Week 10: Game Time Decisions - Injury Update
In this article we will profile some of the more fantasy relevant injuries that have cropped up and suggest which players are likely to benefit from increased playing time (some of the replacement players might be sitting on your waiver wire). With the BYE weeks in full swing (Cleveland, Green Bay, Arizona, and Washington will be resting in week 10), depth on fantasy rosters will be further tested.
The Queen song "Another One Bites the Dust" applies to the RB depth following the week 9 ankle injury to Darren Mcfadden. The oft injured Raider RB suffered a high ankle sprain that is likely to keep him sidelined for multiple weeks. RUN DMC has been one of the bigger injury risks during his early career (missed 19 games over first four seasons) and his production over the first half of the season has been mediocre at best. MJD's week 7 foot injury will keep him out another week and dual threat Rashad Jennings has a solid matchup against a struggling Colts run defense on Thursday night football. Demarco Murray's week 6 injury will likely keep him sidelined yet another week allowing Felix Jones to remain somewhat relevant for the week 10 matchup with Philadelphia.
At the WR position, multiple big names remained in street clothes during week 9 as Greg Jennings and Pierre Garcon have been reduced to cheerleaders for the foreseeable future. Jennings had surgery that will keep him sidelined for the next 3 weeks (not an ideal scenario for an aging WR in a contract year). James Jones and Randall Cobb will remain solid options in the near term. Jordy Nelson will use the week 10 bye to heal his ankle injury that knocked him out of the first quarter of the week 9 win over Arizona. Steve Johnson (thigh) and Hakeem Nicks (knee) missed Wednesday's practice but both are expected to play this week. Securing Domenik Hixon might be a smart move for Nicks owners.
QB Jake Locker, TEN
The 2nd year QB from Washington has been out of action since suffering a shoulder injury in week 4. He has been cleared for practice, but with the week 11 Bye on the horizon, the Titans are likely to give veteran Matt Hasselbeck the week 10 start against an aggressive Miami defense. Locker averaged 260 YPG while tossing 4 TDs and 2 INTs from weeks 1-3. He is well worth adding if available on waiver wires, as Locker should reclaim the starting job by week 12 for a favorable matchup with a struggling Jacksonville pass defense.
QB Tony Romo, DAL
The 32 year old QB from Eastern Illinois suffered a strained back on the final play of the week 9 loss in Atlanta, but is expected to suit up for the week 10 battle of the disappointing NFC East teams when the Cowboys travel to Philly. Through 8 games this season, Romo is averaging an impressive 299 YPG, but his penchant for turnovers has contract extension discussions on the backburner. He has tossed 10 TDs combined with an alarming 13 INTs and will face an Eagles defense that ranks 15th against the pass (229 YPG). If Romo were to take a turn for the worse, veteran Kyle Orton would fill in, but for now it seems that Dallas will have their starting QB under center in week 10.
RB Donald Brown, IND
The oft-injured UConn alum was a non-factor in week 9 after re-injuring his troublesome knee, which has left him listed as questionable for the Thursday night game against Jacksonville. Brown missed weeks 6/7 after having his knee scoped, but returned to the lineup in week 8 and had a productive game against the weak Titan defense (14 carries for 80 yards). Signs point to Vick Ballard getting the week 10 start against a struggling Jags run defense. Jacksonville is allowing the 4th most fantasy PPG to opposing RBs. If Brown is unable to suit up, Ballard will be a lower end RB2 and solid bye week filler if he's sitting on your waiver wire.
Injury Status: Injured ReserveRB Jonathan Dwyer, PIT
Dwyer was unable to suit up in week 9 after sustaining a quad injury in the week 8 win over Washington. His absence opened the door for Isaac Redman to post the best game of his 4-year career as he finished with 147 yards and a TD in the road win over the defending Super Bowl Champion Giants. Dwyer posted back-to-back 100 yard games in weeks 7/8 and he is expected to rotate with Redman for the Monday night game against Kansas City (Mendenhall is not expected to play). The 3rd year RB from Georgia Tech has yet to find the end zone, but his straight ahead power running style has impressed head coach Mike Tomlin. Despite the expected timeshare, Dwyer has flex appeal in week 10 against a Chiefs defense that ranks 22nd against the run (126 YPG).
RB Darren McFadden, OAK
Like clockwork, RUN DMC suffered a week 9 high ankle sprain that limited him to just 7 carries for 17 yards. Although he's yet to be ruled out, it seems unlikely that he'll suit up for the week 10 matchup with a struggling Raven defense. Over his first four seasons, Mcfadden was in street clothes for a whopping 19 games. Backup Mike Goodson also suffered a high ankle sprain, which will likely force the Raiders to start Marcel Reece when they travel to Baltimore. The Ravens' injury riddled defense ranks 28th against the run (140 YPG). Reece has above average receiving ability (26 catches for 272 yards this season) and might be worth considering as a bye week filler, especially in PPR leagues.
