Which five injuries should fantasy football owners be keeping an eye on heading into Week 1 of the NFL season?
When the Friday practice reports and injury reports hit the news cycle, fantasy football owners start to pay serious attention to the chances of their players missing this week’s action.
In this piece, we give you the low-down on the five biggest fantasy football injuries that could impact your team this week. Even though it is Week 1, a few big names are up-in-the-air, and the fact that the “probable” designation has been stripped from the NFL injury report nomenclature has some more confused than ever.
As always, make sure you have an appropriate contingency plan in place for your star players, and stay glued to the NFL insiders and beat reporters you trust. They’ll be tweeting everything out whenever something pops up on their phones. But with the way injury information is kept secret, many of them will be just as unsure about the final statuses of players who are considered game-time decisions.
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) makes a second quarter touchdown catch in front of Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Rob Gronkowski, TE — New England Patriots
With Tom Brady suspended for four weeks, the New England Patriots most important player is unquestionably Rob Gronkowski. You’d think that the Patriots would be more pressed to play Gronkowski as a result of Brady’s absence, but it appears they may throw Jimmy Garoppolo into the Arizona Cardinals pit without the NFL’s most feared mismatch.
Just recently, two sources told the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe, who has been as plugged-in to the pulse of the Patriots over the years as anyone, that Gronkowski would be expected to play, and it seemed to make sense. Gronk is important, the Cardinals are a fellow Super Bowl contender, and the fact that Gronk kept talking about his status as a coach’s decision appeared to lead to the conclusion that the Patriots were merely being coy (again).
Though we’ve seen players suit up for games after not traveling with the team, those instances are exceptions to the rules. Not only did Gronkowski fail to make the trip to Arizona with the rest of his teammates, but NFL Media’s rising star Courtney Fallon reported that Gronk is not expected to play.
At this point, be prepared to see new tight end Martellus Bennett running as the star man at tight end, because Gronk looks very doubtful. I believe the logic here is that it’s only Week 1, and they want to preserve a player who is of vital importance. Additionally, out-of-conference games carry less future playoff implications, regardless of how good the opponent seems to be. And if the Pats do meet the Cardinals in the playoffs, they may have less intel on defending Gronk.
Nov 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) celebrates after scoring during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. The Broncos won 29-16. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jamaal Charles, RB — Kansas City Chiefs
Though the Kansas City Chiefs have left the door open for Jamaal Charles to carry the rock in Sunday’s rivalry game against the San Diego Chargers, the general consensus has always been that Charles would be held out. This is great news for owners of the underrated Spencer Ware. But any owner of players in the Chiefs offense has probably been paying at least some attention to this injury story.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has conceded that Charles “probably” won’t play and is listed as doubtful. Reid added that the Chiefs will follow a committee approach at running back, so fantasy owners who were holding out some glimmer of hope for Charles to suit up should safely rest him on the bench. Those who own Spencer Ware as a handcuff should be ready to reap rewards. He is the biggest touchdown threat on the roster.
Sep 27, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) catches as Buffalo Bills safety Corey Graham (20) moves in at Sun Life Stadium where Buffalo defeated the Dolphins 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports
DeVante Parker, WR — Miami Dolphins
After flashing near the end of the 2015 season, Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker looked like a pretty good 2016 breakout candidate, particularly due to the head coaching upgrade provided by Adam Gase.
Unfortunately, we won’t get to see the man who is ostensibly the Dolphins best outside threat in action on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Though Parker, as per the Miami Herald’s Adam H. Beasley, finally returned to practice Friday, he is considered unlikely to partake in the Dolphins opener. It’s a perplexing situation, and the ever-astute Doug Moore wonders if Parker is joining fellow 2015 draft pick Jay Ajayi in the doghouse. Ajayi, of course, will be a healthy scratch.
It looks like it’s Leonte Carroo time.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Markus Wheaton, WR — Pittsburgh Steelers
Fantasy owners wondering if Markus Wheaton (17.0 yards per reception last season) can take advantage of the attention Antonio Brown will command, as well as the Washington Redskins shoddy safeties, may have to consider putting their plans on hold.
According to ESPN Pittsburgh’s David Todd, Wheaton’s Week 1 status is “a big question mark.” It continues to sound like he will be a full-blown game-time decision. Todd believes that Wheaton is more likely to sit out this Monday Night Football opener.
If Wheaton misses practice Saturday, fantasy owners should bench him until further notice. If he practices, he should be expected to play.
That said, this is one of those injury cases in which the “last practice” rule isn’t foolproof, meaning owners must check his status before MNF. That’s easier said than done, seeing as how this is the second-to-last game of the week, so Saturday’s practice, barring any breaking reports thereafter, will most likely settle Wheaton’s Week 1 status in the eyes of fantasy owners.
Aug 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Kevin White (13) runs after catch against Denver Broncos free safety Darian Stewart (26) during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin White, WR — Chicago Bears
Former seventh-overall pick Kevin White never got a chance to play a snap as a rookie. Now it looks like we will have to wait at least another week to see the potentially electric wideout catching passes across from star Alshon Jeffery. White’s name appeared on the injury report on Thursday with a hamstring injury, and the Bears are now listing him as questionable.
We know nothing about White’s injury, and even though he has been able to practice, he should be considered a toss-up and a risky play. There’s reward to be had against the Houston Texans pass defense, solely due to its shaky safety situation, but this isn’t exactly a cookie-cutter matchup. Fantasy owners with better alternatives should start them, because White is a game-time decision that might not be worth banking on.
On the other side, Jeffery owners are probably happy, and deep league vultures sitting on Eddie Royal will consider starting the 2015 disappointment.
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