Fantasy Football Injury Report: Week 12

Welcome to the dreaded injury report. Professional football is a violent game, and your fantasy players are going to miss time because of it. We saw a few names go down in Week 12, some more significant than others. As always, hopefully, you don’t have many names on this list.

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Greg Olsen (TE – CAR)
As is exceedingly common with players returning quickly from foot injuries, Greg Olsen aggravated his broken foot and had to leave the game. He said he’s fine and indicated that his foot was merely sore, but I’m not sure if I believe him. I’d be surprised if he plays next week and not surprised if he had to be shut down for the season. A broken foot does not heal in eight weeks – it merely heals enough for the player to return to action. We’ve seen it before with guys like Julio Jones and Sammy Watkins – Olsen may need more time. Even if he does play, this is clearly going to be a weekly risk with him for the rest of the season.

Doug Martin (RB – TB)
Not that you were starting Doug Martin anyway, but he was one of a number of players concussed on Sunday. Martin had been ineffective and now is hurt. He will have to clear the protocol to play next week and even if he does, you’re not starting him. Peyton Barber is the clear pickup.

Amari Cooper (WR – OAK)
Amari Cooper was also concussed on Sunday, which left the Raiders without their top two WRs. Luckily, they were facing the Broncos so it didn’t matter. If Cooper can’t get cleared by next week, there’s a chance the Raiders will be without him and Michael Crabtree, who could be looking at a one-game suspension for his fight with Aqib Talib. Cordarrelle Patterson would be the primary beneficiary.

C.J. Beathard (QB – SF)
For reasons unknown, Beathard started on Sunday. For reasons that were abundantly clear after the game, he will not be starting next week. It’s Jimmy Garoppolo time in San Francisco. Beathard probably was getting benched anyway, but his late fourth quarter knee injury followed by Garoppolo’s first touchdown pass as a 49er sealed the deal.

Paxton Lynch (QB – DEN)
Paxton Lynch had just recovered from his shoulder injury and was poised to get a six-game audition where he would undoubtedly prove to the Broncos that he is not the answer at QB. Instead, Lynch’s day was cut short by an ankle injury. Trevor Siemian entered in relief and threw two touchdowns, almost bringing the Broncos back. He will almost certainly start next week in the most embarrassing QB situation in the NFL.

Damien Williams (RB – MIA)
It’s the Kenyan Drake show in Miami now. Damien Williams suffered a shoulder injury in the Dolphins’ loss to the Patriots and immediately left the game. It had the looks of a multi-week injury, or, at the very least, one that will keep him out of his next game. Somehow, I have to mention the name Senorise Perry as he is poised to act as Drake’s backup in Williams’ absence. Somehow, Perry is one injury away from at least a form of fantasy relevance.

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Jason Katz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive or follow him @jasonkatz13.