By The Hudsonian, Joshua Hudson
I love writing, I do. Of everything I write, this is by far my least favorite column to write. Why? Reporting devastating injuries isn’t exactly the highlight of my week. But fantasy owners need to know. And players can get mad at fans all they want for only caring about how an injury effects their fantasy team. I’m here to say, yes, that’s part of why we’re upset. But fantasy has helped us fall in love with certain players. So when they get hurt, we feel it in more than one way. Just remember that, NFL players, when you start saying we as fans only care about our fantasy teams.
Here are the Week 4 injuries you need to know about:
WR Davante Adams (GB) – Did you see the hit he took from Danny Trevaithan? It’s at the 1:00 mark. Awful. Gut-wrenching. Luckily, Adams was responsive, flashing a thumbs up as he was carted out of the stadium. He apparently was joking around with teammates that came to see him that night. That’s the good news. The bad news? It’s a concussion, so he’s likely to miss at least one game, one would think. But crazier things have happened.
RB Ty Montgomery (GB) – The Packers have not been lucky with injuries this year. Or any year I can remember as a matter of fact. Montgomery left Thursday’s game early with what was reported as broken ribs. Reports suggest who could still play in Week 5. Rib injuries are tricky though. Keep a close eye on this one. His back up, Jamaal Williams, also left with an injury, so third string rookie RB Aaron Jones will be a hot waiver add as a result.
QB Derek Carr (on the ground) suffered a back injury that’s likely to keep him out 2-6 weeks. Do you need a QB now? There’s still good ones on waivers, so be sure to grab one! (Photo from www.sandiegouniontribune.com)
QB Derek Carr (OAK) – Carr went down in the third quarter with what is being reported as a transverse process fracture in his lower back. If that sounds familiar, it should. Both Cam Newton and recently retired Tony Romo both suffered similar injuries in the last few years. Both missed one game apiece as a result. Carr’s injury is being reported as a 2-6 week injury. E.J. Manuel will fill in as starter of the Raiders.
QB Marcus Mariota (TEN) – Mariota suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s loss to the Texans. Matt Cassell came in and effectively stunk up the place. Mariota’s status is officially day-to-day, thus meaning he has a chance to play on Sunday. With both Carr and Mariota iffy, look to pick up QBs like Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Deshaun Watson, and Tyrod Taylor – all owned in less than 50% of leagues.
RB Dalvin Cook (MIN) – This is the backbreaker of the week. Cook suffered a torn ACL against the Lions. Adding insult to injury, he fumbled on the play. Yes, this messes up a lot of our fantasy teams, but I’m a huge fan of Cook’s, and I know the Commish is as well. Club Fantasy wishes Cook a fast and speedy recovery. He’s got a bright future in this league and we wish him nothing but the best. That said, I would look to pick up Latavius Murray over Jerick McKinnon. Yes, even in PPR leagues like Club Fantasy. We’ve been teased by McKinnon throughout the years and he’s shown us much of nothing. Murray has been a top 10 guy, and the Vikings line is creating running lanes. Murray is a great waiver add this week.
Rookie RB Chris Carson has been placed on IR following a broken leg he suffered in Week 4. Can Thomas Rawls, Eddie Lacy, and C.J. Prosise jumpstart a putrid Seahawks running game? (Photo from http://www.seattletimes.com)
RB Chris Carson (SEA) – After being an unlikely starter as a seventh round draft pick, Carson shot into fantasy owners’ hearts as quickly as he’s leaving them. Carson suffered a broken leg, around the area of his ankle. Speaking as someone who’s been taking care of someone who recently suffered a similar injury, this is not a couple week injury. Carson will miss a large chunk, if not the remainder of the season. With Seattle’s running game in shambles, this helps none of us, nor the Seahawks, as Carson was providing them a somewhat respectable performance. If you dropped Thomas Rawls, pick him back up for insurance.
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (NYG) – We all were well aware of OBJ’s ankle injury, but after his breakout performance against the Eagles in Week 3, that was largely put to rest. Then he went and aggravated it Sunday against the Bucs. To make matters worse, he also dislocated his finger. Could he have had a worse game? Luckily, he seems to be fine, but be sure to check back in if anything of these issues arise in future weeks.
WR Julio Jones (ATL) – Jones left Sunday’s game and didn’t return. It appears to be a hip issue. I wouldn’t worry too much about this one as the Falcons have a bye week here in Week 5. But you may need a substitution for him, as well as fellow Falcons WR Mohamed Sanu, who also left the game and didn’t return. Tyler Lockett, Marqise Lee, Allen Hurns, and Devin Funchess are all owned in less the 50% of leagues and could serve as solid bye week fill ins.
RB Paul Perkins should be fine after suffering a rib contusion, but his offensive line sure isn’t. Seriously, can someone rescue this dude from purgatory? (Photo from nydailynews.com)
RB Paul Perkins (NYG) – Perkins left Sunday’s game with a rib injury and did not return. It’s being reported as a rib contusion, not as serious as the rib injury suffered by Ty Montgomery. I know you’re not starting him, and many of you have already dropped him as he’s averaging less than 2 yards per carry. But he is a starting RB in the NFL, so at the very least he belongs on your bench.
WR Jordan Matthews (BUF) – Matthews caught a TD pass in Sunday’s game, and left shortly after that with a thumb injury. The team revealed on Monday that he will require surgery and there’s no timetable for his return. Many of you weren’t starting him, but he is owned in 91% of leagues. I wouldn’t drop him right away until there’s a timetable, but if you need the space, I can’t blame you.
I want to end these columns going forward saying that Club Fantasy wishes all of these players a speedy recovery, not because we as fantasy players need them in our lineups, but because your absence likely hampers your team, and most of all, your families. Get well soon everybody.