The Dynasty Doctor: Week Sixteen 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.

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Johnny Manziel, QB CLE

Manziel injured a hamstring and is out for the season. It looks like Manziel sustained the injury while scrambling to the sidelines, then took a hard hit from Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly. No reports on the severity, but shutting him down with one game left in the 2014 season makes sense. I don’t think the injured hamstring adversely impacts his dynasty value.

I’m not a believer in Manziel as a dynasty asset. In college, I saw a player who took a lot of chances by throwing balls up for grabs and a player who was bailed out by athletic receivers like Mike Evans. Manziel made similar ill-advised throws last week, including a terrible pass that got intercepted in the red-zone. I don’t think Manziel will change his playing style and I don’t think it is suited for the NFL game. Manziel is a rookie and it might be unfair to give up on him based on limited action in the NFL. Still, I was never a believer to begin with, and I’m not looking to acquire him in dynasty. He’s probably a hold at this point, as his value is ticking downward given his poor but limited 2014 performance.

Julio Jones, WR ATL

Jones was active and had a solid game for the Falcons, finishing with seven receptions for 107 yards. The injury is now being described as an oblique strain, and not a hip pointer or labral injury. The Falcons aren’t generous with injury details, so we should take whatever is said with a grain of salt. Still, an oblique strain is a more plausible injury that would allow for his return to play in a two week time period. It is an issue of pain control and tolerance. Jones didn’t appear to aggravate the injury, and seems like a good bet to play in week 17. No long-term issues from this injury should impact his dynasty value, although his list of injuries does seem to be adding up, and I’m a seller of Jones if top 10 start-up value is offered.

DeMarco Murray, RB DAL

Murray was able to play, but appeared to be limited by his surgically repaired metacarpal injury, as expected. Murray wasn’t a factor as a receiver, and rushed for 58 yards and a touchdown. Murray would seem to be a good bet to play week 17, although he would be at risk for an early exit depending on game flow. Still, if he is active, chances are he is in your lineup. I don’t think this injury adversely impacts his dynasty value.

Jimmy Clausen, QB CHI

Clausen started at quarterback for the Bears after Jay Cutler was benched by Head Coach Marc Trestman. Clausen performed better than expectations, which were at a very low level. He completed 23 passes for 181 yards and posted two touchdowns with one interception. Not bad. Alshon Jeffery, Marquess Wilson and Matt Forte still had productive fantasy days, so disaster was averted. Unfortunately, Clausen was concussed and he is out week 17, so Cutler gets his job back for one more week. Clausen has very little if any dynasty value, even in 2QB leagues. The real dynasty value hit is with Cutler and his future is murky at this time.

TY Hilton, WR IND

Hilton was sidelined with a hamstring injury. The severity appears to be minor, as he is expected to play week 17. Still, monitor Hilton’s practice participation before inserting him into line-ups week 17. It might not be worthwhile to risk further injury, as that could keep Hilton out deeper into the playoffs. I’m not worried about this injury adversely impacting his dynasty value, and he is a strong buy for me.

Steven Jackson, RB ATL

Jackson sustained a quadriceps strain, but is reportedly expected to play week 17. No word yet from Atlanta, but their track record in reporting injury information isn’t stellar (see Julio Jones). Jackson has a long history of soft tissue injuries, including to his quadriceps muscle. Jackson could very well play week 17, but we’ve heard this many times in the past. Monitor Jackson’s practice participation and be ready just in case he sits out week 17. Jackson’s dynasty value is fading fast and his role with Atlanta in 2015 is uncertain at this time.

Jermaine Kearse, WR SEA

Kearse sustained a hamstring injury, the severity of which might keep him from playing week 17. He had been quietly emerging as a dynasty asset in 2014. Kearse isn’t a reliable starting option, but as a bench player or emergency plug-in, fantasy players could do worse. I think Kearse is worth adding in deeper dynasty leagues if available on waiver wires. The Seahawks passing offense is not reliable for fantasy production, but taking a flier on Kearse could be worthwhile if that changes in 2015. Paul Richardson is worth watching for dynasty owners if Kearse misses time.

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