We’ve done the Week 13 start em, sit em, the updated Week 13 rankings, and the Week 13 waiver wire sleeper picks. Now it’s time to turn our attention to the injured players, as we do every Friday.
When Adrian Peterson – the best and most consistent player in fantasy football over the last four years – gets injured, there is no bigger news in the fantasy football world. Thus, we’ll lead off with news about the man they call All Day.
Sadly, there isn’t a whole lot of new news to pin our Week 13 hopes on.
Peterson is set to test the ankle in practice today. He has not practiced yet this week, instead rehabbing and resting the ankle. He says that the pain has gone away and that he feels good, but we won’t know anything definitive until he practices, sees how the ankle responds to cutting, and then how it responds over the next 24 hours.
Keep your eye on this injury leading up to kickoff. The Vikings play early, which is good, and we know that Toby Gerhart is the clear #1 option to replace Peterson, which is also good. If you can nab Gerhart, he’s a solid play against a terrible Buffalo run D if Peterson is out.
Vikings-Bills Injury Updates
In other Vikings injury news, Sidney Rice did not practice Thursday, which is normal as they try not to overwork his hip. He is expected to play, but beware of Rice. He has not done much in two games. I personally want to see some production before I trust him again.
Percy Harvin did not practice on Thursday due to…wait for it…migraines. Can you imagine what Harvin could do if migraines and tender ankles were not constantly forcing him to miss practice time and to be less than 100% on gameday? As usual, you’ll have to track Harvin’s status leading up to kickoff. His talent is so great that he can explode at any time, as you know, so it’s well worth paying attention to.
Bernard Berrian and Greg Lewis are also on the injury report. I really hope that aren’t desperate enough to care.
For the Bills, CJ Spiller is expected to play Sunday. ***crickets.***
Browns-Dolphins Injury Updates
Colt McCoy is still dealing with an ankle injury. The Miami Dolphins’ secondary will be pleased to know that they can pad their interception totals against Jake Delhomme.
Joshua Cribbs continues to miss practice due to dislocated toes in his foot. Not sure why you’d trust him even in a return yards league at this point.
For the Dolphins, Jake Long and Vernon Carey have both been practicing, which is good news for the offense.
Brandon Marshall has been limited in practice as he tries to return from a hamstring issue. Right now, there is nothing definitive out of Dolphins camp regarding whether Marshall will play or not. He’ll likely be a game time decision on Sunday based on how the hammy responds during pre-game warmups.
Jaguars-Titans Injury Updates
David Garrard has a left wrist issue that has been limited him in practice this week. He’s expected to play in Week 13.
Mike Sims-Walker has also been limited in practice. He is expected to play in Week 13, however, after returning last week and getting a decent amount of targets.
Kerry Collins is expected to start for the Titans on Sunday. He took all of the first team reps and should grant Tennessee and much needed reprieve from the rusty Rusty Smith era. This helps all Tennessee WRs.
Speaking of Tennessee WRs, Kenny Britt is practicing but is still limited. He might be able to play this week but will be limited. He’s worth stashing for Weeks 14-16, but remember that he now has Randy Moss competing with him for deep targets.
Broncos-Chiefs Injury Updates
Demaryius Thomas missed practice Thursday with an ankle issue. He shouldn’t be on your team anyway.
The Chiefs have no significant injuries.
Redskins-Giants Injury Updates
Ryan Torain missed practice again on Thursday and may miss Sunday’s game. Even if he plays, I’d give him a week to get going before even considering playing him. On the bright side, Mike Shanahan has expressed being anxious for Torain to return, so it looks like he’ll resume being the top back once healthy.
Donovan McNabb and Santana Moss are both on the injury report, but both have been practicing and are expected to play.
For the Giants, it’s all about the WRs. Steve Smith is at least practicing on a limited basis now. He probably won’t play in Week 13 though, so start thinking more about Week 14 with Smith. Definitely hang onto him for the playoffs though. Hakeem Nicks, however, has not starting running yet, though he is apparently “making progress.” He’s too good to drop so you just have to wait it for now.
Bears-Lions Injury Updates
The Bears do not have any significant injuries.
The Lions do, however, namely at quarterback. Both Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill will be out this week, meaning Drew Stanton takes over. That sound of palms hitting foreheads was Calvin Johnson owners across the country in unison.
Nate Burleson has been limited in practice with a hamstring issue. He guaranteed a Lions win this week though, so you have to think he’ll be out there ready to defend himself.
Jahvid Best has practiced this week and should play Sunday, though he’ll probably split carries with Maurice Morris. Oh, and the matchup isn’t exactly favorable.
49ers-Packers Injury Updates
Frank Gore is out for the year with a hip injury. It doesn’t sound like it’s a Bo Jackson-type hip injury though, so if you own Gore in a keeper league you can step away from the ledge.
Joe Nedney will likely be out again as the 49ers signed Jeff Reed this week.
Brian Westbrook is all the rage this week after he stepped in for Gore in Week 12. And wouldn’t you know it? Westbrook immediately appeared on the injury report. It doesn’t like anything serious though, and I think it’s more a function of the 49ers trying to keep the old man rested.
For Green Bay, Greg Jennings is the only significant offensive player with an injury issue. The stud receiver apparently has felt better each day this week and expects to play Sunday.
Falcons-Buccaneers Injury Updates
Roddy White is practicing in full. He’s good to go for Sunday.
Jason Snelling has not been practicing but still should be able to play on Sunday. He has some value even as a backup.
Cadillac Williams has been limited in practice this week. He’s also the clear backup to LeGarratte Blount now and has very limited value except in deep PPR leagues.
Saints-Bengals Injury Updates
Pierre Thomas is finally back practicing! Yes! And he might even play Sunday! And that’s where the exclamation points stop. Even if PT plays Sunday, don’t start him. Did we learn nothing from Sidney Rice and Vincent Jackson? I’d wait for the guy to prove he’s healthy and productive again before throwing him out there. Plus, in his absence, Chris Ivory hasn’t exactly been terrible, so there is little incentive for the Saints to rush PT back for your playoffs when they’d rather him healthy for their playoffs.
Jeremy Shockey is not on the injury report anymore. He should start this week and resume getting his fair share of touches, but remember that Jimmy Graham is now around to steal some targets.
Terrell Owens did not practice Wednesday but was back on Thursday. He should play this week, though he hasn’t done much in three weeks and faces a tough pass D this week.
Jermaine Gresham is on the injury report but is expected to play this week.
Raiders-Chargers Injury Updates
Bruce Gradkowski is out. Thus, Jason Campbell is in. Oh boy.
Now, let me readjust in my chair, grab a new cup of coffee, and get ready to write about the myriad Chargers’ injuries.
Let’s start out at WR, where Vincent Jackson can go F himself. He hasn’t been practicing this week and is not expected to play. As much as I currently loathe him, VJax still has enough talent and is in the right offense to produce if healthy. I’m fine with you dropping him if you need the roster spot and face a must-win Week 13 (as I did and do), but if you’re already in the playoffs taking a flyer on Jackson isn’t a terrible idea.
I threw up in my mouth a little when I typed that last sentence.
Malcom Floyd continues to deal with a hamstring injury. Considering that he is limited again in practice this week, and has not done much the last two weeks, it is probably wise to downgrade him. He’s not a bad option as a 3rd WR though.
Patrick Crayton did not play last week and has not practiced this week. Looks like he’ll miss another week.
Ryan Mathews will be back in Week 13 after not doing anything the last couple of weeks. Oakland is not good against the run, so Mathews has some value even if Mike Tolbert continues to get the bulk of the work. Speaking of Tolbert, he is on the injury report with a hand malady. He is expected to practice on Friday and play Sunday.
Whew, and I think that’s it.
Oh, wait…that’s right…that Antonio Gates guy.
Gates has not been practicing this week as he deal with injuries to both feet. If he can tolerate the pain on Sunday, he will play. And if he plays, he has value as a top 5 tight end. That is probably how it will go all year. Randy McMichael is still the guy you want as insurance if Gates is a late scratch.
Cowboys-Colts Injury Updates
Dez Bryant has been limited in practice with a back injury. He is expected to play Sunday.
Marion Barber will be out with a calf injury. He also sucks.
Austin Collie, who was taking the fantasy world by storm before a series of injuries killed his momentum, has practiced this week and very well might play Sunday. We won’t know until before game time however. Having Blair White as insurance isn’t a bad thing if you can get him. There is always a risk with Collie re-injuring himself though, so it may be wise to see him get through a game before you trust him.
Joseph Addai remains limited in practice. Even he plays Sunday, he won’t get a full workload and probably shouldn’t be in your lineup. Mike Hart, on the other hand, has practiced in full and might be able to go this week. If so, he has been better than Donald Brown this year and has some value.
Rams-Cardinals Injury Updates
The Rams have no significant injuries this week.
For the Cardinals, other than horribly wounded pride, only Steve Breaston is on the injury report from the offense. He has a knee issue but should play.
Panthers-Seahawks Injury Updates
The Panthers have no injury news of note. Mike Goodson and Jonathan Stewart will split carries again while Jimmy Clausen attempts o look competent. (And against Seattle’s incompetent secondary, he just might.)
For Seattle, it’s all about Big Mike Williams. He hasn’t been practicing this week and will be a game time decision. For my tastes, he doesn’t score enough to warrant waiting on. Having a backup plan ready and consider Williams more for Week 14.
Steelers-Ravens Injury Updates
The big injury for the Steelers is Big Ben Roethlisberger. The Bathroom And Hotel Room Rapist has a broken right foot…or he doens’t. There have been conflicting reports. Either way, he’s expected to start Sunday and has had success against Baltimore’s secondary.
Derrick Mason missed practice Thursday with an illness. If he’s healthy Sunday he’ll obviously play and probably play pretty well. You’ll just have to make sure he’s not blowing chunks during the pregame.
Jets-Patriots Injury Updates
The Jets no injuries of great concern. Jerricho Cotchery has been limited in practice after not playing the last two weeks. The matchup is decent but it’s on Monday night so you can’t really wait on him.
The Patriots have no injury concerns.
**********
* – All injury info courtesy of the official NFL Injury Report and the CBS Sports player pages.
* – For up-to-the-minute injury updates this weekend, follow our friend Will Carroll on Twitter and make sure you read his weekend column before setting your Sunday lineups.