Fantasy Football Injury News and Player Notes 12-13-12


Quarterbacks

*-Robert Griffin III was able to practice in limited fashion again today, but the Redskins say he is going to be a game time decision for week 15 because of his knee sprain.  All signs point to RG3 playing, but it's likely we won't know for sure until Sunday.

*-Jay Cutler was able to practice in limited fashion today. Cutler's neck is probably sore but he's looking like he will play week 15.


Running Backs

*-Adrian Peterson was held out of practice today. AP was limited yesterday with what was listed as an abdominal injury. It's likely the Vikings were just giving AP today off instead of giving him yesterday off. I have no concerns about his status for this week and he is the #1 fantasy RB play.

*-Ahmad Bradshaw was unable to practice again today and he is sounding unlikely to be able to play week 15. He hasn't been ruled out yet though. I expect he's going to be listed as Questionable on Friday's injury report and considered a game time decision. Either way, this just gives greater credence to my belief that David Wilson is going to be the primary RB and a solid fantasy RB play this week against a weak Atlanta run defense.

*-Chris Johnson was held out of practice today because of an ankle injury. It's believed to be minor though and Johnson is expected to practice tomorrow and be fine for Monday night.

*-Ray Rice got thru another limited practice today despite his hip injury. This is a good sign that he will be able to play week 15 without any issues.

*-Bilal Powell's status for Monday night is in question now after it was revealed that he has a fractured toe injury. While the Jets think he may be able to play thru it, I would imagine that his recent near equal time share with Shonn Greene would skew back in favor of Greene this week. For some reason I think a broken toe and running are a poor combo. Keep Powell benched and upgrade Greene some this week.

*-Still no practice for Jonathan Stewart because of his ankle injuries. He isn't going to play this week. DeAngelo Williams will be the Panthers primary RB this week.

*-Michael Bush didn't practice again today because of a lingering ribs injury. Bush went thru this routine last week where he only practiced on Friday and was active. But his offensive role has decreased and he is not a fantasy consideration.

*-Ronnie Brown has been missing practices this week because of a hamstring injury. If he can't play, Jackie Battle and Curtis Brinkley would likely split time behind Ryan Mathews. Maybe Mathews actually gets more involved and makes a better than mediocre fantasy play too.

*-As expected, both the Rams Steven Jackson and the Cowboys DeMarco Murray returned to practices today and both are going to be fine for week 15.


Wide Receivers

*-Roddy White missed practice again today because of his knee issue and he is shaping up to be Questionable on the injury report and considered a game time decision. White has never missed a game in his career and while he may not practice at all this week, I do expect he will be able to play this weekend. But he could be limited some though.

*-Dez Bryant took part in a limited practice today and while he's likely to be listed as Questionable come Friday, I expect he is going to play. Bryant has vowed to play despite his fractured finger injury.

*-Hakeem Nicks was able to practice in limited fashion today after missing yesterday's practice with soreness on the knee injury that has plagued him all season. While Nicks likely will be listed as Questionable I expect he'll start and be fine this week.

*-Jordy Nelson didn't practice again today because of his hamstring injury and he is looking very doubtful to play week 15. Plan on keeping Nelson benched this week.

*-While Cecil Shorts has been medically cleared to return to game action week 15, there is a chance he may decide to sit out this week as a precaution. Shorts suffered a concussion in week 13 and missed last week's game. With so many players having issues with concussions this season, Shorts says he wants to be smart when it comes to his health.

*-Sidney Rice was unable to practice again today because of his foot injury. His status right now has to be considered questionable and he makes an extremely risky fantasy play.

*-Brandon LaFell didn't practice again today and he is sounding like he will miss this week because of his turf toe injury. On the plus side for Carolina Louis Murphy was able to practice some after missing yesterday because of his hamstring injury. Murphy isn't a fantasy consideration though.

*-Danny Amendola was limited again today and he's shaping up to be a game time decision for St. Louis for the 4th week in a row. Even if active, you'd have to be desperate to put your fantasy fate in the hands of a guy who probably will be severely limited with a foot injury; if he plays.

*-Davone Bess missed practice today because of a back injury. Bess was expected to return today after sitting out yesterday's practice but now that it has been two days in a row, he has to be considered questionable to play for Miami this week.

*-Mario Manningham was able to practice in limited fashion again today and while it's not a sure thing, he looks like he'll play this week despite a shoulder injury. But he's hard to trust as a fantasy play.

*-I hate wasting time on mentioning that both Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd have been limited in practices again this week and both are likely to be listed as Questionable on the injury report. But just in case anyone's worrying when they see the "Q" next to their names on their league manager site, don't worry. Just like the last 2 months or so, they'll be fine for this week despite this injury report shenanigans by Bill Belichick.


Tight Ends

*-Despite some optimism earlier in the week that Rob Gronkowski might be able to practice some this week, he hasn't been able to yet and he is highly unlikely to play week 15. Aaron Hernandez has been limited in practices but that's been the norm for Hernandez the last two weeks and he'll be fine to start in your fantasy lineups.

*-Brandon Pettigrew was unable to practice again today because of his ankle injury. Pettigrew is shaping up to be a game time decision at best and even if active probably will be limited. I recommend keeping him on your bench this week.

*-Dustin Keller didn't practice today because of his own ankle injury. Keller has to be deemed questionable at best for Monday night and shouldn't be trusted in fantasy lineups.

*-Kyle Rudolph was limited again today with his shoulder injury but he's fully expected to be fine to play week 15.