The Dynasty Doctor: Week Fourteen Injury Report

Scott Peak

doctorEditor’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.

Rob Gronkowski, TE NE

Tough news for Gronk owners as he got hit low by Cleveland Browns safety T.J. Ward and injured his right knee. An MRI confirmed a torn ACL and MCL, and he is out for the season. The Patriots have placed him on injured reserve. NFL athletes have recovered from ACL tears faster than in years past, and 6 to 9 months is a reasonable estimate. He could be back by game 1 of 2014, but this will depend on how his surgery and rehabilitation goes. His subsequent dynasty value has taken a beating and given his spate of recent injuries (wound infection, two arm fractures, two level back surgeries), one has to wonder if he will ever regain his form or be able to stay on the field long enough to be productive for his fantasy football owners. Unless he can be traded for elite TE1 value now (which I doubt), he is a hold in dynasty leagues and a sell high once he returns to the field in 2014.

Adrian Peterson, RB MIN 

This is a tough pill to swallow for Peterson owners. He sustained a mid-foot sprain and was in pain, both on television replays and his own admission after the game. Presumably x-rays were taken, and no report yet of a Lisfranc injury or fracture. MRI results were reportedly good, and a CT is scheduled, likely to evaluate if a fracture is present. Mild mid-foot sprains can heal in 3 to 10 days, but moderate-to-severe sprains can take 2 weeks or longer. Given most fantasy football titles are being decided in the next two weeks, this is a dicey situation for Peterson owners. Peterson felt he would be back to play this year, and although he is a warrior, it’s hard to count on it, especially given the Vikings are eliminated from playoff contention. Peterson owners should go all-out to pick up Toby Gerhart, who had 15 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Eddie Lacy, RB GB 

Lacy sustained an ankle injury and briefly left the Packers game against the Atlanta Falcons. He was able to return, and that is encouraging. Head coach Mike McCarthy described Lacy as “50/50” for week 15. He had 20 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown. He pitched in 3 receptions for 25 yards on 5 targets. It looks like he avoided a serious injury, and the Packers do have a nice match-up next week against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are giving up 4.8 yards per rushing attempt, 13 touchdowns, and 126 yards rushing per game, so start Lacy if he’s active. If James Starks is available, grab him as a replacement just in case Lacy is held out during week 15.

Keenan Allen, WR SD 

Allen scared his owners when he landed hard on his right shoulder and was diagnosed with a shoulder sprain. He appeared to be in pain and briefly left the field. He was able to return, and caught a four yard touchdown. He had another excellent game, with 3 receptions for 59 yards and 2 touchdowns. He caught all three of his targets, and scored two touchdowns. That’s efficiency. The injury doesn’t sound serious, but watch his practice participation next week. He was able to practice on Monday, so it looks like he is on track to play Thursday night. Allen does have a nice match-up week 15 against the Denver Broncos, a game that looks like a potential shoot-out. The Broncos are 30th in the NFL defending receivers, giving up over 300 yards per game and 23 touchdowns.  Start Allen if he’s healthy as his dynasty value continues to climb, nearing low-end WR1 value.

Wes Welker, WR DEN 

Welker sustained his second concussion since week 11. He got hit in the side of his head and has a confirmed concussion. The risk of sustaining a second concussion is highest within 10 days of the first one. Players with a history of a concussion are 4 to 6 times more likely to get a second concussion. This has to be a concern for his dynasty owners. Welker will be enrolled in the NFL Concussion Protocol, and will need to show resolution of symptoms, be able to perform sports activities without new symptoms and be cleared by his medical team. The Broncos play the San Diego Chargers on Thursday Night Football, and his capacity to play week 15 is in doubt. Check his practice participation and for further updates from the Broncos, in terms of his ability to pass the concussion protocol, but his status for week 15 is tenuous at best. Welker will be 33 years old in 2014, and while it’s tough to count out a tough player like him, his trade value in dynasty is on the decline.

Reggie Bush, RB DET

Bush was a late scratch after he slipped in pre-game warm-ups and aggravated a calf injury. Low grade calf strains can heal in 7 to 10 days, while higher grade strains can take longer, 4 to 6 weeks or more. No updates by the Lions after the game. Bush will get an extra day to recover, as the Lions play the Baltimore Ravens at home on Monday Night Football week 15. Still, this is also a headache for fantasy owners, if there is uncertainty about his playing status, unless Joique Bell is owned. If Bush can practice this week, that would be a good sign, but this should be monitored by his owners. It’s a tough spot to be in, given the importance of week 15 for most fantasy football leagues.

Tavon Austin, WR STL

Austin sustained an ankle injury late in the game against the Arizona Cardinals. Initial reports are the injury does not appear to be serious, and he is described as “day-to-day.” He had one reception for 9 yards, one rush for 56 yards and 95 punt return yards. This injury should not impact his long-term value in dynasty leagues. Pay attention to his practice participation, and he gets the New Orleans Saints at home week 15.

Lamar Miller, RB MIA

Miller sustained a concussion and was removed from the game. Miller will be enrolled in the NFL Concussion Protocol, and will need to demonstrate resolution of neurological symptoms, advance sports-specific activities without new symptoms and be cleared by his medical team. The Dolphins get a nice match-up, playing at home against a New England Patriots defense that is 31st in the NFL in defending the run, giving up 4.5 yards per carry and 138 yards rushing per game. Daniel Thomas is next up, and he had 16 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also added one reception for four yards.

Tyrann Mathieu, S ARI

Mathieu hurt his knee, and MRI scans show a ruptured ACL and LCL. That is a tough loss, as Mathieu is a top 12 safety in IDP leagues. He sustained the injury on a return, and this is particularly frustrating given his importance as a defender, both for the Cardinals and his IDP owners. Mathieu is done for this year, and recovery is 6 to 9 months. Hopefully he will back game 1 of 2014, but this will depend on his surgery and rehabilitation. His dynasty value is still very solid and this should not change his status as an elite safety in IDP leagues.

Ziggy Ansah, DE DET

Ansah sustained a shoulder injury and was removed from the game against the Philadelphia Eagles. After the game, Lions head coach Jim Schwartz described the injury as not long-term. Whether or not he will be available to play week 15 is yet to be determined. Since week 12, Ansah has been a top 10 defensive end in IDP leagues. Pay attention to his practice participation this week and updates from the Lions. He gets the Baltimore Ravens at home week 15.

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