Brian Bulmer of ProFootballFocus.com examines the latest injuries from a fantasy perspective after week 3 of the 2013 NFL preseason.
For additional insight from Brian and the rest of the PFF Staff, you can visit ProFootballFocus.com.
Lights. Camera. Action!
Week 3 is the dress rehearsal for the NFL regular season. We get a better look at the starting lineups for the NFL teams and the potential fantasy studs and duds of the coming season.
Another week shows us why injuries are the rule and durability is the exception to the rule in football. In the Training Table, I will be providing you with recent news and notes as it pertains to injuries all season here at PFF Fantasy.
Arizona Cardinals
Rashard Mendenhall — Running Back
Injury Date: August 25, 2013 — Knee Sprain
Fantasy Prognosis: Rashard Mendenhall has a minor knee sprain. He is on track to return for the Cardinals week one game. The Cardinals have announced they are looking to deal often injured Ryan Williams so they must have a lot of faith in Mendenhall and the young depth (Stephan Taylor, Andre Ellington) that were drafted in the 2013 NFL draft.
Robert Housler — Tight End
Injury Date: August 25, 2013 — Ankle Sprain
Fantasy Prognosis: Housler suffered a high ankle sprain in the week three preseason game. A high ankle sprain can be a nagging injury that can take weeks to heal. Housler’s injury makes him questionable for the start of the regular season. If you were depending on Housler as your top tight end option heading into week one, you might want to have a tight end in place to play early in the season.
Atlanta Falcons
Roddy White — Wide Receiver
Injury Date: August 15, 2013 — Ankle Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Roddy White suffered what is beleived to be a low ankle sprain during the Falcons week two preseason game against Baltimore. If it were the regular season White would have suited up for week three. Considering it is preseason, White will be limited for the remainder of the preseason and may not take another snap until the start of the regular season.
Baltimore Ravens
Dennis Pitta — Tight End
Injury Date: July 27, 2013 — Dislocated Hip
Fantasy Prognosis: Pitta dislocated his hip, but it also resulted in a fracture. Several outlets are reporting he is out for the season including ESPN. There are conflicting reports that state he may return at the end of the season. This is a complicated injury that will most likely end Pitta’s season. Even if he does return prior to the end of the season, I would not expect him to see a significant amount of playing time.
Ed Dickson — Tight End
Injury Date: August 4, 2013 — Strained Hamstring
Fantasy Prognosis: Dickson’s injury is coming along really well. At this point he is still questionable to play week one, but his chances look much better then they did a couple weeks ago. Dickson would be a solid bye week fill in, but may put up decent numbers if his snap count increases throughout the preseason.
Buffalo Bills
Kevin Kolb — Quarterback
Injury Date: August 26, 2013 — Concussion
Fantasy Prognosis: The prognosis on this may not be good for Kevin Kolb. The oft injured quarterback recieved another concussion that may be a “career-ending concussion”. At this point the Bills quarterback situation is a mess and is relying on EJ Manuel to get healthy in order to have a decent starting quarterback.
EJ Manuel — Quarterback
Injury Date: August 17, 2013 — Knee Surgery
Fantasy Prognosis: The Bills can only hope that Manuel is ready for the regular season otherwise they will be leaning on Jeff Tual or Matt Leinart. Spiller owners may also be very interested in knowing who will be starting the regular season for the Bills. This is a situation to watch as the preseason comes to a close.
Carolina Panthers
Mike Tolbert — Running Back
Injury Date: August 8, 2013 — Hamstring Strain
Fantasy Prognosis: Tolbert is a name that should be considered in the later rounds of your fantasy football drafts. His current hamstring injury cost him another preseason game in week three. If Tolbert is healthy he is worth drafting late due to the number of goal line touches that he may get.
Cincinnati Bengals
Tyler Eifert — Tight End
Injury Date: August 25, 2013 — Wrist Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Eifert is dealing with a minor wrist injury and he will be ready for the regular season. This injury should not affect his draft status in your fantasy leagues.
Cleveland Browns
Jordan Cameron — Tight End
Injury Date: August 26, 2013 — Groin
Fantasy Prognosis: Cameron has a minor groin strain. He is listed as day-to-day. He may sit for the final preseason game this week, but should be ready for the start of the regular season.
David Nelson — Wide Receiver
Injury Date: August 2012 — ACL Tear
Fantasy Prognosis: Nelson injured his ACL early last season. He is still dealing with symptoms from the surgery. If he could get healthy he may have a shot at winning the second wide receiver spot opposite of Josh Gordon. At this point he should go undrafted until he shows that he can get healthy and win a starting position.
Dion Lewis — Running Back
Injury Date: August 16, 2013 — Leg Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Lewis had been playing well up until the injury and looked like the backup to Trent Richardson. Lewis was placed on IR earlier this week due to his leg injury
Denver Broncos
Joel Dreessen — Tight End
Injury Date: August 4, 2013 — Knee Surgery
Fantasy Prognosis: Dreessen went under the knife for arthoscopic knee surgery on August 5th. His timetable to return is 3-4 weeks. I fully expect him to miss the preseason and will be questionable for the start of regular season. The injury to Tamme and Dreessen open the door for Virgil Green and Julius Thomas to get more touches in the preseason. The addition of Welker in the offseason may knock the value of all tight ends in Denver. I would not recommend drafting any Denver tight end until one emerges.
Wes Welker — Wide Receiver
Injury Date: August 26, 2013 — Ankle Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Head coach John Fox says that if it were a regular season game that Welker would be ready to go. Welker will miss the final preseason game just as a precaution. He has a low ankle sprain that is being treated to get him 100% ready for the start of the season. Welker’s draft stock should not take a hit in response to this injury news.
Detroit Lions
Calvin Johnson — Wide Receiver
Injury Date: August 15, 2013 — Knee Contusion
Fantasy Prognosis: No reason to worry. The Lions are giving their star player some time to rest and heal before the regular season. This give the Lions time to evaluate other talent on the roster while allowing Johnson to get healthy before the regular season starts. He should still be drafted in the first or early second round.
Green Bay Packers
Randall Cobb — Wide Receiver
Injury Date: August 3, 2013 — Biceps injury
Fantasy Prognosis: There were no specifics on what the injury might be. In this case with Cobb continuing to practice it is most likely a deep muscle bruise or possibly a strain. He is listed as probable for the regular season. He may get limited snaps in preseason, but I would still draft him around his current ADP (3.05).
Jordy Nelson — Wide Receiver
Injury Date: August 5, 2013 — Knee Surgery
Fantasy Prognosis: The surgery was to alleviate pain in a nerve around Nelson’s knee that has given him trouble since college. I don’t believe Nelson misses significant time with this injury. His ADP has dropped a round and a half since the announcement of his surgery. I would recommend locking up a couple wide receivers before drafting Nelson. At ADP 5.12 I think he is a steal, but I would still monitor his progress before drafting him on my fantasy team.
Dajuan Harris — Running Back
Injury Date: August 26, 2013 — Knee Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Harris was placed on season ending IR with a patellar tendon knee injury. This opens the door for Eddie Lacy who seems to have won the job in Green Bay outright.
Houston Texans
Deandre Hopkins — Wide Receiver
Injury Date: August 17, 2013 — Concussion
Fantasy Prognosis: Hopkins is still having physical symptoms and is having issues passing the neurocognitive testing. He is now questionable to start to regular season. Hopkins will have to show significant signs of approval over the next seven days in order to be ready for the regular season. Monitor this situation closely if you plan on taking Hopkins.
Arian Foster — Running Back
Injury Date: August 18, 2013 — Back Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Foster is feeling better but still is not completely healed. His target is to start the regular season. Monitor his health status closely if you intend on drafting him.
Indianapolis Colts
Ahmad Bradshaw — Running Back
Injury Date: July 30, 2013 — Foot Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Bradshaw has dealt with the foot injury the entire offseason. The Colts want to see him at 100 percent before moving forward and putting him on the field for preseason action. The recent news on Bradshaw shows he should be ready for week one. If he stays healthy all season he will have solid RB2 value.
Coby Fleener — Tight End
Injury Date: August 11, 2013 — Knee Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Recent news on Fleener says he should be back for week one of the regular season. Fleener is a great late round draft pick considering the Colts will be running a lot of two tight end sets this season in Pep Hamilton’s offense.
Dwayne Allen — Tight End
Injury Date: August 7, 2013 — Foot Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Allen is also on track to return for week one for the Indianapolis Colts. Allen saw the majority of targets as a rookie, but I fully expect Fleener to steal some of those targets this season. Allen has solid late round value in drafts.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Mercedes Lewis — Tight End
Injury Date: August 25, 2013 — Calf Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Lewis is a veteran that has been dealing with some calf tightness throughout the preseason. The Jaguars have held him out as a precaution. I fully expect him to suit up in week one.
Blaine Gabbert — Quarterback
Injury Date: August 17, 2013 — Thumb Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: According to recent reports Gabbert should be ready for the start of the regular season. Gabbert has the most upside of the Jaguars quarterbacks. He has some great weapons around him with Maurice Jones-Drew back this season and the emergence of Cecil Shorts last season. Gabbert should be drafted as the 30-32 quarterback off the board.
Kansas City Chiefs
Tony Moeaki — Tight End
Injury Date: August 26, 2013 — Shoulder Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Tough news for the Chiefs and Moeaki. Moeaki has struggled with injuries since entering the league a few seasons ago. The Chiefs acquired veteran Anthony Fasano and drafted Travis Kelce in the offseason. Fasano is most likely going to win this job early in the season, but Kelce is a talented tight end that will see more time as the season progresses.
New England Patriots
Rob Gronkowski — Tight End
Injury Date: June 20, 2013 — Back Surgery
Fantasy Prognosis: Gronkowski’s recent report says he may end up on the regular season PUP list. If that happens he will miss the first six games to start the season. I expect the Patriots to add Gronkowski to the 53-man roster. The Patriots would have to announce the PUP list on August 31st. If your draft is before August 31st proceed with caution. Gronk finished as a top-three tight end last season while playing in just eleven games. He has the ability to finish as a top three again this season with the limited weapons in New England. He is a great 5/6 round target. Make sure you secure a solid backup if you decide to draft Gronkowski.
New Orleans Saints
Marques Colston — Wide Receiver
Injury Date: Summer 2013 — Foot injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Colston has been dealing with plantar fasciitis all summer. He has been cleared for practice but will be limited. With little to prove Colston should get plenty of rest and treatment and be ready for the regular season.
New York Giants
Victor Cruz — Wide Reciever
Injury Date: August 18, 2013 — Heel
Fantasy Prognosis: Cruz is on track to return week one. Cruz bruised his heel in the preseason game versus the Indianapolis Colts. He will be doing some treatment and preparing for the start of the regular season.
New York Jets
Mark Sanchez — Quarterback
Injury Date: August 26, 2013 — Shoulder Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Sanchez was put back into the game at a questionable time in the game. Many sports media names questioned the practice of head coach Rex Ryan. At this point Geno Smith is not ready to start, but with Mark Sanchez listed as questionable for the start of the regular, it may be Smith’s turn.
Santonio Holmes — Wide Receiver
Injury Date: August 23, 2013 — Foot Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Santonio Holmes is questionable to return for week one of the regular season. At this point it is difficult to determine if Holmes is far enough along for the Jets to keep him of the PUP list. August 31st is the announcement date for the PUP list.
Oakland Raiders
David Ausberry — Tight End
Injury Date: August 17, 2013 — Shoulder Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Ausberry is in position to win the starting tight end job in Oakland. The shoulder injury is a step back in gaining valuable game experience in the preseason. Head coach Dennis Allen explained that Ausberry will probably miss the rest of the preseason but did not indicate if he will be ready for week one.
Matt Flynn — Quarterback
Injury Date: August 25, 2013 — Elbow Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Flynn is dealing with an elbow injury that gives Pryor an opportunity to close the gap or win the starting job. Flynn should still get the start early in the season, but Pryor may end up winning this job because of his mobility in the pocket.
Darren McFadden — Running Back
Injury Date: August 24, 2013 — Shoulder Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: McFadden has had issues staying healthy in his NFL career. This was a precautionary move by the Raiders to hold McFadden out with a minor shoulder injury. He is listed as probable for the start of the regular season. His draft status should remain unchanged.
Rod Streater — Wide Receiver
Injury Date: August 24, 2013 — Concussion
Fantasy Prognosis: Streater suffered a concussion in the week three preseason game versus the Bears. He will miss the week four preseason game. He will be required to pass the NFL head injury protocol to return. He is currently listed as questionable for the start of the regular season.
Philadelphia Eagles
Bryce Brown — Running Back
Injury Date: August 16, 2013 — Quadriceps Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Brown is in a race with Chris Polk for the backup running back job in Philadelphia behind Lesean McCoy. Brown is listed as probable for the start of the regular season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Le’Veon Bell — Running Back
Injury Date: August 19, 2013 — Foot Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Bell is listed to return in 6-8 weeks with this injury. He is a guy you may be able to take in late rounds as a flier and hope that you can use him during the playoff run. He has value, but it is as a RB4 or RB5 on a roster at this point.
Heath Miller — Tight End
Injury Date: December 26, 2012 — ACL Surgery
Fantasy Prognosis: Heath Miller tore his ACL late last season and initially was going to start the season on the PUP list. According to recent reports the Steelers will remove him from the PUP list before the start of the season. They will work him back in slow in practice and finally into games. At this point Miller may miss a few games to start to the season. He may be worth a late round grab, but make sure you have a decent primary tight end on your roster with a late bye week if you decide to grab Miller as your second tight end.
San Diego Chargers
Malcom Floyd — Wide Receiver
Injury Date: August 11, 2013 — Knee Strain
Fantasy Prognosis: The Chargers have already lost Danario Alexander with an ACL for the rest of the year. This is good news for the Chargers. Floyd has returned to practice and is listed as probable for the start of the regular season.
Seattle Seahawks
Sidney Rice – Wide Receiver
Injury Date: July 30,2013 — Knee pain
Fantasy Prognosis: Rice went to Switzerland to have a procedure that has not been approved by the FDA (Regenokine). This procedure has been done by several athletes and is a non-surgical treatment for people with signs of osteoarthritis. This may be something that adds to the length of Rice’s career and allows him to play at a high level. Rice has missed all of the preseason games up to this point and is listed as questionable to start the season.
San Francisco 49ers
LaMichael James — Running Back
Injury Date: August 25, 2012 — Elbow Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: LaMichael James took a lot of snaps in 2012 due to the loss of Kendall Hunter mid year. It appears that Hunter has overtaken him on the San Francisco 49ers depth chart. James is listed as probable to start the regular season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Doug Martin — Running Back
Injury Date: August 16, 2013 — Head Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Martin took a knee to the head when he tried to cut block a defender in the week two preseason game. He has been cleared to practice after passing concussion protocol. Martin is listed as probable for the start of the regular season and should still be considered to be a first round pick.
Tennessee Titans
Kenny Britt — Wide Reciever
Injury Date: 2011 — Lingering knee pain
Fantasy Prognosis: Britt has missed some practices during the training camp due to lingering pain in his surgically repaired ACL knee from a couple years ago. Head coach Mike Munchak knows that Britt will be missing time throughout the season on occasion due to the pain in his knee. The Titans have Britt listed as probable for the regular season.
Kendall Wright — Wide Receiver
Injury Date: August 18, 2013 — Knee Sprain
Fantasy Prognosis: ACL injury has been ruled out already. Wright has a knee sprain which means he will miss the remainder of the preseason. His status for the regular season is in question at this point. It has not been determined how significant of a knee injury that Wright has. Wright is listed as probable for the regular season
Delanie Walker — Tight End
Injury Date: August 25, 2013 — Knee Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Walker just came off the active PUP list and participated in his first practice of the year. He is listed as probable for the regular season.
Nate Washington — Wide Receiver
Injury Date: August 24, 2013 –Ankle Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Washington had a great game before exiting with an ankle injury. With Kendall Wright and Kenny Britt nursing injuries, Washington might be a great sleeper pick this season. He is listed as questionable to start the season.
Shonn Greene — Running Back
Injury Date: August 25, 2013 — Ankle Injury
Fantasy Prognosis: Greene sprained his ankle in the week three preseason game. It appeared to be a mild ankle sprain and Greene is listed as questionable to start the season.
Washington Redskins
Kirk Cousins — Quarterback
Injury Date: August 20, 2013 — Foot Sprain
Fantasy Prognosis: Cousins foot injury appeared to be minor. He is listed as probable for the start of the regular season.
Robert Griffin III — Quarterback
Injury Date: January 2013 – ACL Surgery
Fantasy Prognosis: Robert Griffin III will be reevaluated by Dr. James Andrews to determine his playing status. At this point Griffin III has not been cleared for full participation. If you plan on using Griffin III as your primary quarterback, draft a quality backup that will be of good use during his absence.