We have finally made it to Week 14, which, for most (sane) people, means that we have finally made it to the start of the fantasy playoffs. Thankfully, there aren’t a whole lot of players on the injury report this week, as most are just on the mend, recovering from certain breaks, fractures, pulls, sprains or tweaks suffered a few weeks ago.
So let’s dive right in, and talk about some of the biggest names in the league who landed on the injury report this week.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit (Back)
Stafford still remains week-to-week with his back issues, but what is good news is that Stafford said his back is “healing the way it should” and that his back injury won’t be a 2020 issue or beyond that. It seems more short-term, which is very nice. We should keep our eye out for later in the week to see if he can somehow suit up for Sunday.
Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota (Shoulder)
Cook was limited for Wednesday’s practice, but because he has said numerous times to the media that he’ll be able to play this week, so he should be able to play on Sunday against Detroit, even if it is in limited fashion. We’ll know more in the coming days as to his Week 14 status.
James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh (Shoulder)
Conner remained limited in practice Wednesday, as Mike Tomlin said that he remains questionable for Week 14. We’ll know much more later in the week when it comes to his availability.
Update: James Conner is Out on Sunday
Matt Breida, RB, San Francisco (Ankle)
With the news that Breida practiced in full on Wednesday, as well as Kyle Shanahan saying that he’s “optimistic” he’ll play this Sunday, things are trending upward for the running back.
Darrel Williams, RB, Kansas City (Hamstring)
Williams is expected to miss this week’s AFC clash against New England, as he hasn’t practiced this week after sustaining a hamstring injury in the second half of last week’s game. Damien Williams hasn’t practiced as well, although it’s more likely that he’ll be able to play.
Update: Darrell Williams to the IR
Kalen Ballage, RB, Miami (Leg)
After getting carted off last week with a leg injury, Ballage was placed on the Dolphins’ IR, ending his season. It hasn’t been Ballage’s year, and this could be the final blow to his 2020 value. Patrick Laird will be taking over backfield duties for the remainder of the season.
Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta (Shoulder)
After missing the Thanksgiving game against the Saints, Jones has been limited at practice all week and is “trending upward” according to coach Dan Quinn. Julio should be good to go for this week against the Ron Rivera-less Carolina Panthers.
A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati (Ankle)
Well, Green has once again been ruled out for another week, this time for Week 14, according to coach Zac Taylor. Taylor said he has hope Green will be able to return this season, like the rest of us, but that’s looking less and less likely with each day.
Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota (Hamstring)
Even though he practiced all of last week, Thielen wasn’t able to go on Monday night, and after not practicing so far this week, his Week 14 status is currently up in the air. It’s something to check back on later in the week, perhaps even leading up to kickoff on Sunday.
Golden Tate, WR, New York Giants (Concussion)
Tate wasn’t able to play last Sunday against the Packers in the snow due to a concussion, so we need to monitor his status throughout the week to see if he can play this Sunday against the Eagles.
Evan Engram, TE, New York (Foot)
After missing the past few weeks, Engram is expected to play on Monday night against the Eagles. The Giants aren’t expected to release an official practice report until later today, so it’s best we keep our eyes posted for that, in case something were to go south.
Greg Olsen, TE, Carolina (Concussion)
Olsen departed the game last Sunday after a scary collision that knocked him out cold. He hasn’t practiced yet this week, and has yet to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol. It doesn’t look good for the veteran, and if he isn’t able to go, then Ian Thomas should be a solid streaming option at the TE position.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh (Knee)
JuJu considers himself “week-to-week” at this point, but the fact that he has resumed light activities for the first time since Week 11 is a good sign. He won’t know his status for this Sunday until much later in the week.
I’ll be back on Saturday for “Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em”!
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