The Dynasty Doctor: Week Seven Injury Report

Scott Peak Posted On October 22, 2013

Editor’s Note: Injuries are a huge part of winning and losing each year in fantasy leagues. Staying abreast of the injury situations is key as knowing what to expect from your players health-wise in the short term can help you make educated decisions in managing your team. Lucky for us, we have a Doctor in the house. Dr. Scott Peak is an ABPN board certified neurologist and neuro-oncologist. He is also a dynasty football addict and huge friend of Dynasty League Football. He’s excited to lend his expertise in medicine with hopes he may help the DLF Team and its followers better understand medical conditions and injuries that may impact NFL players and dynasty football owners. If you have a question for The Dynasty Doctor, just click here. Please remember The Dynasty Doctor is geared towards questions regarding medical science, injuries to players and their collective impact in fantasy football. Stay tuned each week as we’ll post his thoughts each and every Tuesday.

Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Wayne sustained a left knee injury in the fourth quarter of the Colts-Broncos game. Wayne was wide open, and his left foot planted in the ground, twisting his knee as he tried to catch a pass from Andrew Luck. It was a non-contact injury, as is a common occurrence for anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Reports out of Indianapolis confirmed a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and Wayne’s season is over. It is incredible that Wayne has not missed a game since 2002. We may not have seen the last of Wayne, given his durability and dedication to his craft, but he will be 35 years old in 2014. Still, it is hard to count out Wayne. The dynasty value for Wayne has bottomed out, and his owners would be best holding onto him if they have a roster spot, or an injured reserve designation. Wayne had 57 targets on 433 snaps this year, so savvy fantasy owners should be on the lookout for potential beneficiaries like T.Y. Hilton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Coby Fleener or even LaVon Brazill. In re-draft leagues, Wayne can be dropped.

Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis Rams

Bradford tore his left anterior cruciate ligament and is done for the year. Bradford was scrambling and his left leg landed awkwardly as he was running out of bounds. He was in obvious pain and needed help getting off the field. The injury looked like a classic valgus mechanism, where the knee bends inward as the lower leg angles outward, and this places more stress on the anterior cruciate ligament. These types of landings are commonly associated with torn anterior cruciate ligaments, and especially with non-contact injuries. St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has committed to Bradford in 2014, and this may have been his best year, as he completed 159 passes for 1,687 yards, 14 touchdowns and just four interceptions in seven games. His quarterback rating of 90.9 is the best in his career. It is not surprising that Fisher has committed to Bradford, given the difficulty in finding a franchise quarterback, but dynasty owners should pay attention to the Rams’ draft in 2014. The 2014 draft may feature several enticing quarterback options depending on how many underclassmen apply for draft eligibility. The Rams play Seattle next week, so pick up the Seahawks defense if available.

Brian Cushing, ILB, Houston Texans

Cushing makes his second appearance in this column, and unfortunately it will be his last in 2013. Cushing sustained a fractured fibula and a torn lateral collateral ligament. This is a big blow for a Houston Texans defense already in free-fall. Cushing was a solid LB2 for his IDP owners this year. This is Cushing’s second major injury since 2012, and he has played only 12 games in two years. While this injury should not impact Cushing long-term, his ability to stay healthy is a concern for dynasty owners.

Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

For the third consecutive week, an elite fantasy football player has sustained a significant injury. Martin sustained a shoulder injury and left the stadium with his arm in a sling. He was unable to return to the game. Martin jumped up to catch a pass from Mike Glennon, was hit in the right shoulder by Atlanta Falcons’ safety William Moore and landed hard on his left shoulder. Initial reports are a torn labrum, and if these reports are accurate, it is difficult to see him playing again in 2013. A torn labrum is commonly treated with surgery, especially for athletes, as surgery helps reduce risk of long-term complications and injury recurrence. Outcomes are good, with most authors reporting 90% of athletes return to play and recurrence of injury is less than 10%. Recovery from surgery typically takes 4 to 8 months, depending on when strength and range of motion return, and pain is no longer an issue. Non-surgical approaches can be used depending on the severity of injury, but surgery is typically favored for professional athletes given the physical requirements of their sport and likelihood of re-injury is higher. Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano seemed to suggest Martin may not be gone for the year, and that injects some uncertainty into the equation. Still, it is hard to trust information given publically by NFL organizations, and Martin owners would be best to consider other options unless more hopeful updates are confirmed. Although running backs take significant abuse on their shoulders, Martin’s dynasty stock is not likely to be hurt much, if at all, by this injury, given good overall outcomes associated with treatment. Mike James is the back-up to Martin, and could be an intriguing option for re-draft and dynasty owners alike.

Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans

The Texans had a rough day with injuries on both sides of the ball. Foster pulled a hamstring, an injury that has been bothersome for him dating back to 2011. Aggravation of hamstring injuries are a common occurrence, with recurrence rates 16 to 34%. Foster felt the injury was minor after the game. Follow Foster’s practice participation this week, given hamstring injuries can linger, as seen with Larry Fitzgerald and Steven Jackson. Hopefully Foster will be back soon, but only time will tell. Foster’s dynasty value has been a hot topic this year, and this injury could drive his price down further. Foster is 27 years old, and has only missed three games since 2010. If his price has dropped enough, he might end up a buy low, compared to other running backs of similar age, like Matt Forte and Marshawn Lynch. Foster should have 2-3 years left of solid production, so dynasty contenders might want to feel out Foster owners for desired trade compensation. Re-draft owners should sit tight with Foster and do not drop him.

Ben Tate, RB, Houston Texans

Foster’s injury leads us to discuss Ben Tate, who apparently has four broken ribs. Ordinarily, Tate would be the beneficiary if Foster’s balky hamstrings keep him out, but Tate’s availability is now in question. For what it’s worth, Tate felt he could play week 8, but most athletes will state such confidence publicly. Keep an eye on Tate’s practice participation, and have other options ready if he cannot play. Tate did manage to gain 50 yards on 15 rushing attempts against a tough Kansas City defense. Then again, avoiding Texans players until further notice may be advised.

Leon Hall, CB, Cincinnati Bengals

Hall suffered a torn Achilles tendon and his season is over. He had torn his Achilles tendon in 2011 on the left side, but this injury occurred on the right side. IDP owners will not likely experience much impact from this injury, as cornerbacks are typically plentiful on the waiver wire, and Hall was outside the top 30 for most scoring formats. The Cincinnati Bengals defense takes a hit in pass coverage. Hall can be dropped in all IDP dynasty formats.

Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears

Cutler sustained a groin injury after getting sacked in the second quarter. He was dragged down and twisted around on the play. His right foot seemed to stick on the ground for a very short time, but the injury mechanism was not obvious. Still, Cutler limped off the field, and appeared to be uncomfortable. MRI scans showed a torn groin muscle, and initial projections are Cutler could miss four weeks or longer. Josh McCown replaced Cutler and played well, completed 14 of 20 passes for 204 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. The Bears are on a bye next week. McCown could provide serviceable production in a Bears offense that currently ranks 13th in passing and 11th overall in the NFL. Cutler’s dynasty value takes a hit, given his recent spate of injuries since 2010. Cutler is a free agent in 2014, and depending whether he stays in the quarterback-friendly offense of Chicago or moves on, he could be an intriguing buy low as a QB2 in 2014 for dynasty owners.

Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay Packers

Finley was carted off the field with a head/neck injury. Cleveland Browns safety Tashaun Gipson hit Finley in the side of the helmet, and was assessed a penalty on the play. This is Finley’s second head injury in 2013, and that should get the attention of his dynasty owners. Fortunately Finley did not seem to lose consciousness, and was moving all extremities as he was taken away by paramedics. Most recent updates have not placed a timetable on Finley’s return, and that is understandable given the significance of his injury. Reports are that Finley suffered a spinal cord contusion, and that is fancy word for a bruise. An MRI should show a spinal cord contusion. It is likely that Finley is looking at missing multiple games. Brandon Bostick is an interesting player to watch for dynasty owners. Andrew Quarless may be first up to replace Finley, but he has a long history of injuries. Finley’s dynasty value is murky right now, and a spinal cord contusion is a serious injury. It is not impossible for NFL players to play again despite such injuries, but given Finley’s lengthy injury history (16 games missed in his career, not including this year) and spotty production, dynasty owners may want to trade him if/when he regains his pre-injury value. His return in 2013 is uncertain.

Nick Foles, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Foles sustained a head injury and was removed from the game against the Dallas Cowboys. Foles had a poor performance against a tough Dallas defense, completing 11 of 29 passes for just 80 yards and no touchdowns. Once a hot waiver wire pick-up, now Foles may get benched by the Eagles and fantasy owners. Hopefully Michael Vick will be back next week. Matt Barkley would go if Vick cannot play, but Barkley did not look much better than Foles (completed 11 of 20 passes, 129 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions).

Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints

Graham sustained a foot injury week 6. There are reports it might have been a mild foot sprain, and his availability in week 8 is questionable. Pay attention to his practice participation this week. Ben Watson could be an option for Graham owners in need of a short-term solution. Watson has played 191 snaps and has 11 targets on the year.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

Johnson did not aggravate his knee injury, and actually looked great week 7. Fantasy owners were understandably nervous about Johnson being inactive week 5 and under-performing week 6, but it is safe to say his knee has recovered after he exploded on the Cincinnati Bengals to the tune of nine receptions, 155 yards and two touchdowns. He also played 71 of 78 snaps. Things are looking up for Johnson, and his owners can smile again.