The doc is back for your week six injury report. We’ll see some new patients and some old ones. Let’s grab the charts and get going on our rounds.
Green Bay WR Greg Jennings is out again with his groin problem. It’s just another problem for the Packers along with a weak offensive line, rushing attack and a loss to Indy. James Jones will get the extra targets and it’s probably a good thing since Jordy Nelson looks like a shell of the player he was last year. TE Jermichael Finley is also questionable with an arm injury and could be another missing link for Aaron Rodgers and the Pack Sunday night against Houston.
Robert Griffin III got his bell rung last week against Atlanta and is expected to play against Minnesota. Kirk Cousins looked good in relief but is still quite aways from being relevant in fantasy. Alfred Morris is the only player you can start with any confidence this week. Look for an update later today about the health of RGIII.
Houston RB Ben Tate is still suffering from his toe injury. Justin Forsett is the backup to Arian Foster but should still be avoided. But if you feel the need to handcuff Foster it might be time to give Forsett a glance. Tate’s toe has been giving him problems all season so this might be worse than being let on.
In San Diego, Ryan Mathews was continuing on with his injury woes but two of his linemen also were held out of practice.  LT Jared Gaither and RT Jeromey Clary were out and could weaken Mathews’ ability to put up fantasy points. If either of them doesn’t play, look for the Broncos defense to load up on B-gap  blitzes to bring the heat to Phillip Rivers.
In Oakland, look for Darius Heyward-Bay to get back on the field against Atlanta. He got his bell rung against Pittsburgh but is recovering nicely. Look for him to be on the field against Atlanta and the Raiders will need every offensive weapon they have against the Falcons. Oakland’s passing attack hasn’t done much this season and they will pound the ball with Darren McFadden to keep Atlanta’s offense on the sidelines. DHB is not good for me, nor you, this week. Sebastian Janikowski was limited in practice but the Raiders didn’t bring in another kicker so he is good to play in week six.
The AFC West part of the report, jokingly brought to you by gauze, continues in Kansas City where QB Matt Cassel is out with a concussion and Brady Quinn gets the start. That is not a typo. Brady Quinn gets a start. If you think he’s a good play against Tampa Bay, you may also have a concussion. Peyton Hillis is battling an ankle injury and is not likely to be much of a factor Sunday.
Finally in Denver, WR Demaryius Thomas was held out of some drills with a hip injury but is expected to play against the Chargers. Offensive linemen Ryan Clady and Jason Kuper were limited in practice so this could open up the middle to the pass rush.
Up in Detroit, TE Brandon Pettigrew was  limited in practice but is expected to play against the Eagles. RB Jahvid Best will find out later today what the results of his concussion tests were and whether he is cleared to play or not. Best was flying off the waiver wire earlier this week but make sure he can play before you think about adding him. Remember that Detroit was inept at running the ball last season with Best before you decide on chasing the flavor of the week.
Indianapolis lost RB Donald Brown for about three weeks after having surgery on torn cartilage in his knee. Vick Ballard is a smart pickup in his place and Mewelde Moore will back Ballard up. The appeal on Ballard is that he has his bye week behind him. Four teams are on bye this week and six more are off next week.
Miami RB Reggie Bush was limited in practice Thursday but should be available for a plum of a matchup against the Rams. St. Louis has allowed 50 rushing yards and a TD to opposing running backs in 4 of their first 5 games this season. Bush has a great chance to make it 5-of-6. With Daniel Thomas being questionable with a concussion, Lamar Miller could be the backup and make a decent desperation play if you need one.
Rob Gronkowski (hip) and Aaron Hernandez  (ankle) both practiced this week. Gronkowski was in the same boat last week and played. Hernandez looks to be more of a game-time decision against Seattle. Then again, New England lists seemingly everyone on their injury report, so you can’t tell exactly how healthy they are.
For the Giants, WR Ramses Barden is probable. Fellow WR Hakeem Nicks has participated in practice this week on a limited basis. It looks like Cruz should be the WR1 with Barden opposite him if Nicks can’t go. Domenik Hixon stands to be WR3. The Giants’ Martellus Bennett is questionable after hyperextending his knee in week five. Bear Pascoe is in line to get the start if Bennett can’t go.
And finally…in last night’s Pittsburgh-Tennessee game, we saw Rashard Mendenhall get hurt. Again. He managed six carries for six yards before injuring his Achilles’ tendon. The nature of the injury is unknown as of now but look for an update this weekend out of the Steelers. Add to that RB Isaac Redman (ankle), OL Maurkice Pouncey (MCL), OL Marcus Gilbert (ankle) and LB Chris Carter (hamstring) and the Black and Gold got Black and Blue in their loss.
We’re six weeks in to the season and the clinic is full of injured players. Hopefully some of them can be discharged soon while we put others in the fantasy morgue called injured reserve.
Good luck in week six and leave your questions below.
–Doc
