by Will Overton
It’s time again to take a look at the league’s injury report heading into this weekend’s games. Granted a lot can change in the next 24 hours, but it’s important to keep tabs on these guys status leading up to game time. You never know what’ll happen tomorrow morning that might prevent you from making changes so it’s best to stay on top of things now.
You also want to be able to know what positions you may need to pickup a guy as a just in case situation. Bye weeks are starting and benches are getting more thin so you need to know what guys you are going to need to replace.
Here is the latest injury news on a handful of fantasy playmakers:
Julio Jones – WR, Atlanta Falcons: The hand injury that Julio Jones is dealing with may have impacted him last week as he caught just one pass. The hand injury is reportedly a ton better this week and practices have been going well. Jones says the injury won’t hamper him at all this week. If that’s the case it should be a good week with Jones going against Washington who is allowing more fantasy points to receivers than any other team in football. And this could easily end up being a shootout so play Jones and play him without hesitation.
Greg Jennings – WR, Green Bay Packers: This shouldn’t be news to you if you own Jennings, but he has been ruled out for this week’s game as the Packers are hoping he fully recovers. Jordy Nelson was probably already in your lineup, but this makes James Jones and Randall Cobb deep league possibilities this week as Aaron Rodgers should be spreading the ball around as is his usual way.
Andre Johnson – WR, Houston Texans: Another day of limited practice for Andre Johnson and it looks like we have another Monday Night Football injury conundrum on our hands. Johnson only has 8 catches combined the last three weeks and the Jets secondary is still pretty good even without Darrelle Revis. This means that unless we have a very strong reason to believe that Johnson will play he’s hard to plug into a lineup. If he practices fully tomorrow he probably plays Monday, but otherwise take a pass.
Reggie Bush – RB, Miami Dolphins: Everything is all clear for Reggie Bush this week. He played last week so you shouldn’t have been too worried. If you had been worried, it’s over now with Bush going full on at practice this week. The matchup with the Bengals is a nice one and Bush should be carrying the full load this week. Play him in all formats and do it with confidence.
Aaron Hernandez – TE, New England Patriots: Two straight days of practice for Hernandez is encouraging, especially when there was no setback after the first day of practice. On the injury report this week Hernandez is listed as questionable, but despite the limited practices, odds are against him. The Pats have a big game against the Broncos, but they also don’t want to bring Hernandez back too soon. I think another week is more likely for Hernandez return date, but even if he does play this week it’ll likely be limited snaps. I’m waiting a week if I own Hernandez.
Rashard Mendenhall – RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Listed as probable on this week’s injury report Mendenhall is slated to see his first action of the season this Sunday. The Steelers run game has been abysmal with Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer at the helm. If Mendenhall is ready to go, and he should be, I think he ends up getting the bulk of the carries right away. Things can’t get any worse with Mendenhall in charge of the running game.
Kenny Britt – WR, Tennessee Titans: The listing for Britt this week is questionable, but it’s looking more like Britt misses his second straight game this week. Britt was on a decent track this week and then he hit a snag with a setback Thursday and didn’t practice at all on Friday. This seems like the story of Britt’s career right here, big upside, but you never know if he’s going to play on a given week. Unless something happens today to convince me, I’m benching Britt, again.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 5 rankings:
Thinking about giving up Mendenhall and Maclin for demarco Murray. Thoughts? Giving up too much?
I’ve got a trade of me sending Fred Jackson for Dez Bryant. I’ve got forte, Leshoure and Bradshaw at rb and my receiving core is a bit thin. Good trade?
Mike – I don’t think you are giving up too much, assuming that you have the WR depth.
Matt – It’s a really close call. I could see there being a week where you need Jackson, but assuming they are healthy Forte/Leshoure are your top 2. If you don’t need a FLEX and need WR, then I’d do it.