The Dynasty Doctor: Week Fifteen Injury Report

Scott Peak

doctorEditor’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.

Victor Cruz, WR NYG

Cruz left the Giants game against the Seahawks after sustaining a concussion. He jumped up high in the air to grab a pass and landed hard, his head slamming against the ground. Cruz reportedly suffered a sprained knee, but I did not see an injury mechanism on that play to explain it. Cruz has been a huge disappointment, with just four touchdowns on the year (none since week four and three came in game one) – that’s one touchdown in the past 13 games for Cruz. The Giants offense is a mess, and quarterback Eli Manning is playing terrible football. Cruz will be enrolled in the NFL Concussion Protocol, will need to have resolution of neurological symptoms, progress through sports-specific activities and be cleared by Giants medical providers before returning to play. The Giants have a nice match-up week 16 against a Detroit secondary that can be beaten. Given how badly the Giants are playing, and in particular Manning, starting Cruz is a risky proposition, especially in leagues with championship games decided in week 16. That’s assuming he is even available to play. Cruz is a nice buy low for 2014 in dynasty formats.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR ARI

Fitzgerald left the game against the Titans with a concussion. He didn’t have an exciting day before the injury, posting six receptions for 49 yards and no touchdowns. After the game, Fitzgerald was reportedly not feeling well, and his status for week 16 is uncertain. He will also be enrolled into the NFL Concussion Protocol, and will need to have resolution of neurological symptoms, advance through sports-specific activities and be cleared by the Cardinals medical staff before returning to action. The Cardinals get an incredibly difficult match-up week 16, playing at Seattle. Fantasy owners might want to look elsewhere, regardless of the concussion.

Adrian Peterson, RB MIN

Peterson was held out of the Vikings game against the Eagles, which was unfortunate for his owners, as the Eagles defense was filled with the Christmas spirit, stuffing Vikings’ stockings with gifts. Peterson reportedly still had pain in his sprained foot. After the game, there was optimism expressed about Peterson possibly playing week 16. The Vikings get a tough Cincinnati defense that is currently fifth-best in the NFL against the run. Still, if Peterson is cleared to play, it’s tough to bench him.

Michael Crabtree, WR SF

Crabtree injured his left hand in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After the game, he said he felt good, and it doesn’t sound like a serious injury. We should await further updates from the Forty Niners. Monitor Crabtree’s ability to practice this week, but it seems like he dodged a serious injury. Crabtree is looking good, recovering from an Achilles tendon injury. He posted five receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown. The Forty Niners have a fantastic match-up week 16 against an Atlanta Falcons defense that ranks 20th in pass defense, and just got abused by a reeling Washington Redskins team featuring the duo of Pierre Garcon (seven receptions, 129 yards and one touchdown) and Kirk Cousins (381 yards passing, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions).

Joe Haden, CB CLE

Haden sustained a hip pointer in a game against the Bears. Hip pointers are painful injuries, but fortunately this injury should not impact him long-term. Still, whether or not he can play week 16 is uncertain. Haden is a valuable player in IDP leagues that require starting cornerbacks, and is a top 10 player at his position (38 solo tackles, 9 assists, 47 total tackles, 4 interceptions, one touchdown and 17 passes defended). The Browns are on the road against the New York Jets week 16. If Haden can’t play, it could be hard to pick a winner on a Jets offense that is lacking in playmakers and struggling at the quarterback position.

If you want more information on hip pointers, check out this article.

James Harrison, LB CIN

Harrison sustained a concussion playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football. He will be enrolled into the NFL Concussion Protocol, will need to have resolution of all neurological symptoms, advance through sports-specific activities and be cleared by the Bengals medical team before returning to play. Losing Harrison should not impact IDP owners, as he is not ranked in the top 100 linebackers for big play or tackle-heavy IDP leagues.

Sean Weatherspoon, LB ATL

Weatherspoon continues a season frustrated by injuries as he left the game against the Redskins with a knee injury. Last week he couldn’t finish the game with a shoulder injury, and missed seven games this year recovering from a Lisfranc sprain. Weatherspoon only has 26 solo tackles, 37 total tackles, 1 interception, 1 touchdown and 2 passes defensed. It’s tough to recommend Weatherspoon as an IDP starter given his recent injury issues and limited production. Hopefully he can rebound in 2014 and become a buy low target in IDP leagues.

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