My injury report will cover both offensive and defensive players. I will focus only on those players relevant to fantasy football. If you have a player on your fantasy roster that you know to be hurt, but they do not show up on this list, then you should probably consider making a move. I will go team-by-team and do my best to make sure you have the most accurate injury information each week so you know who to start and who to bench. For injury information right up to kick-off, follow me on Twitter at @thefantasydick.
Probable: 75% chance of playing
Questionable: 50% chance of playing
Doubtful: 25% chance of playing
Out: 0% chance of playing
San Francisco 49ers
Delanie Walker (TE) – Questionable (ankle) – What I said last week: “Walker is not fantasy relevant, but his absence could force the 49ers to use more 3 receiver sets which would put Crabtree in the slot leading to fewer double teams. Crabtree is in line for a potential breakout game this week” Could be another big game for Crabtree.
Chicago Bears
Lance Briggs (LB) – Questionable (ankle) – It’s not looking good for Briggs to play this week. He will probably be a game-time decision, so those in IDP leagues may want to look at other options. Briggs would be replaced by Brian Iwuh.
Major Wright (DB) – Out (hamstring) – Wright is expected to miss at least another week. Daniel Manning and Chris Harris will start, giving them both a boost in IDP value.
Cincinnati Bengals
Antwan Odom (DL) – Suspended – Odom’s suspension for breaking the league’s substance abuse policy was upheld and he will miss the next 4 games.
Buffalo Bills
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Denver Broncos
Knowshon Moreno (RB) – Questionable (hamstring) – Moreno will be a game-time decision for Week 6. He was limited at practice on Friday and, even if he does play, he has a very difficult match-up against the Jets. If you have other options, use them.
Demaryius Thomas (WR) – Questionable (head) – Thomas was limited at practice on Friday and still may play this weekend. Thomas has become the 4th option in the Denver passing game and will not start returning kicks at least until next week. I would avoid him in Week 6.
Cleveland Browns
Peyton Hillis (RB) – Questionable (thigh) – Hillis was limited in practice on Friday but appears to be a lock to start in Week 6 against the Steelers. This is a tough match-up on a horrible playing surface. Hillis has shown that he can put up points against tough defenses, but he is still hurting from his thigh injury making him a risky start in Week 6.
Jake Delhomme (QB) – Doubtful (ankle) – Delhomme will be out this week.
Seneca Wallace (QB) – Doubtful (ankle) – Wallace has a high ankle sprain and will need at least another couple weeks to heal. Colt McCoy should start this weekend for the Browns, further hurting Hillis’ fantasy value in Week 6.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Williams (WR) – Questionable (foot) – Williams will be a game-time decision in Week 6 and the Bucs will use his pre-game warm-up to determine if he can play. Right now he is expected to play against the Saints, but if for some reason that changes, then look for Winslow to get more targets and for rookie Arrelious Benn’s role to grow.
Kellen Winslow (TE) – Probable (knee) – Winslow will play in Week 6.
Arizona Cardinals
Steve Breaston (WR) – Out (knee) – Breaston is likely out until Week 7. Coach Whisenhunt would not rule him out for Week 5, but it is not looking likely that he will play. Rookie Stephen Williams will get a lot of run again.
Early Doucet (WR) – Out (groin) – Doucet is out until at least Week 7 after sports hernia surgery. With Stephen Williams looking unimpressive so far, Doucet should get his slot receiver job back when he returns.
San Diego Chargers
Ryan Mathews (RB) – Probable (ankle) – Mathews practiced in full on Friday and should see an increased workload against the Rams this week. Although Tolbert has been playing a lot, Mathews has definitely looked like the much better running back and could start rewarding his owners that spent a high draft pick on him this week.
Legedu Naanee (WR) – Doubtful (hamstring) – Naanee missed Friday’s practice and is not expected to play in Week 6. Look for Malcolm Floyd and Antonio Gates to be heavily targeted. Patrick Crayton and Craig “Buster” Davis may see some more action but neither is worth using in fantasy leagues.
Larry English (LB) – Out (foot) – English will be out 4-6 weeks after surgery on his foot. He can be dropped in IDP leagues and his replacements are not recommended since it will be a rotation.
Brandon Siler (LB) – Doubtful (foot) – Siler has looked very good filling in at linebacker, but it does not look like he will play in Week 6. He is someone to keep an eye on in deeper IDP leagues.
Vincent Jackson (WR) – Suspended (contract) – Jackson is now expected to report to the Charges before the October 30th deadline. He should only be eligible to play in the last 6 weeks of the season.
Kansas City Chiefs
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Indianapolis Colts
Austin Collie (WR) – Questionable (foot) – Collie is expected to play in Week 6.
Joseph Addai (RB) – Questionable (foot) – Addai is expected to play in Week 6 and should get a lot of work with his back-ups, Donald Brown and Mike Hart, also hurting.
Donald Brown (RB) – Questionable (hamstring) – Brown is unlikely to play again this week.
Pierre Garcon (WR) – Questionable (hamstring) – Garcon is expected to play in Week 6.
Mike Hart (RB) – Questionable (hip) – Hart practiced in full on Friday and is expected to play in Week 6 and will be Addai’s back-up. Addai is the only one worth using in fantasy leagues.
Gary Brackett (LB) – Questionable (Groin) – Brackett will be a game-time decision in Week 6. If he is unable to go it will be an even better match-up for Redskins running back, Ryan Torain.
Anthony Gonzalez (WR) – Out (ankle) – Gonzalez is out 4-6 weeks. Collie cemented his value with a huge game week 1 and Gonzalez is only worth hanging on to in very deep leagues.
Dallas Cowboys
Dez Bryant (WR) – Questionable (ankle) – Bryant will be a game-time decision in Week 6. He was unable to practice all week, but it looks like he will play. Owners may want to sit him this week in order to see how he responds to the injury, however.
Miami Dolphins
Channing Crowder (LB) – Probable (groin) – Crowder will get his first start of the season in Week 6. IDP leaguers will want to keep an eye on him.
Philadelphia Eagles
LeSean McCoy (RB) – Probable (ribs) – McCoy will start in Week 6 and makes a nice RB1 play.
Michael Vick (QB) – Questionable (ribs) – Vick will not play in Week 6, but is making a nice recovery. There is a decent chance he will start in Week 7. Kevin Kolb will fill-in again this week.
Atlanta Falcons
Seam Weatherspoon (LB) – Questionable (ankle) – Weatherspoon will probably be inactive for Week 6. Stephen Nicholas has looked good replacing him and makes a nice bye-week fill-in for IDP leagues in Week 6.
Michael Jenkins (WR) – Probable (shoulder) – Jenkins will be back on the field in Week 6 and is worth keeping an eye on. Roddy White continues the be the only wide receiver worth owning from Atlanta.
New York Giants
Ahmad Bradshaw (RB) – Questionable (ankle) – Bradshaw was limited in practice on Friday, but all signs point to him being ready to go for Week 5.
Lawrence Tynes (K) – Questionable (ankle) – Tynes is making the first appearance by a kicker on the injury list. He hurt his non-kicking ankle in practice on Friday and is now questionable. Tynes has not kicked well this season and should be avoided, if possible, as he may not be able to go this weekend.
Mathias Kiwanuka (DL) – Out (Neck) – Kiwanuka is out with a bulging disk in his neck.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Sean Considine (DB) – Questionable (hamstring) – Considine will most likely be out again Week 6. He has been a nice IDP find this year and is worth hanging on to if you can or looking to see if someone dropped him while he’s been injured.
New York Jets
Darrelle Revis (DB) – Questionable (hamstring) – Revis will be a game-time decision this week and, as of now, does not look like he will play.
Detroit Lions
Jahvid Best (RB) – Probable (toe) – Best was limited in practice this week but only as a precaution. He will be ready to play in Week 6.
Calvin Johnson (WR) – Questionable (shoulder) – Johnson had his most extensive practice of the week on Friday and will be a game-time decision for Week 6. The prevailing thought is that he will play, but he probably won’t be as effective as usual. However, it will be hard for any fantasy owner to sit Megatron.
Matthew Stafford (QB) – Out (shoulder) – The Lions coach has refused to name a starter for Week 6 as of Friday. While it’s hard to imagine they would start Stafford against the Giants defense, it’s a great sign that he will be ready to go after their Week 7 bye. Look for Shawn Hill to start in an extremely bad match-up.
Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers (QB) – Probable (concussion) – Rodgers practiced again on Friday and is listed as probable. It would be a major shock if he did not play in Week 6. He should be started with confidence in any league.
Jermichael Finley (TE) – Out (knee) – In a huge blow to fantasy owners, it looks like Finley’s knee injury could keep him out the rest of the season. He was off to an amazing start and will be hard to replace, but he is definitely droppable in all leagues except dynasty leagues. Some potential waiver wire replacements include: Heath Miller, Tony Moecki, Brandon Pettigrew, Rob Gronkowski, and Finley’s replacement, Donald Lee.
Donald Lee (TE) – Probable (chest) – Lee practiced in full again on Friday and is expected to start against the Dolphins in Week 6. Lee’s fast recovery should take away any fantasy value that 3rd string tight end, Andrew Quarless, was gaining. Lee has some value in the Packers’ system, but he is known more for his blocking.
Donald Driver (WR) – Probable (quadriceps) – Driver was held out of practice on Friday with his injury. He is expected to play, but it will be a tough match-up against the Dolphins. With Driver hurting and Finley out, look for James Jones to have his biggest game of the year so far.
Clay Matthews (LB) – Doubtful (hamstring) – Another huge blow to the Packers’ defense. Matthews will be a game-time decision, but it is unlikely he will play. All Dolphins fantasy players should get a boost in value against a decimated Green Bay defense.
Nick Barnett (LB) – Injured Reserve (wrist) – Barnett’s was officially placed on Injured Reserve this week, ending his season. This is a big blow to the Packers’ defense that was looking like one of the top defenses in fantasy.
James Starks (RB) – PUP (hamstring) – Starks cannot play until Week 7, but he is running at full speed and should be ready to play when eligible. Those in deeper leagues may want to grab him now and Brandon Jackson owners may want to look to sell-high, since Starks could cut into his playing time.
Atari Bigby (DB) – PUP (ankle) – Bigby is starting the season on the PUP list, but is already running and cutting and should be ready to go when eligible in mid-October. Bigby is another to guy look for on the waiver wire when he is closer to returning.
Carolina Panthers
Steve Smith (WR) – Out (ankle) – Smith has a high-ankle sprain and is targeting a Week 7 return after the bye week. Insiders are predicting he still won’t be healthy enough to play in Week 7. Some fantasy owners are cutting Smith loose, but I would recommend holding on to him since he is an elite talent when healthy, even with a rookie quarterback.
New England Patriots
Fred Taylor (RB) – Out (toe) – Taylor has been ruled out for Week 6 and BenJarvus Green-Ellis will get the start and be the feature back in a difficult match-up against Baltimore.
Oakland Raiders
Darren McFadden (RB) – Out (hamstring) – McFadden practiced Friday and will be a game-time decision against the 49ers in Week 6. Coach Cable said that McFadden will only play if he’s 100 percent and even if he does he will be the back-up to Michael Bush. Fantasy owners should go with another option this week.
Bruce Gradkowski (QB) – Questionable (shoulder) – Gradkowski may be healthy enough to back-up starter Jason Campbell, but will not have any fantasy value until Campbell gets hurt or benched again. All Raiders’ receivers can be downgraded with this news.
St. Louis Rams
Mark Clayton (WR) – Injured Reserve (knee) – Clayton was looking like the free agent pick-up of the year in fantasy leagues until last week when he tore the patellar tendon in his right knee, ending his season. Danny Amendola saw a ton of targets after the injury and is worthy of a waiver wire pick-up in most leagues. Amendola will probably not score many touchdowns, but he will get a lot of catches and could rack up some nice yards.
Baltimore Ravens
Ray Rice (RB) – Probable (knee) – Rice put in a full week of practice and will be the feature back in Week 6. Start with confidence. Expect a big game against a soft Patriots run defense.
Haloti Ngata (DL) – Questionable (knee) – Ngata will be a game-time decision in Week 6. Ngata has said that he plans on playing.
Ed Reed (DB) – PUP (hip) – Reed will be ready to return in Week 7 and could make a great waiver wire grab in IDP leagues.
Donte’ Stallworth (WR) – Out (foot) – Stallworth is on track to return the Ravens during their Week 8 bye. He will be the 4th receiver and will not have any fantasy value unless a receiver gets injured.
Washington Indigenous People of North America
Donovan McNabb (QB) – Questionable (hamstring) – McNabb will start in Week 6.
LaRon Landry (DB) – Probable (wrist) – Landry is expected to play in Week 6.
Clinton Portis (RB) – Out (Groin) – Portis will miss 4-6 weeks with a groin injury and there are rumblings that his time in Washington might be done. Ryan Torain will be the feature back and needs to be added in all leagues if he hasn’t been already.
New Orleans Saints
Pierre Thomas (RB) – Out (knee) – Thomas had been ruled out for Week 6 and revealed that his original timetable was actually 4-6 weeks (this will be his 3rd missed week). So PT owners should expect him to be out Week 7 as well. Chris Ivory, Ladell Betts and Julius Jones will split carries, with Ivory probably having the most fantasy value as a desperation flex play.
Reggie Bush (RB) – Out (leg) – Bush will be out 4-6 weeks with a fractured fibula. He is predicting he will be back sooner than people think, but unless being with Kim Kardashian gives you miraculous healing powers, the soonest he’ll be back is Week 7, but probably Week 8.
Seattle Seahawks
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Pittsburgh Steelers
No fantasy-relevant injuries and Big Ben is back (so upgrade all Steelers’ receivers and Mendenhall).
Houston Texans
Andre Johnson (WR) – Probable (ankle) – Johnson was limited in practice all week, but that was to protect his ankle. He appears to be healing just fine and should be started with confidence in all leagues Week 6.
Owen Daniels (TE) – Probable (knee) – Daniels’ will play in Week 6 and should see his role increase. If he was dropped in your league, look to add him (especially Jermichael Finley owners).
Jacoby Jones (WR) – Questionable (calf) – Jones returned to practice on Friday and is expected to play in Week 6.
Arian Foster (RB) – Probable (knee) – Foster did not miss any practices and will be ready to go against the Chiefs.
Mario Williams (DL) – Questionable (groin) – Williams should be fine for Week 6.
Tennessee Titans
Justin Gage (WR) – Out (hamstring) – It looks like Gage will be out for Week 6 and Kenny Britt will get another start and makes a nice WR3 with upside.
Minnesota Vikings
Visanthe Shiancoe (TE) – Probable (hamstring) – Shiancoe will play this week, but the addition of Randy Moss has really hurt his fantasy value. He is nothing more than a bye-week replacement at this point.
Brett Favre (QB) – Questionable (elbow) – Favre looks to be a lock to start in Week 6.
Sidney Rice (WR) – Out (hip) – As of now, Rice does not look to be on track to return from the PUP list in Week 7 when eligible. The Vikings have 3 weeks after Week 7 for Rice to resume practicing and 3 more weeks after that to activate him. Otherwise they will have to put him on Injured Reserve which will end his season. The Vikings are obviously not optimistic about Rice’s recovery since they went out and traded for Randy Moss.
The Fantasy Dick is the fantasy baseball writer for www.thebaseballchick.com and can be followed on Twitter at @thefantasydick or emailed at thefantasydick at yahoo.com. Feel free to ask any fantasy sports related questions or just questions about life in general, The Fantasy Dick is an expert at both.
