The Dynasty Doctor: Week Twelve Injury Report

Scott Peak Posted On November 26, 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.

Matt Forte, RB CHI

Forte injured his right knee on a tackle by St. Louis Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree in the fourth quarter. His right leg was planted and twisted as he was brought to the ground. His leg did appear to extend on the play, but the injury didn’t look like a severe hyperextension. He was able to return to the game. Head coach Marc Trestman expressed optimism about Forte’s injury after the game. Barring any new updates or setbacks, I think Forte shouldn’t miss much time, if any. Watch his practice participation to gauge when he will return. Chicago gets the Minnesota Vikings defense this week, so hopefully he will be cleared to play. I think that’s likely, but we will see.

Daniel Thomas, RB MIA

Thomas injured his left ankle in a game against the Carolina Panthers. Thomas caught a screen pass and turned upfield. He was dragged down from behind and his left ankle got caught underneath the pile. It was hard to see an exact mechanism of injury, given all the players surrounding him. After the game, he was wearing a walking boot on the left leg, and that’s never a good sign. He told the Dolphins beat writer Omar Kelly that he did not break it. Reports are Thomas may be out for the year with torn ligaments in his ankle. Lamar Miller stands to benefit the most and Mike Gillislee could get a look for the first time in 2013.

Jason Campbell, QB CLE

Campbell sustained a concussion in the third quarter and did not return. Steelers cornerback William Gay appeared to strike Campbell in the head with his left arm and Campbell was clearly dazed. Campbell will be enrolled in the NFL Concussion Protocol and will need to demonstrate resolution of symptoms, advance through sports-specific activities and be cleared by his medical team. Whether or not he returns to play next week against the Jacksonville Jaguars remains to be seen. Brandon Weeden is next in line for that juicy match-up.

Ryan Mathews, RB SD

Mathews aggravated a hamstring injury originally sustained in a week 10 game against the Denver Broncos. Hamstring injuries are a common re-injury, with 16 to 34% of hamstring injuries returning. Mild strains can take 3 to 7 days to resolve, and more significant strains can take 3 to 6 weeks or longer to achieve sufficient recovery for a return to play. Ronnie Brown will likely get more carries if Mathews misses time, and Danny Woodhead could get more touches as well. Given the emergency of Woodhead (6 rushes for 25 yards, 4 receptions for 45 yards and two touchdowns), his value will continue to grow if Mathews is out.

Zac Stacy, RB STL

Stacy was diagnosed with a concussion and removed from the game at the end of the second quarter. There is no clear mechanism of injury, and on his last carry he was tackled in a pile-up of players. Whether or not he sustained the injury on his last carry is unclear, but he presumably had symptoms of a head injury necessitating his removal from the game. Per NFL Concussion Protocol, he will need to have symptoms resolve, advance sports-specific activity and be cleared by his medical team. Whether or not he can play next week against a tough San Francisco defense remains to be determined. Benny Cunningham replaced Stacy and had a nice game (13 carries, 109 yards, one touchdown). It helps that Cunningham played against a Bears defense that is terrible against the run. The Rams will face a San Francisco defense that is fifth in the NFL against the run and has not allowed a 100 yard rusher all year. Expectations for the Rams rushing attack should be tempered next week.

Knowshon Moreno, RB DEN

Moreno had a huge night for the Broncos (37 carries, 224 yards, 1 reception for 6 yards and 1 touchdown), but unfortunately injured his right leg in the process. He was wearing a walking boot on his right leg and on crutches after the game. He was later diagnosed with a bone bruise. Moreno has a history of injuries and has not played a full season since his rookie year in 2009. Montee Ball may get a shot at redemption, but he lost a fumble. C.J. Anderson could be in line for more playing time. It’s tough to guess who will emerge, but I’d guess it will be Ball who benefits. Ball has been playing more snaps since week 8, and Ronnie Hillman remains banished in the Denver doghouse. Moreno shouldn’t be out long with this injury but his availability in week 13 is in question.

Darrelle Revis, CB TB

Revis sustained a groin injury and was unable to return. Calvin Johnson had a solid performance (7 receptions for 115 yards). Depending on the severity of injury, groin strains can take 2 to 6 weeks to heal. Tampa Bay’s 21st ranked pass defense takes a hit if Revis misses time. This isn’t a hit for IDP owners, as Revis is not a starter in this format. However, Tampa Bay gets Carolina, Buffalo, San Francisco and St. Louis weeks 13 to 16. If Revis misses time, passing offenses playing the Buccaneers get a boost.

Tamba Hali, LB KC

Hali injured his left foot while rushing the quarterback. The injury is described as an ankle sprain, although he did not appear to roll his ankle on the play. He planted his foot in the ground and favored it after the play was over. The mechanism did not look like a high-ankle sprain. There has been no mention of a plantar fascia injury or foot sprain. The injury mechanism did not appear to be serious. Hopefully Hali won’t miss too much time, as he has been a force this year, especially for big-play IDP formats (28 solo tackles, 34 total tackles, 10 sacks, 1 interception, 1 touchdown and 1 pass defensed). Initial reports are a mild ankle sprain and his MRI was unremarkable. His availability this week is uncertain, but it looks like he won’t miss much time from it. Pay attention to when he is cleared to resume practicing.

Justin Houston, LB KC

Houston took a shot to his right elbow from a Kansas City defensive back and was diagnosed with a subluxation. A subluxation is a fancy term for a partial dislocation. Healing time will depend on how extensive the damage has been in the elbow joint, and whether there is collateral damage to surrounding ligaments. J.J. Watt suffered a dislocated elbow with ligament damage in 2012, missed four games in preseason but was able to play a full 16 regular season games using an elbow brace. Jeremy Kerley has missed two games so far from his elbow dislocation this year. Houston had significant swelling in his elbow that delayed getting an MRI, and that’s concerning. Houston could miss several games with this injury, but we will see how this situation evolves.