday and Friday. It looks like he is likely to play but with Charlie Whitehurst likely starting his fantasy production could be limited.
Vernon Davis (Ankle,Knee) – Questionable
He will be a game-time decision this week against the Eagles after a limited practice on Friday. Jim Harbaugh is optimistic that Davis will be able to go this week. If not then Vance McDonald will be the starter at TE despite his questionable tag.
Ladarius Green (Hamstring) – Questionable
Green is looking less likely to play this week setting up Antonio Gates for a bunch of targets against the Jaguars.
Rob Gronkowski (Knee) – Probable
Charles Clay (Knee) – Probable
Antonio Gates (Hamstring) – Probable