Week 13 Injury Review
What a week! Jets almost (and should have) beat the Las Vegas Raiders. Broncos gave the Super Bowl favorite Kansas City Chiefs all they had on Sunday night. More importantly, another week with minimal injuries noted for key fantasy players heading into the fantasy playoffs. Due to games being played later in the week, the injury report needed to be postponed a day to make sure all relevant players were accounted for. So without further ado, here is your week 13 fantasy football injury report.
Antonio Gibson, Running Back for Washington Football Team
Not that fantasy managers were expecting a huge day for Gibson against the Steelers, it’s unfortunate to see Gibson leave so early in the game. Not only did he get hurt early in the first quarter, he was immediately ruled doubtful to return. Being ruled doubtful so quickly is significant. Usually teams want to leave the door open for an optimistic return to the game. With the doubtful tag, Washington knew immediately this injury was gonna make Gibson miss significant time.
The specifics of the injury is unknown but knowing the mechanism, location and how quickly he was ruled out, it is likely he suffered a turf toe injury. As little as a toe is compared to the rest of your body, toe injuries are incredibly painful. Imagine having pain every single time you take a step on that foot. What is also tricky, even when he officially returns to the lineup, there’s a high risk of reinjury. I would not feel comfortable starting him in his first game back.
J.D. McKissic is the guy to add if he isn’t already added to a roster in your league. After a couple disappointing games for McKissic and huge games for Gibson, McKissic exploded for 10 receptions in Gibson’s absence. Peyton Barber had the majority of the carries among running backs, but in any sort of points per reception league, McKissic is the running back to own in Washington. Since Alex Smith has become the QB for the Washington Football Team, McKissic has seen double digit targets in a game three times. Three times! That’s a dream for any wide receiver, yet alone a running back. McKissic is a start worthy option at the running back position based on his floor receiving targets in the first week of the fantasy playoffs against the San Francisco 49ers.
Frank Gore, Running Back for New York Jets
Believe it or not, in the year of 2020 fantasy managers were starting Frank Gore. Unfortunately, he was ruled out early in week 13’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. What stings even more for Gore managers is seeing the stat line of the other Jets running backs in Gore’s absence. Ty Johnson and Josh Adams combined for 30 carries totaling 178 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Now that’s a nice fantasy day that Gore could have had. However, Gore left just one carry into the game with a concussion. Gore has been placed into concussion protocol, meaning he has to be able to pass through steps without any setbacks to return to the field. Monitor practice reports to see how well Gore progresses through the protocol for his game status on Sunday.
The New York Jets play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, who have only given up 100 yards only twice this year. However, it is clear Head Coach Adam Gase wants to run the ball. Ty Johnson received 22 carries in Gore’s absence. Johnson is a speculative add this week in case Gore misses Sunday’s game. Johnson will receive volume this week. If you need to pick up a high floor, low ceiling running back to slide into your roster, Johnson is your guy if Gore is sidelined. If Frank Gore progresses well and plays Sunday, Johnson is merely a backup and should not be started.
Darrell Henderson, Running Back for Los Angeles Rams
Darrell Henderson left Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals with a knee injury. Luckily, Henderson returned back to the game and finished with 74 total yards and a touchdown. I thought it was significant to bring up Henderson’s name in this injury report because even though Henderson returned to the game, he only saw three carries and three targets. Teammate Cam Akers received 21 carries. That is 21 of 27 total carries for Rams running backs. Akers is talented, fun to watch and now receiving a large chunk of the workload.
Now I don’t expect Henderson to miss any time. However, if he even is marginally limited, the Rams are comfortable leaning on rookie Cam Akers with the full workload. Cam Akers is the running back to own in Los Angeles. Henderson is a desperation play that will unlikely be started as fantasy playoff teams with Henderson more then likely have better options ahead of him.
