The Dynasty Doctor: Week Six Injury Report

Scott Peak Posted On October 20, 2015

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 a Senior Writer for 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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Eddie Lacy, RB GB

Lacy wasn’t so much injured as completely ineffective against a beatable Chargers defense. He had just 4 rushing attempts for 3 yards and 2 receptions for 17 yards on the day. James Starks had 10 rushes for 110 yards and a touchdown. Those who started Lacy aren’t too pleased, as there was no indication of a problem pre-game. Head coach Mike McCarthy, after the game, intimated that Lacy has injury issues (“a little banged up”). Lacy did have an ankle injury week 2 against Seattle, but managed a full workload against the Niners week 4 (18 rushes, 90 yards, 1 reception, 3 yards). Something is clearly amiss with Lacy. I listed him as a sell high in the off-season, mainly due to concerns about re-injury, his running style and history of concussions. It might be tempting to buy low on him, but I’m looking elsewhere in dynasty formats.

Keenan Allen, WR SAN

Allen is a player I love and has been undervalued in dynasty. Allen was unable to finished the game with a hip injury. He was diagnosed with a hip flexor injury, and depending on severity these can be 1-3 week recoveries or longer if more serious. Allen didn’t think it was serious so that’s good news, and he should reportedly play week 7. Monitor his ability to practice this week. He amassed 15 targets and finished with 14 receptions for 157 yards. Allen is third in the NFL with 68 targets. Allen is closing in on his 2014 production in six games. He’s a PPR gem and a top 5 WR this year in fantasy points. That said, Allen has a history of durability issues. I’m not sure he can hold up over the course of an entire season at this pace. Allen is still a value, drafted as the WR16 in October and is exceeding that production. I had him listed as a sell-high in the off-season, given durability concerns, but it’s hard not to buy him at his current price tag.

Sammy Watkins, WR BUF

Watkins is fast becoming the Jonathan Stewart of wide receivers. Watkins returned from a calf injury, his owners got excited when he caught a 22 yard touchdown, then he promptly sustained an ankle injury and is on crutches. That’s the story of Watkins’ football life. Watkins was in a walking boot after the game. He appeared to invert his left ankle on the play, and this is more supportive of a low (lateral) ankle sprain rather than a high-ankle sprain. Monitor his practice participation. It didn’t look like a serious injury so that’s good news. Dynasty owners have to be holding their breath whenever he’s on the field. The ankle injury looked legit and was more a fault of EJ Manuel’s accuracy issues, as Watkins was uncovered but had to adjust to a poorly thrown pass. Still, I’m losing enthusiasm for him as a dynasty asset. Despite his physical gifts, he can’t help our dynasty teams on the bench.

Emmanuel Sanders, WR DEN

Sanders has been the most productive fantasy receiver in Denver this year, and had another stellar game this week (4 receptions, 109 yards, 1 touchdown). He is top 5 in targets this year (63) and fantasy production, yet his October ADP doesn’t reflect his worth (WR22, ADP 36). Sanders made a nice catch that got overturned on replay, and he landed hard on his left shoulder. It looked suspicious for a shoulder sprain, and he was diagnosed with an AC joint sprain. Return to play depends on pain tolerance and severity of the injury. It could be 1-3 weeks with a low grade injury or longer if it’s a more severe variety. We’ve seen NFL players return quickly from shoulder sprains so hopefully that will be the case for Sanders. Head coach Gary Kubiak felt he would be fine. It isn’t a serious injury and does not adversely impact his dynasty value. I’m a buyer of Sanders given his talent, production and consistently available discount in dynasty formats. Denver is on a bye and that’s good timing for Sanders given his injury. I think there is a reasonably good chance he returns after the bye but monitor this situation closely.

Allen Robinson, WR JAC

Robinson sustained a right leg contusion and was removed from the game. The injury occurred when a Houston Texans safety and Robinson had their lower legs collide on a tackle. Both shins impacted, and this is consistent with a contusion. These can be painful injuries, and I’m sure he will be monitored for a compartment syndrome (swelling in the muscle/soft tissue that can result in nerve/muscle injury), but fortunately these are uncommon (see Hakeem Nicks). No mention of a fracture so that is good news. I don’t think this injury adversely impacts his dynasty value but monitor his practice participation this week.

Jeremy Maclin, WR KAN

Maclin sustained a concussion and will be enrolled in the NFL concussion protocol. He will need to have resolution of concussion symptoms and be cleared by medical staff before returning to play. Most concussions resolve in 7-10 days but we’ve seen players held out for longer periods of time this year (Luke Kuechly, Josh McCown). Not every concussion is the same so we’ll see how fast Maclin can recover.

Marcus Mariota, QB TEN

Mariota took a shot to the left knee but was able to continue playing. The left leg was planted as he threw the ball, and a Dolphins defender hit him on the lateral side of his knee. He’s been diagnosed with a sprained MCL and that is consistent with the injury mechanism. MRI negative for other injured ligaments. Mariota didn’t miss a play, and that is reassuring. No adverse impact on his dynasty value but have a replacement ready just in case he doesn’t play this weekend.

Michael Vick, QB PIT

The only reason to mention Vick in this column is more about Ben Roethlisberger nearing his return and Landry Jones outplaying Vick. Jones replaced Vick and finished with 8 completions for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns. It’s hard to see Vick continuing as the back-up, and he certainly breathed life into the offense. Roethlisberger looks very close to returning and that’s great news for Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant. Cut Vick and give some consideration to acquiring Jones in 2QB leagues, if he’s on waivers or is super cheap.

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