Fantasy Football Injury News and Player Notes 12-20-12


Quarterbacks

*-Robert Griffin III practiced again today and it's looking good for him to be able to start this week. However, there is still a chance the team doctors may decide to hold him out one more game just to be sure his knee injury is healed up. Those counting on RG3 would be wise to grab Kirk Cousins as insurance. Cousins looked pretty good last week filling in for Griffin.

*-As expected, Tom Brady returned to practice today after being given yesterday off to rest.


Running Backs

*-Adrian Peterson was held out of practice again today. Officially AP is listed as having an abdominal issue, but given how much of a workhorse he's been the last several games, the Vikings are just giving him as much rest as he needs during the week. He's in no danger of missing week 16 or being limited at all.

*-Maurice Jones-Drew was unable to practice again today. MJD is doing running drills which is an improvement, but he is not considered likely to play week 16. It makes no sense for Jacksonville to make him play week 17, but those aren't my decisions to make. Montell Owens will start and be the featured RB for Jacksonville again this week.

*-Ahmad Bradshaw didn't practice again today and he is considered Questionable for week 16. Bradshaw has played in the past without practicing, but if he doesn't practice tomorrow, I'd say at best he'd be in for an even split with David Wilson this week.

*-Alex Green missed practice again today because of a concussion. While the Packers are still optimistic he'll be able to play this week, if he doesn't practice tomorrow I'd say he isn't going to. DuJuan Harris could end up as the primary RB in that case for the Packers. If you're counting on Green, acquiring Harris as insurance is a smart move.


Wide Receivers

*-Brandon Marshall was limited in practice today because of a minor hamstring issue. Marshall wasn't on yesterday's injury report and while it's not a good thing to ever be added to an injury list during the week, it's not believed to be anything serious and likely the Bears are just being careful with anything that bothers their star WR.

*-Jordy Nelson missed practice again today because of his hamstring injury and he is not expected to play this week.

*-Torrey Smith has been cleared to return to practices and he did so today, but he hasn't been cleared to return to game action yet. It's hoped he gets that clearance tomorrow, but for now he still has to be considered Questionable for week 16 because of the minor concussion he suffered week 15.

*-Brian Hartline and Davone Bess both were held out of practice today. Bess missed last week with a back injury and has yet to practice in two weeks. Hartline practiced in limited fashion yesterday and it's unknown if he suffered any setbacks and couldn't practice today or if Miami was just giving him a day of rest. You'd have to be desperate to be considering a Miami WR in Championship week anyway.


Tight Ends

*-Another limited practice today for New England's Rob Gronkowski. Gronk is not expected to play week 16 but could return in week 17. Aaron Hernandez was also limited and likely to be listed as Questionable as well on the injury report but unlike Gronk, Hernandez is going to play.

*-Brandon Pettigrew missed practice again today because of his ankle injury. He isn't going to play week 16.

*-Scott Chandler practiced today after missing yesterday with a groin injury. He's expected to be fine for week 16.

*-Tony Moeaki also missed practice again today and while the Chiefs refuse to say for sure that his "head" injury is a concussion, all media speculation is that it is and that he won't play this week.

*-Dustin Keller is also expected to sit out week 16 because of his ankle injury. The Jets really should just end his season and place him on injured reserve.

*-Philadelphia signed former Seattle and Cleveland TE Evan Moore today. Moore replaces Clay Harbor as the backup to Brent Celek.


Kickers

*-After getting in a limited practice yesterday, Cincinnati's Mike Nugent was unable to practice today because of his calf injury. I doubt Nugent will play week 16 and fully expect Josh Brown to kick for the Bengals this week. Possibly next week as well.