The Dynasty Doctor: Week Twelve Injury Report

Scott Peak Posted On November 25, 2014

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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.

Ryan Mathews, RB SD

Mathews on an injury report is familiar territory. He exited with a shoulder injury, but was able to return to the game. He had a productive day against a tough Rams defense, finishing with 12 rushes for 105 yards, one rushing touchdown and two receptions for eight yards. Branden Oliver replaced Mathews and didn’t fair well, rushing six times for 17 yards, and two receptions for 20 yards. Mathews seems to have dodged a bullet, and his owners are used to weekly injury scares. Mathews is a strong sell in dynasty formats, but getting RB2 value might be difficult.

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Ryan Mallett, QB HOU

Mallett sustained a pectoral tear and is out for the season. The injury is on the right side, his throwing shoulder. There are several muscles in the shoulder, arm and chest that contribute to throwing motion and strength. How much this injury impacts Mallett’s arm strength and throwing motion remains to be seen, but it’s a concern. Mallett finished 2014 with 41 completions, 54% completion percentage, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Not horrible numbers, but certainly not ideal considering he is a free agent in 2015 with two starts on his curriculum vitae. Mallett’s value is nearly gone in dynasty formats, and he might be worth rostering in 2QB super-flex leagues but that’s about it. Tom Savage could get his shot, and that can’t be comforting to owners of Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins. Now might be a great time to send out offers for Hopkins, as contending teams might be willing to move him for a title shot this year.

Jace Amaro, TE NYJ

A head injury ended Amaro’s evening and he may be enrolled into the NFL concussion protocol. This shouldn’t impact owners this season, as Amaro has been non-existent since week eight, with just two receptions for six yards and a touchdown. Amaro does have a history of concussions dating back to college, with back-to-back head injuries against Kansas State and Baylor (junior year). I’m not too concerned yet, in terms of his dynasty value. The level of concern will become clear in how long it takes him to clear the NFL concussion protocol.

Arian Foster, RB HOU

Foster was inactive this weekend with a groin injury. He has been dominant when healthy, but that’s only happened eight games in 2014. Houston concludes the fantasy season with games against Tennessee, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Baltimore and Jacksonville. That’s a fairly enticing schedule if Foster can return this year. Still, Foster’s dynasty value is dropping weekly and at this point it’s hard to rely on him. Per spotrac, if the Texans cut Foster in 2015, they would save $4 million, with $5 million as dead money. It will be interesting to see how this situation plays out, but I wonder if the 2015 Texans starting running back isn’t yet on this roster.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR ARI

As we discussed last week, it was a bit optimistic to expect Fitzgerald to suit up with a grade two MCL sprain. He’s a tough player, but grade 2 MCL sprains can take several weeks to recover. Rashad Jennings missed five weeks and Ryan Mathews missed nine weeks with MCL sprains. Fitzgerald could return sooner than expected, but given we are approaching the fantasy playoffs, it might be hard to count on him this year. Fitzgerald will be 32 years old next year, and hasn’t had a 1000 yard season since 2011. The fall-off has been precipitous, and we might have seen the last of Fitzgerald’s greatness. I’m not looking to acquire Fitzgerald in dynasty leagues.

Marshawn Lynch, RB SEA

Lynch has been battling a back injury, described as “tightness.” The specific injury resulting in tightness is unclear, but back injuries in 28-year old running backs are a concern (see Arian Foster). I wouldn’t run for the exits quite yet with Lynch, but this is a red flag for his dynasty value. Seattle has a brutal schedule to finish off 2014, with games against San Francisco and Arizona weeks 15 and 16. Lynch owners might be wise to sell him now if the price is right.

Muhammad Wilkerson, DL NYJ

Wilkerson injured his toe against the Bills and was unable to continue playing. This is an injury to monitor in IDP formats, as Wilkerson is a top ten defensive lineman in tackle-heavy and big-play scoring leagues. Hopefully we will get more updates soon, but monitor his practice participation this week. The Jets play on Monday Night Football so Wilkerson will have an extra day to recover.

Taushan Gipson, S CLE

Gipson tore his MCL and is done for the 2014 fantasy season. Gipson is a top 5 safety in IDP formats, both big-play and tackle-heavy, so this stings. Safeties can be found on waivers, and Gipson’s owners will have to look elsewhere. This shouldn’t adversely impact his career, and his dynasty value remains stable.

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