Weeks 16's Injury Questions
Saturday, December 25, 2010
You prepared for this week all season and expected to have studs like
Maurice Jones-Drew,
Knowshon Moreno,
Adrian Peterson,
Andre Johnson and
Terrell Owens clicking on all cylinders. Well, hopefully this isn't your first rodeo because the final two weeks of the NFL season are predictably unpredictable.
So, a player like
Rashad Jennings could very well decide your league's championship. With Jones-Drew almost certainly out, the 2009 seventh-round steal is set for 15-20 touches against a porous Redskins' defense. Showing excellent hands out of the backfield and flashing starting-caliber talent during spot duty over the last couple seasons, Jennings is a strong RB2 play.
Be prepared with your squad in Week 16. Check out the
Rotoworld News Page all morning for the latest information on all the game-time decisions. Also, be sure to use the
rankings from Gregg Rosenthal/Chris Wesseling in combination with
Evan Silva's matchup column and you'll be good to go.
If you're looking to start over, you can get a new team
via SnapDraft right now.
I've got you covered with the latest injury news here. SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALLCOWBOYS at CARDINALS*
Roy Williams (groin) is a game-time decision and should not be near fantasy lineups regardless.
*
Marion Barber (calf) is healthy, but his role is uncertain with
Felix Jones (shin) and
Tashard Choice playing well. He could end up as a healthy scratch.
*
Derek Anderson (concussion) is fine to serve as a back up behind
John Skelton.
1 P.M. GAMESJETS at BEARS*
Santonio Holmes (turf toe) will play as a risky option thanks to
Mark Sanchez (shoulder) at just 80 percent.
PATRIOTS at BILLS*
Aaron Hernandez (hip) will likely play, but it is impossible to predict which Pats' tight end will produce on a week-to-week basis.
RAVENS at BROWNS*
Todd Heap (hamstring) is a game-time decision that we are tentatively expecting to sit as a precaution.
*
Derrick Mason (ankle) is ready to go as a low-end fantasy option.
*
Peyton Hillis (knee) rested some during practice this week but is good to go in this tough matchup.
TITANS at CHIEFS*
Jamaal Charles was merely cramping last week. He's a full go.
49ERS at RAMS*
Anthony Dixon (ankle) is hobbled, meaning
Brian Westbrook is in for all the reps he can handle.
LIONS at DOLPHINS*
Shaun Hill (finger) is expected to start, with
Drew Stanton (shoulder) is doubt.
*
Jahvid Best (toe) will play through injury again but can't be trusted.
REDSKINS at JAGUARS*
Maurice Jones-Drew (knee) is doubtful, meaning
Rashad Jennings is headed for a huge role. See above for more.
*
Mike Sims-Walker (ankle) will not start and will see limited snaps if he is active. It is really hard to trust him in fantasy with
Jason Hill starting.
4 P.M. GAMESTEXANS at BRONCOS*
Andre Johnson (ankle) is going to go through warm-ups before deciding if he will play. It's a true game-time decision, putting owners in a brutal spot because of the 4 p.m. start time.
Jacoby Jones will start if Johnson sits.
*
Neil Rackers (hamstring) is good to go.
*
Arian Foster (hip) is a full go despite an early-week scare.
*
Knowshon Moreno (ribs) was limited in practice all week and is headed for a game-time decision. Signs point to him playing, but we can't be certain.
Lance Ball will start if Moreno sits.
*
Tim Tebow is starting again after looking serviceable a week ago.
COLTS at RAIDERS*
Joseph Addai (neck) appears set to finally return, but will likely be eased back in. This backfield is a messy one to avoid.
*
Zach Miller (foot) appears as healthy has he has been in weeks.
GIANTS at PACKERS*
Aaron Rodgers (concussion) is ready to return after sitting last week.
*
Mario Manningham (heel) will start as a high risk, high reward fantasy option.
SEAHAWKS at BUCS*
Sammie Stroughter (hamstring) is headed for a game-time decision.
CHARGERS at BENGALS*
Antonio Gates (foot) is out.
*
Malcom Floyd (hamstring) will also sit, meaning
Vincent Jackson is going to see a ton of targets.
*
Ryan Mathews dealt with an illness this week but is fine as a weak fantasy option.
*
Terrell Owens (knee) is on injured reserve.
*
Chad Ochocinco (ankle) is expected to play a minor role, if he is even active. Get him out of your lineups.
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALLVIKINGS at EAGLES*
Brett Favre (concussion) is listed as doubtful. We fully expect
Joe Webb to start, as concussions are not as easy to play through as sprains and fractures.
*
Adrian Peterson (ankle) is tentatively expected to play, but owners need to have
Toby Gerhart ready just in case.
*
DeSean Jackson (foot) is fine.
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALLSAINTS at FALCONS*
Chris Ivory (hamstring) admitted that he is still not 100 percent. Even if active, he's a weak fantasy bet.
* Robert Meacham (toe) practiced fully Friday and is on track to get his usual handful of deep targets.
*
Roddy White (knee) is fine.
SURVIVOR PICK OF THE WEEKThe choices are certainly limited if you're still in Survivor. And there is certainly a lot of money on the line. Consider the Bucs at home against the Seahawks a strong play. Tampa is embarrassed after that home loss to the Lions last week and the Seahawks are notoriously poor when coming east. The Eagles, of course, are the premier play of the week.
I'd stay away from the Patriots, who are due for a letdown on the road in Buffalo. The same can be said for the Ravens.
MY TOUGHEST DECISION OF THE WEEKIn the ESPN/Buffalo Wild Wings Super Bowl, my WR3 remains messy. I can't use
Jacoby Jones in that spot this week because I need him as insurance for my WR1,
Andre Johnson. So my choice came down to
James Jones or
Braylon Edwards. Ugh.
I chose to go with Jones because
Mark Sanchez's regression and shoulder injury combined with the Bears' stifling defense is a recipe for disaster. With
Aaron Rodgers back, Jones is a better bet for a touchdown bomb.
No Super Bowl this year? Get your fantasy fix
via SnapDraft right now.
You prepared for this week all season and expected to have studs like
Maurice Jones-Drew,
Knowshon Moreno,
Adrian Peterson,
Andre Johnson and
Terrell Owens clicking on all cylinders. Well, hopefully this isn't your first rodeo because the final two weeks of the NFL season are predictably unpredictable.
So, a player like
Rashad Jennings could very well decide your league's championship. With Jones-Drew almost certainly out, the 2009 seventh-round steal is set for 15-20 touches against a porous Redskins' defense. Showing excellent hands out of the backfield and flashing starting-caliber talent during spot duty over the last couple seasons, Jennings is a strong RB2 play.
Be prepared with your squad in Week 16. Check out the
Rotoworld News Page all morning for the latest information on all the game-time decisions. Also, be sure to use the
rankings from Gregg Rosenthal/Chris Wesseling in combination with
Evan Silva's matchup column and you'll be good to go.
If you're looking to start over, you can get a new team
via SnapDraft right now.
I've got you covered with the latest injury news here. SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALLCOWBOYS at CARDINALS*
Roy Williams (groin) is a game-time decision and should not be near fantasy lineups regardless.
*
Marion Barber (calf) is healthy, but his role is uncertain with
Felix Jones (shin) and
Tashard Choice playing well. He could end up as a healthy scratch.
*
Derek Anderson (concussion) is fine to serve as a back up behind
John Skelton.
1 P.M. GAMESJETS at BEARS*
Santonio Holmes (turf toe) will play as a risky option thanks to
Mark Sanchez (shoulder) at just 80 percent.
PATRIOTS at BILLS*
Aaron Hernandez (hip) will likely play, but it is impossible to predict which Pats' tight end will produce on a week-to-week basis.
RAVENS at BROWNS*
Todd Heap (hamstring) is a game-time decision that we are tentatively expecting to sit as a precaution.
*
Derrick Mason (ankle) is ready to go as a low-end fantasy option.
*
Peyton Hillis (knee) rested some during practice this week but is good to go in this tough matchup.
TITANS at CHIEFS*
Jamaal Charles was merely cramping last week. He's a full go.
49ERS at RAMS*
Anthony Dixon (ankle) is hobbled, meaning
Brian Westbrook is in for all the reps he can handle.
LIONS at DOLPHINS*
Shaun Hill (finger) is expected to start, with
Drew Stanton (shoulder) is doubt.
*
Jahvid Best (toe) will play through injury again but can't be trusted.
REDSKINS at JAGUARS*
Maurice Jones-Drew (knee) is doubtful, meaning
Rashad Jennings is headed for a huge role. See above for more.
*
Mike Sims-Walker (ankle) will not start and will see limited snaps if he is active. It is really hard to trust him in fantasy with
Jason Hill starting.
4 P.M. GAMESTEXANS at BRONCOS*
Andre Johnson (ankle) is going to go through warm-ups before deciding if he will play. It's a true game-time decision, putting owners in a brutal spot because of the 4 p.m. start time.
Jacoby Jones will start if Johnson sits.
*
Neil Rackers (hamstring) is good to go.
*
Arian Foster (hip) is a full go despite an early-week scare.
*
Knowshon Moreno (ribs) was limited in practice all week and is headed for a game-time decision. Signs point to him playing, but we can't be certain.
Lance Ball will start if Moreno sits.
*
Tim Tebow is starting again after looking serviceable a week ago.
COLTS at RAIDERS*
Joseph Addai (neck) appears set to finally return, but will likely be eased back in. This backfield is a messy one to avoid.
*
Zach Miller (foot) appears as healthy has he has been in weeks.
GIANTS at PACKERS*
Aaron Rodgers (concussion) is ready to return after sitting last week.
*
Mario Manningham (heel) will start as a high risk, high reward fantasy option.
SEAHAWKS at BUCS*
Sammie Stroughter (hamstring) is headed for a game-time decision.
CHARGERS at BENGALS*
Antonio Gates (foot) is out.
*
Malcom Floyd (hamstring) will also sit, meaning
Vincent Jackson is going to see a ton of targets.
*
Ryan Mathews dealt with an illness this week but is fine as a weak fantasy option.
*
Terrell Owens (knee) is on injured reserve.
*
Chad Ochocinco (ankle) is expected to play a minor role, if he is even active. Get him out of your lineups.
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALLVIKINGS at EAGLES*
Brett Favre (concussion) is listed as doubtful. We fully expect
Joe Webb to start, as concussions are not as easy to play through as sprains and fractures.
*
Adrian Peterson (ankle) is tentatively expected to play, but owners need to have
Toby Gerhart ready just in case.
*
DeSean Jackson (foot) is fine.
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALLSAINTS at FALCONS*
Chris Ivory (hamstring) admitted that he is still not 100 percent. Even if active, he's a weak fantasy bet.
* Robert Meacham (toe) practiced fully Friday and is on track to get his usual handful of deep targets.
*
Roddy White (knee) is fine.
SURVIVOR PICK OF THE WEEKThe choices are certainly limited if you're still in Survivor. And there is certainly a lot of money on the line. Consider the Bucs at home against the Seahawks a strong play. Tampa is embarrassed after that home loss to the Lions last week and the Seahawks are notoriously poor when coming east. The Eagles, of course, are the premier play of the week.
I'd stay away from the Patriots, who are due for a letdown on the road in Buffalo. The same can be said for the Ravens.
MY TOUGHEST DECISION OF THE WEEKIn the ESPN/Buffalo Wild Wings Super Bowl, my WR3 remains messy. I can't use
Jacoby Jones in that spot this week because I need him as insurance for my WR1,
Andre Johnson. So my choice came down to
James Jones or
Braylon Edwards. Ugh.
I chose to go with Jones because
Mark Sanchez's regression and shoulder injury combined with the Bears' stifling defense is a recipe for disaster. With
Aaron Rodgers back, Jones is a better bet for a touchdown bomb.
No Super Bowl this year? Get your fantasy fix
via SnapDraft right now.
Adam Levitan is in his fourth season covering football and basketball for Rotoworld. He won the Fantasy Sports Writers Association award for Best Series in 2011 and 2009, and ESPN's overall fantasy football title in 2000. Find him on
Twitter.
Email :
Adam Levitan