Brett Favre is injured everyone. Seriously.
What? You hadn’t heard yet? Yeah, he’s got a bum ankle. He’s been in a walking boot all week. Hasn’t practiced. The streak – the streak – is in jeopardy.
Look, let’s just get the Brett Favre portion of this injury update out of the way right off the bat. I will believe that Brett Favre is not going to start on Sunday when Tarvaris Jackson is under center and has taken the first snap of the game. Until then, I don’t care if practices or doesn’t practice. I don’t care if he says he’s going to play or not. I don’t care if Brad Childress says Favre will play or not.
If we’ve learned one thing from all of the Favre nonsense over the past few years, it’s this: no matter what, when the issue is Brett Favre playing football, expect him to play. That’s it, it’s that simple.
When you can find me one, just one, example of the opposite being true, then we’ll talk. Until then, you simply have to assume he’ll play – the only debate is over how well he’ll play. For the record, I have Favre ranked #21 in this week’s player rankings.
So there’s your Brett Favre injury update. Now onto all of the other Week 8 injury updates for all fantasy-relevant offensive players.
In San Diego, the injury report is still filled up with pass catchers. Antonio Gates has not been practicing because of his toe injury. But like Brett Favre, I’ll believe Gates won’t play when he’s listed as inactive, not before. Furthermore, if and when he plays, you have to start him. Last week he had 4 receptions and 50 yards with a TD on one foot. He’s amazing.
Malcom Floyd, however, is not quite so amazing, at least in terms of getting on the field. It looks like he’ll miss another week as he tries to battle back from a hamstring injury. Buster Davis had a nice Week 7 helping to fill in for Floyd, but has a rib injury of his own. He has yet to practice this week, so you’ll need to monitor his situation. The same is true for the still-injured Legedu Naanee. If either Naanee or Davis play, they are solid options because of the offense they’re in.
It looks like DeAngelo Williams will probably be a game time decision as he tries to recover from his own foot injury. He hasn’t practiced yet this week. Check to see if he practices today. If he doesn’t it’s doubtful he’d play Sunday, and it’s not like he’s been putting up great numbers when healthy anyway.
Steven Jackson has a finger injury that required surgery earlier this week. It has caused him to miss practice all week. But you know what? Steven Jackson is a football player, which means he’s not like the rest of us. Surgery? Pfft. I’ll be out there! I can’t confirm that Jackson used that exact phrasing, but he has said that he’ll play this weekend.
Joseph Addai remains out for the Colts with a neck injury. He could miss a few weeks. Similarly, Austin Collie is out after have surgery on his hand. He will also likely miss a few weeks.
Stepping in for Addai will be, well, we’re not quite sure yet. Donald Brown is supposed to be the guy, but he continues to be slowed by a hamstring injury and still hasn’t practiced. WTF Donald!? The problem here is that the Colts play Monday night, so you need to know who is starting for them Sunday or use an alternative. The best case would be for you to snatch up Mike Hart and then just start whoever ends up playing. At this point, Hart is a decent guy to have with the inability of Addai and Brown to stay healthy.
Stepping in for Austin Collie could be Anthony Gonzalez, another guy who hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Gonzo has practiced all week and should play. How well? Who knows. We haven’t seen him on the field in a while.
Concerning me as I go through the injury report is that Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon, my top two WRs for Week 8 thanks to the matchup versus the Texans, are both on there with hamstring injuries. Garcon did not practice Thursday. Wayne practiced some. Both are expected to play, so I wouldn’t worry about it too much. With the injuries the Colts have had, look for Peyton Manning to lean on these two guys heavily against a Texans’ pass D that is simply awful.
Carson Palmer has not been practicing because of a hip issue. He is expected to play Sunday against the Dolphins, and should have another solid day. He’ll be throwing to Terrell Owens who is on the injury report but also expected to play.
Eddie Royal has been limited in practice this week with his groin issue, but the Broncos took him to London with them. He was limited last week also but played in the game. He has not, however, been very productive recently. So while he’ll likely play, I’d temper my expectations.
Vernon Davis hasn’t been practicing this week because of an ankle malady, but he is expected to play. He’ll have a new quarterback because Alex Smith is definitely out. Troy Smith is in.
David Garrard was cleared to play at the beginning of the week after suffering a concussion two weeks ago. He’s back and will start against the Cowboys.
Tony Romo will not start this week or any week. He’s out with a broken clavicle.
Dez Bryant is on the injury report again, but he’s been practicing. Play him.
Dexter McCluster has the dreaded high ankle sprain and will likely be out a few weeks. Bench him for now, if you were planning to play him at all anyway.
Chris Cooley is on the injury report but is fine. He could be in line for a very big week against Detroit. His quarterback Donovan McNabb could also be in line for a big day, which would be his first big day of the season. McNabb has been limited in practice with a hamstring issue but he is expected to play.
Jahvid Best continues to deal with the toe injury that has been hobbling him for a while. He has only been a limited practice participant but all reports indicate that the toe is getting better. He’s a solid play this week, and he’ll have his quarterback Matthew Stafford back. He’s been out since Week 1 with a shoulder injury.
Donald Driver is still hobbled by a quad injury. He’s expected to play Sunday, but he only has 10 catches over the last four games. Also, Darrelle Revis is back for the Jets, which should improve their surprisingly porous (to date) pass defense.
Vince Young is back and will start against the Chargers on Sunday. Keep in mind though, San Diego has a very good defense statistically, and they better at home. Chris Johnson is on the injury report, but he’ll be fine for Sunday. He’s been practicing all week.
Deion Branch has been limited in practice but should play Sunday.
LeGarrette Blount miss practice on Thursday with an illness, but is expected to play and see an increased role in Week 8.
Steve Breaston and Early Doucet made their returns to the lineup last week and should be in there again despite still being on the injury report. Max Hall has practiced fully after being knocked out of last week’s game early. He’ll start.
Louis Murphy will not start this week and could be out for a little while with a bruised lung…which just sounds ominous. That stinks because Murphy has a nice rapport with Bruce Gradkowski, who should be back in the starting lineup soon, perhaps as soon as this week against Seattle.
Neither Reggie Bush nor Pierre Thomas has been practicing this week. Even if they are miraculously ready to go by Sunday night, I wouldn’t play either against Pittsburgh.
Andre Johnson is still on the injury report with his ankle issue. He’s fine. He’ll play.
* – Injury update info sources: Official NFL injury report and CBS Sports fantasy player pages.