The Dynasty Doctor: Week Eleven Injury Report

Scott Peak Posted On November 19, 2013

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.

LeSean McCoy, RB PHI

McCoy gave his fantasy owners a scare when he was initially thought to have a hamstring injury. McCoy was able to return to the game and was later felt to have suffered from a cramp. He sure gave the Washington Redskins cramps as he carried 20 times for 77 yards, two touchdowns rushing and caught four passes for 73 yards. The Eagles get a week 12 bye, and that’s about the only way to keep McCoy scoreless. A significant injury appears to have been averted, and he will have the bye week to rest.

Adrian Peterson, RB MIN

Peterson expressed some concern over a groin injury that was bothering him during the game against the Seattle Seahawks. He rushed 21 times for 65 yards against a tough Seattle defense. Playing against the Seahawks on the road is no easy task, but if Peterson thinks the injury slowed him down, that demands our attention. Depending on the severity of a groin strain, recovery can take 2 to 6 weeks or longer. Peterson may rest this week, and monitoring his practice participation is a good idea. It sounds like he will try to play against Green Bay this week, so the groin injury appears to be of the lower grade variety.

Julius Thomas, TE DEN

Thomas got hit in the right knee and hyperextended it against the Kansas City Chiefs. He was able to walk off on his own, and briefly returned to the game, but could not finish it. Joel Dreessen took his place. Interim head coach Jack Del Rio called it a sprain. It appears a serious knee injury has been avoided, so that is good news, and he is being called day-to-day. Depending on the severity of a knee sprain, recovery can take 2 to 6 weeks or longer. Hopefully Thomas will be back very soon, but monitor his practice participation and be prepared to insert a replacement if he cannot play week 12.

Michael Crabtree, WR SF

Crabtree is practicing but still on the PUP list. He appears to be getting closer to playing, but will need to be activated no later than November 28^th to the active roster. It is good to hear Crabtree is practicing, but he is returning from a complete Achilles tendon rupture. I doubt he will be useful for owners in re-draft leagues this year, but the time to pick him up is now, if he is still available on waivers. If re-draft owners have an open roster spot, picking up Crabtree could pay dividends if he is able to surprisingly perform well less than a year after an Achilles tendon rupture.

Keenan Allen, WR SD

Allen injured his right knee in the game against the Miami Dolphins. He posted three receptions for 45 yards, which was a bit underwhelming considering his recent success. Injury severity is not yet known. His previous posterior cruciate ligament injury was on his left leg and this is not a re-injury, so that’s good news. Head coach Mike McCoy said Allen would be “fine,” so it looks like his fantasy owners can breathe easier now. Monitor his practice participation and have a replacement ready just in case he is a surprise inactive, but hopefully he will play in week 12.

Jordan Reed, TE WAS

Reed left the game against the Eagles with a concussion. He finished the game with a disappointing 1 catch for 12 yards. He will be enrolled into the NFL Concussion Protocol, and will need to have resolution of symptoms, return to sport-specific activities and be cleared by his medical team before returning. He gets a tough San Francisco defense in week 12 on Monday Night Football. Stay tuned for updates from the team and watch for Reed’s return to practice. Vernon Davis and Darren Sproles recently returned the following week after a concussion, so it is possible that Reed could make it back week 12. Time will tell. It may be risky to wait on Reed, as he plays on Monday Night Football and it is difficult to rely on Logan Paulsen or Fred Davis. Hopefully we will get good news towards the end of the week on Reed.

Wes Welker, WR DEN

Welker left the game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a head injury. He was evaluated for a concussion. He took a hard shot when he was sandwiched between three Chiefs defenders, and almost fumbled on the play. He will be enrolled into the NFL Concussion Protocol, will need resolution of symptoms, demonstrate no new symptoms with advanced sports activity, and be cleared by the Broncos medical team before he can play again. He gets to play his old team in week 12, the New England Patriots, and there is no question he wants this game badly. Whether or not he gets to play remains to be determined.

Emmanuel Sanders, WR PIT

Sanders left the game against the Detroit Lions after an injury to his right foot. No word yet on the severity of the injury, but Markus Wheaton stepped up with three receptions for 38 yards. Wheaton is a talented rookie with speed to burn, and if Sanders misses much time, this could be a great opportunity for him. Jerricho Cotchery may be a beneficiary, but Wheaton is the wild card.

Joique Bell, RB DET

Bell sustained an ankle injury and it was later described as “tendinitis.” It is not clear if this is an ankle tendon issue or Achilles tendonitis. Bell has been battling this issue recently, and has been able to play through it. Head coach Jim Schwartz (who is not exactly the most willing to share injury news) said Bell was cleared to return to the game. Schwartz also felt it was not a Lisfranc injury, so that is great news. We will see if Bell is able to practice and await further updates from the team. It doesn’t sound like a serious injury.

Jermaine Kearse, WR SEA

Kearse had a disappointing day with no catches and gave his owners a goose-egg in the scoring column. Kearse sustained a concussion and was removed from the game. As with Reed and Welker, he will be enrolled into the NFL Concussion Protocol, will need to have complete resolution of symptoms, advance sport-specific activities and get cleared by his medical team before he can play again. Kearse had been coming on of late, with five receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns the past two weeks. Percy Harvin is back in the lineup, and Kearse may not see as many opportunities. Still, with Golden Tate a free agent and Sidney Rice recovering from a serious injury, Kearse is a great addition to any dynasty roster.