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 or visit www.thefantasydick.com.
Probable: 75% chance of playing
Questionable: 50% chance of playing
Doubtful: 25% chance of playing
Out: 0% chance of playing
San Francisco 49ers
Vernon Davis (TE) – Questionable (ankle) – Davis was limited at practice on Friday, but, barring a set-back, he will be starting on Sunday against the Broncos. An inexperienced Troy Smith will probably rely heavily on his tight end, making Davis a top option this week.
Alex Smith (QB) – Out (shoulder) – Smith is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a shoulder injury. The 49ers will go with Troy Smith, not David Carr, in Week 8 (I guess the 49ers only feel comfortable with a “Smith” running the offense). Even though he hasn’t played well, it is unlikely that Troy Smith will steal his starting job.
Chicago Bears
Lance Briggs (LB) – Out (ankle) – Briggs is expected to be ready for Week 9 following the bye.
Cincinnati Bengals
Carson Palmer (QB) – Probable (hip) – Palmer had a full practice on Friday and will start this weekend.
Terrell Owens (WR) – Probable (hand) – Owens had a full practice on Friday and will start this weekend.
Jonathan Joseph (DB) – Questionable (ankle) – Joseph will be a game-time decision in Week 8.
Buffalo Bills
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Denver Broncos
Eddie Royal (WR) – Probable (groin) – Royal practice without limitations on Friday and will play in Week 8. His upside is limited due to the poor weather conditions expected in London for the game.
Demaryius Thomas (WR) – Questionable (thumb) – Thomas aggravated an old thumb injury last week and is questionable for Week 8. Thomas makes a poor fantasy start this week even if he can play.
Cleveland Browns
Mohamed Massaquoi (WR) – Out (concussion) – Massaquoi seems on track to return in Week 9 after the bye.
Seneca Wallace (QB) – Doubtful (ankle) – Wallace has shed his walking boot during the Week 8 bye and he feels he has earned the starting job when he returns. The Browns have not made it known which way they will go in Week 9.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Earnest Graham (RB) – Probable (hamstring) – Graham practiced in full this week and will play in Week 8. He is not a fantasy option. LeGarrette Blount is the running back to own in Tampa.
Arizona Cardinals
Steve Breaston (WR) – Questionable (knee) – Breaston will play in Week 8.
Early Doucet (WR) – Questionable (groin) – Doucet will play in Week 8.
San Diego Chargers
Malcolm Floyd (WR) – Doubtful (hamstring) – Floyd will not play in Week 8 and could be out at least until after their Week 10 bye.
Legedu Naanee (WR) – Doubtful (hamstring) – Naanee is unlikely to play in Week 8. This is a boost for Patrick Crayton’s temporary fantasy value.
Craig “Buster” Davis (WR) – Questionable (ribs) – Davis was limited in practice on Friday, but is expected to play in Week 8.
Antonio Gates (TE) – Questionable (toe) – Gates practiced on Friday, which is already better than last week, and needs to be in all fantasy lineups for Week 8.
Kris Brown (K) – Questionable (ankle) – Brown should be fine to kick in Week 8.
Nate Kaeding (K) – Out (groin) – Kaeding will not kick in Week 7 and could be out for another couple of weeks. Fantasy owners should cut Kaeding and grab another kicking option. He will be replaced by Kris Brown.
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.
Kansas City Chiefs
Dexter McCluster (RB/WR) – Questionable (ankle) – McCluster has a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss Week 8 and Week 9.
Indianapolis Colts
Austin Collie (WR) – Out (hand) – Collie is expected to miss at least a few weeks and the Colts are denying the rumors that his surgery is season-ending. Fantasy owners cannot cut him and will have to be patient. Anthony Gonzalez and Blair White will fill in as the slot receivers.
Joseph Addai (RB) – Out (shoulder) – Addai has nerve damage in his shoulder and says he might not regain his strength for “4-5 weeks”. There is no timetable on his return and fantasy owners will just have to wait for more news. Donald Brown will start in Week 8 in a nice matchup.
Donald Brown (RB) – Probable (hamstring) – Brown returned to limited practice on Friday and is expected to start in Week 8. He has a great matchup this week.
Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo (QB) – Out (shoulder) – Romo is expected to be out at least 8 weeks and could be placed on season-ending Injured Reserve if it looks like the Cowboys will not make the playoffs. Romo can be waived in most leagues. He will be replaced by Jon Kitna who also makes a decent fantasy replacement.
Miami Dolphins
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Philadelphia Eagles
Michael Vick (QB) – Questionable (ribs) – Vick will most likely be the Eagles’ starting quarterback in Week 9.
DeSean Jackson (WR) – Out (concussion) – Jackson is still questionable for Week 9 after the bye.
Atlanta Falcons
Seam Weatherspoon (LB) – Out (ankle) – Weatherspoon will miss Week 7. With a bye in Week 8, IDP leaguers may want to look for better options.
Dunta Robinson (DB) – Out (concussion) – Robinson will be out Week 7 and is also appealing the fine he received for his hit on DeSean Jackson.
New York Giants
Mathias Kiwanuka (DL) – Out for Season (Neck) – Kiwanuka has been placed on Injured Reserve, ending his season.
Jacksonville Jaguars
David Garrard (QB) – Probable (concussion) – Garrard will start in Week 8 for the Jaguars.
Trent Edwards (QB) – Probable (thumb) – Edwards is competing with Todd Bouman to be David Garrard’s back-up.
New York Jets
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford (QB) – Probable (shoulder) – Stafford will start in Week 8 for the Lions.
Green Bay Packers
Donald Driver (WR) – Probable (quadriceps) – Driver had a full practice on Friday and should start in Week 8.
James Starks (RB) – Out (hamstring) – Starks is eligible to return, but won’t play in Week 8. The Packers have 3 weeks to decide if they want to activate him for the rest of the season.
Carolina Panthers
DeAngelo Williams (RB) – Doubtful (foot) – Williams has a sprained foot and is expected to miss at least Week 8 with the injury. Jonathan Stewart will get the start and has a great matchup against the Rams.
New England Patriots
Deion Branch (WR) – Questionable (hamstring) – Branch was limited in practice on Friday and will be a game-time decision this weekend. Since he has the afternoon game on Sunday, owners should probably not wait on him.
Pat Chung (DB) – Questionable (knee) – Chung was back at practice and should start in Week 8. He has been a nice IDP pick-up this season.
Fred Taylor (RB) – Out (toe) – Taylor has been ruled out for Week 8. BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead will carry the load again this week.
Oakland Raiders
Zach Miller (TE) – Questionable (foot) – Miller was limited in practice on Friday but is in no danger of not starting in Week 8.
Louis Murphy (WR) – Out (chest) – Murphy will miss at least 2 weeks with a chest contusion near his lung. Murphy is droppable in 10 and 12 team leagues. Rookie Jacoby Ford will replace him, but is not a recommended pick-up. This just means more action for Zach Miller.
Bruce Gradkowski (QB) – Questionable (shoulder) – Gradkowski did some light work on Friday, but is not expected to start in Week 8. Jason Campbell will get the start.
St. Louis Rams
Steven Jackson (RB) – Questionable (finger) – Jackson returned to practice on a limited basis on Friday but is expected to be the starter in Week 8.
Danario Alexander (WR) – Out (knee) – Alexander had his knee scoped on Friday and is expected to be out at least 2-4 weeks. He should be dropped in all fantasy leagues.
Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Mason (WR) – Out (ankle) – Mason will be fine for Week 9 after the bye.
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
Chris Cooley (TE) – Questionable (foot) – Cooley had a full practice on Friday and is ready to go for Week 8.
Donovan McNabb (QB) – Questionable (hamstring) – McNabb is fine for Week 8 and has a great matchup against the Lions.
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 back in a walking boot and back on crutches. He is almost certainly out until at least Week 10.
Reggie Bush (RB) – Out (leg) – Bush could be back in Week 9.
Seattle Seahawks
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Pittsburgh Steelers
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Houston Texans
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Tennessee Titans
Justin Gage (WR) – Questionable (hamstring) – Gage will be a game-time decision in Week 8 and probably won’t be fantasy relevant unless Kenny Britt is suspended for his role in a bar brawl last week.
Vince Young (QB) – Probable (knee) – Young practiced on Friday and is expected to start in Week 8.
Minnesota Vikings
Brett Favre (QB) – Questionable (ankle, elbow, text messages) – Favre practiced Friday on a limited basis with Tarvaris Jackson taking first team reps. Favre is expected to start in Week 8 against New England.
Sidney Rice (WR) – Out (hip) – Rice has been jogging around. The Vikings have 2 weeks to activate him or lose him for the season.
The Fantasy Dick is the brains behind www.thefantasydick.com and can be followed on Twitter at @thefantasydick. Feel free to ask any fantasy sports related questions or just questions about life in general, The Fantasy Dick is an expert at both.
