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:
A.J. Green – WR, Cincinnati Bengals: Two straight days of full practice for A.J. Green and I believe Green is good to go for this week. And I wouldn’t have a single concern about plugging him right into your lineup. Green has scored in each of the last four games for the Bengals and has 24 catches in the last three games. He’s also taking on the Browns this week who he has done pretty well against in the past. I wouldn’t think twice about playing him.
Jermichael Finley – TE, Green Bay Packers: It’s a game-time decision status on Finley this week who is on the injury report as questionable. Finley practiced in a limited fashion yesterday, and this was the first time this week he’s done so. While Finley has totaled up a decent amount of catches, he has yet to find the end zone since week one. With Finley taking on the Packers and playing on Sunday Night I don’t know if he’s worth the risk.
Greg Jennings – WR, Green Bay Packers: The groin injury of Greg Jennings is going to keep Jennings out of action once again this week. This will be the second week in a row the injury has kept Jennings out and the third time this season. In Jennings absence James Jones and Randall Cobb stepped up big last week. Houston isn’t the ideal matchup for receivers, but in deep leagues these guys could still be worth a flier in a flex spot.
Ben Tate – RB, Houston Texans: This whole week Tate has been limited in practice, not having yet practiced fully. But the reports are that Tate is still going to be playing this week against the Packers on Sunday Night. The Packers give up a decent amount of rushing yards, but who knows how many Tate will get. I don’t know that Tate will actually be 100% and even at full strength he’s a tough play. I’d stay away from Tate this week.
Wes Welker – WR, New England Patriots: You always love having Patriots on your team when it comes to injury reports. Welker is listed as questionable and has been limited in practice all week long. But does that really mean anything with these guys? Who knows honestly. A hobbled Welker against a strong Seahawks secondary is no sure thing, but he’s been incredible these last three weeks and if he’s going to play, which I assume he will, you have to be playing him.
Marshawn Lynch – RB, Seattle Seahawks: After being limited in practice on Wednesday, Lynch was a full participant on Thursday and Friday. Lynch is the NFC’s leading rusher and while the back injury is nagging, it won’t keep him out of Sunday’s game unless there is a big setback today. Lynch doesn’t have an ideal matchup against the Patriots, but he is a must play as long as he is on the field.
Hakeem Nicks – WR, New York Giants: It’s hard to get too excited about Nicks considering what you’ve gone through the last three weeks with Nicks not playing in any of these three games. But he has strung together two practices in a row for the first time in several weeks. If Nicks plays his upside makes him a tough guy to pass up on playing, but he will be a game time decision and he will be going against the 49ers so temper your expectations.
Robert Griffin III – QB, Washington Redskins: It’s a good sign that Robert Griffin III was a full participant at practice yesterday. However there is still no guarantee as to his availability Sunday. Griffin still has to pass some concussion tests today and there is always the possibility of a setback with a concussion. Assuming these things go well Griffin will play, but even if he does a solid backup might make a better choice this week. Minnesota is a solid defensive team and there’s no way to tell what Griffin will be able to do on Sunday.
Malcolm Floyd – WR, San Diego Chargers: This is one of those things that shows up on an injury report unexpectedly. Floyd ended up on the injury report as questionable and was only a limited participant in practice yesterday with a groin injury. Floyd says he is out ahead of things as far as being treated and that he is almost certain he’ll play Monday. It’d be nice if he did as the Broncos secondary isn’t exactly lock down and Floyd could be in for a big game this week. If things are looking up on Sunday Morning I’d put Floyd in my starting lineup. If Robert Meachem is available in your league he’d be worth adding as a just in case.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 6 rankings:
What to do with Nelson and James this week? Who to start? Nelson has only scored once this season, whereas slot WR James has been killing it with 4TDs in the last two games.
I would go with Nelson, though both face the same tough defense so who knows. I know Jones has scored 4 TD over the past two weeks, but it is hard to imagine that continuing.