DFS Week 2 Injury Report - Friday
Here's a look at the injury situation around the NFL heading into Week 2's action (the Broncos and Chiefs, who played Thursday night, are not included):
Quarterbacks
Derek Carr, Raiders (vs. Ravens) - Probable
Carr was replaced by Matt McGloin after suffering a bruised thumb in Sunday's opener against the Bengals, but after being listed as a full participant in Thursday's practice on the official NFL injury report, should be set to return.
Baltimore's secondary seemed much improved over last year in its close loss to Denver, so despite having Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to throw to, better low-priced quarterback options exist than a slightly damaged Carr.
Josh McCown, Browns (vs. Titans) - Out
On Friday, the Browns announced that McCown remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, clearing the way for Johnny Manziel to start against the Titans. Aside from a perfect bomb to Travis Benjamin that briefly gave Cleveland the lead, Manziel was largely ineffective amidst pressure from the Jets' defense.
The biggest advantage that Manziel has is that he's a very low-priced QB option, allowing you to fill out your roster elsewhere. He could certainly provide some value relative to his price, especially as a result of his running ability, but his ceiling likely isn't as high as fellow budget QB options Ryan Fitzpatrick and Nick Foles. Tennessee's defense also made life rough on Jameis Winston last week, and Manziel is barely more experienced. Rostering Johnny Football is a gamble that could pay off, but there are many safer QB plays around the league.
Sam Bradford, Eagles (vs. Cowboys)
Bradford received X-rays on his ankle after Monday night's close loss to the Falcons, but it was believed to be nothing more than a precaution. Given that Bradford isn't listed on the official NFL injury report, he'll be fine for what should be a shootout against the division rival Cowboys.
Running Backs
Andre Ellington, Cardinals (at Bears) - Doubtful
Ellington is expected to miss one to three weeks with a PCL sprain, and veteran Chris Johnson has been announced as the starter. Johnson didn't exactly harken back to his 'CJ2K' days after replacing Ellington, averaging only 3.7 YPC on 10 touches.
Rookie David Johnson only saw the ball once in Week 1, but made it count, taking a catch 55 yards for a touchdown. He'll of course see more actual rushing work with Ellington out, and should emerge as the better fantasy option, though Chris Johnson may get a longer leash against the Bears to start with.
Arian Foster, Texans (at Panthers) - Out
Houston abandoned the run after falling behind 27-6, but Alfred Blue and Jonathan Grimes each averaged an identical 4.7 YPC on nine and six touches, respectively, so Foster wasn't missed all that much. Unfortunately, the Panthers' stingy run defense limited Jacksonville to 96 yards on the ground, so hopes for a Houston resurgence this week shouldn't be too high, especially with Foster officially declared out.
As well, carries are likely to be evenly distributed between Blue, Grimes and Chris Polk, making none of the replacement Texan backs fantasy relevant.
LeSean McCoy, Bills (vs. Patriots) - Questionable
McCoy was pulled out of practice on Thursday with hamstring tightness, so his status for Sunday's game with the Patriots has been thrown into question. The good news for the Bills is that backup Karlos Williams looked great in a part-time Week 1 role, racking up 55 yards and a touchdown on a mere six carries. Buffalo is likely to be cautious with its prized new acquisition the rest of the week, with more news surely to emerge closer to game time. Regardless of his health, McCoy is a risky DFS option this week.
C.J. Spiller, Saints (vs. Buccaneers) - Questionable
Mark Ingram took full advance of Spiller's Week 1 absence, hauling in eight catches on nine targets for 98 yards. His receiving performance masked the fact that he was ineffective running the ball (nine carries, 24 yards). Spiller's status is still uncertain for this week, but if he's healthy enough to return to his passing down role, neither man may do enough individually to be viable fantasy options.
Justin Forsett, Ravens (at Raiders) - Probable
Forsett practiced on a limited basis Wednesday due to a shoulder injury, but was back to full participation on Thursday, according to the NFL's official injury report. Baltimore's offense as a whole underperformed against Denver, but going forward, Forsett should resemble a value-priced version of Matt Forte in coordinator Marc Trestman's system, especially in a very favourable matchup with the Raiders. The only reason to be skeptical of Forsett, however, is that Baltimore's backfield is getting increasingly crowded - rookie Javorius Allen received nine carries against Denver, and delightfully-named sophomore Lorenzo Taliaferro practiced in full after missing out last week due to injury.
Tre Mason and Todd Gurley, Rams (at Redskins) - both Questionable
Questionable to play all week, Mason ultimately missed Week 1's game against Seattle, and with Gurley also sidelined, Benny Cunningham took advantage of the opportunity afforded to him, tallying 122 total yards and four receptions.
A much friendlier defense in Washington awaits in Week 2, but with Mason and Gurley both practicing in full this week according to the NFL's official injury report, the Rams could suddenly have a very crowded backfield, negating all three players' fantasy values. Both Mason and Gurley will apparently be game-time decisions on Sunday.
Le'Veon Bell, Steelers (vs. 49ers) - Suspended
Bell will serve the second and final game of his suspension this week, giving DeAngelo Williams another shot as being Pittsburgh's featured running back. The 32-year old Williams turned back the clock in his Steelers debut with 127 rushing yards and a 6.0 YPC against the Patriots, though did have a goal line touchdown vultured by fullback Will Johnson. With the role all his own until next week, Williams should be heavily used once again at home to the 49ers.
Reggie Bush, 49ers (at Steelers) - Out
Bush strained his calf on Monday night against the Vikings, and has been declared out for Week 2's game at Pittsburgh. Carlos Hyde stole the show with 168 rushing yards and two touchdowns, so Bush wasn't really missed. Bush doesn't offer much fantasy value in non-PPR leagues as long as Hyde is the feature back. Former rugby star Jarryd Hayne should take on Bush's role after making his NFL debut last week.
Jonathan Stewart, Panthers (vs. Texans) - Probable
Stewart was a full participant in practice on Thursday, according to the official NFL injury report, so his absence Wednesday was likely nothing more than a maintenance day. Consider him good to go on Sunday, where he'll receive a full workload against Houston.
Wide Receivers
T.Y. Hilton, Colts (vs. Jets) - Questionable
Hilton racked up eight catches for 77 yards on a whopping 14 targets before leaving with a knee injury in the Colts' dismal loss to the Bills. He'll likely be a game-time decision for Monday night. In his absence, Andrew Luck spread the ball around with limited success, with Donte Moncrief the biggest beneficiary with six catches for 46 yards and a touchdown.
Andre Johnson failed to make much of an impact with only four catches and 24 yards, and figures to be lampooned on Revis Island against the Jets. At home, the Colts will be under pressure to avoid an 0-2 start, and Luck will likely bomb away, with or without Hilton.
With that said, choosing among the Colts' array of secondary targets (Moncrief, Johnson, Phillip Dorsett, the tight end duo of Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener) represents a quandary for DFS players.
Dez Bryant, Cowboys (at Eagles) - Out
Bryant is out for several weeks with a broken foot suffered against the Giants. Even when on the field, he wasn't a huge part of the offense, with Tony Romo favouring short throws to passing down back Lance Dunbar and tight end Jason Witten.
Still, with the Cowboys failing to establish its running game, Romo was forced to air it out 45 times. If they're involved in a shootout with the Eagles, Dunbar, Witten, Terrance Williams and slot receiver Cole Beasley should all have increased value in Bryant's absence.
DeSean Jackson, Redskins (vs. Rams) - Out
Jackson left early on with a hamstring injury, failing to register a catch, and will miss three to four weeks. Pierre Garcon and tight end Jordan Reed were Kirk Cousins' favourite targets.
Cousins isn't a great quarterback, but he's not shy about airing it out, so his receivers, namely the cheaply-priced Reed, can represent good value even in a less-than-appealing matchup against the Rams' fearsome pass rush.
Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at Saints) - Will Play
Another player listed as questionable all week before ultimately not suiting up, Evans wasn't able to play a part in what turned out to be an ignominious debut for Jameis Winston. While Vincent Jackson led the team with 11 targets, sophomore tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins hauled in five catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
Carson Palmer carved up the Saints' secondary for 307 yards and three TDs, so Winston may be afforded a decent chance at a do-over in Week 2. Evans has been limited in practice this week, but if he's healthy enough to play, there's a decent chance at some garbage time points, given that the Bucs should be down and throwing in the Superdome. Still, as the most expensive of Tampa's trio of pass-catchers, Evans offers the least potential value when compared to Jackson or Seferian-Jenkins.
Victor Cruz, Giants (vs. Falcons) - Out
As expected, Cruz missed New York's season opener against the Cowboys, and his absence was felt, with replacement Preston Parker dropping a key third-down conversion late in the game. Cruz has been declared out again for Week 2.
Julio Jones, Falcons (at Giants) - Probable
Jones experienced some hamstring soreness earlier in the week, but was back at practice on Friday, so his status for Sunday isn't in doubt.
Golden Tate, Lions (at Vikings) - Questionable
Tate has a quad injury and was limited in practice on Thursday. Tate registered 99 catches last season across from Calvin Johnson, and led the Lions with eight targets last week, catching four passes. He's a safe play in formats with PPR-scoring, but keep an eye on his health as Week 2 dawns.
Alshon Jeffery, Bears (vs. Cardinals) - Out
A late entrant to the injury report, Jeffery missed Friday's practice with a hamstring injury and is considered questionable for Sunday. If this had happened earlier in the week, it would be easy to consider his absence as nothing more than a precaution; with less than 48 hours until kickoff, however, Jeffery now becomes a risky DFS selection if he's limited with the injury.
Tight End
Delanie Walker, Titans (at Browns) - Questionable
Walker, who caught one of Marcus Mariota's four touchdown passes against Tampa Bay, was seen with a cast on his hand after the game. The Titans only had to throw the ball 16 times in building a huge lead, but Walker still caught all three of his targets for 43 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.
Walker should serve as a reliable safety valve for Mariota if healthy, and will be a fantasy asset in games when the Titans are forced to play catchup. Walker missed practice on Thursday, so his status is in question for Sunday. At his price point in most fantasy games, other options include Heath Miller, Kyle Rudolph and Eric Ebron, all of whom should be able to provide similar production to Walker.
Dion Sims, Dolphins (at Jaguars) - Questionable
Sims left Week 1's contest against the Redskins with a concussion, and his absence allowed Jordan Cameron free reign of the tight end position. The Dolphins have a bevy of receiving options, with Cameron, Jarvis Landry, Greg Jennings and Rishard Matthews all registering at least three catches against Washington, with Kenny Stills also in the mix.
Even if Cameron is the unquestioned starter at tight end, it may be tough to pick the right receiver each week in Miami's seemingly equal opportunity offense.
Jordan Reed, Redskins (vs. Rams)
Throughout Reed's injury-plagued career, he's averaged almost five receptions a game, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise that he put up a healthy 7-63-1 line in the first game of the season, providing a decent return on his low price. However, the injury specter has reappeared yet again, with Reed reportedly limited in practice this week with a quad injury. With DeSean Jackson out of the lineup and a risk-taking QB in Kirk Cousins, Reed's fantasy prospects couldn't be better - provided he can stay healthy, of course.