Week 12 Injury Review
I am back and better than ever! I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. Week 12 started off with drama with the Ravens at the Steelers game being postponed from Thursday night to Sunday to only then be postponed again to Tuesday night because of COVID-19 concerns. Oh wait, the game was then postponed a third time to Wednesday. The Denver Broncos are down to Kendall Hinton (Who?) at Quarterback against the Saints. In the midst of a crazy COVID-19 week, Week 12 consisted of very few injuries to fantasy relevant players. Here is your Week 12 fantasy injury report.
Dynasty Rankings!
DJ Moore, Wide Receiver for Carolina Panthers
DJ Moore was unable to continue after landing awkwardly on his ankle in the end zone during the 4th quarter. It was a non-contact injury that forced Moore to get help off the field. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, the Panthers have a week 13 bye. This means not only will Moore along with the rest of the panthers fantasy options not be available to play this week, it is unlikely any more information will be released about Moore’s ankle until after the bye week. Fantasy managers will be in the dark about his week 14 status. Initial x-rays showed no fractures in the ankle, which was the original worry for Moore. Positive news so far, however, this does not leave out the possibility of Moore missing time. The bye week may help but continue to read practice reports heading into week 14 for DJ Moore’s status.
At this point in time until further news, I expect Moore to miss at least an additional week after the bye week. Curtis Samuel, if not picked up already in leagues, should be owned everywhere. Teddy Bridgewater has been able to sustain multiple fantasy relevant receiving options. Samuel has already been one of those fantasy relevant receiving options in Carolina and I expect his production to go up even more with Moore out of the lineup. Robby Anderson has been a solid WR2 start so far this year so I expect nothing else to change for him. You start Anderson no matter what. No others as far as depth behind those two options are fantasy options looking forward.
Daniel Jones, Quarterback for New York Giants
Jones was unable to finish Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a hamstring injury. Hamstring injuries are rare for Quarterbacks. Injuries to the hamstring usually come after explosive movements when accelerating. Quarterbacks are not known for such movements so it’s rare to see QB’s injure their hamstrings. Jones tried to play through the injury, however, he was unable to even step into a throw and at that point, it was time for him to hang up the cleats for the rest of the game. Hamstring injuries have kept players out multiple weeks this year already. I expect nothing different from Jones. Expect Jones to miss a handful of games as the Giants continue a playoff push.
Colt McCoy assumes the role of starting quarterback while Jones is sidelined. Jones wasn’t a streaming option at the positions and neither will McCoy. Things get tricky with the receiving options in New York. Evan Engram, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton have all had fantasy relevant games so far this year, even though it has been hard to predict. Fantasy managers have only seen less then a half of the tendencies of Colt McCoy in this offense yet. However, McCoy in the little time he filled in this past did not look competent enough to supply fantasy relevant games for all the receiving options. Engram is a startable option if Jones misses time considering the tight end landscape. Shepard and Slayton will be merely dart throws and can’t be relied upon.
Phillip Lindsay, Running Back for Denver Broncos
Technically the Broncos starting QB this previous game (Lindsay took the first snap at the position), Lindsay hurt his knee Sunday against the Saints. In what was a wild couple of days for the Denver Broncos, Lindsay suffered what is considered to be a mild knee injury. Lindsay’s injury seems to be a slight MCL sprain, giving the team optimism about his recovery. Thoughts around the Broncos facility is that he has a chance to even play in week 13.
The Broncos backfield has been a hit or miss this season so far. Melvin Gordon has looked good when Lindsay’s missed time. If this were the case and Lindsay was unavailable for week 13, Gordon is a start worthy option at the running back position. With both Lindsay and Gordon being healthy, the tandem has been hard to rely upon. Pay attention to practice reports to see if fantasy managers of Melvin Gordon can start him with confidence.
Josh Jacobs, Running Back for Oakland Raiders
After an unimpressive day on the ground, Josh Jacobs left the game after sustaining an ankle injury. Jacobs has appeared in every game so far this year. This ankle injury has been deemed as a minor ankle sprain, meaning Jacobs has a good chance to play this week. Ankle sprains have shown to not hinder the availability of players. Jacobs I expect to play in week 13 against the New York Jets, however, Jacobs could lose some explosiveness and cutting ability in the ankle. This should not scare fantasy managers away from Jacobs this upcoming week though as the Jets are a favorable matchup for any running back.
If for some reason Jacobs suffers a setback in practice this week and is unable to play, Devontae Booker starts in the backfield for the Raiders. Booker becomes an instant flex option as he will get the majority of the workload against a bad Jets team. I expect Jacobs to play, however, and if he does he is in the RB1 category and Booker can not be played once again. Keep an eye out for the Raiders practice reports for Jacobs availability in week 13.
