Who should fantasy owners expect to step up in A.J. Green’s absence?
Remember last week, when there were so few injuries it almost wasn’t even worth writing an injury article? Life was so easy back then. So simple. Let’s take a look at who’s okay, who might be okay, who’s going to miss some time and who you should target as a replacement.
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Quarterbacks
Andrew Luck (IND): concussion
Symptoms of a concussion crept up late Sunday night and with the Colts playing on Thanksgiving, this isn’t looking good. The team is already planning on not having Luck.
Next up: Scott Tolzien
Tolzien is a career backup. He’s started two games in his career with 1 touchdown and 5 interceptions in that span. A short week with a matchup against the Steelers doesn’t sound too good, but if he does get the start, it’ll be a home game against a Steelers defense that is ranked 21st in DVOA rankings against the pass.
Cody Kessler (CLE): concussion
Yikes. There’s just nothing good about being a Cleveland quarterback. This was Kessler’s second concussion, so there is a chance he’ll be shut down.
Next up: Josh McCown
McCown probably isn’t worth considering with most of the bye weeks over. Gary Barnidge and Duke Johnson get a boost unless the Browns give serious consideration to putting Robert Griffin III back in the starting lineup.
Jay Cutler (CHI): shoulder
Not that he should be on a fantasy team to begin with, but Cutler may have a season-ending shoulder injury.
Next up: Matt Barkley
Barkley is the 3rd string QB with a receiver corps that just lost it’s starting TE to a broken foot. Don’t forget that Alshon Jeffery is suspended for three more games as well. In other words, don’t bother.
Running Backs
LeSean McCoy (BUF): dislocated thumb
McCoy couldn’t finish the game, but the injury doesn’t appear to be serious. He had a procedure on his thumb and is not expected to miss any time.
Next up: Mike Gillislee
Even though McCoy isn’t expected to miss any time, this is yet another reminder that Gillislee should be owned in all leagues.
Giovani Bernard (CIN): torn ACL
The Bengals did not have a good day. Bernard is out for the season.
Next up: Jeremy Hill
Hill will be the main running back in what’s left of the Bengals’ offense. Granted, that offense is only scoring 19.9 points per game, and it’s about to get much worse. Hill should get plenty of usage going forward, but there’s certainly no guarantee he’ll be able to take advantage of it.
C.J. Prosise (SEA): fractured scapula
Prosise’s time as Seattle’s starter turned out to be short-lived. The shoulder injury will keep him out at least four weeks, though eight weeks is a possibility.
Others proclaim Prosise returning for the playoffs is a best-case scenario. Everything points to Prosise being done for fantasy purposes.
Next up: Thomas Rawls
And now we’ve come full circle. Thomas Rawls lost his job to Christine Michael. Christine Michael lost his job to Prosise. Now, Prosise returns it to Rawls.
The Packers claimed Michael off waivers, and Troymaine Pope suffered a high-ankle sprain, so now the Seahawks have no healthy running backs other than Rawls and Alex Collins. Look for Rawls to jump back into the RB1 picture with Collins serving as his handcuff down the stretch.
Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles (PHI): MCL sprain and fractured rib, respectively
We know the drill with Mathews at this point. His injuries tend to linger, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him miss Week 12 and beyond. He was wearing a brace after the game and should get an MRI on Monday. Sproles, on the other hand, shouldn’t miss any time.
Next up: Wendell Smallwood
Smallwood led the Philadelphia backfield with 17 touches on Sunday. He should take over for Mathews, but Sproles and Kenjon Barner sill get some work as well.
T.J. Yeldon (JAX): undisclosed ankle injury
Yeldon left in the second quarter and didn’t return. There haven’t been any reports as to the severity of the injury.
Next up: Chris Ivory
Ivory saw a season-high 23 touches in Yeldon’s absence. He looks to be the clear lead back if Yeldon misses any games.
Wide Receivers
A.J. Green (CIN): torn hamstring
Initial concerns of a significant hamstring tear were fortunately premature, and it sounds like Green may play again this season. That said, hamstring injuries can linger and the Bengals’ don’t have a shot at the playoffs so there is no reason for the team to rush him back. It’s anyone’s guess as to how many weeks he may miss.
Next up: Tyler Boyd, Brandon LaFell
When the Bengals lost Green and Giovani Bernard, they lost 45% of their targets this season. Needless to say, there will be a few to go around. Since Green left the game early, we got a small preview of what the Bengals’ passing game will look like without him.
LaFell led the team with nine targets, which he turned into four catches for 32 yards. Boyd saw eight targets and caught six of them for 54 yards and his first career touchdown.
LaFell looks to be the safer player to add, but Boyd has more upside. Both should be pursued on the waiver wire if they’re still out there.
Robert Woods (BUF): knee sprain
Woods was on crutches after the game and will apparently miss some time.
Next up: Percy Harvin, Brandon Tate, Sammy Watkins
Tate led the Bills in receiving on Sunday, but he only caught two passes for 48 yards. This whole situation is a mess and should probably be avoided. Maybe a speculative pickup of Percy Harvin who played 71% of the Bills’ offensive snaps would be the better option, or Marquise Goodwin will work out, but it’s unlikely.
If you’re looking for a silver lining, at least one Buffalo player thinks Sammy Watkins will return in Week 12. The truth is, though, that head coach Rex Ryan isn’t even sure how realistic that would be. He would be the only one to get excited about in this group.
Tight Ends
Zach Miller (CHI): broken foot
Miller’s injury was serious enough to require season-ending surgery.
Next up: Logan Paulsen, Ben Braunecker
These two have a combined four receptions for 23 yards in 2016. There’s no need to rush to the waiver wire to add one of them, but keep an eye open if you need tight end help.
Reexaminations
Quarterbacks
Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ)
Fitzpatrick will return to the starting lineup on Sunday.
Running Backs
DeAngelo Williams (PIT)
Williams is on track to return by Week 13.
Wide Receivers
Larry Fitzgerald (ARI)
Fitzgerald played against Minnesota and didn’t appear to be limited. His knee shouldn’t be a concern going forward unless it’s somehow responsible for Carson Palmer’s play.
Tight Ends
Rob Gronkowski (NE)
Gronk didn’t travel to Santa Clara. Reports last week suggested he’d be back in Week 12, but there hasn’t been any official word yet.
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Derek Norton is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Derek, visit LeagueSafe Post, his archive, or follow him on Twitter @mdereknorton.
