The Dynasty Doctor: Week Four Injury Report

Scott Peak

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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.

Michael Crabtree, WR SF 

Crabtree suffered a foot injury and briefly left the game. He was able to return, however, and posted five receptions for 43 yards. Crabtree also led the team with eight targets. Given Crabtree’s history of foot injuries, this raised a few eyebrows, but his return to play was nice to see. Still, if it serves as motivation for a dynasty owner to trade Crabtree for fair market value, it’s worth noting.

Vernon Davis, TE SF

Davis only missed one week, but his return on Sunday was cut short by a back injury. Davis was injured on a tackle when he was bent awkwardly. The injury was described as back spasms. X-rays reportedly negative. It might be time for dynasty owners to think about trading Davis, given his age and recent nagging injuries. He’s still a TE1 if he can stay on the field for 2014.

Cecil Shorts, WR JAX

Shorts sustained another hamstring injury and this looks like an aggravation of a prior injury. Given his long history of hamstring injuries, this is not surprising but nonetheless discouraging. Aggravations of hamstring injuries can be worse than the first one, recovery can take longer. Shorts is a strong sell in dynasty formats. He has all the talent but can’t stay on the field. It owners of Shorts in dynasty can get anything decent of value for him, it’s time to move on.

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Derek Carr, QB OAK

The Raiders lost the game in London to the Miami Dolphins and may have lost their quarterback for a few weeks. Carr sustained a sprained MCL and high-ankle sprain – injuries that could keep him out awhile. Sprained MCLs take 3-6 weeks or longer to recover from and high-ankle sprains can be anywhere from 2-8 weeks if treated conservatively. The Raiders are not a reliable source for fantasy points. Carr should be back and I don’t expect this to hurt his dynasty value. But, Carr won’t have a shot to develop without better talent around him.

Joique Bell, RB DET

Bell sustained a concussion and was removed from the game. Bell will be enrolled into the concussion protocol and will need to have all symptoms resolve, complete all steps of the protocol and be cleared by his medical team before returning to play. 85% of all concussions recover in 7-10 days, so Bell has a shot to play in week five, but pay attention to his practice participation and ability to complete all phases of the protocol before starting him.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB MIN

Bridgewater had a big day, passing for 317 yards and rushing five times for 27 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, Bridgewater injured an ankle, but x-rays are reportedly negative. An MRI was also reportedly negative, and that’s good news, indicating a high-ankle sprain is less likely. MRI scans are fairly good at showing separation of the tibia and fibula typical of high-ankle sprains, so it’s good news that the MRI is negative. It doesn’t sound like Bridgewater will miss much time, but given the Vikings play on a short week, follow his practice participation and make sure he is active for Thursday Night Football before starting him. This doesn’t adversely impact his dynasty value, but savvy owners might try to acquire him now on the news of this injury.

Calvin Johnson, WR DET

Johnson was able to play on Sunday but was hobbled, finishing with two receptions for 12 yards and no touchdowns. Johnson injured his ankle the prior week. No reports on the severity of the injury. In dynasty formats, I think the smart move may be to trade Johnson while he still has elite value. Johnson will turn 30 next year and has a history of lower extremity injuries in recent years. I think his elite valuation in dynasty formats may be at a crossroads and the savvy move might just be to trade him now. I would not trade him for less than his top ten start-up price, but I would trade him straight up for AJ Green right now.

DeAngelo Williams, RB CAR

Williams sustained an ankle injury and is doubtful for week five. Williams has played in just two games this year, with injuries stacking up. Williams’ dynasty value is nearly gone and at this point he’s more of a bench player. Still, with bye weeks hitting fantasy owners now, this injury is not timely. It doesn’t sound severe but Carolina has only called him ‘week to week.’ That’s a nebulous zone and we will have to monitor his practice participation before inserting him into our line-ups.

Mike Evans, WR TB

Evans injured his left groin and looks to be out for a bit. Initial estimates are 2-3 weeks. He had a nice game, finishing with four receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown (seven targets). It doesn’t sound like a long-term injury for him and I don’t expect it to adversely impact his dynasty value. The Tampa Bay offense takes another hit and looks to be a limited source of fantasy points this year.

Brandon Marshall, WR CHI

Marshall aggravated an ankle injury and had an unproductive afternoon (two receptions for 19 yards on six targets). Marshall is a warrior and has only missed five games his entire career – none since 2010. However, it sounds like he might be at risk for missing time, and that might be best for him if he can’t play up to his high standards. Monitor his practice participation and be sure to verify if he is active this week. Marshall may be at risk for missing a game or more, so pay attention to this one. Santonio Holmes may be available on waivers and might be a good add, especially given bye weeks are upon us all.

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB IND

Bradshaw has been enjoying a fine season thus far after being largely an afterthought for fantasy players in the off-season. He injured an ankle this weekend and left the stadium in a walking boot. Given his long history of foot injuries, that is a concern. Still, the prevailing feeling is it’s just a precaution. Fingers crossed that Bradshaw can give it a go on Sunday, but monitor his status throughout the week.

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