Week 2 Fantasy Football Injury Report 

We’re only into week two, yet it seems as though injuries to significant players are already starting to shake things up.

Matt Forte owners are the latest to receive some bad news, as the star back went down with an ankle injury during Thursday’s loss to Green Bay. The high ankle sprain may cause Forte to miss anywhere between two and six weeks. Ouch.

How should you approach things with your nicked-up guys this week?

Let’s take a look:

Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams

Redskins

WR Pierre Garcon: Questionable (Foot): Garcon is listed as a game-time decision for Sunday’s matchup with the Rams with a bruised foot. He’s clearly RGIII’s favorite target, however, so if he’s in the lineup, keep him in yours. If he doesn’t go, look for Aldrick Robinson to slide into his place in the starting lineup.

Rams

None

 

New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers

Jets

WR Stephen Hill: Probable (Calf): Hill scored two touchdowns in last week’s blowout win over Buffalo, so his value is clearly on the up-and-up. He’s still a rookie, though, and it may be best to see how Mark Sanchez deals with a much tougher Steelers defense this week before rushing Hill into your lineup on a regular basis.

TE Dustin Keller: Out (Hamstring)

WR Jeremy Kerley: Probable (Back): Kerley had a big week against the Bills, catching a touchdown and returning a punt for another. You likely weren’t starting him anyway, but he may be a nice sleeper as a speedy slot receiver, particularly in PPR formats.

Steelers

RB Jonathan Dywer: Probable (Foot): Dwyer looked good against the Broncos last week, and has likely replaced the ineffective Isaac Redman as Pittsburgh’s primary ball-toter. If he’s active, he’s likely worth a start as an RB2 or flex.

RB Rashard Mendenhall: Doubtful (Knee): Mendy is practicing, but will likely be given at least another week to continue nursing the knee he blew out last season. Keep an eye on his status next week.

 

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers

Titans

WR Kenny Britt: Questionable (Knee): Britt has had three knee procedures in the last year, and will play between 15-25 snaps Sunday in San Diego. It may be best to wait a week before putting him back into your lineup.

QB Jake Locker: Questionable (Shoulder): Locker is likely to be a go, but I wouldn’t recommend using him as your QB1 regardless.

WR Nate Washington: Questionable (Calf): Washington is Locker’s favorite target, but his status is uncertain. If he plays, he’ll be limited, so it may be best to stick him on your bench. With Britt and Washington both questionable, rookie Kendall Wright’s value rises a bit.

RB Javon Ringer: Out (Elb0w)

Chargers

TE Antonio Gates: Questionable (Ribs): If Gates plays, which he probably will, you can’t keep him out. He was targeted eight times last week against Oakland.

RB Ryan Mathews: Questionable (Collarbone): Mathews is finally practicing with full pads, but we’re still not sure if he’ll be given the green light for Sunday. If he does play, it would seem likely for him to get a decent workload, considering the relative ineffectiveness of any other San Diego running back. Keep close tabs.

 

Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins

Raiders

WR Jacoby Ford: Out (Foot)

K Sebastian Janikowski: Probable (Groin): Janikowski will likely play, and is worth a start.

WR Denarius Moore: Probable (Hamstring): Moore will probably play, but will probably be limited. He’s been out since August 4, and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp will likely try to limit his snaps. Keep him out until next week.

Dolphins

RB Daniel Thomas: Out (Concussion)

 

Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers

Lions

WR Calvin Johnson: Probable (Foot): He’s going to play. You’re going to play him.

49ers

WR Ted Ginn, RB Brandon Jacobs: Questionable: They both missed last week’s game against the Packers, but the 49ers didn’t miss them. Don’t even bother.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants

Buccaneers

WR Arrelious Benn: Probable (Knee): Benn missed last week’s win over Carolina with a knee injury, but is expected to play Sunday. However, his role in the offense is severely limited with the acquisition of Vincent Jackson, so pay him no mind unless he randomly explodes (highly unlikely).

RB LeGarrette Blount: Probable (Neck): Blount is expected to play after suffering the injury in last week’s win over the Panthers, but he’s still the backup to Doug Martin, of course. There’s a chance he could get some valuable chances in goal-line situations, but keep him out until we see that that is indeed the case.

Giants

WR Hakeem Nicks: Questionable (Foot): Nicks struggled last week on his injured foot against the Dallas secondary, catching just four passes for 38 yards. He’s still likely to play against the Bucs, but will still likely be hampered a bit. Proceed with caution.

 

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

Saints

WR Devery Henderson: Out (Concussion)

Panthers

WR Steve Smith: Questionable (Knee): Smith was limited in practice but is expected to play after suffering a knee injury last week against the Bucs. If he plays, get him in your lineup.

RB Jonathan Stewart: Questionable (Knee): Stewart is also likely to play, but it’s unclear how he’ll factor in to the crowded Panthers backfield at first. It may be wisest to keep him out and figure out his role before inserting him into your lineup this week.

 

Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots

Cardinals

K Jay Feely: Probable (Back)

QB John Skelton: Doubtful (Ankle): Skelton is expected to sit, making Kevin Kolb the starter again.

RB Chris Wells/Ryan Williams: Probable (Knee): Both Wells and Williams were largely ineffective with limited workloads in the win over the Seahawks in week one, so expect them both to get fairly equal opportunities again this week. This means that you probably shouldn’t have either one higher than your flex spot in the starting lineup.

Patriots

None

 

Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts

Vikings

RB Adrian Peterson: Probable (Knee): Peterson ran for 84 yards with two touchdowns in his surprising return last week. He’s playing this week, and you’re playing him.

Colts

WR Austin Collie: Doubtful (Concussion): Collie is expected to sit out again battling his concussion issues.

WR T.Y. Hilton: Probable (Probable): The speedy Hilton is expected to make his NFL debut Sunday, and it’ll be interesting to see how he’s used in the Indy offense. Doesn’t mean you should risk using him yourself, however.

 

Baltimore Ravens at Philadelphia Eagles

Ravens

None

Eagles

WR Jeremy Maclin: Questionable (Hip): Maclin was limited in practice, but played and played well after suffering the hip injury against Cleveland last week. Expect him to play and be as productive as ever.

WR DeSean Jackson: Questionable (Hamstring): Ditto.

 

Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills

Chiefs

None

Bills

RB Fred Jackson: Out (Knee): C.J. Spiller is your starter.

 

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

Browns

RB Trent Richardson: Probable (Knee): Richardson was ineffective last week, but he was the only Browns player to get a carry. He will play, and should be able to find more room to run this week against Cincy.

Bengals

RB Bernard Scott: Questionable (Hand): BenJarvus Green-Ellis is the starter, anyway.

 

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars

Texans

RB Arian Foster: Probable (Illness): He’ll play.

Jaguars

RB Rashad Jennings: Out (Knee): More carries for MJD.
Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks

Cowboys

WR Miles Austin: Probable (Hamstring): Seems like there’s always something wrong with Miles Austin. He did score last week, but was thrown to just four times against the Giants. WR2 at best, I’d say.

RB DeMarco Murray: Probable (Wrist): He was great last week, and should be great again this week, despite the wrist. Start with confidence.

TE Jason Witten: Probable (Abdomen): Witten shockingly played last week following the spleen injury, and he’s still continuing to heal. I’d still wait to put him into your lineup, assuming you can find a suitable replacement.

Seahawks

RB Marshawn Lynch: Probable (Back): Lynch played on the bad back last week, and will again this week. You have to give him the start.

WR Sidney Rice/Golden Tate: Probable (Knee): Rice caught four passes for 32 yards with a touchdown last week, and is clearly Russell Wilson’s favorite target. He has the potential to be a solid WR 2/3. Tate is further down on the depth chart, so I’d look elsewhere.

 

Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons

Broncos

WR Demaryius Thomas: Thomas has been practicing, so there doesn’t seem to be any reason to hold him out. He was great last week, and Peyton Manning clearly trusts him. Big upside against a suspect Atlanta defense.

Falcons

WR Roddy White: White has been limited, but should play, as well. If he does, he should be able to find some holes in the Broncos secondary with all the attention sure to be drawn by Julio Jones.