Week 14 Injury Review
It’s playoff time! It can be both the best time of year along with the worst time of year. Hopefully everyone is healthy and having fun (possibly winning) in their fantasy playoffs this week. Unfortunately, there were some key injuries that may have lost fantasy managers a playoff game this week. It seemed like everyone went down at some point this week and the majority went back into the game. However, some didn’t. The season is coming to an end so here is one of the last fantasy football injury reports of 2020.
Deebo Samuel, Wide Receiver for San Francisco 49ers
Unfortunately this man can not stay off of the injury report. At the beginning of the year, I was telling people to stay away from Deebo Samuel because of his foot injury. Turns out, I wasn’t wrong about staying away from Samuels, however, he never re-injured his foot in the middle of the season. It has been his hamstrings. This is not the first time he has injured his hamstring. The first time, he got hurt in week seven and didn’t return till week 12. This may be the end of the 2020 season for Deebo Samuel.
I don’t expect Samuel to be seen again. Sounds like the 49ers believe the same thing as I do. So what does this mean? Brandon Aiyuk becomes extremely fantasy relevant. We have seen Aiyuk be heavily involved in the San Francisco offense when Deebo isn’t on the field. This includes this past week against Washington where he had 10 receptions for 119 yards on 16 targets. Aiyuk becomes a high upside WR2 play this week along with the rest of the season as he plays Dallas and Cardinals the next two games. Aiyuk can very well win fantasy managers championships with those matchups.
Mike Gesicki, Tight End for Miami Dolphins
After another huge game with Tua throwing the ball, Gesicki was unable to finish the game with a shoulder injury. It looked like Gesicki was in a lot of pain as he walked off the field with the medical staff stabilizing his right arm. He landed awkwardly on his neck and shoulder and never returned to the game. Head coach Brian Flores was quoted on Monday that “It is too early right now” when asked about Gesicki’s injury status. Depending on what the injury diagnosis is will determine his outlook for the rest of the season. Hopefully, x-rays come back negative and the clavicle along with other shoulder structures come back clean. If so, there’s a chance Gesicki suffered a stinger and could possibly return for week 15. However, it is unlikely he will be able to make it in time for week 15. Monitor for reports on further evaluations to see Gesicki’s status.
Gesicki has become one of the more reliable tight end options as of late. It will be a bummer for Gesicki managers if he is unable to play in week two of the fantasy playoffs. Miami has multiple other tight end options who have seen some work in the past, but none can be relied upon in the fantasy playoffs. In reality, it’s Gesicki or bust for the Miami tight ends.
Mike Williams, Wide Receiver for Los Angeles Chargers
Williams missed the majority of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons with a back injury. There is not much information on Williams’ injury, but with the Chargers out of playoff contention, Chargers could be more inclined to sideline Williams until he is 100% healthy. Monitor practice reports to see if Williams can get at least a limited practice in this week. But even if he gets a limited practice it is not a for sure conclusion he will play because the Chargers play Thursday Night Football. We have seen plenty of times before players getting a bit banged up the week before a Thursday Night Football game and miss a week. I expect nothing different from Mike Williams.
Williams missing time doesn’t mean much for fantasy purposes. Keenan Allen is gonna get targeted a ton no matter if Williams plays or not. He is a must start every week and will continue to be that way throughout the playoffs. Most people who are deciding to look at the waiver wire for fantasy wide receiving options to play are in the semi finals. I would not be comfortable starting any of the dart throws at the wide receiver position in Los Angeles. It is Keenan Allen and no one else for me.
Matthew Stafford, Quarterback for Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford is one of the toughest players in the league. The man gets hit as much as any other quarterback in the league and always gets up and continues to play. He wanted to play last year after a legit fracture in his back. This goes to show, when he is down injured and doesn’t return to a game, you know there is something wrong. This is exactly what happened on Sunday.
Late in the game, Stafford scrambled and got twisted/crunched on leaving him in some pain. He walked off under his own power but never returned to the game. Fortunately, x-rays came back negative and Stafford only suffered a rib cartilage injury. Granted, those injuries are incredibly painful with any movement along with breathing. However, Stafford didn’t fracture any of his ribs, leaving the door open for a week 15 return. The Lions have already said they are comfortable playing Stafford without any practice but his status is in doubt against the Tennessee Titans. Stafford has a shot at playing in week 15 but check back in at the end of the week for his game status.
Stafford has been merely a questionable streaming option this year, so no one is relying upon him in their fantasy lineups this week. However, it is very possible playoff managers have been rolling with Marvin Jones and TJ Hockenson. Stafford is important for those who have been playing those players. Matthew Stafford is a significantly better real life quarterback then backup Chase Daniels. Stafford would give Jones and Hockenson more of a chance for big games and make them easily startable in the semi finals of most fantasy playoffs.
