The Dynasty Doctor: Week Fifteen Injury Report

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.

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DeMarco Murray, RB DAL

Reports out of Dallas indicate Murray has a fractured fourth metacarpal bone in his left hand. Murray reportedly has had surgery for it, and his availability for week 16 is uncertain. I doubt an athlete can return to play within a week of having surgery for this issue. There has to be sufficient time to allow for swelling to resolve, pain to improve and the wound to properly heal. I would lean towards Murray being out for at least week 16, and that is obviously unfortunate given most championships are decided at that time. Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar could be acquired if available on waivers, and the match-up with Indianapolis is inviting. Still, Randle and Dunbar could theoretically eat into each other’s touches, and taking a chance on either to decide a championship is a risky proposition. I don’t expect this injury to adversely impact Murray’s dynasty value, although his workload and history of injury is of some concern.

Cam Newton, QB CAR

Newton is recovering from two transverse process fractures in his back. Transverse processes are located on the back of the spinal column and do not contribute to stability of the spine. Still, these injuries can be painful, and will continue to hurt until they have healed sufficiently. Athletes can return reasonably fast from these injuries, but I wonder if it is more prudent to shut down Newton for this season. Newton has taken a substantial amount of abuse behind a suspect offensive line this year, and it may be best for him to heal up and get ready for the 2015 season. There is nothing to be gained rushing Newton back, and given there are only two games left in the season, it’s possible we’ve seen the last of him in 2014. This injury does not adversely impact Newton’s dynasty value and I would be a buyer if his asking price has been substantially discounted.

Blake Bortles, QB JAX

Bortles sustained a mid-foot sprain and his availability is in question for week 16. Bortles recovery will depend on the severity of the sprain and whether or not he needs surgery for it. Recovery can take a week or significantly longer, again depending on the severity. Right now, it is unclear how long it will be. I doubt this injury would be severe enough to significantly impact his dynasty value, so I’m still a buyer unless something more ominous is revealed.

Julio Jones, WR ATL

Jones was unable to play week 15 with a hip injury. The injury has been described in a variety of ways – from a hip pointer to a labral injury. No mention of surgery yet and Head Coach Mike Smith expressed optimism about Jones returning week 16. If he has a labral injury, it’s hard for me to imagine him returning within two weeks of the original injury, but I suppose it’s possible. If it is a hip pointer, I think a return week 16 would be more plausible. Monitor Jones’ ability to return to practice this week. Harry Douglas had a big game (10 receptions for 131 yards), so if he is somehow available on waivers, he is a priority addition. As much as I love Jones’ undeniable talent, his propensity for injuries combined with a huge workload by the Falcons has me nervous. If Jones can be traded for top 5-10 start-up value, I’d strongly consider it.

I wrote prior articles on labral tears and hip pointers. If interested, here are the links:

https://dynastyleaguefootball.com/2013/07/26/the-dynasty-doctor-labral-tears/

https://dynastyleaguefootball.com/2013/07/30/the-dynasty-doctor-hip-pointers/

Rashad Jennings, RB NYG

Jennings aggravated his sprained ankle and gave fantasy players one carry for three yards and this performance caps off an injury-marred season that has left fantasy owners frustrated. Hopefully Jennings was left on the bench during the fantasy playoffs and those who started him are feeling frustrated right now. Jennings looked solid the first five weeks, but could only play five more games and could only manage 210 yards on 66 carries (3.2 YPC) and two touchdowns. Jennings cannot stay healthy and is a strong sell in dynasty formats. It’s no lock Jennings will be active week 16, but even if he is, I’d look for other options. Andre Williams had 18 carries for a paltry 44 yards (2.4 YPC), 1 reception for nine yards and no touchdowns, and the Giants get the stout Rams defense week 16.

Keenan Allen, WR SD

Allen was tackled and bent backwards awkwardly and it looked like his right ankle took the brunt of it. The mechanism looked suspicious for a high-ankle sprain. Allen tried to return but was quickly removed from the game. Allen’s availability for week 16 is questionable at best. Those with Allen on fantasy rosters will have to monitor his ability to practice this week, but have a contingency plan in place just in case Allen misses week 16.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB HOU

Fitzpatrick is done for the year with a fractured leg. Tom Savage took over and finished with ten completions for 127 yards and no touchdowns. DeAndre Hopkins finished with a decent stat line – five receptions for 77 yards, but fantasy players were left wanting more. Thad Lewis or Case Keenum may get the call for the Texans week 16, and that is sobering news for fantasy players depending on Arian Foster, Andre Johnson and Hopkins. Benching any of those players is not likely a good option, but expectations for production may need to be tempered, especially for Hopkins and Johnson. Get your Ravens defense cued up for week 16.

Ryan Mathews, RB SD

No surprise here. Mathews was unable to play against the Denver Broncos with an ankle injury. Branden Oliver was the primary running back with 12 carries for 26 yards and no touchdowns, while catching four balls for 44 yards. Oliver was the second-leading receiver for the Chargers and would seem to be the safest bet to start if Mathews can’t go week 16. Mathews will be a free agent in 2015, but might find buyers hard to find given his injury history and free agency competition (Frank Gore, Knowshon Moreno, Mark Ingram, Darren McFadden, DeMarco Murray, Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley, Justin Forsett, Ahmad Bradshaw). I’d rather sell Mathews and take my chances on a younger player in dynasty leagues.

Kendall Wright, WR TEN 

Wright was unable to play with a cracked bone in his hand. The injury will reportedly not require surgery. Details on the injury are scant but it doesn’t sound serious. Wright had a bit of a regression in 2014, with 51 receptions for 633 yards and five touchdowns. Still, the Titans had huge issues at QB and that had to adversely impact Wright’s production. I still like Wright in dynasty formats and he could be available at a discount.

Peyton Manning, QB DEN

Manning missed a few plays with flu-like symptoms and a thigh injury, but managed to play most of the game. Manning had a third-straight game of underwhelming results, with 14 completions for 233 yards and one touchdown against the San Diego Chargers. The Denver Broncos go to Cincinnati next week, and it will be a lot colder than San Diego. In weeks 13 to 15, Manning is barely cracking the top 24, and in some scoring formats, is even worse than a QB2. Bold choices are sometimes necessary to win titles, and fantasy owners might consider other options week 16, as crazy as that sounds. It is fair to wonder if Manning is finally slowing down. Dynasty owners may want to grab Brock Osweiler now and see how this plays out in the off-season.

TY Hilton, WR IND

Hilton had a slight injury to his hamstring and managed only four receptions for 50 yards. The MRI is reportedly negative, so that is good news. Pay attention to Hilton’s ability to practice this week, but news is trending in a good direction.

Frank Gore, RB SF

Gore sustained a concussion against a tough Seattle Seahawks defense. He will be enrolled into the NFL concussion protocol and will need to be cleared by his medical team before returning to play. Gore scored a touchdown but had just 29 yards rushing on 11 carries. Carlos Hyde had 55 yards on six carries, but injured his back. Hyde reportedly felt his injuries were minor; if so, Hyde could be worth a start if Gore misses the game. San Francisco gets a San Diego defense that is solid but not spectacular in run defense.

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