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 will 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. This week is the super bye week, with six teams sitting out, 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:
Wes Welker – WR, New England Patriots: As usual the New England Patriots injury report is full of players listed as questionable, and a handful of them being big name players. One is Wes Welker, and he’s one I wouldn’t be too concerned with. Welker was limited in practice all week long with an ankle injury that’s apparently slowing him down. But he was limited in practice last week too and labeled as questionable and he ended up catching 10 passes for 138 yards. I fully expect Welker to be on the field this week against the Jets as well and I expect him to be a must play in all formats as well.
Trent Richardson – RB, Cleveland Browns: The Browns rookie runner who already has an injury prone label attached to him was slowed this week by a rib injury he suffered in last week’s game. At first it looked like it might keep him out a week, but as we near the end of the week most assumptions are that Richardson will suit up and play Sunday barring a setback. Richardson could be in line for a huge game against a Colts run defense that has been gouged more than once this season.
Dez Bryant – WR, Dallas Cowboys: Everything was looking good for Dez Bryant until today when he left practice early with a groin injury and is now questionable for Sunday. Suffering an injury this late in the week can be a tough blow as you don’t get the chance to rest and heal up from it before Sunday. The last two weeks have been a real coming out party for Dez with a combined 21 catches for 200 yards, so it’d be a shame to see him not be able to go. Still, because the injury happened this late in the week you’ll have to monitor injury reports right up until game time to get a definite answer on whether he’ll be playing.
Jimmy Graham – TE, New Orleans Saints: The status of Jimmy Graham, superstar Tight End is completely up in the air. Graham suffered an ankle sprain two weeks ago in a game and is still feeling the effects of it. Graham practiced on Thursday for the first time all week and was limited in that practice, as well as in Friday’s practice. Reports from those close to the Saints are that Graham is still getting around slowly which is not a good sign. Chances are if you own Graham you don’t own a backup, so I’d recommend going out and grabbing one of those just in case.
Ahmad Bradshaw – RB, New York Giants: It is just one injury after another for the Giants running back, and this week it’s a foot injury, something not uncommon to Bradshaw throughout his career thus far. Coming off back-to-back monster games owners would love to have Bradshaw active, but it’s no guarantee. Bradshaw practiced in a limited role on Thursday, but was held out on Wednesday and then held out again yesterday. Keep an eye on this one right up to game time, if he can go play him, but don’t just assume he’ll play, it’s far from a certainty.
Pittsburgh Steelers Running Backs: This is not a good time to be a running back on the Pittsburgh Steelers team. After incurring injuries in last week’s game, both Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman have been rule out for this Sunday Night’s game against the Bengals. Most are going to assume Jonathan Dwyer will get all the carries, but it was Baron Batch who came in and carried the ball ten time last week, so it’s anyone’s guess as to who will tote the rock the most this week against the Bengals. This is a situation I’d stay away from unless I absolutely had to have another back, and in that case I lean slightly more towards Dwyer.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 7 rankings:
