The Dynasty Doctor: Week Ten Injury Report

Scott Peak Posted On November 11, 2014

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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.

Carson Palmer, QB ARI

Palmer tore his ACL and is out for the year. Recovery takes 6-9 months, so he should be back in 2015. He’ll also be a 35-year old with a lot of miles and issues with his throwing shoulder. Palmer’s dynasty value isn’t very high, but how this impacts those around him is a concern. Drew Stanton is next up. When Stanton played weeks two, three and five, Larry Fitzgerald averaged four receptions for 47 yards and no touchdowns. In the same set of games, Michael Floyd had one stellar performance (five receptions for 114 yards) but two other clunkers (two receptions for 26 yards). John Brown likewise had a solid game (four receptions, 52 yards, two touchdowns) and two clunkers (five receptions for 32 yards). The greatest beneficiary is likely Andre Ellington. It’s hard to like anyone other than him at this point. Palmer just signed a new contract and he should be a Cardinal through at least 2015 – not good news for Floyd owners, but maybe the Cardinals move on from Fitzgerald and his $23.6 million cap hit in 2015 (per spotrac.com).

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Ronnie Hillman, RB DEN

Well, that ended fast.

Hillman seemed to rise from the ashes, with three solid performances in weeks six, seven and eight. Hillman looked the part as a dynamic, speedy playmaker and an RB1 for fantasy owners. Then, he sprained an ankle week nine and may now be dealing with a sprained foot. Initial reports are “day-to-day” to out 2+ weeks. Meanwhile, C.J. Anderson tapped in as the fourth Broncos running back to show a pulse this year (13 carries for 90 yards and four receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown). If Hillman has a sprained foot, depending on the severity of injury, he could be out a few days to 4+ weeks if it’s a grade 1 or 2 injury. No mention of surgery, so that suggests it’s not a grade 3 injury. This backfield is turning into a headache for fantasy owners and will get worse as Montee Ball may return to the lineup. Hopefully Hillman owners sold high but, if not, it looks like his dynasty value may be returning to its prior baseline.

Reggie Bush, RB DET

Bush continues to struggle with an ankle injury and he apparently aggravated it on Sunday. Bush has been a disappointment for fantasy owners this season and his past three games he hasn’t been worth a start in standard-scoring leagues (14 rushes for 43 yards). Bush has just one touchdown all year. Clearly, his dynasty value is winding down. Theo Riddick is an interesting name to monitor. Riddick isn’t as helpful in standard-scoring leagues (nine rushes for 11 yards last three games) but his value rises sharply in PPR formats (15 receptions for 154 yards and 3 touchdowns the past three games). He just might be on waivers, and if he is, go get him. Only 23 years old, Riddick could prove to be a replacement for Bush and that’s worth quite a bit in dynasty leagues.

Brandon Marshall, WR CHI

Marshall has been dinged up all year and sustained an nasty-looking ankle injury in a blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers. Replays look suspicious for a high-ankle sprain (i.e. foot everts as defender falls on a planted lower leg). Initial reports are optimism that Marshall could play week 11. Watch this one closely. Marshall is a tough hombre, but high-ankle sprains can linger and aggravations are not unusual if athletes rush back to play before its healed. Monitor Marshall’s practice participation this week and be prepared to go with another option if he’s inactive. If Marquess Wilson is somehow available on waivers, scoop him up.

Delanie Walker, TE TEN

Walker sustained a concussion and will need to be cleared through the NFL concussion protocol before returning. He has cooled off after a nice start, with just 16 receptions for 195 yards and one touchdown the past five weeks. It’s hard to like anyone in the Titans passing game right now with a rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger at the helm. We will see if Walker can get through the protocol in time for Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers next week.

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